Chapter 29: Shadows of Romance
Ethan stared at the message he had just sent to Olivia, heart thudding in his chest. *We need to talk about the rumors. I don't want things to get out of hand.* He set his phone aside, watching as the minutes ticked by, wondering how she would respond. Olivia Winters wasn't just any actress—she was the darling of the industry, a star with enough pull to sway even the most ruthless of tabloids.
He didn't have to wait long. A notification lit up his phone.
**Olivia:** *I've seen the rumors. Let's meet. We need to control this before it blows up.*
Ethan exhaled, relief flooding through him. He didn't know what the meeting would bring, but he knew he couldn't handle another round of gossip without a plan. Especially since his relationship with Olivia was strictly professional... or at least, it had been.
---
The next afternoon, Ethan and Olivia met at a quiet café, tucked away from the prying eyes of paparazzi. Olivia arrived, wearing oversized sunglasses and a trench coat, her face barely visible but unmistakable to him. She slid into the chair across from him, removing her glasses as their eyes met.
"So," she began, voice steady but edged with a hint of irritation. "I see the vultures are circling us again."
Ethan leaned back in his chair. "Tell me about it. They're always looking for a story, and apparently, we're the headline of the week."
Olivia's expression softened as she sipped her coffee. "It's frustrating, but this is the game we signed up for. We're stars, and they want to connect us in every possible way."
Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "What do we do? Deny it? Laugh it off?"
She hesitated, then her eyes narrowed slightly. "Or... we can use it."
His eyebrows shot up. "Use it?"
Olivia leaned forward, her voice lowering to a whisper. "Think about it. People are obsessed with celebrity relationships. The speculation, the 'are they or aren't they' tension. If we play it smart, we can fan the flames just enough to keep us in the spotlight but on our terms."
Ethan was taken aback. The idea was bold—dangerous, even. But Olivia was right. Publicity was a tool, one that could either make or break careers. If they controlled the narrative, they could turn the rumor mill to their advantage.
"Are you sure about this?" Ethan asked cautiously.
"I've been in this business longer than you, Ethan," she said with a smirk. "Trust me, a little mystery goes a long way."
---
**[Ding!]**
*Task Progress: 75%*
---
Later that evening, they put their plan into motion. During a live Q&A for their upcoming movie, the inevitable questions about their "relationship" came up. Ethan and Olivia exchanged a knowing glance, and she answered with a coy smile.
"You know, working with Ethan has been amazing," she said, glancing his way. "We've definitely grown close on set."
The fans went wild, the chat exploding with speculation and excitement. Ethan leaned in, adding, "Olivia is a great friend... maybe even more. But some things are best left for you all to figure out."
The ambiguity was enough to send the public into a frenzy. By the time the Q&A ended, the internet was buzzing with theories about their relationship. They had given the media just enough to keep them hooked without confirming anything concrete.
---
**[Ding!]**
*Task Complete: 100%*
---
As Ethan sat in his apartment that night, reviewing the whirlwind of fan reactions, a new task notification appeared.
---
**[Ding!]**
*New Task Available: Strengthen Connections in the Industry*
**Objective:**
- Build stronger relationships with key industry players to secure future roles.
- Networking opportunities will arise. Maximize each one.
- Task Duration: Ongoing.
---
Ethan sighed, knowing the pressure wasn't going to ease up anytime soon. But he was learning fast—this world of fame was as much about survival as it was about talent. The drama, the rumors, and the headlines were all part of the package.
---
A knock on the door broke through his thoughts. When he opened it, Mia stood there, looking exasperated.
"Ethan," she began, not even bothering to greet him. "I just got a call from Leo. There's a new rumor going around."
"Another one?" Ethan groaned. "What now?"
Mia gave him a deadpan look. "They're saying you're seeing two people at once. Olivia and... some guy."
Ethan froze. "What? I haven't even—"
"I know!" Mia threw her hands up. "But the media is running wild with this, and now people think you're hiding a secret love triangle."
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. "Unbelievable."
"It gets worse," Mia added. "The press is digging into your past, looking for any proof to back up these rumors. They're even going after old friends."
Ethan's heart sank. His mind raced back to his past life—the one before the accident, before the system, before fame. There were parts of his old world he never wanted to relive, memories he had buried deep.
He had to get ahead of this. Fast.
---
**[Ding!]**
*New Task: Protect Your Secrets*
**Objective:**
- Prevent damaging information from your past from reaching the media.
- Work discreetly to avoid suspicion.
- Task Duration: 72 hours.
---
The system was relentless, and so was the media. But Ethan wasn't the same person he had been when he first arrived in this world. He was smarter, more strategic, and ready for the next challenge.
The game was on, and he intended to win.