Feeling trapped, he forced an awkward smile. "Uh, it's work time, guys. Let's focus, okay?"

Without waiting for a response, he hurried into his office and shut the door behind him. The moment he sat down, he grabbed his phone and called Corrine.

After multiple attempts, she finally answered. "Hello?" Her sweet, casual voice only fueled his frustration.

Keanu lowered his voice. "Corrine, why didn't you tell me about this before making it public?"

"I've been busy all morning handling the rumors about Tilda and me," she replied matter-of-factly. "Where would I have found the time? Besides, even if I didn't tell you, you found out eventually, didn't you?"

Keanu pinched the bridge of his nose. "But I suddenly became your boyfriend. This—"

"So what?" she interrupted. "Didn't you agree to pretend to be my boyfriend?"

Keanu's frowned deepened, utterly frustrated with Corrine.

"Yes, but that was different. Now that it's public, doesn't that make our relationship real in the eyes of the world?"

"What else could I have done?" Corrine sighed. "Did you see the news? If I hadn't framed it this way, Tilda and I would've been completely vilified. Keanu, would you really want to see us get ridiculed every time we step outside?"

That made Keanu pause.

As much as he hated being dragged into this, he couldn't argue with her logic.

After a long silence, he finally muttered, "Fine. But after some time, just make up an excuse and tell everyone we broke up amicably." That way, his life could return to normal.

"I thought about that too," Corrine admitted, "but it probably won't be possible anytime soon. At least not for a year or so."

Keanu's jaw dropped. "A year? Why?!" "For your safety," Corrine replied casually. "My safety?"

"Yes!" Corrine's voice turned serious. "Keanu, have you seen how passionate my fans are right now?"

He frowned, trying to keep up with her reasoning. "Listen," she continued. "I was hurt by a jerk before and stayed single for nearly ten years. Now that I've finally announced I'm dating someone, it signals to my fans that I'm moving on. But breaking up with you after just a few months? They'll blame you."

She sighed dramatically. "They won't blame me, Keanu. They'll think you dump me, and they won't take it lightly. You have to understand, fan loyalty knows no bounds.”

Keanu's brow furrowed as he recalled the extreme cases of celebrity-obsessed fans he had seen in the news. Some were harmlessly devoted, but others? They could turn a person's life upside down.

A shiver ran down his spine. How had he ended up in this mess?

He was just an ordinary man-one who didn't want his every move scrutinized by strangers online.

Keanu rubbed his temples, sighing deeply. “What can I even do now?" he muttered. Corrine's soft, amused voice came through the phone.

"Sorry, Keanu, but until I announce our breakup, you'll have to keep pretending to be my boyfriend."

Keanu sighed again, his frown deepening. "We're just pretending, Corrine."