I was, Ryan standing beside me outside a mansion-like restaurant, feeling like I was part of a high-profile circus.At first, it was just another ordinary night-dinner at one of Ryan's frequent trendy

ke this," I said under my breath, in annoyance. "I didn't expect hounding for every exit."Ryan's smile slipped away as he leaned back in his chair, making his expression turn into serious. "You're right. I did not either. But you must understand, Emily, this is part of the game. If we are to make people believe we are a couple, the media is going to be all over us. Scrutinizing every move we make. Touch, glance, whatever. This is the price we pay for that illusion."He lowered my head, and I could almost feel the weight of those words lapping down on my hands. No longer was this just a performance put on for his family; it was a performance for the public, for the media, for the entire world watching us and waiting for fissures to develop. And I was stuck undecided about whether that pressure would break me or make me stronger.Ryan's voice broke in on my reverie. "We will manage it, however, we shall see. Have to be careful what we say, how we behave. Every movement of ours can make or break a story."I locked gazes with him, trying to analyze him. I wanted to believe he had it all under control, but something in his eyes told me he wasn't as calm as he put out to be. Maybe he had done this once before, but it didn't mean that he wasn't getting bothered."I don't think I can do this," I admitted in a low voice while picking at the frayed edge of my napkin. "It feels like... Like everything is being watched. It's not only the cameras. It's the pressure. The pressure to be perfect. What if I mess up?"And Ryan, on a top note, followed it with a sharp breath, reached towards me across the table with fingers brushing mine. For just a moment, perhaps, I could read in his eyes the softness of a man, the man behind the businessman, the one who wasn't just playing a role but trying to help me survive it. Quietly, he spoke, "You're just you. That is all they will see: A woman who dates someone like me; so there's no need for you to be perfect."His warmth touched my hand, and again, I offered a small comfort. "I'm not used to this," I admitted, feeling more vulnerable than I ever would before. "This isn't my world.""I know," Ryan said, his voice gentle but firm. "But I'm here, Emily. I've been doing this for a long time. We're going to get through it together."I nodded, even as a part of me felt overwhelmed. That was the end of the uneventful meal, but I didn't seem able to shake off the feeling that every word I s