Unexpected Crush

At my boyfriend Adam Smith's house, there was a woman who was notorious for her manipulative ways. She took off some of her outer clothes and used them to wipe the water stains on the walls.

She stripped down to just a camisole and sighed at the camera, "The constant rain here is such a hassle. Adam's house is completely soaked."

In the observation room, a celebrity praised her for being attentive, while online fans eagerly searched for sweet moments.

"So the so-called real girlfriend is just a joke. My Haylee is the sweetest!"

My boyfriend urged me to be magnanimous, "It's just wiping some water, don't be too sensitive."

Later, I got into a car accident on a rainy day, and a young idol gave me a ride home on his electric scooter. The video about this went viral, and my boyfriend angrily came to confront me.

The young idol opened the door shirtless, his hair still dripping, and smiled with crescent eyes, "It's just the humidity inside, don't be too sensitive."

1

"Janice, you don't mind if I sit here, do you?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, a figure sat right next to Adam.

The newcomer spoke with a smug tone, "After all, the audience prefers seeing me and Adam together now."

A new variety show from a popular TV network, elegantly named "Observing Celebrities at Home, " had both Adam and me participating.

His on-screen partner, Haylee Wells, was also on the guest list.

In the observation room, the live broadcast had already begun.

"I am so excited! I heard even the guests don't know what clips the production team will show."

"Hope we get more of our beloved couple on screen!"

"Dream on! Adam has a real girlfriend. And there will be many lovey-dovey scenes between he and Janice!"

The fans were arguing fiercely in the comments.

Before the microphone was turned on, I gave her a smile and said in a calm yet somewhat sarcastic tone, "Since you don't seem to care about being called a mistress, why should I bother to care about what you do?"

Haylee's face changed.

Adam gave me a reproachful look and was about to speak when a guest sat down beside me.

Tall and muscular, exuding a strong sense of masculinity, he was Rodger, the young actor recently popular for his campus drama.

Seeing this, Adam held back his words.

The big screen began to play clips.

On the screen, Haylee entered Adam's house, seemingly familiar with the place. She changed her shoes and lounged on the sofa, directing him to cook.

Watching the scene, Haylee laughed, "Why did the production team show this part? It reminds me of how bad Adam's cooking is."

Her tone was intimate, like a girlfriend playfully teasing her boyfriend.

Adam jokingly called her an ungrateful brat, "I cook for you, and you still complain."

They bickered like a couple in love.

The scene shifted to Adam entering the kitchen, and Haylee took off her shirt to wipe the water droplets on the wall.

She stripped down to just a camisole and sighed at the camera, "The constant rain here is such a hassle. Adam's house is completely soaked, and too much humidity is bad for your health."

A celebrity sitting beside her praised, "Haylee is so attentive."

"Wow, doing this in front of Adam's girlfriend, she's bold!"

"This is the best show ever! During work time, anything goes; it's their job!"

"Adam is such a big star, yet he doesn't even have a decent rag at home and needs someone to use her clothes to wipe? He's cheating, just admit it, don't make it sound so noble!"

"Ms. Soaked, can't afford a dehumidifier with her million-dollar paycheck?"

Seeing the comments, Adam frowned, probably thinking I had instigated the fans to speak up for me.

He said in a deep voice, "It's just wiping some water, don't be too sensitive."

Haylee raised her eyebrows at me triumphantly, as if to say, Look, you'd lost this round again.

I sneered, "No one said you two have done it wrong. It seems the guilty ones are more sensitive."

Adam's face turned ugly instantly.

Good, he was annoyed.

That made me feel better.

2

Adam and I were college classmates. We went public with our relationship when we were still small-time actors.

Initially, work was tough, and we often had no roles to play.

With nothing to do, Adam took me abroad, saying he wanted to surprise me.

We climbed a famous volcano known for its blue flames under the night sky.

"This place is known as the entrance to hell." He smiled brightly, holding my hand, "Let's walk through the hell together, and our future will be bright.

I'll work hard to make you happy, and we'll be together forever."

I don't know if it was truly magical, but after returning home, we both received scripts and roles we desired.

The shows became hits after airing, making us breakout stars of the time.

We finally made it.

But as filming got busier, we spent less time together. With fame came more admirers around Adam.

He never wavered, except for Haylee.

The big screen cut out the dining scene and transitioned to Haylee wearing his jacket. They sat shoulder to shoulder on the sofa, eating watermelon.

The latest film played on TV.

Haylee suddenly mentioned me, sounding aggrieved, "Wouldn't Janice be upset if she saw this?" Adam replied, "There are cameras all over the house. We're innocent; she won't be unreasonable."

"Agree! Adam is so upright and honest!"

"The darkest place is under the candlestick. Janice, just get rid of this playboy. He's practically playing you like a puppet."

The more I watched, the colder I felt.

My hands and feet turned icy, and my breathing became uneven.

I tried hard to suppress my discomfort.

Perhaps sensing my state, Adam discreetly reached under the table to hold my hand.

Before I could pull away, a large hand suddenly intervened, directly chopping away Adam's hand.

Adam almost lost his temper but restrained himself, remembering they were still filming.

Rodger remained unfazed, flashing a toothy grin, "Hand cramp, sorry."

During the intermission, Adam asked me to wait for him after the show to go home together, "I'll explain."

But after the show, due to his and Haylee's excessive on-screen chemistry during the live broadcast, the outside area was swarmed with fervent fans and excited paparazzi.

Of course.

The three of us, the center of gossip, gathered in one place. No one wanted to miss this hot topic.

Adam saw Haylee surrounded by people and rushed to protect her.

I was just a step behind and got surrounded by reporters.

"Janice, what do you think of Haylee and Adam's relationship?"

"Janice, you've been with Adam for ten years. Do you think he's the type to cheat?"

"Haylee seems at home at Adam's place. Are they living together? Have your feelings faded, and you're just maintaining a couple image for the cameras?"

I coldly glanced at the last reporter's badge.

"Do you know what you just asked?"

3

The reporter was defiant, "Of course I know! If the feelings have faded, why don't you break up with Adam? Haven't you heard? In love, the one who isn't loved is the outsider! "It's because of your selfish desires that you're keeping two people who truly love each other apart! How could you be so heartless!" Don't you find yourself a jinx?"

The surroundings fell silent instantly.

I grabbed her badge, "Cara Wells? Seems like Haylee is your sister. she is really impatient, huh?"

Cara, embarrassed and angry, snatched back her badge.

"This was entirely my idea! I just can't stand you. Clearly, Adam doesn't love you anymore, yet you cling on desperately, making a fool of yourself!"

She turned and walked away.

I watched her retreating figure for a while.

Was I really that lacking in self-respect?

But I was not the one who did the wrong thing.

Why was I the one caught in the center of gossip, made a laughingstock, and targeted, instead of them?

Suddenly, Rodger, with a stern face, cleared a path for me through the crowd of reporters, leading me out.

"Hey, if you keep spacing out, you'll get trampled."

He ushered me into a van. "Go home and rest well. If you need anything, just reach out to me."

I didn't have his contact information.

I didn't have his contact information. Just at that moment, as if he could read my mind, my phone screen suddenly lit up. To my surprise, it was showing his phone number and email address, as if he was offering me a way to reach him.

He waved his phone, a smile playing on his lips. "Keep in touch."

After the commotion caused by the Cara, the internet was buzzing even more. Adam found me to apologize.

"I'm sorry, I never thought it would turn out like this."

I sat on the sofa peeling an orange and retorted, "Isn't this the attention you all wanted? Now your dream came true."

Adam snatched the orange from me and peeled it for me.

He hurriedly explained that everything on camera was just for the show, that leaving with Haylee was his manager's idea.

He never intended to abandon me there, never wanted me to feel so helpless.

As if afraid I wouldn't believe him, he deleted Haylee's contact information right in front of me.

"Yes, I did hype things up with her, but now I've deleted all her contacts. Isn't that enough? Janice, causing such embarrassment isn't good for anyone. We're adults; we need to look at the bigger picture."

"You never thought about leaving me, did you?

If you don't believe me, I can ask the production team to show you all the surveillance footage!"

He tried to hold my hand.

"Janice, we're couple, and even more, we're like family. Family should trust each other. You shouldn't doubt me."

My father passed away early, my mother remarried. His father is unknown, and his mother has been bedridden for years, barely hanging on.

We promised to rely on each other.

But now, I couldn't even recognize my own feelings.

When the novelty and passion faded, were we only left with a mundane life of mutual support?

He took my silence as acquiescence.

Right after that, his phone rang and he answered it. After a brief conversation on the phone, he said to me, "I'll join you for dinner later.'" Then he left.

As soon as he left, Haylee bombarded me with messages.

She sent numerous intimate photos of them together.

4

On set, she was always full of antics. She would sneak out for late-night snacks, carefully evading her manager and assistant. What's more, she even ate in his hotel room on occasion, with Adam casually dressing in the background, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Adam said he loves being on set because I'm there."

The photos were suggestive, her words full of provocation.

I typed back with a cold expression, "No matter what, there aren't any photos that close.

Seems Adam was right, you're just colleagues."

Haylee instantly lost her composure, "Just you wait."

After reading her reply, I turned off my phone screen.

Adam wanted to cheat and maintain his reputation; how could he expect to have it both ways?

Outside, purple lightning flashed, followed by thunder, and it started pouring rain.

The South was indeed rainy and humid.

Adam messaged me, saying his mother was in critical condition.

Without thinking, I changed clothes and headed out, only to be rear-ended on the way.

In the heavy rain, we quickly reached an agreement and settled the matter.

After the other party left, I found my car wouldn't start.

I called Adam, asking him to pick me up or send someone to take me to the hospital.

"Why the hospital?" Adam asked, confused. "My mom... "

"She's fine now, don't worry." He paused noticeably.

I heard a woman laughing on the other end.

"Adam, she's cursing your mom, and you're not angry? You're even covering for her? You're unbelievable!"

He snapped, "I'm just having dinner with a sponsor. What are you thinking? I'll head over to the magazine shoot after this. Can you stop causing trouble?"

You have friends, don't you? If the car's dead, ask a friend to pick you up!

Stop depending on me for everything. It's annoying!"

With that, he hung up immediately.

I stared at the ended call screen, stunned.

A sharp honk pulled me back to reality.

Rodger appeared, wearing shorts and flip-flops, riding a small electric scooter, half-submerged in water.

He honked and smiled, "Janice, hop on."

I was surprised. "How did you know I was here? "

Rodger explained that the people who rear-ended me had posted about the accident online.

"I was worried something happened to you, so I rushed over."

He laughed, "Didn't expect you to settle it so quickly, or that your car broke down. Otherwise, I'd have come for nothing."

I was puzzled at how quickly he arrived. He said within a few kilometers, an electric scooter was faster than a car.

He took all the shortcuts to get here.

"Get on quickly, or the rain will get heavier."

I didn't hesitate to accept his offer.

We both have properties in Detroit and even moved here temporarily for a show, but only he was a native of the city.

Usually, he looks glamorous in front of the camera, but in a downpour, his attire was very much like a local, grounded and practical.

Just thinking about his long limbs on such a tiny scooter made me chuckle.

"What are you laughing at?" His voice came muffled through the raincoat.

"Nothing."

He dropped me off at home. "Go on up. I'll wait until you're inside before I leave."

On impulse, I asked, "You're already drenched. Why don't you come up for a bit?"

"Sure." Rodger replied quickly.

As if afraid I'd change my mind, he parked the scooter and ran back, not even bothering with an umbrella, completely drenched. "I'm ready!"

5

Once home, I told him to shower first.

He hesitated and said, "I don't think it's necessary. I'm not that wet, really."

I gave him a once-over. "What are you thinking? If you don't shower, you'll catch a cold." Rodger's eyelids drooped instantly, and he shuffled into the bathroom like a turtle, dejected. "Janice, I don't want to wear his clothes!"

He didn't specify who "he" was, but my relationship with Adam was public.

"He's never been here."

I ordered new clothes and pants for Rodger and planned a lavish late-night snack to thank him.

Unexpectedly, before the clothes arrived, he emerged wrapped in a towel. "Don't worry, I'm well-covered!" He gestured for me to shower too. "You got caught in the rain too, don't catch a cold."

He made a good point.

I told him to wait in the guest room for his clothes.

As I entered the bathroom, I realized I forgot a towel. Just as I stepped out, I saw Rodger with a towel around his waist, bare-chested, opening the door.

His hair was still dripping.

Outside stood Adam, his face a mask of fury, almost like a dragon ready to breathe fire.

Rodger smiled, his eyes crinkling, "It's just the steam from the shower, Adam. Don't be so sensitive."