Alter Ego: His Sultry Lover

Cage wondered how he messed up. He felt like an idiot of the biggest proportion. "I'm so sorry," he apologized.

"It's not your fault," she reassured, despite how shaken she was. She snuggled into him and he closed his eyes as he held her. Having her in his arms had dissipated some of his fear now that he knew she was alright. He hadn't realized how wound up he had been on the phone calls until this very moment.

"What happened with the photographs?" Katherine asked softly.

"Sit down. I'll tell you." He pulled back and slipped an arm around her, leading her into the bedroom. "Do you need to see a doctor for your leg?" he asked, worried as he looked at how she was limping.

"I just twisted it. I asked for ice already, it's on its way."

"It was really bad out there from what I saw," Cage mumbled.

"Did they chase you, too?" she panicked. She turned swiftly and looked over him to see if he was hurt.

"No!" he said quickly. "The security and cops had them covered. They'd be in a very difficult position if they tried to ambush me." He frowned. They had treated her like crap because she was a civilian. It's like laws acted differently for different people. "I did ask them to f.u.c.k off when I saw them, so. My parents are not going to be thrilled."

"Neither are Stephen and your PR team," Katherine chuckled for the first time.

Once they had settled down, Cage started to explain. "I saw the pictures before I came. It seems to be taken on a phone camera and not one that the paps use. And the extent to which the photos go back, it was right after I announced that I had a girlfriend. If it were the papers, they would have published something with speculations long ago. This was someone who was following me around and waiting to get solid information in their hands."

Katherine looked shaken by that. "You mean... someone has been following you?" she asked, raising her brow.

"Remember how I had to convince Giselle not to ditch the production?" he asked.

"Yes, because of some threatening letters," Katherine recalled. "Don't tell me..." she groaned.

"It is highly likely that this person is actually obsessed with me and wants to get their way by publicizing our relationship." Cage felt like an asshole saying this to her but an explanation was needed. Blindsiding her had been a bad choice to begin with. If he had told her, he wondered if the outcome would have been different.

"I know of crazy fans but..." she shook her head. "At least the pictures came out looking beautiful. It would have been a disaster if I looked like a hag." She paused, pursing her lips. "Come to think of it... just then... I was going out in your hoodie and pants... I didn't look my best." 𝘧r𝑒𝘦𝒘𝘦𝙗ｎovel.𝐜o𝒎

Cage tightened his grip around her and kissed the top of her head. "You didn't look like a hag. You looked like a girlfriend who was well-loved." Seeing her calm made him happy. But he knew that this was just the beginning of the storm that was to come.

"Oh, you're wearing makeup!" Katherine said cheerfully, though forced. Cage cursed. He had meticulously taken off the layers of makeup in the past two weeks before returning to the hotel. He quickly released her and went to the bathroom to wash his face.

"I rushed back," he told her as he scrubbed the stuff off. It barely came off, so Cage growled in frustration.

"Use this," Katherine offered helpfully. It was a huge bottle of makeup remover and wipes. He smiled at her thankfully and took them without reservation. Using your girlfriend's makeup remover, how very modern.

Phone calls were made. First by Anna and Henrick, and then Cage's team. There were some angry words said to the later party and Cage was scolded for flipping off the paps, but all in all, it was good.

"Take some rest. You've gone above and beyond," Katherine said, pulling him towards the bed.

"Least I can do," he grumbled. He had brought this on everyone. It was his oversight for not being careful.

Katherine took his face in her hands. "No. You have been the most wonderful person since I walked into your life. You have been understanding and holding my hand through everything." Cage was about to protest when Katherine shushed him. "You've made my life worth living. I'm not just working and wondering what I am doing with myself anymore. I don't want you to apologize for being yourself. I knew what I was getting into the moment I found you in my apartment. I might have been slightly overwhelmed but I am not going to hold you accountable for things people are doing wrong. You don't deserve to be treated that way."

Cage huffed. "Everyone keeps telling me that being followed and giving up your privacy comes with being a celebrity. I accept that. Why do they have to pull you into this?"

"But it's not your fault, Cage. You know that right?" she asked.

Cage shrugged. "I know it's not. And I don't regret going out on dates with you. I don't regret hugging you and kissing you when I want." He kissed her to emphasize that point.

"I suppose we have to do something about this?" Katherine said after a moment of silence.

"Stephen will arrive shortly and my team is issuing a press release shortly. We were thinking of letting GC interview me and get an exclusive. I'll probably do it alone."

"No," Katherine interjected. "We're in this together. We need to face it together. If I don't face them, they will continue harassing us."

"You're right," he said softly.

"I can do everything as long as I am with you," she said with a smile.

"That's true," Cage commented warmly. She pushed him back all of a sudden and staddled him. Despite the mischievous smile, Cage could see the worry in her eyes. "Want me to prove it to you?" he asked.

"Please do."