POV: Bunny
The hum of the car felt louder than it should. Bunny stared out the window, her hands tightly clasped in her lap. She was trying not to let her nerves show, but her foot kept tapping against the floor.
> Aarav (with a teasing glance): "Nervous?"
Bunny (immediately): "No! I'm fine."
Aarav (laughing softly): "Right. That's why you've been shaking your leg for the past twenty minutes?"
She huffed and turned her face to the window, lips puffed.
---
POV: Aarav
As the car slowed in front of the party venue, Aarav leaned forward, then looked at her.
> Aarav: "One second."
He stepped out first, walked around the car, and opened the door for her.
Then he extended his hand — steady, sure, warm.
> Aarav (softly): "Let's make an entrance."
She placed her hand in his, and for a second, they weren't acting.
---
Scene — The Party Entrance
Flashbulbs. Music. Chatter.
Everyone's eyes turned as Bunny and Aarav entered — her hand resting lightly on his arm, his eyes scanning the room protectively.
> Bunny (whispering): "We just walked into a full-on K-drama."
Aarav (smirking): "Wrong. K-dramas wish they looked this good."
---
Suddenly — A Girl Appears
> ???: "Aarav!! I knew you'd come!"
A tall woman in a golden dress swept toward them, her heels clicking with too much confidence. Without hesitation, she placed her hands on Aarav's chest and leaned in way too close.
POV: Aarav (internally panicking):
Oh no. Not her. Not now.
> Aarav (awkwardly pulling back): "What are you doing?"
Girl (ignoring him): "Relax. Just act normal. We're close friends, remember?"
She grabbed his arm and dragged him a few steps away before Bunny could react.
> Aarav (in a low tone): "Can you not make this weird?"
Girl (teasing): "Why? You're not actually into her, are you?"
---
POV: Bunny
She watched them from a distance, expression unreadable, fingers tightening around her clutch.
> Bunny (thinking):
So that's the type he's used to. Sparkles and shameless flirting?
The girl returned and slid beside Bunny with an overly sweet smile.
> Girl: "So, you're Bunny? The... pretend girlfriend?"
Bunny (smiling back, sharp and cold):
"Oh, no. I'm very real. Want me to show you how real?"
The girl blinked.
> Bunny (leaning in, whispering):
"Touch him again and I'll drop this wine glass — by accident, of course — on your expensive heels."
---
POV: Aarav
From across the room, Aarav watched the exchange.
He couldn't hear what Bunny said — but the way the girl retreated?
> Aarav (smiling to himself):
Okay, new favorite version of Bunny: Protective Bunny.
He couldn't take his eyes off her. And every second, pretending felt less and less like a performance.
---
To be continued...