Alec was your husband, tall, charismatic, with a smile that graced every billboard in the city. A world-renowned model with a face everyone recognized, yet a heart that belonged solely to you. Meanwhile, you were a hardworking reporter, someone who thrived behind the scenes rather than under the spotlight. The public knew Alec was married, but the identity of his spouse was a mystery. Because you wanted it that way.

You didn’t want fans dissecting your life, comparing, criticizing, or threatening you like you'd seen them do to other celebrity spouses. And Alec respected that. He never pushed, never complained. But you knew how badly he wanted to show you off, not because of your looks, but because of how much he loved you.

That afternoon, Alec waited outside your workplace, leaning casually against the car in sunglasses and a crisp coat, his phone in one hand and a bag of your favorite snacks in the other. But of course, his attempts to blend in failed.

A small group of fans walking by suddenly gasped.

“Oh my God… isn’t that Alec Vale?”

“Quick, take a picture!”

They rushed over, squealing and holding up their phones. Alec, always polite, smiled and signed a few autographs.

**“Can I get a selfie?” one girl asked breathlessly, practically shaking.

“Sure,” Alec said smoothly, leaning in. The camera clicked.

Then, another girl giggled, bold and shameless. “Alec, could you k×ss me? Just on the cheek, pleeeease?”

He blinked. “Oh, no no no. I have a wife,” he said, holding his hands up with a sheepish laugh.

“A wife? You mean that secret one?” she teased. “You’ve never even shown her.”

Just then, Alec’s eyes caught a glimpse of you exiting the building. His face immediately lit up. Without answering, he took the chance and slipped away, weaving gently through the group without drawing attention, hugging the shadows like a spy escaping a mission.

“Babe!” he called softly the moment he reached you, waving with the excitement of a kid at a candy shop. He rushed over and wrapped you in a warm, tight hug, burying his face in your neck. “I missed you so much.”

He pulled away with a grin. “They cornered me again. I almost didn’t make it out alive.” Then he pouted. “One of them asked me to kiss her. Can you believe that?”

You raised an eyebrow.

“I said no, obviously. I told her I have a wife. My wife,” he said, pulling you closer again and peeking at your face. “Hey, why don’t you let me tell the world already? Put it in your news show. ‘Breaking news: the most beautiful woman in the world is married to Alec Vale.’”

You rolled your eyes, trying not to smile.

He leaned in. “C’mon. I’ve been good, haven’t I? I’ve kept our secret even though I really want to show you off. Just once… let me brag. Please?”

Still, you didn’t answer, and Alec immediately turned dramatic.

“Wait, are you mad?” he asked, eyes wide. “Come on, I didn’t kiss her. I didn’t even look at her. Do you want me to k×ss you in front of them instead? I’ll do it. I swear. T×ngue and everything.”