The Influencer Chapter 2

As I neared our spot, I saw it: a sea of flowers. Pink tulips, my favorite. It was near the college campus where we'd met. He’d remembered.

I saw him standing in the middle of it all, and my heart swelled. He smiled, that gentle smile I loved so much, and got down on one knee.

I was about to walk toward him, my answer ready on my lips, when a figure shoved past me, knocking me off balance.

"I do!" a cheerful voice cried out.

To keep from falling, my fiancé, Alex, had to catch the girl, spinning her around in a dizzying circle. By the time I regained my footing, the ring that was meant for me was on this stranger’s finger.

It was the influencer from before. And the smug little smirk on her face told me this was no accident. This was revenge.

My blood boiled. I was about to rip her off him when applause erupted from behind me. A crowd had gathered, cheering them on.

"Kiss her! Kiss her!" they chanted.

An older woman grabbed my arm, pulling me back. "What are you, some kind of attention-seeker?" she grumbled, giving me a dirty look. "Let the girl have her moment."

She held onto me, and I couldn't break free. The noise of the crowd drowned out my attempts to explain. I could only watch, helpless, as Alex stood there, red-faced and trapped. He was a shy guy; this was his worst nightmare.

I finally managed to shout his name, my voice cracking. He heard me and tried to push the girl away, but she was quicker. She stepped back, a perfect smile on her face, and addressed the crowd.

"Everyone, calm down! You've got it all wrong!"

The crowd quieted, confused. She pulled me forward and, with a flourish, took the ring off her finger and pressed it into my hand.

"So sorry," she said, her voice dripping with fake sincerity. "Just had to borrow your boyfriend for some content. Don't worry, I'll tag you!"

Her grip was surprisingly strong, her smile a mask for the malice underneath. In that moment, I knew for sure. This was all deliberate.

"I know you!" someone in the crowd exclaimed. "You're Chloe Vance, the influencer!"

"Did you get me in the shot? When are you posting it? I'll give it a like!"

Chloe let go of me and beamed at her fan. "Of course! Thanks for the support!"

Suddenly, I was invisible. The crowd swarmed her, everyone wanting a selfie, an autograph. No one cared about our ruined proposal. They were just thrilled to be in the presence of a minor celebrity.

A tourist on the edge of the crowd gave me an envious look. "You're so lucky."