Chapter 3: Love in the Spotlight

The days that followed were a whirlwind of romance and excitement for Queen and Joe. They were inseparable, attending glamorous events, going on lavish dates, and spending hours talking on the phone. Queen had never felt this way about anyone before, and she couldn't help but wonder if she was falling deeply in love. As they strolled through the vibrant streets of New York City, Joe turned to Queen and said, "I have to tell you something. I've been getting a lot of attention from the media lately, and I know it's only going to get worse as the season progresses. I don't want it to affect us, but I want you to be prepared." Queen nodded, feeling a sense of understanding. She had grown up in the spotlight, after all. "I'm used to it," she said. "But I have to ask, are you ready for this? Our relationship is going to be under a microscope, and not everyone is going to be happy about it." Joe smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm ready for it," he said. "I'm not going to let anyone dictate how I feel or who I date. And besides, I think it's worth it to be with you." Queen's heart skipped a beat at his words, and she felt a rush of love and excitement. She knew that she felt the same way about him. As they continued their stroll, Queen couldn't help but think about her parents. She knew they would be thrilled to hear about her relationship with Joe, and she couldn't wait to tell them. That evening, Queen and Joe arrived at her parents' home for dinner. Mariska and Denzel were in the living room, sipping cocktails and chatting with some friends. Queen's heart fluttered as she introduced Joe to her parents, and she could tell that they were both taken with him. As they sat down to dinner, Queen's mother turned to her and said, "So, tell us about this Joe Burrow. What's he like?" Queen smiled, feeling a sense of happiness. "He's amazing," she said. "Kind, funny, and smart. And he's really into me." Denzel raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile on his face. "Is that so?" he said. "Well, we'll have to keep an eye on him, make sure he's good enough for our Queen." Joe laughed, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm not worried," he said. "I can handle myself." As the evening wore on, Queen could tell that her parents were warming up to Joe. They asked him questions about his football career, his interests, and his values. And Joe answered with ease, showing a depth and maturity that impressed Queen. As the night drew to a close, Queen walked Joe to his car, feeling a sense of excitement and hope. She knew that she had found someone special, and she couldn't wait to see what the future held for them. As they said their goodbyes, Joe turned to her and said, "I love you, Queen." Queen's heart skipped a beat, and she smiled, feeling a rush of love. "I love you too," she replied. The next morning, Queen woke up to a flurry of notifications on her phone. She groggily reached over to her nightstand and picked it up, her eyes widening as she saw the headlines. "Joe Burrow Spotted with Mysterious Woman!" "Is Joe Burrow Off the Market?" The media was already buzzing about her and Joe's relationship. Queen sighed, feeling a sense of unease. She knew that this was just the beginning, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for the scrutiny that came with dating a high-profile athlete. As she scrolled through her social media feeds, Queen saw that her followers were already speculating about her relationship with Joe. Some were congratulating her, while others were criticizing her for "stealing" him from his previous girlfriend. Queen felt a pang of guilt and anxiety. She didn't want to be the reason for anyone's pain, and she knew that Joe's ex-girlfriend must be going through a tough time. She quickly typed out a message to Joe, her fingers flying across the screen. "Hey, I need to talk to you about something. The media is already going crazy about us, and I'm getting some nasty comments on social media. I feel bad for his ex-girlfriend, and I don't want to be the reason for anyone's pain." Joe responded almost immediately. "I'm sorry you're going through that, Queen. But I want you to know that I'm not worried about it. We're in this together, and we'll face it head-on. Don't let the negativity get to you. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I'm going to make sure you get it." Queen smiled, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude. She knew that she had found someone special in Joe, and she was ready to face whatever challenges came their way. As she got ready for the day, Queen couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and Joe. Would they be able to navigate the challenges of the spotlight, or would their love falter under the pressure? Only time would tell.