Chapter 20
“Of course! We’re always together, anyway” I nodded and smiled, which, for some reason, made Jaiden blush harder. “I’ll do my best to help you out”
After walking side by side for some time, I could no longer stand the intent stares that his captivated audience were shooting at me. L couldn’t believe he was oblivious to the attention that whole time. In the end, I took it upon myself to move our conversation to another place.
Why is he so unaware when it comes to those who falls for his charms? I quietly deadpanned, then turned to look at Jaiden. “So, what’s the next step after this morning rendezvous with your girlfriend?”
“My what?” It took a moment before my words registered in Jaiden, and when they did, he blushed once more. “Oh, umm. Let’s have a date somewhere near the studio where Ms. Patricia is working as a model.”
“You know that she already knows who I am, right? She did meet me yesterday when I tried to make a diversion for you to use to slip away. I thought you would’ve caught on, but all you ended up doing was make it worse.”
“Well as planned, we are going to hide your face from the very start. Also, all you did was say your name yesterday. Not like she knew that you’re really not my girlfriend. I doubt she has an idea of who you are too.”
“But won’t she find it weird that I did not get jealous or try to stop you two? If I am to say I’m your girlfriend now, she might not believe it. And I don’t think it’ll be good to reveal who I am, considering I’m supposed to be married”
“Let’s just hope it won’t come to that point. That’s why I told you to wear a hat, keep your face hidden with it at all times. Of course, I won’t let you get busted out, so let me handle the rest. I promise no one will bother you after this”
I silently thought about that for a moment. Jaiden nervously waited for my response
“So, if you don’t need my face…” I started. You just want my body, then?”
Wrong phrasing.
He burst out laughing to the point of tears. I sure hoped he’d take lessons on common sense
“Okay, let me take that back.” I said while he wheezed for air. “You just need to show that you’re with someone?”
“Yeah, that’s right,” he said as his laughter slowly died dowIL
“Why me, though? Couldn’t you ask anyone else?” I asked, which made him pause. “They might even do better than me
“I don’t recall holding an audition for this, Vivi. I think you’re good enough Are you still okay with this?”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, Jay! I do want to help you. I’m just curious why you picked me out of everyone.”
For some reason, he looked dismayed.
Maybe I had been jumping to conclusions. It felt like he was not what he first seemed after all.
“Alright, I get it,” I began again. “You lead. I’ll work hard to be your pretend girlfriend”
Jaiden looked at me in surprise
I wanted to assure him that I was being genuine when I said I was willing to take part in this–as a concerned friend. But when his silence took too long. I began to worry that I had not been convincing enough tried to think of ways I was able to get him to listen to me before
Reaching up with both hands, I cupped the sides of his face, then leaned closer and smiled at him. He was taken by surprise, yet at the same ume, he looked spellbound. From there, we kept staring into each other’s eyes until we caught ourselves doing just that and looked away in embarrassment
I
“But if ever we need to flirt at one point,” I said as I stepped back from Jaiden, who had now become a blushing mess. “Maybe I should
the one to take the lead?”
For a fraction of time. Jaiden was completely silent. Now getting worried, I tried to act carefree like I always would
So, how about it! You can say that I’m more than prepared-“Ioed, but all that seemed to do was make him more self–conscious.
1–I don’t know what I should really do. This is not my kind of thing at all, he confessed and looked away, still embarrassed
Chapter 20
“Don’t you watch romance movies? Or maybe read love stories? You can at least react as though you’re head–over–heels in love with me.
7–In love?”
“How can we make Ms. Patricia believe that we’re all lovey–dovey if you’re not going to do anything? We’ve only got one chance, Jay!”
“Right. A cover–up.”
Earlier, he was asking me if I was still okay with this. Now, though, it seemed that I had to ask him the same question.
But before I could, he spoke up again. “A–Anyhow, you can do whatever you’re comfortable to do, Vivi. We can also just tell Ms. Patricia that we’ve been dating in secret for a while now, but if she happens not to buy it, let’s do this. I–lovey–dovey pretense thingy”
“Okay! Copy that?”
“But to tell you the truth, it might not be a good idea to have you take the lead.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“I don’t really want to force you to… E–flirt with me or anything. It doesn’t seem right.
Does it make you feel uncomfortable?
0–Oh no! That’s not it!”
It’s kind of refreshing to see Jaiden getting flustered like this,
I was so used to seeing him as this friendly guy who was all smiles and sparkles. Because he had such a gentle personality, he compelled others to think that he was always that poised and confident. To think that he could actually be this bashful and timid as well
I wondered if I was now close enough with Jaiden to see this side of him.
Speaking of flustered, there’s someone else I never thought I’d see act like this too.‘ I mused as I remembered Chrysander’s odd actions yesterday. ‘Unlike him, though, Jay is not the aggressive type. Of course, he isn’t like that at all. I guess not every man is the same, huh?
After a while of strolling around the park and laying out the plan, we finally arrived in front of the studio where Patricia worked.
The elaborately designed skyscraper towered over the road below with its imposing height. I should’ve already expected this much, though. Everyone who was affiliated with the Ashwood pack could only be a figure of wealth and fame or part of high society.
“A perfect setting to execute our pretend lovers act, don’t you think?” Jaiden deadpanned.
“There’s quite a crowd here. Is there an event happening?” I asked, taking notice of the throng of people that had gathered around the entrance of the building.
“Well, Ms. Patricia is not only a model, you see. She’s a famous influencer. Maybe those people are her supporters. She does like posting about whatever she does and wherever she goes.”
How come I never heard or seen her before if she’s that popular?
“Same here. I also didn’t know a single thing about her until now.”
“Hmmm. And how are we supposed to get noticed with all those people?”
“Let’s just wall somewhere near. How about that cof
tcoffee shop over there?”
