Chereads / Love Invalid / Chapter 16 - Chapter Fifteen

Chapter 16 - Chapter Fifteen

Athena's POV

The whole ride to the studio was filled with silence. None of us said a word to break the awkwardness between us. When we arrive, Alex steps out of the car, fixing his shirt and his shades—leaving me behind in the car.

I roll my eyes as I step out, closing the door behind me. Looking around, I see that everyone is busy walking around either holding clothes or makeup boxes. I look down at my ripped jeans and loose top which shows a little bit of my bra.

My hair touches my face when the wind came flowing by. I cringe my nose at the sudden contact but before I could move it away, Alex has already touching my cheek. My eyes widen when I look up at him—can't really find his blue eyes since he's wearing shades—he moves my hair away from my face, leaving sparks behind.

''Let me tie your hair.'' He says, still holding my hair away from my face.

I give him my hair rubber band and he turns me around so that my back is facing him. I feel his hand touches the nape of my neck, giving me goosebumps. Whenever someone touches the back of my neck, it leaves me weak. He ties my hair up into a high ponytail.

''Done,'' He mutters lightly.

Turning around, I touch my hair—feeling that he tied my hair neatly yet loose at the same time. Behind those shades, I know he is looking back at me but I can't really be so sure, ''I can do it myself, you know.'' I say.

''I know.'' Alex shrugs.

''Ah the newly-wed has arrived!'' We both turn around at the voice, meeting a woman with dark short brown hair. She is smiling widely at me and Alex. Her eyes look down at my clothing before looking up at my face, ''Your wife looks beautiful in person, Alex.'' She adds.

''She has always been beautiful, Liz.'' He replies, giving her one of his attractive grin.

Liz laughs, her eyes never leaving mine but within seconds, she starts to pull Alex into a friendly hug. I just stand there looking at both of them, a smile on my face never fail me, ''How are you? You seem to gain a few pounds.''

Alex chuckles, wrapping an arm around my waist, ''Well I'm happy.'' I look up, seeing that he is smiling at Liz. Liz's grin widen before clapping her hand.

''God, you guys are adorable!'' She cheers before pulling me in for a hug.

My eyes widen instantly and I look at Alex who just nod his head, asking me to play along. I did as told and I hug her back just as tight. When we both pull away, she still have the smile on her face, ''Are you sure I'm not disturbing you two?'' She furrow her eyebrows, ''I saw the news earlier today and there's a few pictures of you two at the wedding. The paparazzi manage to somehow sneak in. There was a close up of you two dancing.''

Alex nods, ''Yeah they manage to do that.''

''But don't worry! It's to satisfy the public.'' She smiles once more, ''Ah, come on let's go inside.'' And she turns around so that her back is facing us. I stand at my spot and so does Alex.

''She's friendly.'' I mutter at Alex.

He smiles at me, his arm moves up to around my shoulder, ''She has always been like that.'' We both walk side by side, receiving glances from other people on set. When we reach inside, the air-conditioner greets me like an ice queen.

The green screen from each different sides, the perfect lighting, it makes me wonder how fun it would be to become a model. We walk away toward the other side, meeting Liz. She is talking to someone and pointing out at the other direction. Alex still have his arm wrap around my shoulder.

Liz turns to us, ''Okay so we will be doing the formal photo shoots first which includes smiling toward the camera, looking into each other's eyes, being in each other's embrace, etcetera etcetera.'' She looks at me, ''You with me, Athena?''

''Yeah.'' I nod lightly.

''Alright, let's get you both ready.'' Liz continues, ''Alex you go to the other side, Richard will get you ready. As for you, you are coming with me.'' She points at me.

Alex nods. He glances one last time at me before walking away toward the other room. When I turn around to find Liz, she has already gone the other way. I quickly pick up my pace to catch up with her. Once we arrive at our destination, I am greeted with three different ladies. One is holding hair accessories and the other two is holding makeup brushes.

''This is Megan.'' Liz points at the woman with extremely light blonde hair and dark blue eyes, she is the one holding those hair accessories. ''Rebecca.'' The woman with dark auburn hair and light blue eyes, ''Tara.'' And last but not least, the one with short light brown hair and sky blue eyes. They all smile at me and I gladly smile back at them, ''They will help you get ready today.'' Liz continues.

''Alright.'' I nod at her.

''Come out in ten once you're ready.'' With that, she leaves the room—closing the door behind her.

''Let's get you ready.'' Megan says, standing up and walking toward me.

When I open my eyes, I am staring at myself in the mirror but somehow I look different. Good different. My hair is long up till my stomach, lightly curled. I have light smokey eye makeup on with a dark red coloured lipstick. My eyelashes are curled up nicely, opening my eyes.

''Okay now for the dress.'' Rebecca mutters before walking toward me with a dark blood red short dress. It has a low cut on the chest which would show off my cleavage a little bit more than necessary. It ends up on my thigh and hangs nicely onto my shoulders.

They all three look at me and I nod my head before changing.

I walk out of the changing room. Seeing that everyone is busy walking around. I remember the way back to the screen. When I arrive, I see Alex is wearing a shirt which is has the same color as my dress. He turns around, noticing me in an instant. Alex frowns for awhile before eyeing down my dress.

I keep on walking toward him, avoiding his eye. He needs to stop staring or I might end up blushing like a tomato.

Liz pats on my back, ''Right let's get started you two!'' And she walk toward the camera man.

Alex stands up, holding me by the waist. Since the back is showing my skin, he is touching directly onto my ice cold skin. His rough yet soft hand makes me melt. We both stand in the middle of the white screen, Alex not letting go of my waist.

''Alright you two, just act casual but this is a formal photo shoot, okay?'' Liz asks.

I see Alex nod and with that, they adjust the lighting and the camera. I stand there awkwardly, looking around. I turn to face Alex and he still have his eyes locked with mine. Our eyes never seem like they wanted to look away.

''Okay we are starting in one,''

''Two.''

''Three.''

Everyone keeps quiet as I put my palm onto his chest. None of us have any expression on our faces. The camera starts to click, capturing the moment. Alex holds me tighter on the waist before leaning in and resting his forehead on mine. I instantly smile. The camera clicks once more.

''Okay, that's perfect! Now here.'' Liz shouts from behind, pointing at the camera.

We both turn our heads so that we would be looking at the camera but our bodies remain the same. When I smile at the camera, the camera man quickly capture the moment. He keeps on capturing the moment as I keep on looking and smiling. I look up to find Alex looking down at me.

I blush and my grin widens, ''What are you doing?'' I say.

''Looking at you.'' He replies with a light smile curves up on his lips. I roll my eyes and without me noticing, the camera man has been capturing us talking.

''More intimacy, guys.'' Liz says once more.

Alex let go of my waist and he starts to hold my right hand. I look down at our hands entwined. His other hand moves up to lift my chin, so that I am looking up at him. He isn't looking into my eyes but he is looking down at my lips. It feels uncomfortable so I keep on making my lips into a thin line or biting my lower lip.

The camera clicks. Twice. Thrice.

''Alright, now the fun part.'' Liz walk toward us, ''That was beautiful. Everything seems natural. I love it!'' She claps once more, smiling widely, ''Now all you guys have to do is just have fun.''

''Have fun?'' I raise an eyebrow at her.

''Yeah, have fun. Laugh, dance, snuggle, kiss. All those things because we will be capturing it naturally. It always look best whenever it's natural.'' She adds. ''We'll add some music so you guys could just move around according to it.''

''Ready?'' She raises her thumb at us.

Me and Alex nod at us.

''This is awkward.'' I mutter as I frown.

Alex chuckles but not saying a word.

We both stare at each other but I start to laugh afterwards and Alex furrow his eyebrows at me in confusion. Suddenly, the music starts to play and my eyes widen at how I manage to memorise all of the lyrics. I start to let go of Alex and he just look at me, waiting for my next action.

If your lips are moving, if your lips are moving

If your lips are moving, then you're lyin', lyin', lyin', baby

If your lips are moving, if your lips are moving

If your lips are moving, then you're lyin', lyin', lyin', baby

I start to move right and left. Alex chuckles as he tilt his head to the side, looking at me. I start to turn around and shake a little bit before turning around again. I move my waist to the side and lift my index finger up, ''Boy, look at me in my face, tell me that you're not just about this bass,'' I pat on my butt, ''You really think I could be replaced. Nah, I come from outer space and I'm a classy girl, I'mma hold it up. You're full of something but it ain't love and what we got, straight overdue. Go find somebody new.''

Alex's eyes widen at me singing. He just stands there, paying full attention at me. I bend down a little as I start to walk toward him, crossing my legs like a model, ''You can buy me diamond earrings and deny-ny-ny, ny-ny-ny, deny-ny but I smell her on your collar so goodbye-bye-bye, bye-bye-bye.'' I continue.

He laughs when I hold up onto his collar. I can hear the camera clicking right before I started moving. Alex moves his hand down to my waist, smiling down at me.

Our face are inches apart but our body are extremely close to each other. His chest are hitting mine.

I let him as I continue to sing, ''I know you lie, cause your lips are moving. Tell me do you think I'm dumb? I might be young, but I ain't stupid.'' I push him with my index finger and he just quickly grab me by the wrist, ''Talking around in circles with your tongue, I gave you bass, you gave me sweet talk. Saying how I'm your number one but I know you lie.''

''Cause your lips are moving, baby don't you know I'm done.'' Alex twirls me around but I just shake my bum at him. He bursts out laughing and I end up laughing with him, ending my singing.

''You can buy me diamond earrings and deny-ny-ny, ny-ny-ny, deny-ny, but I smell her on your collar so goodbye-bye-bye, bye-bye-bye.'' I mutter lightly into his ear. I find him smirking at me as he hold me tightly.

I shake my head as I sing, trying to act all tough.

It looks like I'm seducing him instead of singing to the song. To be honest, the song has nothing to do with us but I am just enjoying the beat.

I move my face so that we are really close to each other. I stare down into his lips and he does the same.

I smirk at him, ''Baby don't you know I'm done.''

Alex leans in, kissing me on the lips in surprise. My eyes widen as his hand moves up from my butt to my waist in an instant but I finally give in and kiss him back. I sneak my hands around his neck.

He kisses me roughly and passionately at the same time. I give in just the same. He holds me tightly, pulling me toward him. Our kiss not breaking, not even a second.

He tilt his head to the side, avoiding my nose to deepen the kiss. When he bit my lower lip, my mouth went to open wide and he took the opportunity to slide his tongue in. One of his hand moves up to hold my chin softly.

How can he be so rough yet soft at the same time.

Alex softens the kiss and slowly pull away from me. I look down at his lips, not even a single smudge of my lipstick. I look up to his eyes and they are looking down at my lips.

His thumb moves up, wiping the smudge on my cupid's bow. I blink a few times, somehow affected by the sudden contact.

''The only smell on my collar is yours.'' He whispers lightly into my ear, his lips brushing against my earlobe.

Someone clears their throat from beside and we both turn around to look at the cast staring at us, eyes wide. I slowly move myself away from Alex. He just smile innocently at Liz.

''That was—'' Liz says but she stops, ''Wow.''

''Wow, indeed.'' Someone says from beside Liz and they all nod their heads.

''I like—no love! I love it!'' She claps her hand, this time louder before jumping up and down a little, ''That was perfect!''

I slightly blush before looking at Alex again.

''We need to continue! Come on.'' Liz snaps her finger, before someone change the music.

Going out tonight, changes into something red

Her mother doesn't like that kind of dress

Everything she never had, she's showing off

Alex lightly pull me toward him but his hands move down to hold both of my hands. I let him.

Driving too fast, moon is breaking through her hair

She's heading for something that she won't forget

Having no regrets is all that she really wants

He looks deeply into my eye, caressing the back of my hand, ''We're only getting older baby and I've been thinking about it lately. Does it ever drive you crazy, just how fast the night changes.'' He sings with the song, ''Everything that you've ever dreamed of, disappearing when you wake up but there's nothing to be afraid of. Even when the night changes, it will never change me and you.'' It sounded more like he's saying those words to me than just singing it but there's a tiny hint of smirk appearing on his lips.

''Chasing here tonight, doubts are running 'round her head. He's waiting, hides behind his cigarette. Heart is beating loud, but she doesn't want it to stop.'' I cut him off before he could begin.

''Moving too fast, moon is lighting up her skin. She's falling, doesn't even know it yet. Having no regrets is all that she really wants.'' Alex adds, following the song.

''We're only getting older baby and I've been thinking about it lately. Does it ever drive you crazy, just how fast the night changes. Everything that you've ever dreamed of. Disappearing when you wake up but there's nothing to be afraid of. Even when the night changes—''

''It will never change me and you.'' I say.

Alex lifts both of my hands up, our fingers entwined in between. I hear the camera clicking but we both just stare at each other. Our hands look and felt right together.

''It will never change, baby. It will never change, baby. It will never change me and you,'' Alex whispers lightly into my ear as he lean in, slowly pecking once onto my neck. That one peck made me shiver and I'm glad he didn't felt it.

The camera clicks once more before the music ends.

I hear a few people breathing in and out. Slowly, I let my hands slip from Alex's. I hear people clapping and when I turn around, I see that people are nodding and clapping their hand.

''That was lovely,'' Liz chuckles, ''No words to describe it.''

I smile at her.

She gesture both of us to walk toward the camera and we did as told, ''Look at the pictures, they are amazing.'' And with just one click, she starts to play our picture—one by one.

''See.'' She points at the screen.

There's pictures of me and Alex. It was taken during our formal photo shoot. He has his hands around my waist, my palm on his chest and we both were just looking at each other. Then there's a picture of us resting on each other's forehead. We look like the perfect couple.

Liz clicks next, showing a picture of me looking up at him innocently as he smile lightly down at me. The second one shows me biting my lip as he just stare at them.

''Now these are the perfect ones!'' Liz says with a wide grin on her face.

A picture of me singing as Alex staring at me with a smirk on his face. I was dancing and turning around, making the dress twirl with me. My eyes were focused on Alex as he keep on just staring at me.

Then there's a picture of us close to each other. Of me looking down at his lip, holding up his collar, a picture of him laughing and when I was whispering into his lips. The best part was that when he twirls me around.

Last but not least, pictures of us kissing. It was intimate enough. The way he was holding me, the way we were holding each other, it was enough to show how much we crave for one another.

It surprise me when I see a picture when Alex was biting my lip. It came out looking seducing and sexy. Liz's eyes widen as she laugh, ''This one, I'm definitely in love with each of them. You two are perfect,'' She says.

When we both were done, we get to take all of those pictures home and Liz made us choose which picture gets to be the front cover. Of course me and Alex chose the formal one, where we were resting on each other's foreheads and his hand were wrapped around my waist nicely.

I change back into the clothes I came.

''Athena,'' Alex calls out my name as soon as I walk out of the studio. We both are walking toward his car.

''Yeah?'' I turn around, closing my eyes a bit, avoiding the sun from hitting my eyes.

''We're going somewhere.'' He says, standing in front of me—blocking the sunlight from directly hitting my face.

''Where?'' I raise an eyebrow.

Alex smirks at me, ''Somewhere.''

''Is it like, dinner?'' I nod lightly, ''Because I'm extremely hungry right now and all of those photo shoots somehow make me want pizza.'' I mutter under my breath.

He tilt his head, ''We can get that but no, we're not going out for dinner.''

''Get to it, Alex.'' I cross my arms, staring intensely at him.

Alex leans in toward me, his hot breath hits the bridge of my nose, making me look down at his lips immediately, ''We are going on our honeymoon, princess.''