"Look this way Mr Marshall! Yes, yes, that's perfect! Tilt your head to the side a little! Mmmmm, okay nice!" Dolce, photographer and fashion designer said as she kept clicking away on her camera.
Lights. Flashes. Clicking. Gabriel stood behind the white background they had laid out and smiled for the camera. Selina was beside him, posing like a professionally trained model. He recalled that she had modelled for her father's brands in the past. It was no wonder she felt and looked so natural in front of the camera.
"We need intimacy! Come a little closer, we need to convince the public that you're an actual couple, so give me some lovey Dovey stuff!"
Gabriel sighed. He was tired already, tired and exhausted of looking at the camera and the occasional flashing lights were starting to make him nauseous. He began to curse his mother inwardly, but remembered that this shoot is something they would've done sooner or later.
Selina on the other hand didn't like as tired as he was, well, as far as he could see. She moved closer to him and Gabriel complied. He wrapped his hand around her waist and she placed a hand on his chest as she looked him in the eyes. Her expression, everything about her demeanor was screaming love, I'm in love with this man. Gabriel couldn't help but be impressed.
"A bit closer! I need more!" Dolce hollered again.
Gabriel pulled her closer, like Dolce had ordered and they bodies finally touched through the fancy dress they had on. Selina wore a car purple body con dress that was long enough, it swept the floor. The pleats at the bottom of the flowing gown was mermaid shaped. The sleeve was a ball sleeve that flowed all the way to her wrists. It was a stunning dress and it complimented her curves. Gabriel wore a black corporate suit and his hair was parted at the side and slicked back. They indeed, looked like the perfect couple.
"Perfect, perfect. Keep looking at each other!" Dolce hollered again and smiled. She had finally gotten the pose she was looking for.
They stayed in that pose for a while, painstakingly looking at each other for what felt like hours, until Dolce bellowed for then to the take a break. The flashing lights stopped, cameras and lightings were down and Gabriel finally felt like he could breath again. Dolce walked up to them, her hands on her hips and a smile on her face.
"Great job, both of you. Next, we'll need to take more photos of the both of you in more casual clothes and an up close shot of your engagement rings. We'll start in 15 minutes. You both should head to the your dressing rooms and get some rest before the next shoot."
Selina nodded and so did Gabriel. Dolce went back to the crew and Gabriel wasted no time in breezing to his dressing room. He had to push himself past a group of people and duck over a pole that was being carried by two men. He made his way until he was finally in his dressing room.
Gabriel took of his suit jacket and slid down in the chair that sat in front of a huge dressing mirror that had lights connected around it. Exhaling sharply, he loosened his tie and undid the button at the collar of his shirt. Gabriel could finally breath. He exhaled again and relaxed into his chair. This was just the tip of the iceberg. From now till the wedding, things were going to get even hectic and he knew.
He looked over to the small cube box on the dressing table and picked it up. He flipped it open and the small engagement ring was in his view. His scoffed and ran his fingers along the small diamond at the top of the ring that sparkled in the light. Everything he was doing now had not been planned by him. The wedding, the photoshoot, and even the ring. It had all been planned out by his mother and she planned it out perfectly.
It had been that way since he was a kid. His mother had planned out his future as soon as he was born. What school he would attend an how he would work for the family company as soon as he was old enough. Gabriel clenched his fists at the thought, the thought that he was still dancing in the palm of his mother's hands.
Gabriel had thought that he had escaped her. He had thought that she would leave him alone once he was older. That was what Gabriel thought, but he was wrong. She still control over his life and it infuriated him, greatly. Gabriel couldn't wait for the day that he'd finally be free from her.
A soft knock came on the door and it swung open slowly. A young girl with short blonde hair popped out from the door and looked at Gabriel.
"Would you like a drink, Mr Marshall?" She said, he voice trembling a little.
Gabriel gave her a smile and her cheeks went hot red. "That's fine, I'll go get it myself."
The girl nodded and retreated away, shutting the door quietly. Now that she had mentioned a drink, Gabriel noticed that he was thirsty. He cursed under his lips, wishing he had told her to bring a drink for him, instead of trying to play nice.
Reluctantly, he got up from his chair and lazily walked out of his dressing room. He walked past a few people until he got to a small lunch area. A few workers were seating, having their meals in a lunch box. He exchanged greetings with them and walked over to the vending machine at the very end. He slid a coin in and took the can of cola that had dropped out.
Gabriel walked out of the lunch room and was walking down the busy corridor again. He sighted Selina, who was at a secluded corner, a phone to her ear. He was a few feet away from her and she didn't seem to notice him coming.
"I love you." She said to the phone.
Gabriel paused and looked at her, the surprise in his face evident.