《Not If I Date You First》Chapter 11
Advertisement
ADA
Standing in the crowd of photographers and fans gathered outside the Met is like lighting the fuse of a firework and waiting for the detonation.
Everyone's so caught up in the hype of seeing the actors, they've thrown the rulebook for basic human decency out the window. The paps shove their way through the mass of people, jockeying for the best angles. The fans are almost as assertive as they try to maneuver into prime selfie-taking position.
If I hadn't challenged Liam to come out here in front of millions of people online, I'd be running in the opposite direction, despite the collection of blisters covering my feet from my jog through Central Park.
Agnes said I had to make this convincing, so I thought calling Liam my boyfriend on social media would help. I wasn't wrong. My comment definitely kindled the rumors about our relationship, but Liam's set them into an all-out blaze.
The social media alerts started coming in so fast, I thought my phone was going to literally blow up. When I saw the numbers next to my follower counts, I almost blacked out. I have over fifty thousand followers on both Twitter and Instagram. The idea of that many people knowing who I am and seeing the pictures I post, I can't even wrap my mind around it.
"You know these people are going to lose their shit the second your boyfriend shows his face, right?" Chrissy says, scanning the crowd.
She's standing almost uncomfortably close to me in the swell of people, but personal space is a sacrifice I'm willing to make. We got here early and managed to score ourselves a prime spot. I'm not moving.
"It's going to be chaos," I say, elbowing the guy behind me, trying to make him back off. His sweat-soaked, hairy arm keeps brushing against my back. It's icking me out big time. I drop my voice. "And you know he isn't really my boyfriend."
"What's all that about him taking his clothes off for you in private then?"
"Shhhh," I hiss. The last thing I need is for the rest of the paps to figure out who I am and start snapping pictures of Liam and me. One of Huntley's photographers needs to sell the shots if I'm going to get points. Since Chrissy's the closest one, it'll have to be her. I didn't just brand myself with a phony relationship status for nothing. I'm already dreading having to explain that one to my parents.
My eyes scan the crowd, but no one's paying any attention. There's got to be fifty other paps out here.
Two of them are pushing each other, fighting for a place at the front of the pack. A security guard gets between them before they come to blows. I didn't think being a paparazzo was going to be all flashbulbs and rainbows, but I have to admit, I didn't realize it would be this intense. It'll all be worth it when I get to do what I love for a living though.
"You're gonna need to get these shots and get them to Agnes ASAP if we've got any chance of selling them," I say to Chrissy. "These guys aren't playing."
"We? What are you—" Chrissy starts but gets cut off as the horde jostles forward, knocking her into me. The security guards gesture for us to back up. We shove backward against them, reclaiming our positions.
"What do you mean we?" she asks.
"Agnes didn't tell you?"
Advertisement
I thought Agnes would've mentioned our deal to the other interns, but apparently she left that to me. Crap. I hadn't thought about how they'd react. I doubt they're going to love the idea of me getting points for their pictures.
"Tell me what?" Chrissy asks.
"I made a deal with Agnes. She's going to give me points for any shots Huntley sells of Liam and me together."
Chrissy doesn't say anything for a beat. When I dare to glance up at her, she's studying me, eyes narrowed.
"That explains your Tweet then," she says flatly.
"I figured if any agency was going to make money off these rumors, it should be Huntley," I explain. "And Agnes thinks Liam's hiding something. She wants me to try and spend time with him, so I can help her expose it."
Chrissy's expression clears, and she nods. "It does seem strange that he's posing for pictures with you. Like, what's that even about?"
"I have no idea, but I need to figure it out." A strand of damp hair falls into my face, and I push it behind my ear.
"That's exactly why I wanted to get into this business," Chrissy says. "To uncover all these celebrities' dirty secrets and reveal them to the people who worship them like they're freaking gods." Her expression turns serious. "My little sister was hospitalized last year for an eating disorder. She said she wanted to be as thin as the movie stars she saw in magazines. I'm going to show everyone what these people really are. They're dangerous."
"That's awful. I'm so sorry." My heart breaks for Chrissy and what her family must have gone through.
Chrissy nods. "We've got to tell everybody the truth about them."
"Right," I say, even though my reasons for wanting to be a paparazzi couldn't be more different. I want to show the world the sparkly lives of the stars and let them experience a little of that magic through my pictures.
Before I can think of anything else to say though, someone in the sea of bodies shouts, "It's them!"
It's like they dropped a boulder in a wading pool. Everyone begins screaming as waves of pandemonium ripple out, catching us in their wake. The crowd rushes forward. It's all I can do to stay on my feet as I brace my legs and hold on.
"Faye! Ariani! Over here!" the man standing next to me yells so loudly my ear rings. I lean forward, trying to get a shot off as Faye Donovan and Ariani Shahzad make their way down the line of fans and photographers, stopping to pose for selfies and sign autographs.
Exhilaration washes over me like dust falling from a shooting star. This is what it's all for. This is the kind of moment I want to capture and share.
"Liam!" The guy beside me hollers, bellowing in my ear again. I flinch. Seriously? I wonder if all photogs are this rude or if it's just the ones here tonight.
Liam's standing just past Ariani and Faye, talking with a little girl, who looks to be about seven. He's stooped down, smiling at her, lips quirked in this charmingly lopsided grin. He signs a large, rectangular piece of paper the girl probably tore out of coloring book. There's no trace of the arrogant, patronizing jerk I had the displeasure of meeting.
If I didn't know better, I might mistake him for an actual human being. I take the shot.
Advertisement
Something bashes against my lens, making my Nikon smack against my nose. My eyes flood and pain throbs through my face. A body slams into me from behind, and I stumble, almost losing my footing.
Chrissy's hand wraps around my arm, steadying me. "Are you okay?"
I nod. Tears stream down my smarting face as I whirl around. Hairy-Arms is practically on top of me, his long lens where my head was only seconds ago. That must be what hit me.
Sweat stains bloom across his shirt, and he smells like he showered in drugstore cologne before leaving the house. He's zeroed in on Ariani and Faye and doesn't spare me a glance, let alone apologize.
"Excuse you." Chrissy's glare is red-hot as she steps directly in front of his lens. "Did you not notice you just hit my friend in the face?"
"Outta the way, Toots." His voice drips with condescension as he tries to step around us. "I'm with The Trib."
Chrissy looks at me, shaking her head in disgust.
"Then you should've been here earlier," I cross my arms over my chest, "so 'The Trib' could've gotten decent photos."
I step closer to Chrissy so we're shoulder-to-shoulder, blocking the guy out.
He blinks at me like he can't believe we're not letting him past.
"Listen, Cupcake—" he says, jabbing his meaty finger at me.
"My name isn't Cupcake, or Toots for that matter. And we aren't moving."
The guy's jowls quiver as he stares me down. Then he turns, muttering a string of curses under his breath as he starts trying to push his way through the mob.
"Can you believe that guy?" Chrissy watches as he barrels his way toward a group of fangirls, who don't budge an inch.
"Such a slimeball." I shake my head, turning back to see if the actors are within shooting range yet.
I stop short, gasping and fumbling my camera in surprise. It slips through my fingers, and I let out a grunt as it bangs into my stomach, catching on the strap around my neck.
None other than the Liam Anders is standing right in front of me.
"You make friends wherever you go, don't you?" Liam says, jerking his thumb in the direction the guy stormed off.
He's wearing the same white t-shirt and pair of jeans from the other day. In the incessant flashing lights, I can make out a small scar cutting across his chin that I've never noticed before. I haven't seen it on the show. They must cover it with makeup. I don't know why they would though. Somehow the tiny imperfection makes him even more handsome, which is inexplicably irritating.
I look over at Chrissy. Her lens is aimed at both of us. I breathe a sigh of relief. I was worried she wouldn't play along after she found out I'd be getting points for these shots too. I'm sure the money she's going to make off them would be hard to pass up though.
"Actually," I force a sugary smile. "I'm a very friendly person when I'm not surrounded by jackasses."
"Riiiight. I've heard having no respect for other people's privacy is a real crowd pleaser."
"Oh, calm down, James Dean."
Liam scoffs. "Wow. Way to cut me deep there."
My temper flares at the condescending tone in his voice, but I need to keep my cool if I have any hope of uncovering his secret. I've got to get him talking.
I lean in closer to him. "There are millions of girls in this city. Why have your picture taken with me?"
"Well, I doubt any of those other girls would look as good covered in green juice," Liam says, loud enough for everyone in our vicinity to hear as he winks at me.
He's performing for the photographers again. I know that. But that wink—it has my stomach doing somersaults.
"Did he say green juice? Wait! Is she the girl from the pictures?" Someone shouts from behind me.
I close my eyes, bracing myself. Like dominoes falling one-by-one, everyone realizes who I am.
"That's her?"
"Is that Liam's girlfriend?"
"He's dating that girl?"
Chrissy's camera isn't the only one trained on me anymore. The guy next to me whips around so fast, he almost smacks me in the face with his lens too. I suddenly have a newfound empathy for any insect under a microscope.
I wonder if this is how celebs feel day in and day out with the paparazzi following them around. But that's different. They make a living off their own celebrity, which we help them create. They get to live the lives the rest of us dream about. They ask for this.
I try to breathe through the anxiety building in my chest.
Liam has a hand clamped over his mouth like he's trying to hide a laugh, but his shoulders are shaking.
"How's it feel to be on the other side of the lens for a change?" he asks.
I step toward him, so we're only inches apart. "What's your game here, Superstar?"
"What's yours, Ace?"
We stare each other down. My heart is pounding, whether from irritation, panic, or something else, I don't know.
"Liam, is that your girlfriend?" someone yells.
A smile twists Liam's lips as he calls back, "No comment." He stares me dead in the eyes as he says it like it's some kind of challenge.
I want to tell everyone here what a liar he is and wipe the smug grin off his face. But I can't. Not without admitting I'm a liar too. And not without wrecking the deal I made with Agnes and my best chance at securing this job.
The crowd presses in. They stand on tiptoes, trying to get a peek of me. The mob was suffocating before, but now it feels like I'm being buried alive. My palms are sweating, and my fingers tremble against my Nikon. I glance in the direction I saw Faye and Ariani earlier. I haven't gotten any shots of them, but there's no way I'll be able to with all these people surrounding me.
The frustration and fear must register on my face, because when I look back at Liam, he isn't laughing anymore. Something else flickers in his eyes. Pity. It only pisses me off more, because this is all his fault. If he didn't have to open his big mouth, I could've taken my shots and left without anyone figuring out who I am.
"You're such a jerk," I scowl at him, raising my camera, so it's inches from his face. I snap a picture, and the flash explodes in his eyes. He reels back, blinking.
"Ma'am, you need to leave." The bodyguard with the long, red mustache steps forward. I hadn't noticed him out here in all the pandemonium.
"I was already going." I shoot Liam one last withering glare before turning and shoving my way through the mass of paparazzi swarming around me.
Advertisement
- In Serial87 Chapters
Seeking Elysium
Elysium Ling is a returnee. She’s been to an alternate world, coerced into fighting their wars, and somehow returned alive. Now, 13 years later, she finds herself again taken to a foreign world – this time, by her own choice. Not the same world that she returned from, but a foreign world nonetheless. There, struggling in an unknown world, utterly alone, she has a chance encounter with a young lady with a lovely voice. An encounter which would spark a chain of events that would irrevocably shape the world around them. That young lady’s name is Rosalind. This is her story. Disclaimer/Trigger Warnings (Please Read!) THIS WORK WILL MOST LIKELY CONTAIN BOTH HOMOSEXUAL AND INCESTUOUS UNDERTONES. IT WILL ALSO HAVE OCCASIONAL DESCRIPTIONS OF GORE THAT CAN GET REASONABLY GRAPHIC. PLEASE DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU ARE UNDER THE LEGAL AGE IN YOUR COUNTRY TO CONSUME SUCH CONTENT AS MENTIONED ABOVE, OR IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY HOMOSEXUALITY, GORE OR INCEST. Notes on Relation to Lily Ex Machina While this story is intended to be a sequel to my first work, Lily Ex Machina (LxM), I will be writing it in a manner that does not require readers to have read LxM to understand it. While having read LxM will likely enhance your enjoyment of this work(I hope), I am intending for this story to be able to stand on its own legs. As such, certain worldbuilding elements that I have expanded upon in LxM will likely be repeated in Seeking Elysium(SEly). As such, for newcomers, it should not be an issue to follow this story without prior knowledge of LxM. On the other hand, for my returning readers, I do beg your forgiveness for forcing you to read through stuff you already know. I’ll do my best to try and make it interesting, but no guarantees of success, I’m afraid. On the other hand, if you’re a newcomer to this series and enjoy SEly, I do hope you’ll take the time to read Lily Ex Machina as well, if only to get more information of the backstories of some characters. Update Schedule I will only post completed volumes on RRL; if you would like to follow the story while it is ongoing, you may do so at my website. I update twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays. Supporters on my Patreon get access to chapters a day earlier.
8 212 - In Serial71 Chapters
Beautiful Infatuation
The worst mistake that Sneha could do was to save a girl from getting assaulted. That is because the girl whom she saved was none other than the sister of the Mafia boss of Mumbai. Turned out that the mafia boss started doubting Sneha for being an accomplice of the assault. But, when her innocence was revealed, the unfortunate had already happened.The mafia boss had developed a beautiful infatuation with her. And, he would not stop until she is his.This is the story of Sneha, who comes from a humble family and wants to have a simple life. But, life threw her straight into the arms of a lively hurricane...the boss of Mumbai Mafia. How will she try to free herself from the chains of the man who is determined to have her in his life? Or will she succumb to his passionate desires?(Regular Updates){Beginning: 1 Oct 2021}
8 446 - In Serial18 Chapters
The Pirate Princess
The youngest princess of Hebelone went off to the sea and became a Pirate. She comes back one day to find her elder sister engaged to a Keirish Prince who is now taking care of her country. As the Prince begins to question her lack of responsibility , she begins to realise how naive she had been, how she had run away from her problems and found her solutions in the sea, by joining a happy go lucky pirate group. The princess slowly takes responsibility, and involves herself in the matters of the state,but she begins to confront more problems, the worst of which she had not seen coming,and that would perhaps make her leave everything behind and go away to the sea once again. Just so you know:20% comedy, 60% drama, 90% old school romance, 0% tragedy. If you can, please give your own percentages, after reading it. It helps me understand my work better. I know the grammar sucks. But my editor is getting married and has forsaken me. ?? Note :This is a work of fiction, purely non commercial,.... The pictures on the cover page belong to their respective artists,whom I would have given credit, if I knew who they were.
8 92 - In Serial63 Chapters
✔️Ambrosia (Edward Cullen) BOOK ONE
Ambrosia Hatton knew she was shy, sitting in the corner of the library alone during many lunches. But that was how she liked it, Ambrosia had been alone for a very long time and she appreciated the solace and peace that only silence could bring her, away from the busy setting of the foster home she lived in. He was an addition to her quiet life, Edward Cullen didn't test her limits, he secretly coaxed her away from her isolation and she loved him for it...
8 216 - In Serial66 Chapters
A Tale of Two Opposites (Stryders #3)
Both have Alpha blood. Edith Silva is on a mission for one thing: get her pack back. Can she take it back in time? West Stryder is on a mission for proving himself to the entire world he can be an Alpha. Does he have what it takes? A story of a hot-headed impulsive West and the calmed and controlled Edith. There is only one outcome between the two mates: love or war?EXCERPT:"You feel it too, don't you?" West asked."No." A lie.West stalked towards me, his eyes glinting in humor. He doesn't believe me. He knows I'm lying. Mates do feel the mating bond with each other. It's a part of us. "Why do you keep pushing me away?""Why do you keep pushing me back?""Because I'm not giving up on us."Us. There will never be an us. Not so long as a certain someone is alive.[Sequel to: The Demon Alpha] *****CAN BE READ AS A STAND ALONE****Highest ranking:#3 romance #198 teen
8 100 - In Serial37 Chapters
▪︎THE LUNA▪︎Book 1
Hayley Monroe is your average African American teenage wolf. Christopher Adams is your not so average alpha male. What happens when these two lost souls happen to cross paths at the most unusual timing? Will he be able to breakdown his tough armor for her? Will she be able to accept him for who he truly is? Will she settle for being the Luna?
8 198