Today the team is shooting a commercial video for one of those popular soda drinks you'll find in every store. Brayden had sent me an address to a studio to meet him after my lunch. He had been away since sunrise and I was getting wearisome of being alone, so I grew a buoyant spirit the moment I realized I was about to spend the rest of the day with Myles Cameron, even though it didn't guarantee alone time with him.

Through the window, as the cab stopped at the exact location, I noticed a few undercover paparazzi outside with camera straps hanging around their necks. They had me nervous, given I've always been terrified of being the center of attention of others, except for Myles. It is certain that the probability of me ever being noticed is unmistakably too low. But I still can't get my heart to stop misgiving that if by some weird chance, I wasn't as imperceptible as I imagined, then I could be recognized. After all, I've been around my brother and Myles a fair number of times recently.

Luckily, I noticed Brayden outside, waiting for me. He has his phone to his ear and one hand in his pocket.
Relieved, I hung my tiny backpack and stepped out.

At the sight of me, Brayden grinned and jogged over. He was still on a call when he paid the driver and rested his arm over my shoulders as we walked into the shooting scene.

"Brayden, do you have anything to say about the recent photos of Myles and Autumn?" A man races over to us, along with four or five others, holding out their phones or cameras.

None of their actions scared me. It was actually a first. I was more involved in what they had uttered than the courage I suddenly gained.
"What recent photos?" I blurted.

My brother ignored me and kept walking away from them, with me in his arms.

"Can you get out of our way?" That's all Brayden said to the curious men trying to provoke a reaction from him.

He knows something, clearly. He even seems on edge, and furious at some certain point. I wasn't going to let it slide.

My head falls back when I look up at him.
"What photos, Brayden?"

Before he could respond, a man with a microphone interrupts, "Brayden, there is a never-seen photo of Myles Cameron and his fiance that went viral this morning and it claims to be from a reliable source. A lot of people believe it to be legit."

What? I looked back at the man as Brayden was rushing us toward the entrance. The men followed us.

"Do you think they've known each other more than they claim to? Do you think he will say something about it because the team hasn't addressed the topic?" the man continued, ascending the stairs before us while two security men came forward to help us.

I tried to tread through the knot that was the man's words. Everything he had publicized was rubbish. Myles said Autumn was a hastened decision. They met each other a few weeks back.

"That's not true. He only met her just a month ago." I defensively spat and Brayden tugged me into the building.

"They can't believe that." I shrugged him off when we were inside the cool-temperature hall.

He stopped and faced me. Jaw clenched, looking frustrated. He shoves his hands in his pockets.
"Look, it is not your problem. Don't get yourself involved."

"He is your friend. You should defend him." I angrily reminded him and he heaved a sigh.

"What happened?"

My gaze left my brother and traveled to my left, where Nelson looked concerned.

"Is everything okay?" Myles's manager asked again, as though we were expected to share our conversation with him.

Brayden also found it peculiar. He draws in a deep breath and grabs my hand.
"Nothing." He neutrally replied and urged me, "Come, I will take you to your post."

Nelson nods in acknowledgment. He waves at me and watches as we walk away.

~

The seat I settled in was next to David and some directors. They were nice, mostly David, whom I knew quite a bit. He made the server bring us beverages and sushi, and we laughed at the boys' jump attempts for a shot.

Myles's eyes ignored me most of the time, and the few times we made eye contact, it was like we didn't make out just yesterday.

When the sun went down, the shooting was still in production. Everyone was exhausted then, but the shooting had to be wrapped today, given the team's busy schedule for the rest of the week.

I had a talk with Brayden and the rest of his teammates along the way. It was strange how socially I get around them more than I do back home, despite them being famous and dangerously handsome than all the boys from my school. Vincent and I even played basketball while the rest of the crew were on break and Myles was nowhere in sight.

Earlier, around five in the evening, while I was wandering down the halls, I eavesdropped on David and Myles in the changing room. David wasn't very happy with the attention Myles's relationship had brought to the team, and God knows, for selfish reasons, I wasn't happy either. I ran the moment I sensed the closeness of their footsteps and hid behind a curtained divided room, where costumes and gear were stored.

At this time, I had yawned a hundred times. The filming had paused ten minutes ago. And if the outside was an option, I could've taken a walk down the city to get to some air, but some of the basketball players' guards had informed us of the multiplied paparazzi waiting for the boys' departure.

I had just gotten off the call with dad while I was roaming around the busy studio when I was pulled into a dim room.

Startled, I froze. And Myles's beautiful face came into my view as he cracked into unrestrained laughter.

"You wouldn't shout?" He teased me and I shoved him away while he laughed even more. Around the small confined room, I could sum up the shooting equipment reserved accordingly in their places.

"Where are we?" I asked him instead.

He was smiling, collecting himself. He looked around and dumbly shrugged.
"Stuff room."

Now it was my turn to laugh at him.

"I didn't know you were dumb."

"Now you know." He chuckled and stepped closer, holding a box between us.

"At least you're handsome." I nervously tease.

He folded his bottom lip between his teeth.

"I am glad you came. You always bring luck around." He softly added when we weren't laughing anymore.

My smile spread, and inwardly, joy sparked in my head. My cheeks were burning, my head fell lower to hide from him.

"Here, it will keep you company." He holds out the white box.

"What is it?"

"Good snack." He smirked when I looked up from his chest.

I took it from him and I could read his name tag on it.

"But it's yours."

"Yes, and now you have it."

"Are you sure?"

"About the snacks?" His eyes narrowed and I bashfully smiled.

"Yes, about the snacks."

Myles took the last step and closed me in against the wall and his hard body before me. He leans lower, bringing his face an inch towards mine.

"I don't know, maybe I might get hungry later and make a scene all over the floor over you taking my share." He was smiling adorably, it was hot, cute, and everything I'd always imagined.

I could feel every part of my response to him. I have goosebumps all over my skin, flutters in my stomach, and a dry throat, which had me gulping ever since he maximized our proximity.

"But, I am certain of one thing. Ask me what it is." He sensuously whispered. My eyes had no shame stalking his lips.

"What is it?" I desperately inquired and he closed the last inch between our lips and kissed me briefly. My eyes closed. I literally pursued his mouth while he pulled back and smiled.

"I want this." He added and snatched my lips again when my brows started to furrow, as I almost doubted his statement for a second.

This time it wasn't a light kiss. He seized the box in my hands and put it away, somewhere. My hands snatched his face, and I devoured him satisfactorily. It was like one of those dreams I usually have.

When we stopped, it had to be half an hour or maybe even more. His hands were inside my shirt, tracing my feverish small waist. My head falls back, leaning on the wall while I watch him stare down at me.

"You didn't want to look at me earlier. You didn't even say hi." I thought out loud.

"Bray was there. There is too much surveillance."

"Saying hi wouldn't have hurt. You are always together with my brother, anyway. It's only neutral if you and I communicate like normal people in public."

"Yes. I know..." His eyes closed and he brought one hand to his face, leaving only one against my skin. "It's just that I have a lot on my plate right now. I don't want to make more headlines, it's affecting the team," he sadly said.

"Is it about the photo of you and Autumn?"

"It's clearly Photoshop. It's rubbish. They'll say anything on the internet, Cali." He retorted with flaming nostrils and grounding jaws.

I don't know what to say.
"I guess..."

"Don't tell me it bothered you for a minute?" He sounded worried. His gaze was frantic with eagerness and anticipation.

I heaved a sigh and pressed my lips into a thin line as I swallowed.
"I just thought you had a strong bond, you know. If you've known her for all those years, how can I compete with that? You are going to choose her over me."

Myles frowned and took my hand in his free one. His voice was a deep, resonating whisper when he assured me, "You don't have to compete with anything or anyone. You are enough. And you don't have to fight for me, either."

Blushing, I gnaw my bottom lip.
"If I don't, will you fight for me?"

"If you want me to."

"I do." I retorted immediately and he beamed.

"I gotta go. But I will be around. I will see you out there." He promised and I nodded.

He began to walk away but stopped and came back. His huge hands cradled my face and he kissed me deeply. My breathing ceased. And by the time he finally left, I was panting and clenching my fist to my chest with a broad smile on my probably crimson face.

I wanted to jump and laugh and dance all at the same time, given my thousands of exciting emotions. I couldn't help it. I started to twirl in the dim room but stopped instantly when my eyes landed on my reflection in a small mirror. I halted breathing and stared into it, and with the tips of my fingers, I felt my lips, where Myles was just kissing, as though I was the sweetest thing he'd ever tasted. Suddenly, I heard something move around the enclosed area. It suddenly became eerie. I didn't add another second in that dark place, I simply grabbed the box of snacks from the table and hastened out of the room. There, I jumped, up and down, squeaking and spinning on my boots until some woman on the filming crew team shot me a weird look.

I chortled and ended up slapping a hand over my mouth before I dashed down the passageway. Myles was taking a turn towards his manager and two older men. He was on a phone call, as that's the only logical reason why he was talking to himself, with wireless earphones dug into his ears.

"Cali, you're here." A voice caught me off guard. I didn't jump, I only cussed under my breath, for I recognized the voice very well, it was infuriating.

"Hey, Autumn." I faked a smile when I faced her.

She smiled back, also clearly forced.

"What are you doing here?" She said between her teeth, as though it was taking all the patience she could muster.

No one ever talked to me like that. Like, they saw me as a competition. I am mostly laughed at. I didn't scare any woman until Autumn. And she should. I was only trading saliva with her fiance a few minutes ago. God, forgive me.

"My brother is on the team if you've forgotten," I answered her stupid question.

"Right."

"What are you doing here? You do know there are people out there who want answers from you?" I reminded her.

"My fiancee is on the team if you've forgotten." She sneered, tossing back my lines at me.

"I know. I was just concerned about you."

"I can handle fame, California. Oops..." She scrunched her face, feigning an apology. "I mean Calista." Not just her voice, she was totally everything artificial. She was pretending to pity me, but in all honesty, it was her broom-length eyelashes I was sympathizing with, not to mention those lips, puffed up with collagen injections. What could they possibly speak out that would annoy me more than their nuisance value?

She must have noticed the frown on my face at the disgust I felt over her entire appearance because she tried harder to get to me, the next time she spoke.
"Honey, since you were creeping Myles around, do you mind telling him to hurry over to me? I had lots of business deals at the company. It was hectic, but we can't say no to success. Not everyone has such luck in life." She smiled maliciously.

"Um hmm." I smiled equally as she did, while mentally wishing for a chance where I could get to pop up her swelling lips until they were flat like wasted testicles.

Her brow arched challengingly.
"All I need is my man and a good spa time tonight."

I didn't feel the insult, all I saw as I stood there was the wrong woman for Myles Cameron. And so help me God, I will do anything to save and protect him from docking to her eternal menace.

"Why don't you go tell him yourself? You're his girlfriend after all." I shrugged even though it tasted like fire on my tongue.

"Fiancé." She corrected as if I didn't know or their relationship label isn't all over the goddamn news. "We are about to be married, California-Calista. Dammit, your name is hard."

At this point, I understood that she was calling me California intentionally, so it didn't bother me the slightest.

"It is not so hard if you're not being snarky."

"You think it's mockery?" She dissembles sadness, pushing out her silly bottom lip that generally sickens me.

"You hate me." I scoffed, pointing out the obvious.

"Hate? I am not the one who tried to kill you over your childhood lover." She rolls her eyes and sternly appends, "I know your motive."

The only thing I picked from her comeback was the childhood lover part. Someone photoshopped a photo to accumulate social media fame and now she's nicely miserable to entertain the rumors.
"Childhood lover?" she had lost her mind.

"It's pathetic, sweetheart. You're in Los Angeles. Try to preserve your dignity before your holiday here is over." She spoke disdainfully, ignoring my question.

"You are so rude," I mumbled weakly, given her last insult was biting.

"We could be friends. I can make you my bride maid." She grinned.

I do not have time for this. I turn away from her while she calls after me.

There's a gnawing feeling in my chest. She might know how to hurt me, and what she said might even be right, but I wouldn't let her get away with it. I also have a way of hitting back if I try. The man she claims was hers, also happens to be mine in some weird secretive way.

I darted to where Myles, a couple of his teammates, and the directors were checking out the videos they shot from a small screen.

"Hey, can I talk to you?" I grabbed his hand, dragging him out of the chair with his support.

Jeffery, a guy on Myles's team, beamed at me. My smile was pressured, but I guess it didn't bother him, he focused back on the screen.

When I pulled Myles to a spot where no one could hear us, he looked to our left and right. His eyes were sated with concern. There's a vein protruding in the middle of his forehead.
"Cali? Your brother is out there." He softly reminded me.

And your fiance too. I didn't say that out loud, though.

"Is the filming over?" I desperately pressed instead, mentally praying that Autumn remains wherever she is.

"It should be."

"Will you leave with me if I ask you to?"

A smile immediately took over his nervous features.
"Where do you wanna go?"

"Anywhere." I smiled back. I mean it was hard not to, his smile was infectious.

The thing about Myles was that he was always agreeable and ready for fun. He only made me wait a couple of minutes and returned with a baseball hat, a corduroy jacket, and a car key, which he said was Nelson's.

As we sneaked out towards the back door to avoid the cameramen lingering by the entrance, we had to lie low for a while by a junction, Myles and the wall sandwiching me once again while we waited for Brayden to clear out of our only passage.

When we were able to move again, Myles took my hand in his and we raced out through the backdoor, stepping out into a quiet alley. We were both laughing then.

"So the car is by the front." Myles's lips pursed as he thoughtfully stared in the direction of the desperate media people in search of tomorrow's headlines for their companies.

"It's hard not to get recognized." He mumbled to himself, while mentally, I began to panic. Inwardly praying to God for Myles to not suggest what I genuinely fear.

Luckily, he didn't ask me to drive. It was a relief that I had to let out a shaky breath and stoop, holding my knees for support.

"Are you okay?"

He stopped and grasped my arm when I didn't answer, pulling me into his arm. He smelled wonderful and felt so good to be near. I had to smile at my foolishness. It's a good thing he couldn't see my face from above.

We walked in silence, with our heads low until we sneaked into Nelson's black Audi unnoticed, and Myles pulled onto the road. It was then Autumn began blowing his phone with unceasing phone calls. I could see the first few letters of her name on the screen even though all the time that Myles ignored the calls, he had tried to prevent the phone screen each time from my sight.

Every time the phone buzzes from the center console, I have to struggle to stifle a laugh from the picture of Autumn's possible disappointed face in my imagination.

Somehow, it feels good fighting back. I bit my lip and stared at the outside through my window.

"Autumn asked you to get me?"

Oh, shoot!

I spun and faced him.
"Did she..."

"She texted me."

Great.

There is nothing else I could say to defend myself. He knows now that I tricked him out of there to come back at her. I only blushed and looked down at my anxious hands sitting on my lap.

I felt something upon my head. I looked back up at him. He was placing his baseball hat on my head. He smiled when our eyes met.

"She sounded like you're her property." I embarrassingly muttered and took my hands to fix the hat perfectly, so he couldn't see my face.

"So you were jealous of that?"

"I was at the time. I know you said I shouldn't fight for you... I-"

This is embarrassing.

He chuckled and snatched my hand from my thigh, bringing it to his warm lips.

"You are not mad?" I looked over at him and his lips shrugged nonchalantly while his head shook.

"Honestly? I admire you. You are demure and dauntless all at once."

"I am everything but dauntless." He should see me at school.

"Well, that's my compliment to you. You have to take it."

"Thank you." I bashfully twisted my lips when he threw a quick side glance at me.

He later parked the car in a supermarket parking lot. He said we weren't going in and lowered his seat backward.

"What are you doing?" I giggled when he folded his hand under his head.

"Watching you."

Okay.

"I like it when you watch me. You have gorgeous eyes." He added solemnly.

A festive feeling bubbled me up, but I remained calm, staring at my finger that was in between his soft and warm lips.

"What else do you like about me?"

His lips quirked up into a smile.

"I like kissing you... I like being alone with you."

"What about me? Do you like me?" I awkwardly asked, mentally desperate and anticipating his response.

He held my stare and his expression hardened gradually with every second that passed.

"Cali, you are beautiful..."

Oh, no.

Not that... People say that when they're about to elude or refuse something.

"I don't want you to say I am beautiful. I don't want evasive answers. I want you to say you want me." I rushed, my eyes suddenly filling up with tears.

He frowns, pulling me over to him until my head was on his chest, regardless of my resistance. I could feel his heartbeat. It was thumping in my ears.

His fingers threaded through my hair and his other hand circled around my back, delicately massaging my waist and down to my hip. It was very good, my body literally chose to embarrass me and squirm at his touch.

"I do want you, Cali. We both know I wouldn't be here if I didn't like you." He hoarsely whispered, his hand slowly shifting to my backside until he took hold of it and squeezed the cheek of my ass.

Every part of me shivered, it was like something was going to explode in my body, mostly from my groin and down to where it always aches at any contact or closeness to Myles.

I heard him gasp, his heart speeding up. I looked up, taking off the cap on my head.

His eyes were dark, and his lips were parted. He was breathing through it.

We watched each other for a few moments before his tongue sweeps over his lips and he swallows roughly. His expression softens and I feel his grasp loosening until he releases me. However, his other hand remains in my hair.

"The stars are stunning and captivating. We all admire it when we look up at the sky. I mean look at them from here." He said and I lay back on his chest, watching the sky through the windshield, as he asked.

"But we can't get close to them. We can't have them close to us either. We don't survive any close encounter of any kind, even when we want to. We burn. So we just have to watch them from far away."

His chest was rising and falling beneath me. It was a flawless rhythm that yet unnerved me. He was going to say something, I could feel it in every breath he drew into him.

"Myles don't-"

"You are my star, Cali." He retorted before I could finish my sentence.

"Don't say that." I croaked, tears finally leaving my heavy eyes.

"I can't have you, Cali. It burns me inside."

I wiped my eyes, smearing more tears all over him when I push up on his chest and face him.

"But I want you to try," I cried.

"I didn't say I would stop, Cali. I will keep trying." He assured me, cupping my face.

"Okay." I nodded and he smiled, lifting his head a little to kiss my eyes.

When my face was dry and I was trying to steady my heavy breathing, he asked, "So tell me, how's your expertise at skating?"

My head shakes in his hands.
"I am not even a novice."

"That's a shame. You could be a pro if I were your trainer." He quipped and I chuckled.

"Can we stay here for a while?" I asked him, and he nodded.

I don't remember anything after, because I rested back on his chest and fell asleep until midnight when he pulled by in the condominium underground parking garage and woke me up from his lap with a whisper in the ear and a subtle hair stroking.

We got on the elevator and he walked me to Brayden's floor. We didn't say much. I didn't want the night to be over.

When we stop by the doorstep, facing each other, his fingers clip my hair behind my ear. It was all he did and told me goodnight.

I wanted a kiss, but I knew he wouldn't be comfortable with that in this location, so I told him goodnight too and he offered me the warmest smile before I walked into the apartment and found it just as I left.