It's Just Pretend ✔️

Chapter 31

"So you're going to be filming here?" Damien asks and I nod. He looks around amazed as I look over to where the equipment was being set up. "I told them I wasn't scared of heights, but that's high as fuck" I groan looking up the tall trees.

"You got this Darling, don't you worry" he encourages me and I nod taking his hand. "You're coming right?" I ask and he nods. "I'm bringing Rajah too!" He chuckles and I nod walking back towards our rental car.

"Why don't we go get something to eat before we go explore some more?" I suggest and he nods hoping into the drivers side. I buckle up and he pulls out of one of the reserve's parking lot.

Looking out the window enjoying the view before a sudden movement catches my eye. I look back to Damien and his hand was open waiting for me. "Ya want something?" I laugh and he raised his eyebrows not taking his eyes off the road.

"Your hand" he says bluntly and I roll my eyes but take his hand bringing it to my lips giving him a small kiss. "Was that so hard?" He asks while I set out hands down rubbing my thumb over his hand softly.

"Stop- I seriously thought you wanted something" I laugh and he smiles looking over to me for a second. "Just you that's all I need and all I want" he chuckles and I nod. "Good choice of words" I tease getting an rolls his eyes.

"Where are we going to eat?" He asks starting to look for signs. "Whatever diner or cafe you see first, I don't mind" I start to look as well occasionally pointing to one only to change our minds as we seen how run down it was.

We finally decided on a forest themed cafe which I was a little skeptical about but we realized once we got in they just had no idea what to name it so they just called it Forest Theme.

I sat down across from Damien and I rest my head on my hands before looking over to him. "Thanks for coming with me" I say once again and he leans over flicking my forehead. "Stop thanking me- this is literally the hundredth time" he whispers and I puff out my lip.

"And why are you pouting now?" He asks and I shrug. "I don't know I just felt like pouting" I hit my hand on the table sighing. "Hello, what can I get you guys to drink?" A man comes over to us handing us menus.

I look straight to the drinks before looking back up to him. "Can I have a strawberry banana smoothie?" I ask and he writes it down before looking to Damien. "I'll have a lemonade" he tells the guy and I bite my lip as he takes a small step back.

Damiens face was cold again and I put my foot on his making him immediately look over to me, with wide eyes. "I'll be right back with your drinks" he mumbles before running away.

"Do you need something?" His face softens and I tap his foot again with a smile. "Nope, you were scaring the waiter Mr. scary boy" I tell him and he gives me a confused look.

"How?" My lovely boyfriend asks and I reach across the table to grab his hand. "You see when you aren't talking to me or my parents your face goes like this" I point to my face, dropping all expressions. "Oh... that's not good" he grumbles and I tap his hand a few times before nodding.

"It's all good, you know I don't mind" I answer opening the menu to look at the options. "Why don't you care that I can sometimes be scary looking?" He asks drawing my attention from the menu again.

"Well it makes me feel better because when you look at me your face softens- it's like you only have a sweet spot for me. Plus I don't have to get  jealous because I know you aren't interested in them because of how you react" I look back to the menu deciding I would just get a salad since I had to film soon anyways and I needed to be healthy.

"Did you decide what you wanted?" I ask the man who was still looking at me. "Oh- um yes?" He quickly looks at the menu again before going back to me. "Um the... veggie wrap!" He tells me and I nod.

"Perfect timing" I say as the waiter makes his way  over with our drinks. "Here ya go... are you ready to order or do you still need some time?" He asks and I put the straw into the cup looking to Damien. "We're ready" I answer, and he pulls his notebook back out. "I'd like a caesar salad, without croutons" I order and he nods looking over to Damien timidly.

He wa staring at the table before looking up at the waiter. "I'll have a veggie wrap... please" he adds the last part trying to be less scary. I put a hand over my mouth to hold in my laugh.

"Anything else?" He asks and I shake my head looking to Dmaien, who also shook his head. "Nope that's all" I look over to the man and he turns on his heel speeding into the kitchen.

I look back to Damien who was giving me an uneasy look. "Did I do better?" He asks and I pout. "Stop, don't try to change it- I like scary you. I'll stop teasing you if that will makes you feel better" I propose and he waves me off.

"No don't do that" he blinks and I lean onto the table. "Darling..." he whispers and I look up to him. "What's up?" I pop the p, he moves a hand to my arm rubbing it lightly.

"You're so far away- come sit next to me" he whines and I smile before putting my hand over his. "I just assumed you would want more space for eating" I laugh and he shakes his head.

"To much space" he continues to pout. I stand and slide into the spot next to him. "Is this better?" I pry and he nods kissing my temple. "I would rather have you in my lap, but probably shouldn't do that in public" he grumbles and I rest my hand on his leg.

"Somebody is being Mr. Confident all of a sudden" I chuckle and he nods pulling a few strands out of his bun to cover his scar more. I shift a bit before moving the hair out of the way of the pink flesh. "Zach I want it covered" he goes serious and I nod.

"I know" I sigh making him turn his head. Before he can cover it himself I kiss the middle of the scar, before he rushes to move the hair back over it. He quickly moves his hand to double check it's not visible. Turning back to me. "Don't do that anymore" he whispers with a monotone voice and I nod grabbing his hand.

"Why..." I couldn't stop myself from asking cursing myself when the word came out of my mouth. "I don't want you to see it. It's what I hate most in life" he mutters and I nod playing with some of his hair.

"I'm sorry- I think it looks great... I won't do it again and I know we shouldn't talk about this now because I want to have a fun day exploring with you but you can always talk to me, and I love you" I ramble looking over to him.

"You're right let's not talk about this now. I don't think I ever want to talk about it. So let's just drop it and go on with our day" he chuckles a very sad and pathetic chuckle.

I wiggle my arm behind his back and grab his torso. "Can I at least get an I love you back?" I ask feeling awful, still trying to be cheery. "Zachary, I love you so much" he tells me and I smile weakly getting a peck from him.

"Here comes our waiter" he whispers and I nod taking my arm from him. "Caesar salad, with no croutons and veggie wrap" he gives us our food and I smile taking a drink of the smoothie I had completely forgot about.

"I'll be back shortly if you need anything else" he gives us a small nod before turning and leaving. "Want to go walk downtown after this?" He asks and I nod happy he was suggesting it. I didn't want to make this day more awkward and force him into something.

"Damien I want another kiss" I murmur looking back to him. He gives me a weird look but kisses me again. I lean closer making him stay longer. "Zach what are you doing" he finally pulls away breathing heavily. "I'm trying to fix my mistake" I apologize awfully and he shakes his head giving me another small peck.

"Darling, let's eat and go on a nice date. You did nothing wrong, I'm over it. It was cute I'm just insecure about it" he explains and I nod resting my head on his shoudler for a minute.

"I'll even let you take cheesy couple pictures of us" he huffs and I smile wide sitting up. "Really!?" I ask now extremely excited.

"Shh before I change my mind"