Fate's Forbidden Blossom

04

"Beautiful! One more time!"

The staffs are busy ensuring that every detail of this photoshoot is perfect. Everything is going smoothly, but it's really damn tiring. Shot after shot, and poses after poses. Unlike our past photoshoots, this one is exceptionally demanding. It's not surprising since it's for a big company, but I'm not really used to this level of intensity. The entire experience is very overwhelming.

Pauline was right. This is the price of marrying a billionaire. The eyes of the world are constantly on you, so we have to maintain a flawless image. The expectations are relentless. It's exhausting! How I wish the heavens would grant me enough strength to survive this stupid marriage.

"Alright! Ang ganda!" the photographer called out. Our stylist rushed in to retouch our makeup while the photographer discussed the next pose. Gosh, I'm so tired already.

"For this last pose, we want you to imagine something," he instructed.

"Imagine?" Aurora asked coldly. I saw the photographer swallow hard. Takot yarn?

"Y-yes, Madam," he replied with a nervous smile. "Imagine you're on your wedding day. This time, we want you to look at each other the way you did then."

And, How are we supposed to do that? Our wedding was a disaster! Kung bardagulan ang gusto nila pwede pa! baka malagpasan pa namin ang expectations na meron sila.

Flashback

"Tinitingin-tingin mo?" I whispered. She looked at me with disgust written all over her face.

"I can't believe I agreed to this," she muttered.

"Anong sabi mo?" I asked dahil hindi ko narinig ang sinabi niya.

"Stupid."

"Ano? Ako, stupid? Ikaw–" I was cut off when the wedding officiant spoke. We glared at each other, almost like our eyes are throwing daggers.

End

Oh, gosh! This is frustrating.

For the next pose, we did exactly the way the photographer wanted. Aurora is leaning towards me, her right hands are resting on my cheeks, while I sat with my back arched and head tilted. Saglit akong nagiwas ng tingin

We were so close to each other! I didn't know what to do! Her eyes....

The way she looked at me, were incredibly intimidating!

"Eyes on me, Cassidy." Aurora whispered. "And please, try to look like you adore me."

I mentally rolled my eyes. Anong gusto niya? Maglaway ako dito?

"You're make this very difficult." I whispered back.
Gosh, the shots were quick, but each moment felt like an eternity.

Aurora then looked away and placed her knees on my lap while I locked my gaze on her. How could she be so professional? I'm literally panicking here!

"Wow! Perfect!" The photographer called out. Aurora quickly step away from me.

"Are we done?" she asked

"U-uh, yes. You both did great!" he said, trying to keep his smile from faltering. I managed a small smile back at him before following Aurora.

Inside the room, we found our stylists packing up. Aurora and I headed to change out of our outfits and get our makeup removed. I slipped into an oversized hoodie and pants, pulling my hair into a messy bun. Umupo ako sa couch habang hinihintay ang dragon.

Kaagad naman naagaw ang atensyon ko when the door opened and the CEO stepped in. Kasabay non ang paglabas ni Aurora sa restroom. She's wearing a sheer black long-sleeve romper with a plunging neckline, paired with knee-high black boots. She walk towards us while adjusting her earrings.