Between Us

Chapter 46

Alianna

Max tightens her grip on my hand as our limousine approaches the theater that Crystal's latest movie is being screened at. This is the first time all three of us will be present at such a public event, and it's the first event we're attending as a married couple. There's so much pressure, and so much could go wrong. So far, we've been safe from the media's attention in large part, but we can't escape them tonight.

We can't escape Crystal.

"Cherry," Max says as she raises my hand to her lips, "How do you feel?"

I turn to look at her and shake my head, "Nervous," She nods in understanding and kisses the back of my hand.

"You look stunning tonight," she murmurs as her eyes roam over the red evening gown I'm wearing. It's figure-hugging, with a deep V. It's eye-catching yet classy, and it is by far one of my favorite designs to date.

"Alianna, it's going to be okay. I won't leave your side, and if it all becomes too much, we'll just go home."

I nod, trying my hardest to calm my nerves. I stopped attending these events with Crystal years ago, but I still remember how they go. I remember all the photos Max takes with the cast, with her. I always hated how intimate they looked and how she'd lean into her, her hand wrapped tightly around her waist. She'd look at her like she was the only girl in the room, and Crystal would smile at her like the star she is. It hurts to see them together then, but it'll hurt even more now.

"We're here," she says, a sweet smile on her face, "I can't wait to show you off to the entire world, Mrs. Lim. I'm about to walk down the red carpet, my hand in yours, and there will be no doubt about who you are and what you mean to me, you hear me? There is only one Mrs. Lim, Alianna, and it's you."

I nod at her, grateful for her attempts to take the edge off my nerves. I never even have to tell her about my insecurities. She realizes and takes them away before I even have a chance to voice them.

The bodyguard in the front seat looks back with an apologetic smile on her face, "I've just been informed to wait for a moment. Crystal Arceta is about to make her entrance."

Max chuckles darkly, "I don't wait for anyone but my wife," she says, "Inform the organizers that we'll be making our entrance now," Then she looks at me and smirks, "Come on, let's go steal the show."

She steps out of the car without a second thought, and cameras start to flash, blinding me straight through the car's tinted windows. Max walks around the car and opens my door for me, offering me her hand with a wicked smile on her face.

I place my hand in her and smile up at her, "This," she tells me as she helps me to my feet, "This is what I've always wanted, Alianna. It's you. You're the one that's made all of my dreams come true."

I smile and shake my head, "You're trying extra hard to reassure me. Are my insecurities that apparent?"

We walk down the red carpet as cameras flash, the crowd throwing questions at us that we ignore.

"No," Max tells me, "Not to anyone but me. You look confident and radiant, as always, but I can see beyond it. I see the way you keep touching your wedding ring, the moments of absentmindedness as doubts steal your attention away from me. I notice every little thing

about you, Alianna. I can assure you, my darling wife, you don't have a single thing to worry about."

I nod, my nerves put to ease as we reach the end of the red carpet, where a select few reporters and photographers await us. Max and I approach the flower backdrop that's been put in place for the event, and her hand wraps around my waist, her touch possessive.