The Heiress's Bargain

Chapter 6: Behind the lens

The day of the photoshoot had arrived before I knew it. I was in the dressing room, surrounded by people fussing over my hair and makeup, feeling overwhelmed and detached as I stared at my reflection. I slipped into a white pantsuit, trying to ignore the tightness in my chest, and headed downstairs.

The studio was abuzz with activity as the camera crew adjusted their equipment. Fabian was across the room, absorbed in his phone, looking tense. I took a seat by the window, attempting to calm my nerves.

Suddenly, I felt a box placed gently on my lap. I looked up to see Fabian holding it out, his expression as unreadable as ever. "What's this?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"We can't take engagement pictures without a ring," he said matter-of-factly, then turned and walked away, leaving me alone with the box. I opened it to reveal the most exquisite ring I had ever seen—an oval-cut diamond that sparkled brilliantly. "Wow," I murmured, genuinely awed. It was a beautiful ring, though I couldn't shake the feeling that it was a symbol of something I wasn't sure I wanted.

I slipped the ring onto my finger, admiring its beauty. Despite the circumstances, it was undeniably stunning.

As the photographer approached, I stood up, trying to pull myself together. He greeted us with a firm handshake. "Mr. Morano, Ms. Lombardi. My name is Liam, and I'll be taking your pictures today."

Fabian and I exchanged an awkward glance and moved closer together, but the tension between us was palpable. Liam, ever the professional, seemed determined to make the best of it. "I'm going to need you two to stand a little closer," he instructed, a hint of desperation in his voice. "Fabian, could you put your arm around Imani?"

Fabian hesitated for a moment, then slowly moved his arm around me. The contact was stiff, and I could feel the awkwardness radiating from him.

I was growing increasingly irritated. The whole situation felt like a charade, and Fabian's unwillingness to even pretend to be engaged was only making it worse. I forced myself to smile, trying to maintain a semblance of grace despite the frustration bubbling inside me.

Liam continued to reposition us, trying to find the right angles and expressions. Fabian's hands rested on my hips as he adjusted his stance, his touch lingering just a fraction too long. I could feel the warmth of his palms through the fabric of my suit, and the contact felt both uncomfortable and intimate.

I forced my smile to stay in place, despite the annoyance and discomfort that were threatening to break through. Each moment seemed to stretch into an eternity as Liam's instructions and Fabian's distant demeanor played out.

"Okay just one more, fabian you're going to dip imani backwards a little and you guys will gaze into each other's eye" he says too excited.

"Do we really have to do that?" I asked, trying to mask my discomfort. "The poses are just fine." I wanted nothing more than to make this less awkward.

"Let's just get this over with. We're supposed to portray a happy couple, so could you please act like it?" Fabian whispered, his voice low but laced with impatience.

I glare at him and do it anyway. Despite my frustration, I forced myself to comply, nodding and moving into position.

As Fabian took me into his arms, dipping me back slightly, I tried to steady my breathing. His touch was tentative, his hands lingering just enough to make the pose look believable. We locked eyes, and I did my best to project warmth, even though the coldness in his gaze made it difficult.

"Perfect! That's a wrap for this set!" Liam's voice broke through the tension, and I straightened up, releasing a silent sigh of relief.

As soon as the photographer was out of earshot, Fabian turned to me with a glare. "Could you be more obvious that we're not a couple?" he muttered, his tone sharp.

I stared at him, disbelief bubbling up. "Me? You're the one who's been grumpy and mumbling all morning," I shot back, my calm facade cracking under the weight of his accusation. How was this my fault?

"I'm grumpy?" he countered, his voice low but sharp. "All you've done is complain and act like being near me is equivalent to walking through hell."

I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap back. "I'm trying to be professional," I said, forcing my tone to stay level, even though irritation was coursing through me. "Maybe if you weren't treating this like a chore, it wouldn't be so unbearable."

He scoffed, shaking his head but didn't respond. I could feel the tension tightening between us, but I didn't have the energy to engage further. This was work, nothing more, and I wasn't about to let his attitude derail the job.

Without another word, I turned and walked over to Liam, desperate to wrap this up. "Are we done here?" I asked, barely keeping the impatience out of my voice. I was already thinking about my plans later with Dalia, a much-needed escape after this.

"Yes! The photos look great," Liam replied cheerfully, oblivious to the tension between Fabian and me. "You two look very in love."

"Great," I muttered under my breath, forcing a tight smile. I grabbed my purse without a second glance at Fabian, eager to leave the studio behind.

Once inside my car, I slipped off the engagement ring and placed it in the glovebox with a sigh. I reached for my phone and sent a quick text, confirming my plans with Dalia.

Me: Are we still on for shopping?

She'd insisted on dragging me along to buy clothes, and although I hated it, I could never say no to her.

Dalia: Of course we are!! You don't need to pick me up—I'll meet you there in 20.

Twenty minutes later, I pulled into the crowded parking lot of our usual spot. I parked the car, mentally preparing myself for the ordeal ahead. It was never just a "quick trip" with Dalia. Shopping with her meant endless racks of clothes, trying on things I'd never even think of wearing, and somehow leaving with bags I didn't intend to buy.

As I walked toward the entrance, I spotted her almost instantly. Dalia was standing by the doors, waving excitedly, a bright grin lighting up her face. Her carefree energy was infectious, and despite my exhaustion from the photoshoot, I felt some of my tension begin to lift.

"Imani!" she called out as I approached, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So, how did it go?"

"Okay," I replied, keeping my tone light even though I didn't want to delve into it. The last thing I needed was to discuss the whole engagement fiasco. I preferred to keep that part of my life separate.

Dalia seemed to sense my hesitation but didn't push any further. "Let's go find you something fabulous!" she said, pulling me into the boutique.

Inside, she immediately began picking out clothes, her enthusiasm palpable as she tossed dresses and tops over her arm. I watched as she dashed into the fitting room, chatting animatedly about colors and styles. It was easy to get swept up After everything, we arrived home, and Dalia rushed to her room, bubbling with excitement to show her friends what she had bought. I watched her go, a smile spreading across my face, genuinely happy to see her so full of joy.

Once the house quieted down, I began my evening routine, preparing for bed. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and climbed into my cozy sheets, hoping for a peaceful night. It felt like a small victory to finally have a moment of calm.

But just as I settled into the comforting darkness, I felt that familiar tightening in my chest. It was a sensation I had grown accustomed to—whenever I finally felt at ease, something always seemed to disrupt it. I closed my eyes, willing the worry away, but my mind raced with thoughts of the engagement, and everything else swirling in my life.

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Authors Note: Hey guys!! I'm so sorry for taking long to update, I've been really busy with school and also struggling to write. I wanted this chapter to focus a lot on Imani and her gradually growing tired of Fabian's attitude, but the drama is definitely coming.

Thank you for reading!!