Undercover || completed

Chapter Nine

Payton stood there, in her formal gown, lips stained red, with wide eyes. She reminisced at all the past awards the man in front of her stole from Kiera Mead. 

Every ceremony, the man just had to flirt with her; whether it was harmless little compliments, or permission to make-out.

"Asher Lane. The famous triple-threat? The one that beats me at almost every awards show?" Payton asked, dazed. 

"The one and only." he smirked.

Payton bit her lip, in order to hold back a cry. Her mind started racing to all the signs. First, he had the looks. Second, he had the face. Third, he had the voice. 

The DJ at the part announced the birthday girl, and Payton realized it was time to go back inside the party. 

Her phone started buzzing, and the sound of Asher Lane's newest single blared. Payton's cheeks reddened, as the smirk on Asher's face grew. 

She quickly answered the call, only to find out that Nate had drunk-dialed her. Payton groaned, as her ex-boyfriend started talking. 

"Payton, how could you? I thought we were meant to be? That guy just drove us apart. Was it always him, Pay? I still love you! You're mine!" The phone spoke.

Payton rolled her eyes at the stupidity of Nate. Without answering to him, she exited the call. 

"That boyfriend of yours wouldn't like us making out, would he?" A voice asked. Payton blushed again, realising that Asher Lane heard her conversation. 

"Ex-boyfriend." Payton corrected, "And who cares about him? He's so 2 years ago" 

Asher looked at her, with distrust evident in his enchanting aquamarine eyes. 

Payton rolled her eyes, biting her lip to contain laughter caused by his jealousy. She must've looked foolish doing it, because soon after, Asher laughed his head off.

"What is wrong with you? Some women look sexy biting their lips, but you just look constipated." He choked out. 

Payton scoffed at his unbelievable theory. "I could so look sexy. You know, if I tried to."

"Sure." Asher smirked. 

Payton shook her head, wanting to prove the arrogant man in front of her wrong. She tilted her head, doe eyed, and bit her lip, slowly. 

She couldn't help but laugh at his enchanted face growing red. "How's that for sexy?"

"I've seen better." he lied, failing to do so. Asher started to leave. 

Payton grabbed him and asked, "Why did Chase talk to you?"

~~~~~~

It amazed Payton to think that she wasn't the only one in Hollywood that had an alias. She was Payton Miller, the part-time music teacher, and full-time Kiera Mead. 

She'd refused to think that anyone else could understand what leading a double life was like, but she was proven wrong when she and Asher talked about their lives. 

Apparently, Chase stalked Asher too. This thought led Payton to wonder if Chase had really changed. What if he lied to me? What if he's still some kind of serious stalker. 

Payton's questions were answered as she opened the door to her apartment. When you first looked at it, the beige walls, and wooden floors looked like home. The perfect picture frames on the wall were in place. The air smelled like her cherry body spray. The TV was turned off, the laptop was shut. What shook Payton from this painted illusion was the perfection of the scene. 

She was sure she'd left her curling iron on top of the mahogany dining table, and her laptop was open when she'd left. 

Like a deer caught in headlights, Payton stopped at her dresser. 

'I see you've met your competition. Give me an answer by next Saturday. Both of you. Here's Asher's phone number... -Your Lonely Date'

This time, Chase used her favorite pink lipstick. It was smashed to the core. "How great" Payton muttered. 

Ring! Ring! Payton answered her phone.

"Hey, Payton..."