The Fallen King | ✓

Chapter 12

~Chapter 12~

"Cut. That's a wrap everyone. Good job," the director of Damien's music video, Hyde Smith, called.

Today I was filming the last few shots of Damien Beckett's music video with him. Most of it was done in Paris but there were a few scenes that had to be done here back in New York City.

Damien was a good friend of mine but I was still hesitant in accepting the job because the paparazzi had already been tailing us for almost five months. However, my agent refused to let me say no, claiming I would've been turning down the opportunity of a lifetime and essentially throwing my career in the bin.

Of course, her claims were over-exaggerated bullshit but I humoured her and reluctantly agreed. Besides, I was helping out a friend so it wasn't all bad in the grand scheme of things.

Damien and I watched back the last few videos on one of the numerous cameras placed in an extravagant set up from where we were both easily captured from several different angles. We both smiled at what we saw, happy with how everything looked and Damien pulled me into a quick hug before scurrying off to talk to the director, saying he'd be back in a few minutes.

The song that would be releasing in a few weeks time along with the video was to build anticipation for his second album which was debuting in about three months. His team knew that if I was in the video sales would skyrocket so they were adamant about getting me on board.

If it were for anyone else I probably would've said no despite my pestering agent even for the hefty check I'd received for it. But I knew this would help Damien massively so I put my feelings aside. He'd been my friend since we were children and had helped me through some extremely tough times so it was the least I could do for him.

The song itself was a love song about a young couple's passionate summer romance that they never wanted to be over but, in the end, had no choice but to leave each other behind and move on. Personally, I thought it was his best song yet because it truly moved me. Something about it struck a chord within me, the words just seemed to resonate deep down inside.

Hopefully, the video we had created reflected the beauty and sadness of the song. I wanted it to be just as touching as the actual song because a piece as beautiful as what Damien had written deserved nothing less.

I was excited to see how the video would turn out when it was edited and put together but I didn't get time to imagine the romantic masterpiece because Damien tapped me on the shoulder, bringing my mind back to reality. "So," he started, a cheeky glint in his eye. "Since we're finally done let's grab a bite to celebrate."

I paused and he could see the hesitancy in my eyes. "Damien... you know it's not a good idea if we're out in public together. The paparazzi will have a field day."

Damien visibly dulled, his cheery expression morphed into a sullen one. He hated their attention as much as I did because he knew the more people saw us together the more they'd start digging up.

Damien and I had a past, one which we wanted to stay buried. If the media ever found out... let's just say neither of us would have made it out unscathed.

That was why we had to be cautious when we were together. If our past together was ever discovered I don't think any amount of therapy could help me through it. There were just some things the public didn't need to know.

Slowly, I noticed Damien's eyes brighten again as if he'd just come up with the best idea ever. "How about we go to yours and order food instead? Then we both still get to hang out and eat. It's a win win."

Food bribery. Well played, Beckett. Well played.

~*~*~

Damien didn't know any of my friends from New York so decided to pass and call it a night when I told him that I was meeting up with Maddison, Winter and Liam in the evening. I tried to convince him but he had an early flight so said he wanted to get some sleep before he had to drag himself through the airport in a few hours time so eventually I yielded.