The billionaire's son

Paparazzi

Mateo P.O.V

I was still thinking about how good I felt while cuddling with Liam when I went inside my house. Even if it was barely cuddling.
My parents were in the living room, watching the news on TV.
Fortunately, my sister was nowhere in sight. I didn't know what she thought about Nathan's confession, and I really didn't want to know.
I was climbing the stairs when my parents interrupted me.

"Mateo. Living room" I heard my father say.

"Again ?! What did I do this time ?" I asked myself, as I was searching for chores I didn't do and should have done.
I arrived in the living room, stopped at the door, and waited.

"Listen Mat', we noticed you weren't feeling well these past few weeks" my mother calmly explained.

"Waouh, you're observant" I scoffed.

"But you don't tell us anything... How can we help you if you don't talk to us ?" My father asked.

"You don't" I coldly replied, before going to my bedroom.

I was still furious about the fact they believed my sister about kissing her boyfriend or kissing drunk guys.
I sat down on my bed and felt my phone vibrated. It was a text from Stella.

"Omg look at the link I sent you, I just found it on the internet"

It was an article about Liam. I read it.

"Is Liam Moore gay?

According to multiple testimonies, it seems like an argument occurred between Liam Moore, the very discreet son of Dane Moore, and the rest of his family, during their dinner at 'Le coq en or', last Saturday.
Apparently, it was about Liam Moore's sexuality and a certain Mateo..."

I stopped reading, turned off my computer, and started to pace the floor. Anxiety invaded me as I realized Liam's life was a paparazzi subject. More importantly, I had no idea what this article was talking about, so of course, I spent the night thinking about it. I also felt guilty the argument was about me. Having Liam in my life was nothing good for my sleep.
I arrived at school without even having breakfast. Me ?! Not having breakfast ?! That was a first.
I immediately spotted Liam, and almost ran to him.

"In a hurry ?" He said with a smile.

"Did you have an argument with your family about me ?" I frankly asked.

I saw his jaw clenched as if he knew exactly what I was talking about.

"Yeah..." he finally admitted.

"Why didn't talk to us about it ?"

"Hum... let's say I'm not proud about what I did that night, and I didn't want to burden you-"

"Stop that! You know you won't burden me! I'm here for you, as much as you've always been there for me since the moment you arrived in that school" I replied.

"I punched my brother and broke his nose. And I'm sleeping in a hotel right now" he blurted.

"What? Seriously? You're alone in a hotel room since Saturday ?!" I exclaimed.

"That's not a big deal don't worry! I just need some time for myself" he tried to convince me.

"Liam! We are your friends! You can't keep giving without receiving in return" I affirmed.

"I'm sorry..."

"I'm just angry the tabloids are more informed about you than I am" I stated.

The bell rang, and after promising to call him every night, I went to my first period.
I was so busy thinking about Liam that I didn't even notice the awkward atmosphere around me.
However, I noticed it for the rest of the week.

"Did you talk to him ?" Stella asked before I could even sit.

"Yeah, and I need to cheer him up" I affirmed.

"That's so cute! You're so in love with him! And so is he" she almost screamed in a classroom full of students.

"Please, Stella! I don't need another scandal right now !" I complained.

"But I knew it !"

"Ok calm down, we are not together !" I shot back.

"For now" she replied.

We spent the entire lesson talking about it. Of course, Jay also read the article.
I thought about how to cheer up Liam the entire week and came out with a plan. It was about time for me to give back.
What I forgot, on the other hand, was the first training with Lucas this weekend.
I had such a bad feeling about it.
I couldn't concentrate at work, knowing that I had to dance with that guy when I'll come back home.

"What's happening to you? You seem completely off today" Julia asked.

It wasn't busy today, so we had time to talk.

"Too many things" I honestly replied.

"Ahah! Teenage life, always so complicated" she scoffed.

"Ok first, you lived it a few years ago, so don't go old ladies remarks on me! And second, it's not my fault !" I replied while laughing.

"You'll see, in a few years, a few texts on Grindr, a good dick, and no attachment. Simple and effective" she replied.

"Oh god, that's so not how I envision things for me"

We laughed for the rest of our shift, and I reluctantly left the restaurant. My blood ran cold when I saw Lucas waiting for me outside.

"Ready for our first practice ?" He said with a big smile.

He was really attractive, but my heart was somewhere else, and I was scared about how 'sensual' the dance was going to be.
He drove me back home, and we went to the basement, where my brother was waiting for us.

"Hey bro! Ready ?" He said enthusiastically. 

I braced myself for what was coming next as Lucas started to explain to me what I had to do while singing the Meghan Trainor's part during the first verse. It was modern dance, but nothing sensual for the moment.

"The first chorus, that's where we start to dance together" he suddenly said.

That when I understood what sensual meant. It was a mix of tango and modern dance, with way too much proximity to my taste. I also understood that we were going to dance together for the rest of the song.

"And we finish with me spinning you around, and taking you in my arms. You'll put your hands on my chest" he explained while showing it alone.

"Ok, I'm not capable of doing this. I'm going to try but no promises" I said.

So we spent the next few hours practicing.

Hi guys!
With Christmas coming, updates might be a little slower than usual. Sorry in advance!

Love from otters!