Looks Can Be Deceiving

Chapter Twenty Two

It had been a week since Stella and Richard had sex. In the past week they had spent their nights having sex more than actually sleeping. Even though they were tired in the mornings, both of them were giddy and glowing for the rest of the day. They spoke more and more every day about when would be the right time to tell Chris and with only three shows left of the tour, they wanted to tell him soon.

"I think we should go shopping today." Joel walks into Richard's hotel room, the door unlocked. Usually if one of the boys had their door unlocked, it meant that everyone was in the room. He looks around expecting everyone to be there but instead he sees Stella with her shirt off, straddling Richard. Stella and Richard are frozen as they see Joel. His voice becomes high pitched and he squeaks out, "I'll come back." Joel turns and rushes out of the room.

Stella jumps off of Richard's lap as soon as Joel has left. "Why do we keep freezing when one of the boys catches us? What if Chris catches us and we do this?" Stella throws her hands around as she speaks, evidently concerned.

"Breathe." Richard stands holding her hands, "I'll go speak to Joel. We can figure out a time to tell Chris ok shawty?"

Stella nods as Richard picks up his t-shirt and throws it on.

"Your shirts inside out."

Richard looks down and shrugs walking out the door. Joel is pacing his room rubbing his eyes trying to rid his memory of what he just saw but as soon as he hears Richard knocking on the door the image floods back into his mind. Joel unlocks his door, his face was almost pale with concern. Joel hates keeping secrets and he immediately knows he will have to keep what he saw a secret.

"Hmm?" Joel asks, looking at Richard confused.

"You can't-"

"-tell Chris, I know." Joel interrupts as Richard walks into the hotel.

"We're going to tell him."

"Wait. You and Stella are together-together? Not just sleeping together?"

"Of course we aren't just sleeping together!"

"Well sorry the position you were in confused me!" Joel rolls his eyes.

"Ok, that's fair." Richard and Joel look around awkwardly. "You still want to go shopping?" Richard asks, easing the tension in the air.

"Yeah but are you and Stella done? Need a few minutes?" Joel winces at the question.

"No we're good." Richard responds laughing. "Let me go get Stella and we can all go together."

"I'll let the other boys know."

Everyone gathers in the lobby. Stella is too nervous to make eye contact with Joel so she does her best to avoid his eyes. Stella whispers to Erick telling him what just happened and Erick laughs so hard and loudly that all the boys turn to him confused.

"Ignore him!" Stella turns bright red embarrassed. "Shut up!" she growls, shoving an elbow into his stomach lightly.

"Hey Joel!" Erick calls out, "Don't worry bro, you're not the only one." Erick was referring to the first time he saw Richard and Stella in a compromising position.

Joel blushes and chuckles looking to Stella.

"What are they talking about?" Chris questions.

"Joel walked in on me changing, it was nothing. I was all covered." Chris frowns but lets it go. "Are we going to go shopping or what?" Stella asks everyone.

Once Ali drops them off, they all disperse. Richard walks straight to his favorite store, Chris and Zabdiel rush to the food court, Joel does his best to move away from Stella - still uncomfortable by the position he saw her in. Stella and Erick stroll their way around. Stella stalls when she sees a lingerie store but being in front of Erick she feels too awkward to ask to go inside so she moves away.

"Ew." Erick groans.

"What?"

"If you want to go in, we can go. I don't have to be happy about it. You're like my little sister, I think it's gross that you are having sex."

Stella laughs at the disgust on Erick's face. "So we can go in?" she looks at him dough eyed.

"Come on." he pushes her towards the store and Stella walks around looking at all the different bras she wants to try on. Erick trails behind embarrassed.

"I hope no one thinks we're together." he comments as she shows him an option.

"Get over it. Do you think Richard would like this?"

Erick almost gags at the question. "Why don't you just call Richard and he can meet you here?"

"This is the problem with having a male best friend! Can you call him while I go try these on?"

As soon as Richard hears that Stella is trying on lingerie for him, he quickly makes his way to the store. Just as excited as he is when he's about to jump on stage, he makes it inside the store without running into any of the other boys.

"She's in the second change room." Erick motions, pointing to the change room. "I'm heading to the food court to find Chris and Zabdie."

"Thanks bro." Richard nods. "Stella?" he calls out.

Stella pops her head out of the change room smiling. "Hey." she looks around making sure no one can see them and pulls him inside. "I don't want us to get caught." she whispers.

Richard barely hears what she's saying though because he's too busy staring at her wearing a red bra with jewels - almost like a Victoria's Secret fantasy bra and a tiny lace red g-string.

"Huh?" He focuses looking her in the eye.

"Do you like this one?" she blushes looking down.

"Please let me buy that for you in every colour."

Stella blushes, "I think I will get this one and a few other ones I tried on before." Stella turns around gathering the ones she wants to buy.

"Can I see them?" he requests wrapping his arms around her from behind.

"No. I want some to be a surprise." she giggles as Richard peppers kisses along her neck. "Now go find the other boys before Chris gets suspicious again."

Richard rolls his eyes and starts making a move, "Yes Ma'am."