The Unexpected

Chapter 5 Damon's POV

I gave Payson her phone back and held out my hand for hers to take.

She grabbed her phone and got up off my car and stood there but didn't grab my hand.

"We will have to look like we at least want to be together, so at least hold my hand while we go into the building"
She sighed and said "fine just hand holding"
I nodded and she grabbed my hand, they were small and delicate and cold but soft.
I led the way to the restaurant I was taking her to.

There were people starring and taking pictures but I just ignored them and walked in the restaurant, while Payson kept her head down so nobody can see who she really is.

"Reservation for Young"
A lady grabbed the menus and walked us toward the back in a more private area outside on a patio  so no one can interrupt us and so Payson doesn't get too uncomfortable. This is already way out of her comfort zone.

I pulled out a chair for Payson and she sat down. I sat on the other side of her and the lady handed us our menus and said "enjoy" then walked away.

I opened the menu and started looking for something to eat. At the corner of my eye I see Payson observing the place in awe.
I chuckled and said "you like it?"
"I've never been in such a fancy and nice restaurant in my life, like lights around us, fancy velvet red chairs and black table cloths, flowers around us"
I laughed a bit and said "yeah well that's not the only thing that's fancy the food is delicious"
She grabbed her menu and her mouth dropped "this is the most expensive food I've ever seen"
"We'll pick whatever you want I'm paying"
She gave me a nervous look but I smiled to reassure her it's ok.

A man walked up and pulled out his notepad and said "good evening I'm Tanner I will be your waiter tonight what can I start you two off with?"
"I'll have two glasses of red wine for me and the lady with water for both"
He wrote it down and walked away.
"Thank you" Payson said.
I smiled at her and looked at the menu thinking of what to order.

After a while I decided what I wanted and put the menu down waiting for the Payson to finish and the waiter to come with our drinks.
"I would suggest roast chicken with herb butter and baked veggies"
"That does sound good I'll get that"
I chuckled and nodded my head.
The waiter came back with our drinks and set them down then said "are we ready to order?"
"Yes we are"
"What can I get you Miss?"
"I'll have the roast chicken with herb butter and baked veggies"
He wrote it down the looked to me
"I'll have the same as her"
He wrote it down then walked off.
"So you suggested what you were going to eat?"
"Yup"
She shook her head and laughed a bit.
"So I wanna talk about our game plan and what we are going to be ahead of this"
"Ok" Payson said while picking up her wine glass and took a sip.
"So after this date we will have at least three of four more before we make it official, I will probably be in for interviews then you will be exposed, then you will live with me"
She spit out a bit of wine in her glass and said "what now?" With wide hazel eyes.
"Yes so we look like an actual couple and not a one night stand"
"But not all couples live together and interviews?"
"Yeah but celebrity couples do, so then you will be in for photo shoots, celebrity party's and other things so it looks like you fit in"
"Ok" she sighed and took another sip of wine.
"Don't worry it will be ok, we have to look like we're in love. Tomorrow you will get a photo shoot to upgrade that social media account of yours with natural but professional photos"
She nodded and I kept going with other plans and what the media wants to see out of me.

After a while our food came and we ate.
"Now I do need to get to know you a bit" I told her.
"Then ask away and we can go back and forth"
"Favorite color?"
"Violet and black, yours?"
"Teal"
"Oh yeah, favorite dessert?"
"Pecan pie"
"Ice cream"
"Wow I thought you were this fit guy who doesn't eat anything unhealthy?"
"Doesn't mean I don't indulge at times" I said which is true I do indulge at times but most of the time I like to keep my figure looking well.
"True"
"favorite season?"
"Summer"
"Same"
"My turn, favorite holiday?"Payson asked.
"4th of July "
"Christmas I guess"
"Favorite food?"
"Salad or anything paleo pancakes or  chicken"
"Wow you are healthy"
"I can be, you?"
"Wheat thins"
"Crackers?"
"Yes I love crackers?"
"Animal crackers are my favorite " I chuckled at her a bit then asked"Dream car?"
"A Jeep Wrangler but there so expensive but so cool"
"Really a Jeep Wrangler?"
"Yes I love them but can never afford one"
"I like that, I have a Ferrari and a Lamborghini, motorcycle"
"Wow two cars and a motorcycle?" She asked looking at me with wide eyes.
I chuckle and say "yes those were my dream vehicles so I got them"
She nodded.
while talking I felt weird like natural around her not like I have to be someone I'm not.
We finished dinner and I paid then we walked out .
But before we could there were reporters around the door.
I grabbed Paysons hand and said "don't look at them, don't talk to them I'm going to wrap you in my arms and walk to the car"
She nodded for my approval and I wrapped her in my chest and walked out of the restaurant.
Reporters were everywhere crowding around us.
"Damon who is this girl?"
"Damon is this your next one night stand?"
"Damon when is your next single coming out?"
"Damon who is she in your arms?"

Everywhere they were coming with questions but I pulled Payson tighter around me so no one can see her and so she doesn't have to be too overwhelmed than she already is.

We finally got to the car I put her in and walked around the drivers side and started up the car and left.

I drove out of the parking lot, into the drive.
"Are you ok?" I asked Payson.
"Yeah I'm fine"
"Sure?, I know they can be overwhelming"
"Yeah I'm ok"
I nodded and kept driving to the beach I want to take her to, just for something extra and more private so we can talk and get more comfortable around each other since we are going to be fake dating.

I park far away from people and get out of the car.
She walked out and asked "what are we doing here?"
"I just thought we could walk"
"Alright"
I lead her to the beach toward the water area.
"I love the beach, it's my safe place whenever I need to get away from the noise"
"It's pretty peaceful and beautiful"
"Very much so, I would come here for inspiration to write songs"
"You don't anymore?"
"The label wants something different, it started out my original and then the label wanted more of a pop star vibe"
Wow I never would've came out with that vulnerability with any other girl. What's up with me?
"Wow, that's sad that they can't see real potential"
I nodded and we kept walking while the sun was setting.
"But besides inspiration, do you ever come here?"
"Yeah to surf or clear my head" I told her
And she nods, then I ask her "have you ever surged before?"
"No I never have learned"
"Well that will change"
She nods then says
"Wow this sun is beautiful with the yellow mixing with dark orange"
"Yeah it's amazing how it mix and is breath taking"
"Yes very breath taking"
Kinda like she is. Wait what am I saying?
I shook my head an snapped out of it.
"We should walk back and get you home"
She nodded and we walked back in silence but comfortable silence.

I drove her back to her apartment and told her "I hope this wasn't too overwhelming and you enjoyed a bit of it"
"I wasn't and it was fun thank you"
I smiled and said "I'll see you tomorrow for the shoot"
She nodded and opened the door and grabbed her purse and got out.
"Bye Damon"
"By Payson"
She shut to door but I waited until she got in to the building to leave.

My phone started ringing and I looked at it, it was Sasha.
I pressed the answer and put it on speaker.
"Did you go out with her tonight?"
"Yes I did"
"Did reporters see her?"
"Only part of her I kept her face hidden"
"Good we don't want them to know her fully yet"
"Understood, I want a photo shoot for her tomorrow to get better pics on her social before we announce her"
"I'll set it up and see what we can do"
"Thanks"
"Alright talk to you later"
"Bye Sasha"
I pressed end and drove home.

I parked my car in the garage with my other car and walked in putting my keys on the hook and walked up to my bed room and went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and got changed in sweat pants.
I went to my king sized bed and turned off the lights and went to sleep knowing the next few days will be busy.