Behind The Fame [Imagine] [Fanfiction]

Chapter 1

On Sundays, when Henry was in town, the whole family used to go to the church together. Marianne and Colin had raised their five children in the roman catholic faith, and they insisted that their children pursued this habit. The Holy Mass was over and the whole family started to went out of the church.

As they were going to enter the car to go back to the family house, Henry's mother looked away toward the bus stop and noticed something that makes her grinned.

"Isn't she the church singer ?" Said his mother.

Henry followed her gaze and saw the young woman, surrounded by two men. She seemed frightened as she stood in a defensive way. As Marianne was on the verge of suggesting they check on her, Henry was already on his way, crossing the road with a strong step.

"Honey, sorry I'm late, the car is just over here", he said laying his hand on her shoulder.

The two guys gauged Henry's massive body shape for a second.

"That's fine", she replied with a smile, playing his game.

She followed Henry as he was leading her accross the road. The guys decided to turn around with no words. As they arrived near the car, she turned around a second to make sure the guys disappeared.

"Thank you", she said, "you really saved my life."

He smiled at her.

"My pleasure", he said politetely.

Henry's mother came to them and smiled at the young woman.

"Hello dear, I hope you are alright."

The young lady agreed with a nod and smiled back at her.

"Why don't you come over with us ?" Asked Marianne. "We are having a little party, nothing too formal, don't worry."

"Oh, that's so sweet of you, but I don't want to disturb."

"Of course not, please come into the car and have lunch with us", she said opening the car door.

Henry encouraged her with a kind look, and she finally sat in the car.

As they arrived at the family house, they all went down of the car and started to run into the house or in the gardens, doing what they had to do without noticing her anymore. They were already severals cars parked in front of the house, as well as many people chatting around.

"I don't even know your name", said Henry who was waiting for her, probably in order to show her around and introduce her to the guests.

"I don't know yours either", she said with a cute smile.

"You score a point", he replied with a small laugh. "Henry, my name's Henry."

He extended his hand to her and she grabbed it gently.

"Pleased to meet you Henry", she said, "I'm Alya."

"Well, Miss Alya, it's a pleasure to have you here. Please go ahead, there's a buffet in the gardens and I'm sure you must be hungry."

She smiled at him and started to walk to the house, Henry following her.

"So you're a professional singer ?" He asked as they were walking through the gardens.

"No, she said, I'm just a church singer, a very casual church singer..."

He laughted softly as they arrived at the buffet.

"What about you, what do you do for a living ?" She asked as she took a plate and help herself with some food.

He didn't answer straigtaway and she looked at him. He was pouring some cold chicken in his plate while seeming to think about his answer.

"I don't really like to talk about my job", he said embarrassed.

She seemed suprised by the answer and frowned her brow.

"Is it even legal ?" She asked, with a faked suspicion.

He laughed.

"Of course ! It's completely, totally legal !"

At first, Henry didn't want to let her alone in a place she didn't know, but now he felt quite interested in her. She seemed to have a great sense of humor and it somehow intrigued him.

"I couldn't help but notice you have a slight accent sometimes, not all the times, only sometimes", he clarified. "May I ask where are you from ?"

She considered the question for a few second.

"Let's say you keep your job secret, and I keep my home country secret", she replied with a chekky look.

Definitively, she knew how to get him interested in her. Plus, he really didn't want to say he was an actor, as she genuinely seemed to be unaware of it.

"Lady, we have a deal."

Henry apologized kindly to her as someone was calling him away. A woman came to her. She was wearing a very skin-tight dress which let very few place to imagination.

"So, you're with Henry ?" She asked abruptly.

"Sorry, who are you ?" Asked Alya.

Henry was already heading back to them.

"Hello Tessa", he said politetely, "have you met Alya ? She's a church singer, from what I know so far... Alya, let me introduce you to an old family friend, Tessa's father was working with my father for at least two decades."

"Pleased to meet you Tessa", said Alya with a polite smile.

"Same", replied Tessa with a gloomy look.

She left them there. Henry and Alya exchanged a look.

"Did I do something wrong ?" Said Alya.

"Probably not, she's often kind of rude."

Alya nodded.

"I hope I'm not holding you back from several duties you may have to do today ?" She asked, a bit embarrassed that he seemed to force himself to stay around her.

"Not at all", he said with a smile.

A music started to spread in the air and people clapped their hands in joy as they were forming pairs and began to dance.

"Would you like to dance ?" Asked Henry, offering his hand to her.

She took his hand with a mix a shyness and sweetness.

As she took place in his arms, she felt protected and she liked it. Henry was a good dancer, and he obviously knew how to guide her with softness.

"I can see you have some talent at dancing too", he said with an appreciative look.

"I guess I can't hide I learned dance for many years", she replied, smiling back at him. "But you seem to be quite at your ease as well."

"I had to learn very various skills for my work", he said with a hint of a smile.

"That sounds quite mysterious", she said.

They laughed at the same time while dancing and some couple turned their heads towards them.

"Alya", he said more seriously, "would you like to have a tea with me, like tomorrow or in a few days ?"

She was suprised by the sudden proposal, and had a slight gasp. He was looking at her, observing every change in her face.

"You mean, like going on a date ?" She asked.