CHAPTER 48: PHOTOSHOOT

It was the day of Nix’s newest jewelry collection photoshoot.

Alisha was dressed ready in a nude gown that revealed her back and waist with her tiny rose tattoo popping out.

On her wrist was the original jewelry which had the same design as the artificial one she’d used for the photoshoot test a few days ago with Katherine. The only difference was that it felt heavier compared to the fake one.

Katherine walked out after having her makeup and hair done. She smiled at everyone who spoke to her but they didn’t touch her eyes at all.

Since it was the main photoshoot, several people were gathered around as the stage was set. The crews, photographer and stylists and makeup artists in case an adjustment on their appearance needed to be changed.

"Look at her, she still has the audacity to show her face here despite cheating on her husband," one of the staff said, her hand over her mouth so that Katherine wouldn’t hear her. Which she didn’t because Katherine was at the opposite side. But Alisha was close enough to hear their conversations.

"She said it was fake. And besides, it was already deleted so I’m guessing that it’s truly fake."

"I doubt it. Someone who immediately replaced another woman as the wife after she went missing could do anything. There was also a rumor that she was the one behind Alisha’s wardrobe malfunction. She’s so spiteful of her."

Alisha listened to them in silence. She’d only begun, especially after what Katherine had done to her, she had just started her game and Katherine was already getting this hate.

A grin stretched on her lips. Her fingers itching to release the other information she had in her grasp.

A few minutes later, Alisha and Katherine got into position and started posing to the camera while the camera shutters echoed in the space.

They were given specific instructions on how to change the pose and while the people’s eyes darted between the two women, their gaze mostly landed on one woman.

The photographer tried to instruct Katherine on how to make a better pose but something was amiss in everything.

After the photoshoot test, he’d gone and researched about Katherine especially since she was one of the top models dominating the charts and he couldn’t help but be impressed in her poses, but while standing beside Alisha, her light seemed to have shrinked, making her look like she’d lost her confidence, or she simply wasn’t trying hard enough.

"Let’s take a break," said the photographer, walking over to Nix with the camera so as to show her what he’d taken.

Katherine glared at Alisha before making her way back to the makeup up room to do a few touches here and there.

Maxine walked over to Alisha.

"That woman has been glaring down at you as if she wants to pull your hair out of your head or something," she said with a chuckle.

Alisha could only smile until her eyes landed on someone familiar in the room.

It was Dante.

’What was he doing here?’ She wondered.

After what had happened between them that night in his room, she’d been avoiding him. She would always return home early and have dinner in her room. Then leave the next day before or after he’d left, just so that she wouldn’t bump into him.

Well, all of that went to waste especially now he was staring at her with a charming smile, blue roses in her hands—her favorite kinds of flowers.

Everyone gasped as he closed the gap between them, holding the flowers towards her.

Alisha could see from the corners of her eye that the staff were already starting to take pictures.

With gnashing teeth, she took it. And then he pecked her on the cheeks, his body so close she could smell his familiar cologne once again.

She heard cameras shutters from beside her, and it was none other than Maxine taking pictures. She received a glare from Alisha but only took more pictures.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, trying to hide the irritation in her tone but Dante seemed to have noticed it when his eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Let’s talk in private."

She pulled him away to somewhere private while Katherine glared at her back. She’d come out of her makeup room when she heard mumbling here and there and curiosity got the best of her, only to find Dante there.

She recalled Nathan’s conversation with his father. He was planning on replacing her with that woman.

’As if having Dante wasn’t enough, she’s also planning on stealing Nathan from me,’ she thought, her fists clenched by her sides.

"Why did you bring me flowers? And how did you know I was here?" Alisha questioned once she’d made sure no one would overheat their conversation.

"And why not?" He questioned her back. "You’ve been ignoring me since that night. Why’s that?"

Alisha’s skin flushed when she recalled their kiss. It was only a kiss. She’d kissed several times before and it was nothing special.

"Maybe you should have taken the hint and left me alone."

"This isn’t good for our publicity," he said with a sigh. "The media still isn’t convinced about our marriage. If we turn out to be having a fight and they get even the slight whiff of this, they will come snooping around."

Alisha hated to admit he was right. But still, appearing at her photoshoot may seem a little too much.

"You told me to forget about that night, but you’re the one who seems to be going back on your word." She glared at him as her hands clutched on the bouquet of flowers. "I know what I did was out of turn. So I’m sorry."

Alisha exhaled the breath she’d been holding on to. It didn’t feel right that he had to apologize. Besides, she’d gotten lost in the moment and had kissed him back.

"It’s not a big deal, Dante. We’re married after all," she responded.