Chapter 9 The Setup
"Definitely not," Zephyra says.
"Definitely not," Kairo says at the time.
Percy's expression tells them they have already lost this fight.
"The magazine team arrives day after today at eight." He crosses his palms. "this is happening whether or not you want it or no longer."
Zephyra desires to throw something. preferably at Percy's head.
"We just discovered that someone's stalking us," she snaps. "and also you need cameras in our house?"
"Controlled cameras," Elara corrects. "This sincerely facilitates. Suggests you have got nothing to cover."
"Besides we've the whole lot to hide." Kairo's voice is dangerously quiet.
"Then conceal it better." Percy would not blink. "the world is looking. Dalia made sure of that. You either prove this relationship is real, otherwise you watch everything disintegrate."
Silence crushes the room.
Kairo turns to the window. His mirrored image seems tired. Trapped.
"Exceptional," he sooner or later says. "but they observe our regulations."
"Of direction." Percy smiles like he's already received.
The shot list arrives in the dark. Zephyra reads it in bed. each object makes her stomach tighten extra.
Morning coffee together. Cooking breakfast. comfortable reading at the sofa. Dancing inside the kitchen. Bedroom pictures.
Bedroom pictures.
She texts Kairo: "Did you see number seven?"
3 dots appear. Disappear. seem once more.
"I noticed it."
"I am no more doing bed room photos."
"Neither am I."
She stares at his reaction. Feels oddly relieved.
"Good night, Zephyra."
He has never said good night time before.
"Good night."
She lies awake for hours.
The group arrives at dawn. five human beings with cameras, lighting, and totally an excessive amount of enthusiasm.
Percy has staged the penthouse like a film set. sparkling flowers anywhere. Smooth blankets draped artfully. Their espresso mugs positioned well.
"This appears nothing like how we honestly live," Zephyra mutters.
"That is the point." Percy adjusts a throw pillow. "we are promoting a fantasy."
Kairo emerges from his wing. He seems at the setup. His jaw tightens.
"Let's get this over with."
They start with morning coffee. Standing near on the kitchen counter. His hand on her decrease again. Her fingers brushing his arm.
"More natural," the photographer calls. "you are purported to be married."
Natural. Right. because nothing about this is natural.
Kairo's thumb lines circles on her hip. She shivers. Hates that he notices.
"cold?" he asks quietly.
"No."
His eyes say he knows she's mendacity.
The cooking scene is worse. He stands behind her on the range. His chest towards her lower back. arms caging her in as he reaches for a pan.
She can feel his heartbeat. Steady. Strong.Too near.
"Smile," Percy coaches. "Like you do this each morning."
Kairo leans down. His breath heat on her neck. "relax. You appear like you're being held hostage."
"I am being held hostage."
His quiet laugh vibrates thru her. Her knees pass weak.
this is simply performing. simply performing.
She repeats it like a prayer.
Percy insists on practicing intimate moments. Making them appearance herbal.
"forehead kiss," he directs. "Kairo, like you are saying good-bye before going to work ."
Kairo hesitates. Then steps near.
His hand cups her face. gentle. Lingering. His thumb brushes her cheekbone.
He leans down slowly. offers her time to turn away.
She doesn't.
His lips press against her forehead. soft. Lingering. Like he method it.
Neither can breathe.
When he in the end pulls again, his eyes are darker than midnight.
"Perfect," Percy says. "That seemed real."
It felt real. That is the problem.
The photographer appears with an apologetic smile. "One remaining setup. The bed room."
"No," Zephyra says without delay.
"Simply pajamas. Lying in bed. not anything inappropriate." The photographer holds up her arms. "mag policies. couples must have at least one intimate domestic shot."
Kairo looks equipped to refuse. Then Percy offers him a glance that screams they cannot refuse this.
"Nice," Kairo grits out. "Five minutes. That is it."
They changed into pajamas in separate rooms. She emerges in silk shorts and a matching top. He's in easy cotton pants and a T.shirt.
The bedroom has been set. Fresh white sheets. Morning light streaming thru gauze curtains.
"Lie side by side," the photographer instructs. "Face each other."
They climb onto the mattress stiffly. Going through every different on the pillows.
This is absurd. Absolutely absurd.
Kairo's mouth twitches. She bites her lip.
"Do not," she warns.
"Do not what?"
"Do not laugh."
"I am not laughing."
"You are about to."
His shoulders shake. Then he's laughing. clearly giggling.
She attempts to glare. Fails. begins laughing too.
The camera clicks unexpectedly.
They are lying in bed, laughing like idiots, and it's the most genuine moment they have both shared.
The photographer critiques the photos. "These are beautiful. Most natural ones all day."
Zephyra's laughter dies. She meets Kairo's eyes.
The realization hits them simultaneously. This picture will convince absolutely everyone they're in love.
Because in this moment, they almost convinced themselves.
The team packs up. Percy evaluates footage. Each person appears thrilled.
Zephyra escapes to her room. Showers. tries to wash away the sensation of Kairo's arms on her skin.
She's drying her hair whilst Elara knocks.
"Can I come in?"
"Yeah."
Elara closes the door. Her face is severe.
"what is the matter?"
"Someone approached the photographer today." Elara sits on the mattress. "offered him fifty thousand dollars."
"For what?"
"Unedited pictures. In the back of-the-scenes stuff. Particularly any moments where you two appeared cold. Argued. anything proving the relationship is fake."
Zephyra's blood turns to ice. "Did he take it?"
"No. He reported it immediately." Elara's arms twist together. "however Zephyra... someone is actively seeking to smash this."
"Who?"
"He didn't recognize the buyer. stated they worked through intermediaries."
Hours later, Zephyra cannot sleep. She wanders to the kitchen for water.
Light spills from Kairo's workplace. The door is cracked open.
She should go back to her room. Mind her business.
Instead, she looks thru the space.
Kairo sits at his table. His pc open. he's observing some thing at the screen.
She edges nearer. Squints to see.
It's the bedroom photograph. The one in which they may be giggling.
His expression is soft. Longing. Like he is searching at some thing he desires however can't have.
Her heart hammers.
He reaches in the direction of the display. His finger almost touches her face within the image.
She ought to make a legitimate. He seems up sharply.
Their eyes meet.
He slams the pc shut. "simply reviewing them. ensuring they're appropriate for e-book."
"At two inside the morning?"
"Couldn't sleep."
"Right."
They stare at each different. The lie hangs between them like smoke.
"Zephyra—"
"Don't." She backs away. "Just... don’t."
She retreats to her room. Closes the door. Leans in opposition to it.
He become looking at that picture the manner people stare at things they can't have, and the question terrifies her: Was he wishing it turned real?