Chapter 16 DRAMA
THIRD PERSON'S POV
“Give me ten reasons why I should kiss you,” Erica asked, staring down at him—cold, composed, serious.
Jaxon laughed softly. “It’s for the script. Giselle and I have a kissing scene coming up, and honestly, I’m cut off. I don’t know how to do it.”
Erica folded her arms, unimpressed. “And you’re asking me? Do I look like a kissing tester?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“I’m serious, Erica—I’m nervous!” Jaxon confessed, then paused. “Giselle’s a beauty. I’ve never worked with her before, and I’m not sure what her preferences are like.”
Erica pressed her lips together, then muttered, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear “Well, Giselle is admirable. She’s talented too.”
The words carried through the gala. Giselle, standing a few feet away, smiled sweetly, her eyes glittering. Everything tonight was falling in her favor.
She blushed as the crowd glanced her way, and the fans watching the live stream went wild.
“Erica’s right—Giselle’s amazing!”
“Do they even know they’re being filmed?”
“This feels like a love triangle! I’m obsessed!”
“Forget Giselle—Jaxon, kiss me instead!”
Erica stayed silent. Then, without warning, she stepped closer, grabbed Jaxon’s tie, and yanked his tie forward. His breath hitched, then her lips brushed his. Soft, quick, teasing.
Their lips met briefly, upper and lower, a fleeting connection that sent electricity through the air. She pulled away, rolling her eyes dramatically.
“I still don’t understand why people like kissing. Gross.”
Her tone was cool, but her face relied how disgusting she must have left. Even back then when Carter had kissed her she liked it, remembering it her face darkened more.
"Yak"
Jaxon’s lips curved. “Maybe that’s because you’ve never done it right,” he murmured and before she could react, he pulled her closer and kissed her.
This time it wasn’t soft. It was hungry. Intentional.
Gasps echoed around the hall. Every camera flash captured it—his hand at her waist, her eyes fluttering shut, her body betraying her resistance for a moment, she decided to give in and enjoy.
Giselle’s smile faltered instantly.
“They’re really kissing!”
“This isn’t acting anymore!”
“Erica needs to star in her own film!”
Aaron watched from across the hall, silent and unreadable. His jaw clenched as the tension in his shoulders tightened. He didn’t miss the way Erica’s lips lingered slightly open, or how Jaxon smirked at her.
Then, suddenly—he was gone.
When Giselle turned to look for him, but she froze as his reflection appeared on the massive LED screen behind them, walking toward the then, every step heavy, deliberate, commanding.
Within seconds, Aaron reached for Erica One pull, and Erica was behind him before she could even react.
“Shouldn’t you be downstairs?” Aaron’s voice was low and edged with power. “Or do you prefer public scenes now?”
The livestream exploded.
“OH MY GOD! The triangle is real!”
“Team Aaron all the way!”
“No—Team Jaxon forever!”
“Erica’s about to break the internet!”
"If this was a series I would watch, its so pleasant to watch!"
Jaxon took a step forward, ready to speak, but his manager rushed in.
“It’s the CEO. You need to take this call,” he whispered.
Jaxon glared at Aaron, then turned to gaze at Erica, whose eyes flickered with confusion, curiosity... and something Jaxon noticed instantly: admiration.
Reluctantly, Jaxon walked off with his manager.
The moment he was gone, Erica exhaled and tried to slip away too.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Aaron asked sharply, grabbing her wrist.
“Mr. Knight, you can’t just keep me here! I’m not your prisoner! This is a violation of—”
Her words cut off as Aaron lifted her effortlessly over his shoulder.
“Jaxon! Jaxon, help!” she shrieked, pounding at his back.
Aaron laughed, the sound dark and dangerous. “You’re too noisy, troublemaker. Keep it up and you might not like what happens next.”
“Put me down or I’ll bite you!” she snapped, baring her teeth.
He chuckled. “Go ahead.”
She bit him, hard....on the neck, he didn’t even flinch.
He just kept walking, straight toward the elevator, ignoring the gasps and flashing lights that followed them.
Aaron knew this wasn’t coincidence. Someone had set this up.....to expose Erica, to sabotage her reputation. But she’d been clever. She turned it around, made it look like part of the show. She ahd used her words, her timing, and even the kiss to win the crowd.
Smart, bold and dangerous. He saw her when her gaze flickered on the camera seconds ago, she knew it was watching.
Finally, Erica stopped struggling, breathless.
“You are so dead after this, Aaron!” she hissed.
He smirked. “Save your energy. Those screams would sound better in bed.”
The crowd erupted into blushes and laughter. Even through the cameras, the tension was undeniable.
When the elevator doors shut behind them, the world outside faded. Although Jaxon rushed to the elevator it closed on his face.
Jaxon used the stairs instead.
Her heartbeat pounded against his shoulder. His hand held her steady, warm and unrelenting. The silence between them was thick...charged with something neither wanted to name.
The doors opened into a private suite.
Aaron finally set her down. She spun around, ready to scream at him, but froze.
His hand rose slowly, brushing her cheek. His thumb lingered there, forcing her to look at him.
Her breath hitched, his gaze only burned into hers: dark, questioning, and far too intimate.
Then, his voice came—low, cold, and commanding.
“Are you wearing contact lenses?”