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A/N: Remeber to leave your comments! I'd love to know what you think x

1:20pm

1:30pm

2: 01pm

and counting, I'd been staring at Malachi for a good matter of minutes as he stood in a well fitted Nike sports wear infront of probably three or more high tech cameras being taken pictures.

Everything looked so damn professional. There was an editor right behind his computer, flashes going on and off and that mesmerising white background.

The pictures were going to be good...I must admit.

Apparently, he's currently signed as an ambassador for many sports brands. No wanted he always shows off his sneakers when school isn't in session or those times we had physical education class.

I'd always admired those but I'm more of a heel person. If not heels, flats and that's it.

I just can't.

"Miss, you okay?" Someone questioned, snapping me out of my inner monologue. "Y-yeah! Peachy. Is everything okay?"

"Of course. Just wanted to find out if you'd want to take a few shots with Kai. You'd look excellent in the upcoming Nike posters."

"Oh I-

"Say yes, Lilac. You'd look stunning." Malachi shouted, from the front of the room earning him a scowl from one of the camera men who muttered something along the lines of 'you're ruining the pose.'

"No wa-

"Ahh look who we have here!" Another voice exclaimed, practically appearing out of nowhere. I couldn't help but notice his thick Scottish accent.

"It is she! Zee Lilac Madeline Manor!" The person shrieked, walking into the room so his face was more visible.

"Ah, my sweet, do us a favour and take a few pictures....it shouldn't be long now, would it?" He asked, looking at the crew before him for a response as they all shook their head in fear.

"I'll send a few hundred dollars into your account if that would do."

"Oh no- I don't need the money." I told him, honestly speaking.

"Good good, then head over to the changing room and look for your size...and outfit should do."

"But I'm not her-

Unfortunately, before I could finish my sentence, I was being dragged by a lady into a different room when I briefly caught an apologetic smile from Malachi as he was still posing for pictures.

Let's not forget the grumpy photographer who sent him a death glare.

"Okay, so here's the top section; she pointed to a top rail, on your left we have the biker shorts, there are the pants and over there we have the bras. I'll be right outside if you need anything."

I so don't want to do this. I'm trying to stay low for goodness sake. I'd had all my social media accounts gone private and I'd stopped updating them regularly. All that I post now are two line motivational quotes and sunset pictures.

Hey, for all you know, it's probably helping someone somewhere.

But I guess I didn't really have a choice in this.

"And the shoes?"

"Oh yeah- she blurted out smacking her forehead automatically making me cringe. "-right here." she points to a rack which was packed with classy sneakers which I'm a hundred percent positive would cost a few arms and legs.

I walked closer to them then thanked her as she walked out of the dressing room.

Just what I wanted...to be the face of Nike's new ad.

Yay. Note the sarcasm.

Probably a few minutes later after picking out a black sports bra and shorts matched with a sleek pair of sneakers I headed out into the photo room where I was met with a sight I'm never sure I'll be able to unsee.

I've been alive for precisely 18 years, 10 months and 21 days and if I told you I've seen this before...well, damn me becau-

"They're just abs you know? No need to drool." Malachi teased, still trying to please the photographers.

Dear Lord, help me.

"Good, good, she's here!" The Scottish man exclaimed walking over and pushing me towards Malachi's sweaty body. I could swear on my life the state of him looked like he'd run a marathon. If that was actual sweat or just normal water I guess I was yet to find out.

"Beautiful,  Mr. Scottish practically commended himself as he successfully pushed me up
against my crus-

Sorry, I mean Malachi.

"-now darling, don't be shy or anything . I'd like you to yet comfortable with Mr. Washington. The motive here is to get couples to get sporty together and what's better than a firsthand example?!"

"What?!" Kai blurted out. "-Sorry not sorry Charlie, but if she's not comfortable with your idea I'm not going along with it either."

"No... it's-it's fine." I interrupted, this was just for the brands publicity,right? Yeah. I'd also love models for my brand so why not help someone else out.

I'm just helping out. I kept thinking to myself... Just helping out.

"I'll do it." I admitted. "but there's no way I'm cozying up on a hunk of sweat." I teased Kai.

"Oh, that's just water...you know, for special effects?" A camera man explained coming from behind him camera lens.

Talk about special effects. The whole damn boy was a effect.

"We have somewhere to be so could we just get these photo's done?" Malachi sighed.

"But of course."

Minutes later here I am...finding myself right under America's dream boy as he held my waist with his muscular arms from behind me as we posed for pictures. Kai was really good as this but with me on the other hand...not so much.

"Ready for the final one?" Charlie, aka Mr. Scottish asked looking for our consent. "Bring it on." I blurted out, earning a few chuckles.

Why the hell did an answer require chuckles?

"You've been very co operative, Miss Manor and Mr. Washington. If only you, Kai could hold her in a kind of bridal position and lean into her as if about to kiss for the last shot, that'll be amazing. You Miss. Manor, I'd like you to heed to his touch...as if this was some extravagant romantic moment in your life. You know? He's going to put on the Nike shirt now, so when he does I'd like you to touch him...the touch of life."

"The touch of what now?" At this point, I was very confused. Touch him, heed to his touch, romantic moment, what the hell?

Just as I was about to ask Malachi about what Charlie was talking about I noticed how stern his face was. How serious he looked and I was no fool to receive a death glare today. Not today, I hadn't dealt with Caroline yet.

"Just relax." He said, walking over to me and spinning me into his arms in a tilt position.

Thank god for strong arms.

"-now if you could lean in a bit Malachi, as if to kiss her we could wrap this up."

"I'm not doing that unless she's comfortable with it." He told Charlie off, looking straight into my eyes as if asking for my permission slip.

"It's fine." I whispered, as my hands found their way to his chest and the camera men got ready to take shots.

"You sure this is ok?" He whispered to me. "Course.I-I trust you." I admitted as he stroked my cheek but the boy thing running through my mind was how he was able to keep in this position without falling or dropping me.

"How are you still holding me." I mistakenly blurted out but only to his hearing.

"I can't afford to drop you. You're too precious, turtle." He smirked.

Fuck this!

I'm fully aware this isn't supposed to happen and I'm a hundred percent indecisive and pretty messed up that this was my limit. I wanted Kai and I wanted all of him.

Impulsively, I grabbed his hair and pulled him down onto me, smashing lips in front of the camera men and Charlie but let's be honest... I couldn't really care right now.

I know this is the boy I friend zoned, he's the one I rejected a sorry from during our first days in school, but yet he's the same one that's made an effort to help me...he's made an effort to help me see that life doesn't always need to be about me and my problems. They're smaller things in life she in we need to be grateful for and mine was him.

"What was that for?" He asked, looking gobsmacked but at the same time that infamous smirk was lingering on his lips.

"I know what I want now." I whispered to him every so quietly one would have to be listening very intently to hear. "-you."

"I didn't get that last part."

Wait...he didn't?....Seriously?

"You didn't?"

"I didn't " he admitted, lifting me up from the position we were in.

"Guess you'll need to find out another time." I teased.

"Lila-

"That was... it was.... Oh my gosh. I-I've never seen anything so real before. That kiss, it's everything." Charlie cried. Literally.

"Great, send it to our emails and charge the outfits to my account." Malachi told him, before grabbing my hand and pulling me towards the exit.

"Don't fucking pull me!" I moaned.

"No no, I'm not pulling you, I'm taking you to a place where you can repeat what you said back there."

" I can say it here." I snapped, pulling my hand out of his grip with a witty expression on my face.

"What did you say back there Lilac?" He smirked, walking closer to me backing me against the wall beside the exit door.

"-tell me what you said...please, baby?"

"I thought I was turtle?" I interrupted. "You are and will always be... but that's besides the point."

Okay...I should just tell him then I won't need to inhale his mesmerising scent. We can just walk away like it's all normal.

"I said...- breathing against his ear "-I know what I want and that's y-

SYKE!!!!

I nudged him where the sun doesn't shine then run off out through the exit scanning the car park for the private car we arrived in. Since there was a driver in there, I just needed to wave him over as I approached the car from the doors to be unlocked.

As for Malachi? He was no where to be seen and I couldn't help but wonder if that was a good thing...or a bad one? Had I nudged him too hard? Probably he's collapsed it I suppose for the time where he's not in the car, I can take that moment to change into the baby blue dress I managed to bring along.

You must admit...I've done good with that boy.

Minutes later, I hear banging on the car glass and the driver opens the doors revealing a Malachi with a super mischievous grin on his face.

"Off to the Devonte's." He told the driver very calmly. A bit too calmly, I must admit.

*****

Malachi had changed after our photo shoot and after a pretty long journey, we were in the Devonte estate though something about this whole baby shower felt a bit off...

"Here it is." The driver told us, reversing into a free parking space. "-I thought this would be at the Woods' instead." Malachi asked me, obviously baffled.

"That's none of ur business, pretty boy, though you should get out before I kick you out myself."

"Got everything?" His driver asked.

"Yep." I proudly admitted as I took Kai's arm and got ready to walk to the door."

"Sure you've got everything?" He asked, just as we were about to enter the building.

"Ye-FUCK THE GIFT!" I exclaimed, ready to run back to the vehicle. "-here." He took out a small ring sized box from his pocket to me.

"What's this?" I barely asked, taking it from his hands to open it up.

"Oh Malachi!" I beamed! "It's beautiful."

Inside the box contained a pure silver necklace with the letters C-A-R-R-I-E on it plated with silver diamonds.

Deep down, I knew she didn't deserve this after all she'd done to me. I know she hasn't been the worlds best friend but I do know that at some point in time, she was the best sweetest  person anyone could ask for. Caroline Devonte was my friend... was one of my best friends but now I guess that's all ancient history.

"I'll send the money to you ASAP." I told Kai, dabbing my eyes with the back of my hand. I know...not my smartest idea.

"If that's what you want to do...ok. I was going to say there's no nee-

"This is ex best friend. It's the least I can do for her all these years but it's ok... some friendships just aren't meant to last."

A/N: Long time no see? I agree. Anyway, that's for reading this chapter. I'll do my best to keep chapters coming in more regularly I've been pretty busy lately :(
Stay safe loves, and don't forget to vote and comment anything (no hate though 😖) ❤️❤️✨

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