Upgraded

Talon leaned against the dresser, arms crossed, watching his own reflection with mild frustration. The brush in his hand felt foreign, the lipstick even more so. He had tried. Really, he had. But after a failed attempt at styling Halo’s hair and smudging her eyeliner in a way that made her look like a sleep-deprived raccoon, he accepted defeat.

The last time he had done someone’s makeup or hair aside from his, had been for his mother. And that had been years ago while she was still alive. He had always liked helping her do those little things instead of letting the maids do it.

Halo had sat still throughout his efforts, though he didn’t miss the flickers of withheld laughs dancing in her eyes. "I didn’t know you were so......determined" she had commented.

Talon exhaled through his nose, throwing the makeup brush onto the dresser. “Your hair isn't just agreeing to bend to my will. Neither is your face"

Hair like hers wasn't hair he was used to, and he found it frustrating how tangly he was getting it. The goal was to awe her with his supposed skills, not make her face look horrific.

"Fine, if you want Gennifer Boris. I'll give you Gennifer Boris"

Halo squeezed her fist together and crossed her legs to lock herself in place. Trying to reel in her excitement.

And, as always, Gennifer outdid herself.

Halo now stood before him, her face illuminated by the golden lighting of the room. Her long hair, which he had made a mess of, had been styled into elegant waves. The subtle makeup accentuated her high cheekbones, full lips, and striking eyes. The dress, chosen by Gennifer, was sleek yet regal, hugging her frame in all the right places.

Talon said nothing for a moment. He just.......stared.

Halo raised a brow. "Is something wrong?"

He dragged his gaze from her face, flicking it down before meeting her twinkling eyes again. His lips twitched. "So, this is what you look like when effort is applied?"

Halo scoffed, but before she could retort, he leaned in slightly, studying her with interest. "The makeup is light, but it does it's job. Highlights your best features. Though......."His fingers brushed a strand of hair away from her shoulder, "I could’ve done better myself."

Halo arched a brow unintentionally leaning into his touch. "Really? Because I recall you almost stabbing my eye out with an eyeliner pencil."

Talon exhaled a chuckle. "A minor inconvenience.” He stepped back, smoothing the cuffs of his suit. Even Halo couldn't deny that he made suits look grateful to be worn by him.

Was that a weird remark? .

•••••••••

They slid into the sleek black limo, the soft leather of the seats molding to their forms. Talon's official security detail, although he never liked moving around with them, followed closely behind in separate vehicles, ensuring a discreet yet protective distance. Halo kept her hands in her lap, her fingers tracing the smooth fabric of her dress.

"You seem nervous, no, you are nervous," Talon noted, his voice relaxed.

She glanced at him. "Can I confide in you, please?"

Talon nodded, crossing a leg above his lap. His black shoes twinkled in the light of the evening sun.

"I.....I'm ready but at the same time, I'm not"

"That's perfectly understandable, given that you haven't been in front of a lot of people before. But it's not as scary as you imagine"

She still wasn't convinced. As she was heavily introverted, she was sure that she would be mortified.

Should she tell him to turn the car around and leave without her?

"Halo.."

His voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Talon's eyes moved to her biting on her shiny lips with red colour on them. Once again, every bit that Gennifer had overcharged him for was worth it.

"If you feel like it's too much, grab my wrist and I'll make up an excuse and then we can leave immediately".

She blinked, surprised at this offer. Most people would just tell her to get her shit together and not embarrass them, but he was actually offering for them to leave if she felt like she couldn't handle it anymore.

It was a nice gesture, but Halo didn't want to seem weak to him by putting the idea at the back of her mind and then resorting to it if things went south.

"I'll try my best to not let you down in front of the press and paparazzi. I wouldn't want your reputation to be smeared in the light that you married someone who couldn't even stand her forte before an audience"

Talon smirked, her goal was to make him proud?

"The paparazzi and press, do they ask a lot of questions?"

"They always do". He muttered under his breath, loud enough for her to hear.

Nosy bunches that rarely respected the need of privacy and confidentiality except he demanded it.

"And what if I say the wrong thing"

Talon smirked, resting an arm over the back of his seat. “Then you’ll entertain me.”

Halo sighed and rolled her eyes, although her lips twitched slightly.

•••••

By the time they arrived at the parking lot of Ashwood Enterprises, the scene outside was chaotic. Reporters, photographers, and camera operators filled the front of the towering company building. Bright flashes of light flickered nonstop, and the sound of voices chanting Talon’s name echoed against the glass exterior.

Halo swallowed as she looked through the tinted glass of the car's window. The crowd was.....massive.

Talon, however, remained unfazed. As he stepped out to open the door, he glanced at her, smiled, and leaned in just slightly. "Ready to be the center of attention, wife?"

Halo inhaled sharply, straightening her shoulders. "Sure, not that I'm planning on faking memory loss or anything if I can't get a question right"

Talon chuckled. "Let’s hope that you can keep up."

And with that, the door opened, the storm of attention swallowing them whole.

What was worse than the crowd?.

There was a huge red sign pasted to the van of one of the press studios that came along. And it read words that Talon didn't find funny.