Chapter 37

The warm glow of genuine smiles on Jaxson's lips took my mind off of things. I'm not sure what it is within that seems to be pulling at me, but I do know that it is strong enough to make me want to spit myself out.

When Finn took a picture of me, I was startled back to reality by the sound of the camera.

“Give us a smile, Catt!” He yelled, “Come on!”

I followed his request right up and began posing for pictures with a big smile. I noticed that my lips were quivering from nervousness. I don't want my photo taken because of this. As soon as I saw the camera, I started to feel awkward and unsure of what to do.

“Do a little more other postures! "Finnley gives me another command.

After being dumbfounded for a moment, I tried to come up with another gesture to make in front of the camera, but I couldn't think of anything else, so I just made the lame peace sign with my fingers and started posing with it.

I noticed Loren smiling at me and shaking her head at Finn at the same time. “Catt, you're doing amazing!”

Finn yelled again, “You can smile at your flowers. “Go on!”

I have to admit that I already feel humiliated by what he is making me do. Considering that other students are now starting to watch us here in the university. Most likely as a result of how loud Finn's voice is, that is undoubtedly calling everyone's attention to us.

He simply muttered, “Go to her,” before turning to face Jaxson.

“Uh? He doesn't have to! It's actually okay!” I yell in an effort to thwart Finn's intentions or anything else he may be thinking up. I'm not prepared for this, and this is so out of hand!

My body stiffened as I watched Jaxson walk confidently towards me, stepping forward with no giving it a second thought. Because of how rigid I felt when Jaxson leaned closer to me, I feel like my body is turning like a statue right now.

As soon as he held the flowers that I am holding, the bell announcing lunch break rang at the exact time. The bell rang loud and reverberated throughout the area.

All of a sudden, Finn exclaimed, “You two are truly bound to be married.”

I gave Jaxson an awkward eye contact, and when our gazes clashed, I dipped my head and elevated my shoulder.

What does Finn mean when he says that? Why must he make me feel worse when I'm already dying from embarrassment?

Other students were already coming for lunch as we were taking the pictures, and as soon as they saw us, they all started mumbling and obviously talking about us.

Most likely because they even recognized who the man standing next to me was. And maybe, they just can't believe how Jaxson Madrigal is in our school and even worse, standing next to a normal student.

How would our situation be so different if I only knew him back then at the nightclub?

“I’m embarrassed…” I mumbled as I tried to hide my face behind the bouquet of flowers.

I am so flustered by the way people stare at us and maybe they are thinking of how suddenly I am here standing beside the famous Jaxson Madrigal, and even holding a flower. My situation has become even more awful because Jaxson’s face is still fresh and neat even after being drenched in the sun while here I am, feeling my body all sweaty and haggard.

“You are embarrassed by me?” Jaxson asked as he struggled to peek at me because of the flowers that were blocking my face.

“I did not say that. I am embarrassed of myself, Jax.” I muttered with a shake of my head.

“Closer, please!” Finnley’s boisterous yell yanked our attention. He actually didn't just get ours, but also everyone that is around us.

“Did you know that humans can actually hear you from a short distance even if you don't shout?” Loren told with a trace of annoyance in his voice. Her eyes are glaring intently at Finnley as he in return just shrugged his shoulders to her poking fun at.

I felt Jaxson’s hand on my waist, and the next thing I knew, he pulled me by my waist and drew me closer to him.

I stiffened my foot on the ground a bit to prevent him from getting me any closer to him.

“Why are you so uptight?” Jaxson raised a question as he brought his face closer to my ear. “Don’t be shy. People now believe that I am your fiance and this can be a good publicity stunt for us.”

“Oh?” I regretted turning my face to him because of how close his face is to mine. “Ah… r-right…” I stammered as I decided to just stride closer to Jaxson even though I feel like my entire body would melt at any time and not by the drastic flush of the sun, but by my face.

It shouldn't really matter how I feel about what Jaxson is doing and how further he will do. This is merely the job that I signed for and we are doing this for the sake of our own benefits. We are not a real couple.

So, why am I experiencing all of these unnecessary emotions?

I am going insane.

He is driving me insane.

I just want to hit myself and jolt me back to reality where our lives really belong.

______________________

After the picture taking that took place outside where we were showered with attention, we finally arrived at the restaurant that Finn picked for us.

As we were driving here earlier, I received a chat message from Finn which I struggled really hard to keep from Jaxson. Because he told me in the message that this is the place where we will be meeting after Jaxson returns to Ruegold.

“Look at this, Catt.” Finn said in the seat in front of me. “Quick, look at yourself!”

I draw my body a little forward to see the photo that he is showing me. Sitting next to me is Jaxson that has been quiet the entire car ride, and Loren in front of me. So Finnley and I are diagonally facing each other.

“That's how I look?” I asked a sudden question as my eyes couldn't comprehend the picture that Finn is showing me.

It's the picture of myself that he took when I was in the university garden and holding a bouquet of flowers.

“Finn, I can't deny that you take good pictures.” I continued. “It seems to be even taken by some professional photographer.”

Finley bobbed his head with a tiny grin on his lips. “This is the outcome of the photo, because of you, of course. You look so beautiful, so the photo came out as beautiful as well. Even if you ask a child to photograph you.”

That was so sweet of him to say.

I just scrunched up my nose with a soft giggle because I didn't know how to accept compliments.

“You definitely should upload this on your friendsbuck account. Take a look at this.”

I quickly took a slight lean forward as he laid his phone and let me see a picture of me. I noticed that this shot was candid because I wasn't entirely looking at the camera.

The realization that Jaxson was smiling at me with a glint in his eye at this very moment slowly crept in. So this is how I appear each and every time he does something that has the effect of making my heart skip a beat and go crazy. My eyes are so glassy, and they had a weird glimmer in them that seemed to take the form of a heart. My eyes are beaming with sheer delight.

This is insane.

“You’re so talented.” I simply said as if I hadn't noticed anything weird about the photo. I handed Finn his phone back as I secretly passed a glance at Jaxson who was also peeping at the phone while we were waiting for our food order. “Why didn't you pursue photography along with law?” I raised a question out of curiosity.

“I hope I can.” He growled as his eyes drew down on his phone and was still going on through my pictures. “But my father has something to say about that. He wants me to study and focus solely on the law. I like and want it too, of course. It’s just that— you know…”

I didn’t know how to answer Finn because of what I learned. I can't encourage him to take photography because I know how he is also dedicated to his law studies. Finley is such a talented person. How can someone be so good at so many things in one lifetime? People like him are truly blessed.

How I wish I could find something that I am very fond of doing too, and not that I just think of it as a good career so that I can traverse the daily expenses we have. Though I love the idea of ​​providing for my mother and Charles, now I am starting to think of myself. What is it that I really want to do in life that I will pour my hearts out and will be willing to give everything?

Our silence was interrupted when the food that we ordered finally arrived and one by one was laid out on our table.

“Catt?” Finn called me suddenly.

“Mmm?” Both my brows raised as I took a glass of water and sip it.

“What do you think, I’ll always take a photo of you, let me upload it on your page, and make you an influencer?”

I was plunged into the water which made me cough to death because of what Finn just asserted.

“Influencer?” I struggled to utter with a cough. “Me? Are you trying to make fun of me? I am far from being that kind of person in this society. This body suits more on the side where it is impossible to hit by light. Fame is not for the name Cattleya.” I raised both my hands as if surrendering with a soft shake of my head. “And one more thing, I barely even get likes on my posts.”

“It’s because you’re not providing enough content.” Finn responded quickly. “Come on, Catt. There's no harm in trying. You can be my little model, and-”

He was halted when Jaxson fiercely set down the glass of water on the table causing a startling noise.

“—You can be my model and I am sure that you will be a social media star in just a month. You have all the potential, you just have to showcase it to the world.” Finn added to his very impossible plans in my life.

“Cattleya will never be a model.”

Our attention was drawn to Jaxson’s serious tone of voice.

Even Loren, who was just sitting quietly and listening to our conversation, also swerved to Jaxson.

“Why?” Finn replied. “Don’t you think your fiance is beautiful enough to be a popular model? Look at her, Jax. She got it all. But what’s missing is that Cattleya is not confident enough to show her charm. Besides, after being married, she has nothing to do aside from finishing her studies, right? So, why not try to be a model as her sideline job?” Finley defended his side before shifting his gaze to me. “You can never imagine how much influencers earn a month. It can even be your new career, Catt. It won't be too impossible because I know a lot of agencies where I can call to take you in. It’s just my suggestion—”

“She won’t be a model, Campbell. Enough with your nonsense.”

Jaxson's brusque manner caused my brows to crease. His behavior was okay ago. Why did he return to this pattern again? I observed how Finn appeared to be killed by his own eyes. I was still unable to read his thoughts, and I sometimes still struggle to understand the meaning he is trying to impart through his words.

I wouldn't say that Finn's idea has convinced me greatly. But, I am baffled as to why Jaxson is acting in this way simply after hearing that I am going to try to be a model.

“Is it… because of her..?”

I don’t know why those words just slipped out of my mouth.