Photo Shoot

SHELDON 

'Sabina Debra Fester', my mother's full name was boldly written on the cover of the file. I flipped the first leaf with my heart thumping. There were photos of her with every personal information. 

And even this file notes that she's late; no longer living, dead, and gone forever. I found her pictures so lovely but they were her old photos. She wasn't this good-looking when I last saw her and watched her casket being lowered into the ground. 

Then, I saw something that made me freeze. Perhaps I have always been looking for something to hurt me and ruin my peace. There were details of her former jobs and where one included that my mother used to work for Mrs Raven. Within that time frame, I was around three years old. She only worked there for a year before resigning. 

Why did she resign? 

I didn't need anyone to tell me Denzel was already in the room and caught me red-handed looking through his briefcase. 

"I leave you for a while and you're already digging up my belongings." I heard him sigh and started coming close. 

He touched my shoulder but I didn't move. I was too numb. 

"Sheldon," He whispered turning me around to face him. "Why are you crying?" 

My heartbeat escalated and I was very anxious at the same time. 'I'm crying'? Never.

"My eyes must be acting up," I replied wiping the wetness from every angle. I saw that he already put on a shirt after bathing but he still had a towel around his waist.

He cracked up. "They're not acting up. It's just your emotions. You miss your mom..."

"I don't. There's no such thing as that. I'm fine." I insisted on skipping through the file. "So, my mom used to work for your family?" 

"Yes, but I'm still finding out things about her." 

"Does your mom know...about me being her ex-employees daughter?" I stuttered.

"No, she doesn't. I've told my private investigating team not to reveal that in case my mom asks." He had a proud look on his face.

"Why? Why do I have to hide it? Is it because my mom wasn't wealthy or because it'll expose me as a street rat; a struggling college student?" 

"...No, Sheldon. Remember the plan, my mom shouldn't have any reason to dislike you." 

"That sucks." I sniffed. 

"I'm sorry, okay? But I don't even know what their relationship was like." 

"Well then, you stay away from my dead mom and everything about her." I snapped getting up from my knees. I had the file tightly clutched in my hand. 

"Everything about her includes you!" He let out.

I ignored him and walked out of his room. My mom doesn't deserve to be forgotten like this. If I don't talk about her to people I meet, who will?

I was upset but it didn't stop me from taking a shower and putting on some clothes; a brown dress and sunglasses that matched. Today we were going to take photos to show our date together. 

I doubt I'll be smiling for the camera all the way through. 

My phone started ringing and I checked to see if it was Winter calling. 

"Your thinking time is up, you have to let me know where your stand is now. You've got to stop playing with my money." 

"I'm still grieving my mother. Have some sympathy."

I hung up faster than I could breathe. 

Another sign that I shouldn't have searched his room. Now, my mood is significantly affected. 

   I would be a horrible partner. 

I realized this when I entered the kitchen to find Denzel making tea for himself. For a moment there, I forgot we had to eat something. 

"Where is Hana?" I asked placing my purse on the kitchen counter. 

"She took the day off." 

"Should I cook?" I asked checking my reflection in my tiny mirror. 

"No, we'll just eat out." He mumbled sipping his tea. 

I was engrossed staring at the reflection of my lips.

This was my first time trying on black lipstick. It has always been pink or matte. 

I thought of asking Denzel for his opinion but I angrily pushed that off my mind. 

I've been living alone, I don't suddenly need his help or validation. 

Besides, he never notices things like this. Even when I look my best. He just doesn't care. 

"After the photo shoot, I'll pick up my cat and bring it home with me," I said when we were both in the car.

He looked up from his cell phone and smiled, "Meeting your cat is better than going to lunch with my father." 

"He invited you to lunch?" I asked emotionlessly.

"Yes, he wants to talk." 

Oh, for a moment there I forgot he was the same man who made me unconscious and sent someone to dispose of me off.

"I'm not going." Denzel decided and put his phone away. I sighed as the driver sped up on the road.

We went to a café in the busy area. Most of the seats were filled up in the eatery and I liked that Denzel didn't mind. The breakfast menu had delicious food in each option. I was excited to pick something.

"The cream in this cake tastes so surreal. I can't get enough of it." I blurted when I couldn't keep it to myself. I ordered all kinds of dishes and whichever one I could dig into, I went for it.

"You should taste the omelet," Denzel said passing his plate toward me. 

I hesitated before taking a forkful of it. He wasn't wrong and after taking a mouthful, I returned his plate. 

"Black lipstick looks good on you." I suddenly heard him say. Has he been staring at my lips?

My feet got hot in my flats. 

"Thanks," I whispered. That was unexpected. 

I had no idea Denzel had an entire photography team ready. They set up their types of equipment at a bridge because it had great views of the sea. 

There was another couple close by, taking several photos when we arrived. 

I was to pose in front of all these people, I was shy. 

But the other couple were fearless legends. Their pose was epic and the lady couldn't be more iconic with her flower-designed dress. I'm not up to her vibes. 

"...Since we are on a break, let's meet this lovely couple." The beautiful lady said approaching us with her partner by her side. 

They were close enough and she gripped my hand so tightly in a shake, I didn't know if I'd rather jump into the sea beneath us.

"My name is Gayle and this is my fiancee, Travis." She introduced herself excitedly. 

"I'm Sheldon, He's Denzel," I replied poking at Denzel's outfit. He wore a black suit and a brown tie that matched my dress. I just noticed the tie though. I didn't know we could ever be in sync.

"Nice to see ya! You guys look so young and cute. Where are you having your wedding?" Gayle went on with a high-pitched voice I normally hear in cartoons. 

I glanced at Denzel since I knew this question was for him. 

"We haven't picked a place yet." 

"Ah, I see. We are having ours at Berri Sasha Hall." She flexed, hand fanning herself.

Berri Sasha is one of the most expensive event halls in the city. I'd to flaunt such news.

"That's amazing, congratulations." I was beaming and also feeling sick in my stomach at the same time. Maybe because I knew in less than ten minutes from now, I would be called to take photos I don't have the purest smile for. 

"Yeah, we have everything planned out. Our honeymoon in Asia, our vacation in Madagascar..."

"Honey, don't forget that couple retreat we have in Nigeria." 

"Ah, yes. We are all booked up, we barely have time for any other activity. You guys go ahead, we'll talk later." She bid us goodbye.

Once they were stepping away, Denzel cracked up. "We don't even have anything in our calendar." 

"I think you should write down Berri Sasha first," I muttered.

"My brother owns Berri Sasha." He replied walking away to the photography team. 

I stood there looking like a fish.  

His brother owns Berri Sasha — I need someone to wake me up from this dream.

The moment I dreaded finally came. There I was with Denzel at the railing of the bridge. 

It was time to pose. 

"...Just hold me on my hip and look into my eyes so we can get done with this asap." I urged him.

"That sounds intense and not us."

"What do you mean?"

"You want us to pose like Gayle and Trevor...or Travis. Whatever his name is. We shouldn't copy people." He pointed out.

"But, we have a honeymoon to plan, a couple-only retreat, and a vacation. Ah...don't forget our appointment to travel to the moon." I mimicked Gayle in her high-pitched voice. 

"What the..." Denzel surprisingly burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that I didn't notice when I join in. 

And somewhere distant, I heard the cameras clicking and flashing. 

That was refreshing. 

The photoshoot was over soon and Denzel and I walked to his car parked close by. I had entered when he received a call. Seconds later, he looked at me with worried eyes.

"My dad is messing up again. I have to go." He said to me before going to the driver. "Take her home." 

I watched from the back as the car left him behind. 

Some part of me wished he put me in a taxi instead and taken his car to wherever he was going.