I shield my face as the flashes got even more intense.
The media? How had they gotten here? I clutch on to my hair to cover a side of my face in hope that they had not caught my face well when I first stepped out.
From the corner of my eye, I saw one of them step out coming closer to where I stood.
She pulled out her micro mic, testing it before thrusting it towards me. I felt my heart pull to my chest, tightening.
Just then, I felt a hand wrapped around my waist.
I turned around to meet Dirk standing tall smiling at the camera like he always did from the screen, only I wasn't feeling the usual butterflies in my stomach like I did whenever his lip tugged in a smile.
The thought of what would happen if my face was captured and posted got me panicking. If the pictures of us together were exposed…
"What are you doing?" I whispered, trying to push his hand off but he held still, sliding it lower.
"Stay calm." He leaned over my ears, whispering to my ear.
It wasn't my first time being in front of the camera; in fact I had practically grown up being filmed most of my life so that journalists and the likes of them would earn a living.
It was the burden of being the Gray family's precious daughter.
But as his warmth breath teased against my ear, I couldn't help the spread of heat that rose from my chest up to my ears.
For a bit, my mind went back to the slow kiss which had almost happened earlier in the room
.
The reporters must have noticed the redness of my check, because their questions started pouring in.
"Mr. Cameron, we got news that you came to Guix city to meet your girlfriend. Is she the one?" One of the cameras was now pointing directly at my face.
"Mr. Cameron, how long have you two been dating?" Another asked.
Just when Dirk made to answer, another voice chimed in
"Oh my god, she looks familiar. She looks like Mr Gary Gray's daughter." Of course I was.
My hands rose over my face shielding it even more afraid I'll be recognised by more people.
The exit had been blocked, as if they already knew what was on my mind. One of the reporters held me by the hems of my dress. Making my already futile plan of escape even more impossible.
"Oh my god, Miss Gray, your dad mentioned that you were engaged. Is this your fiancé?"
"We owe the public no explanation for our private lives." Dirk answered before I could refute their claims and without sparing them any more glance, he pulled me through their midst, back to the room.
On entering the room, he pulled out his phone, calling the security guard.
"Sorry you had to deal with this," he said after the call. He was not to be blamed or maybe he was, after all the club was his, his manager's mistake was his.
But I said "It's nothing." Of course, it was. If the photos taken were posted, a lot was going to happen.
"Thanks for earlier" I glanced up to his face, holding his stare, "But you didn't have to hold me by the waist."
No he didn't have to come out at all. He had complicated issues with the reporter, they now think that I am his fiancé. If the news gets out, his fangirls would kill me, then there is my dad.
The smile on his face faltered, replaced by a sharp look.
"Like this?" He repeated the same gesture he did just outside.
Without giving me space to speak, he spat "The Grey Family's Precious Daughter. What? You don't think I'm worthy to?"
The sweet tone I was used to was now gone, replaced with one laced with contempt. I felt a sharp cut to my heart on his tone.
"What are you talking about? It's not that!"
He was misunderstanding the point.
I didn't want to drive attention to myself, it was no easy feat dealing with his fan girls.
"You're engaged?" He asked, jaw clenched.
I wasn't. Dad had jokingly said so in one of his interviews. I wanted to tell him that I wasn't but the words felt heavy in my mouth. Not that it should matter to him. So I looked down instead.
"You can't even look at me can you?" He laughed and then turned away, storming out the door. The room res
onated as he slammed the door leaving me to the emptiness of the room.