~Chapter 12~

"Cut. That's a wrap everyone. Good job," the director of Damien's music video, Hyde Smith, called.

Today I was filming the last few shots of Damien Beckett's music video with him. Most of it was done in Paris but there were a few scenes that had to be done here back in New York City.

Damien was a good friend of mine but I was still hesitant in accepting the job because the paparazzi had already been tailing us for almost five months. However, my agent refused to let me say no, claiming I would've been turning down the opportunity of a lifetime and essentially throwing my career in the bin.

Of course, her claims were over-exaggerated bullshit but I humoured her and reluctantly agreed. Besides, I was helping out a friend so it wasn't all bad in the grand scheme of things.

Damien and I watched back the last few videos on one of the numerous cameras placed in an extravagant set up from where we were both easily captured from several different angles. We both smiled at what we saw, happy with how everything looked and Damien pulled me into a quick hug before scurrying off to talk to the director, saying he'd be back in a few minutes.

The song that would be releasing in a few weeks time along with the video was to build anticipation for his second album which was debuting in about three months. His team knew that if I was in the video sales would skyrocket so they were adamant about getting me on board.

If it were for anyone else I probably would've said no despite my pestering agent even for the hefty check I'd received for it. But I knew this would help Damien massively so I put my feelings aside. He'd been my friend since we were children and had helped me through some extremely tough times so it was the least I could do for him.

The song itself was a love song about a young couple's passionate summer romance that they never wanted to be over but, in the end, had no choice but to leave each other behind and move on. Personally, I thought it was his best song yet because it truly moved me. Something about it struck a chord within me, the words just seemed to resonate deep down inside.

Hopefully, the video we had created reflected the beauty and sadness of the song. I wanted it to be just as touching as the actual song because a piece as beautiful as what Damien had written deserved nothing less.

I was excited to see how the video would turn out when it was edited and put together but I didn't get time to imagine the romantic masterpiece because Damien tapped me on the shoulder, bringing my mind back to reality. "So," he started, a cheeky glint in his eye. "Since we're finally done let's grab a bite to celebrate."

I paused and he could see the hesitancy in my eyes. "Damien... you know it's not a good idea if we're out in public together. The paparazzi will have a field day."

Damien visibly dulled, his cheery expression morphed into a sullen one. He hated their attention as much as I did because he knew the more people saw us together the more they'd start digging up.

Damien and I had a past, one which we wanted to stay buried. If the media ever found out... let's just say neither of us would have made it out unscathed.

That was why we had to be cautious when we were together. If our past together was ever discovered I don't think any amount of therapy could help me through it. There were just some things the public didn't need to know.

Slowly, I noticed Damien's eyes brighten again as if he'd just come up with the best idea ever. "How about we go to yours and order food instead? Then we both still get to hang out and eat. It's a win win."

Food bribery. Well played, Beckett. Well played.

~*~*~

Damien didn't know any of my friends from New York so decided to pass and call it a night when I told him that I was meeting up with Maddison, Winter and Liam in the evening. I tried to convince him but he had an early flight so said he wanted to get some sleep before he had to drag himself through the airport in a few hours time so eventually I yielded.

To say it was an awkward evening was the understatement of the year. There was this tension between Winter and Liam that was making everyone uncomfortable but neither me nor Maddison wanted to speak up about it. Damien might've just dodged a bullet by bailing.

None of us were drinking tonight to support Maddie but it was obvious that everyone, including her, wanted to break that vow just to somewhat ease the thick atmosphere suffocating us all.

Not even the rom-com — which all three of them loved — playing on the TV in Maddison's apartment was loosening them up. The air in the room was so stiff that it almost felt like I couldn't breathe and after another half hour of torturous silence, I couldn't take it anymore.

"Okay, that's it," I said, pausing the movie which no one was even paying attention to. "What's going on between the two of you?"

"Nothing," they both replied too quickly at the same time Maddie excused herself to take an 'urgent work call'.

Urgent work call my ass. At eleven at night? She just didn't want to get involved. Clever little shit.

Speaking of Maddison, she was actually doing amazingly well in regards to her sobriety. As far as I was aware, she still hadn't touched the stuff and it had been nearly three months since Axel and I had found her back in July.

It was crazy to think I'd only known Axel for that long. It felt like I had known the guy for years with how we acted around one another, like old friends who'd known each other since childhood but in a way I'm glad I didn't know him then. I wasn't exactly in a good place for the majority of my younger years. In fact, it wasn't until I had moved out and left England that I finally managed to regain peace of mind.

Even now, I knew I wasn't at a hundred per cent but I'd been doing the best I had in years. So far, twenty-one had been my lucky number and I was hoping it stayed that way. After all these years, I was finally on the up and I wasn't about to let go of the happiness I'd been searching so hard for anytime soon.

I brought my mind back to the situation at hand and shifted my position so I was sitting cross-legged on Maddison's sofa, staring directly at the couple. "Sure... well since you both ruined movie night you've officially booked yourself an appointment at Harper's couple therapy clinic, effective immediately."

Their eyes darted from each other to me and back again, looking nervous and uncomfortable.

They'd both tried to act natural when they got here around two hours ago, choosing to sit together like always but their body language spoke volumes. They weren't touching and it was almost like their skin would burn if they got within three feet of each other, bloody ridiculous.

It was obvious they were in the middle of a fight.

When neither of them said anything, I sighed. "Look, I know you probably don't want to talk to me about it and I'm not going to make you guys tell me anything. I was joking a second ago, I'm your friend not your therapist but I will give you some advice. Talk to each other; communication is key to a healthy relationship. Pretending everything's fine isn't going to solve anything, you both know that."

Liam sighed, shuffling in his seat. "We know, Harps. Things have just been..."

"Difficult," Winter finished for him when it was clear Liam couldn't come up with a word. "We've both just got a lot on our plates at the moment with my line releasing in two weeks and Liam flying all over the place for the past month doing that campaign project he's been working on. Today's the first day we've spent together in weeks and it's been a bit..."

"Hectic," Liam finished for her, smiling.

"I get it guys. It's been tough recently but at least loads of exciting stuff is coming up with the new line and the campaign. You've both got so much to look forward to. Besides, you're both already finishing each other's sentences so I doubt it'll be long before you're both back in sync. You guys are the strongest and best couple I know. You'll get through this in no time."

It was true. I couldn't name you a better power couple if I tried. Winter and Liam were perfect for each other as cheesy as it sounded. I knew they could work through anything and everything. If there was something they couldn't overcome then everyone's love lives were doomed. They just fit like two puzzle pieces, destined to stay together forever and always.

The smiles they gave me didn't quite reach their eyes but I shrugged off the panic rising in my gut. Even if their issue was a lot more serious than they were letting on, I was sure it was nothing in the grand scheme of things. They'd be fine, we all would.

~*~*~

So that's another chapter done. Let me know what you think so far; I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Also how are we feeling about Damien?

Anyways, I hope you liked the chapter and it made you smile :)

Until next time my amazing readers, bye xx