Liam's POV.
The photo shoot was over in a quick motion.
Clicks after click, flash after flash, until my eyes could only see grains, that's how my days went by.
Alexandra's hands travelled through my body, from my face to my neck, shoulders, and chest.
But my mind was elsewhere.
Brown eyes. Sharp wit. That little huff she did when I teased her.
Madeline.
I clenched my jaw as I returned my attention to the shoot.
"Liam, tilt your head towards her a little," the photographer instructed.
I moved my head slightly as Alexandra leaned in, her hand pressing against my chest. I felt her breath over my jaw as she whispered, "Your mind seems elsewhere, Fernades."
I shook my head, ''What can I do when such a gorgeous woman is running her hands through my body?''
That was a lie.
She chuckled eyeing my lips. "What a tease."
The moment the shoot ended Alexandra seemed too eager for her own good.
"Come with me," she said, grabbing my wrist and pulling me along before I could even open my mouth.
I followed, allowing her to drag me as she led me to the parking lot, stopping at her black customised car, with her photo printed on it.
She leaned against it giving me a suggestive look.
"You owe me for yesterday," she murmured, unlocking the car and sliding into the backseat.
I couldn't take a step forward.
I knew what she was doing.
I knew what I was supposed to do.
Use her. Make sure I hurt Madeline. Drive Madeline away.
But my feet felt as if it was chained as I moved towards the car, taking a seat next to her, I closed the door.
She shifted closer her fingers trailing the buttons on my shirt before she gripped the collar.
"Come on, Liam," she whispered, leaning in. "Let's just have fun, don't think too much, the glass is tinted."
Her lips were inches away, her nails digging slightly into my skin.
And suddenly, I couldn't do it.
Guilt slammed into me like a rude awakening.
'What the hell was I doing?'
Madeline's face rushed into my head before I could stop myself.
This wasn't the way.
Hurting her was one thing, but this?
This was low, even for me.
I moved back pushing Alexandra's hands off me as I reached for the door handle.
"What the hell?" she shrieked, as I rushed out of the car, her scream echoing in the parking lot as I slammed the door of the car.
I took a deep breath trying to calm myself.
I ran a hand through my hair as the guilt pricked me like a thousand needles straight to my heart.
I started walking away, as fast as possible, as far as my feet would take me.
Alexandra stormed out of the car, her heels struggling to keep up with my speed. "What the hell was that?"
"I can't," I said shaking my head. "I just, I...I haven't been feeling well, alright? I need to clear my head."
She had an exasperated expression on her face as she came in front of me to block my view.
"Are you serious? You're turning me down?"
She made sure to emphasise, the 'me'.
I exhaled sharply, trying my best not to snap at her and ask her to f*ck off.
"I just need space, Alexandra. It's nothing personal."
She let out a bitter laugh. "Nothing personal? Liam Fernandes, the famous heartbreaker, suddenly grows a conscience. What, are you in love now?"
My expression hardened as my face fell. "Watch your mouth."
She smirked as if she just won the game, as she stepped closer. "Oh, I hit a nerve, didn't I?"
I clenched my jaw. "Stop it, Alexandra."
But she wasn't done. She knew how to push. She always did.
But I also knew how to play games.
"You're acting strange," she accused. "This isn't you, who is the girl? Is she the one I saw at your place?''
I sighed as I felt a throbbing headache come over. "You should stop digging where you don't belong, Alexandra. That is how you survive in the field."
"Oh! I am surviving just fine." she mocked. "I know you, Liam. And I know you're hiding something or someone."
I couldn't hold back anymore, I was trying to be nice to her but she wasn't letting me.
I stepped closer to her, my voice dropping low. "And I know what you're doing behind the scenes."
Her face fell.
"I know about the people you've been dealing with," I continued. "The drug mafias. The underground deals. Do you think I don't hear things? News spreads faster in this industry, you newbie."
Her breath hitched, and for the first time, fear flashed in her eyes, her confidence slipping away.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she hissed.
I let out a light laugh, "Oh sure, but I do. And if you're smart, you won't try to pull anything with me."
She gritted her teeth before doing something unexpected.
Wham.
Pain shot through my knee as she kicked me, her expression as if she had just gone crazy.
"You're such an asshole," she snapped before turning on her heel and storming off.
I sighed, rubbing my knee as I saw her storming off purposefully swinging her hips.
I felt relieved that she hadn't kicked my manhood instead.
But there was something that disturbed me.
An ever-growing guilt that I couldn't get rid of.