Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 6

Amanda's POV

"Master!" Axel and Jasper hugged Asher.

"I wish you had invited us. Axel is turning into a diva and sulking because you always hang out with the journalism team," Jasper teased Axel.

"Well, I wouldn't replace you idiots," Asher grinned.

"Aww, papi Asher. I love you!!!" Axel squealed playfully and hugged Asher.

"Seriously, bromance!" Jasper looked like he was about to vomit.

"Fuckers," Asher muttered but we still heard him.

"Don't worry, we'll be seated in the same row so we'll bug you in the room all the time," Axel said.

"Yes pres! Your decision on the new seating arrangement is brilliant," Elara gave Asher a thumbs up.

I find it amusing to witness. They're suddenly like close friends. The three boys are really good friends. But I don't know where Elara and Astrid’s confidence comes from talking to Asher casually. I can barely have a conversation with him without stuttering.

"Go with us, Amanda Callie," Asher said without looking at me. His gaze was fixed on where we were passing by. We're in the parking basement. We're heading home because it's already six o'clock.

I shook my head and pointed to our van. "Our driver is there."

I glanced at Aria. "You can go with Aria instead," I suggested, thinking that Mama might approve of that set-up. They would be more comfortable together if they spend more time with each other.

"Really, ate? It's okay?" Aria asked. I immediately nodded, giving her my approval.

I smile to myself. Mama will be proud of me for thinking like her. Maybe once in my life, I'd get credited for doing something good and convenient for her.

Astrid nudged me. "You're being hard to get," he whispered to me.

I reciprocated the gesture. "Enough pushing me towards Asher. He's engaged to my sister."

Astrid looked surprised. "The heck?! She's too young," he whispered so Asher couldn't hear us.

"I know. But if my sister is fine with it, then I have no issue. It's her who is engaged after all, not me. You can react like that if it happened to me. But I don't think that's going to happen," I chuckled slightly.

"You're too much! Don't say that. I'm sure you'll find a man who will love you," he said a bit louder, catching the attention of Jasper, Astrid, Elara, Axel, Asher, and Aria.

My friends were smirking, knowing what we were talking about. While Aria had a puzzled expression on her face. Asher, on the other hand, had no reaction. He was just looking at me.

I chuckled. " Astrid, with this face," I pointed at my face, "I might grow old as a spinster."

"Don't worry, Amanda" Axel commented, "I'll make you the godmother of my future kids. You won't have any other expenses, so I'm counting on big gifts for Christmas and birthdays."

"Whatever, Axel." we continued walking.

I thought the conversation was over but then Aria spoke up. "I don't think so, ate. You should not close your doors, you know?"

"I'm not closing any doors. I'm just saying it's unlikely," I shrugged.

"What if there is?" she continued the conversation.

"I had my eyes checked by the eye doctor. My vision might be blurry," I grinned. I'm not wallowing in self-pity, and I certainly don't seek sympathy. It's just a reality that I've long accepted. I don't have any trace of romance in my body. Unlike most people who are overly hyped about being in love.

"Why did the conversation suddenly turn to weddings?" Jasper asked.

I pointed at Aria and Asher. "They're engaged."

Aria’s cheeks turned slightly red. Well, who wouldn't be flustered by the fact that they're marrying Asher Rowan Ledesma. With so many vying for Aria’s position now, she is the lucky one. The chosen one.

"Wow! Really? Congratulations, bro! I'll be the best man!" Jasper patted Asher’s shoulders.

"I didn't know you were into younger ones," Axel chuckled.

"Congrats Aria! Congrats to you too, bro!" I heard Elara’s forced voice because we've been friends for a long time. Maybe nobody noticed except me, Astrid, and Axel.

"Hey, congrats! What does your sister think?" Astrid turned to me.

I chuckled slightly, shoving away the awkwardness I felt. Astrid’s sudden question put me in a hot seat! Not that I have anything for Asher. But ever since they teased me about Asher, I can't help but put a different spin on everything.

"Of course, it's fine with me. He's nice, Aria, so don't worry, you're in good hands," I replied, then turned to Asher for the continuation, "as for you, Mr. President of the room, when it comes to my sister, it's a different story. So take good care of her."

I smirked at Asher seeing that he was uncomfortable with this conversation. Well, he should be!

"Oh! Aria, Asher, and Amanda, are you three went to the mall together?" Mama looked displeased with the idea.

Asher was about to answer, but I beat him to it.

"No, mama, we didn’t. It's just Aria and Asher. Astrid is with me. We're all just going home together. Asher just gave Aria a ride because she hitched with him."

Mama's expression lightened after my explanation. Just as I expected.

I could feel Asher’s sharp gaze on me. It's true that he and Aria are together, but we did spend a long time together at the mall. We just didn't go home together at the same time. I guess I lied a little. Aria seemed to have gotten the message, so she didn't try to correct me.

"Asher, you can have dinner here. Otherwise, Celestine might think I'm neglecting her child," mama joked. I don't know if I'd call it a joke. She's not good at it.

"No, ma'am, it's fine," Asher declined.

"Come on, Asher! You'll soon be part of the family. You should be joining us," mama persisted, " Aria, why don't you tell your fiance to stay for dinner."

I just wanted to get out of there.

"Mama, I won't be having dinner. We ate a lot earlier with Astrid," another lie from me. I was also tired of what happened today and just wanted to lie down in my bed.

Mama immediately allowed me to go to my room. I did a great job, right, ma? More alone time for Aria and Asher. I sighed. It had been a long day. I prepared myself for the cold air from the air conditioner as I opened my room. But it wasn't as cold as expected. That's when I remembered that I was still wearing Asher’s denim jacket. I have to give this back!

Despite the strong temptation to jump into my bed, I turned back and returned to the living room where mama and they were talking, but they weren't there anymore. They must be in the dining area. But when I finally arrived at the dining area, only Aria and mama were there.

"I thought you weren't going to have dinner," mama greeted me.

"Where's Asher? I just remembered I had something to tell him for school tomorrow," I lied for the third time. I didn't want mama to know that I had Asher’s jacket on.

Aria answered, "He just went out."

I didn't say goodbye and immediately ran outside. At the gate, the driver opened the car door for Asher.

"Asher!" I shouted to prevent him from getting into the car.

Asher looked around for me. I raised his denim jacket for him to quickly get my intention.

He said something to his driver while still looking at me as I approached him. The driver got into the driver's seat and left Asher outside the vehicle. I handed him his denim jacket, "I was just going to return this. I almost forgot. Thank you."

He didn't accept it, "That's yours now, Amanda Callie."

I shook my head, "No, it's yours or you can give it to Aria since she chose it. And she's your fiancée."

He raised an eyebrow at me, his jaw moving, "I'm giving it to you as my future sister-in-law then."

What?!

"No! You should give it to the woman you're going to marry first before her family," I insisted. The side of his lip rose. He looked like he was calculating his move.

"I'm giving it to you then," he said in a smooth voice.

My forehead wrinkled even more because I couldn't understand his logic. It seems like his habit is to do the opposite of what people tell him to do. When our principal told us to discipline our classmates, he gathered us, his friends, who when together were far from the definition of disciplined. Now, I told him to give the jacket to Aria, yet he's giving it to me.

"I can't accept this, my mom might say something."

"So that's the reason why," he muttered, which I couldn't understand, followed by a sarcastic laugh.

"I'm sorry, what?" I sought an explanation for his words and actions.

He did not answer me. His lips were tightly pursed as if I did something wrong to him.

"Suit yourself, if you don't want to accept it, then I'll be the one to give it to Aria for you. Goodnight, President."

As I turned away, I felt a tug on my left hand holding the denim jacket. I held one end of the jacket while Asher held the other end, pulling it towards himself to get closer to me. He wrapped his arm around me, leading it to my back and the other shoulder, the reason why the jacket enveloped me.

My eyes widened as we drew closer. My hand gripped his chest to ensure we didn't get too close.

"A-Asher."

How did he do that? He expertly maneuvered it!

"I'll have my denim jacket back. It's mine anyway," he said in a husky voice.

"Y-yes... I-I really went o-out because of y-you," my voice trembling. My hands clenched his shirt tightly, which I think crumpled it.

I'm not used to this closeness. I don't feel uncomfortable, I just feel nervous and I don't know why! It's like in the past school years, he never paid attention to me, and suddenly we were this close!

"M-maybe mom will see us..." I whispered to him.

He looked past my shoulders. "She's not watching."

"And we should not be in this... position. It looks unethical, don't you think? You're my sister's fiance."

"Did you hear me confirm that though?"

What does he mean?

"Aria said so, you two are together and you didn't deny it earlier."

"Silence doesn't always mean yes, Amanda Callie. We're not engaged."

"Yeah, and fishes could fly," I say in a sarcastic tone. And mama would never lie about something as serious as marriage. Especially when Aria is involved in this.

"It's up to you whether you're engaged or not. It's your life. You don't need to explain. For me, you're engaged. If my mama says so, then it is true. Even the media said it. Stop being in denial, stand by my sister!"

Even though I felt weak, I gathered whatever strength I had left to escape from his embrace.

"Go home, President. We still have classes tomorrow," I said heavily as I walked away.

I turned my back on him and entered our gate. The guards greeted me but I didn't pay attention to them as I was lost in what had just happened.

When I got back to my room, I leaned against the door and heaved a sigh.