Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 5

Amanda's POV

The hardest part of being the most understanding and patient person is that you are forced to be in situations that go against your own desires. You agree to everything and let yourself be pulled along. You don't speak up because you want them to be happy, and you don't complain because you understand.

Yes, I understand that Jasper and Axel are really mental escapees.

We are here at a make-up counter shop in the department store. I'm also looking for a mascara that feels light on the lashes. Most of my mascaras are a bit heavy, so it feels like there's something sticky clinging to my eyelashes when I apply them. Jasper and Axel are currently getting mascara and lipstick applied because the woman watching over them said it looks good. The things men do just to make ninja moves on women. Do they think she'll fall for them? They're even still in school uniforms!

Elara and Astrid are laughing loudly while taking photos and videos of the two. Our laughter can probably be heard throughout the department store. We just spontaneously decided to go to the mall. Our impromptu plans turn out better than the ones we actually plan, which often don't push through.

"Are we beautiful now, miss?" Jasper grinned mischievously at the lady. And it seems his charms worked on her. I don't know if it's because the woman finds him handsome or simply because Jasper and Axel are known figures.

Jasper and Axel’s parents are part of the same friend circle as Astrid, Elara, and mine's parents. But it's no surprise that the business community in the Philippines is quite close-knit, so I also somewhat know who the wealthy kids in the country are.

"Presenting Jasy and Alexa!" I even put my hand to my mouth as if I had a microphone. Jasper (Jasy) and Axel (Alexa) posed like models. They even pouted their lips, but it was too exaggerated, making them look more like chicken butts instead of feminine. They even strutted down the aisle guided by Astrid and Elara.

I squinted tightly because I felt embarrassed for them. They've caught the attention of people nearby. Some were laughing while others were also taking videos like Astrid and Elara.

"Oh my gosh! Is that Jasper?" one girl pulled another girl closer.

"Oh, what now? Do you know him?" her friend asked. There's no hint of recognition on her face, so she really doesn't know who Jasper is.

"He's the heir to Elevate Luxury Hotel, handsome, right?" the girl who recognized Jasper answered.

The face of her friend wrinkled. "Don't go for rich guys, they just do what they want. And look at him! Would you even go for someone like that when he looks a bit effeminate?"

It seems Jasper heard what the girl said because he suddenly turned to look at her. I let out a whistle because it became a bit awkward when Jasper approached the girl who called him effeminate.

"I'll just go to the comfort room," I whispered to Astrid.

I left them there because I needed to pee. I roamed around the department store because I'm not familiar with it at all, so I couldn't find where the comfort room was. In the distance, there was a gathering of people. I knew it was crowded because it's a mall, but what I see now seems like there's something really important going on. I took the opportunity to approach someone and ask if they knew where the comfort room was so I could quickly go and not get lost.

"Hi, do you know where the comfort room is?" I asked the girl with a pixie cut who was carrying a DSLR camera.

"It's over there, near the men's wear section. Just go straight then turn right."

I thanked her and was about to head in the direction she pointed when I saw a familiar face. I stepped back and squinted to see if my hunch was correct. Aria and Asher were together. Aria was holding a hanger with a denim jacket on it and was showing it to Asher, as if suggesting that he should try it on. Since when did they know each other? Yes, Asher is popular in school, but I didn't expect them to actually be bonding together.

" Aria!" I approached the two of them.

"Ate!" Aria slowly lowered the denim jacket she was holding and returned it to where it was hanging as she looked at me. Surprise was evident on her face when she saw me approaching.

"Ate?" whispers started circulating among the people around them. Asher’s gaze was fixed on me as I approached them. His face remained unaffected even as many people were taking photos.

"Girl! You were next to her earlier but you didn't take a picture for our elite fan site," the girl next to the one I asked about the comfort room said.

"Is she's Amanda Callie?"

"Really? Are she and Aria Jade sisters?"

"Their faces look so different. They don't look like siblings."

Since my family are public figures, I know that many are waiting for our social media posts, which is why I don't make it a habit to post my face on my social media platforms. That's why I'm not easily recognized by most people. I take photos of the places I visit and the scenes I see, but I never put my face on the internet. To avoid getting reactions like this. They started taking photos of my face, so I quickly covered myself with my arms. I flinched because of the flashes and sudden attention. I don't want this. I don't!

My hands went cold and I almost couldn't hear anything around me. I only heard myself. The embarrassment, belittlement, and insecurity. I didn't even realize that Asher and Aria were in front of me. All I wanted at that point was to get away, so I started running towards the direction the girl I talked to earlier pointed me to. I'm safer in the comfort room. I can hide there.

But before I could get far, someone blocked my way.

"Hi miss Amanda Callie, what can you say about your sibling's upcoming wedding to the Ledesma heir."

I barely registered the question because I was panicking. Should I contact my friends? But we might just attract more attention.

"We'd like to get to know you more since you're inactive on social media. Can we ask you why?"

Geez! Can't I just not be interested? Do I need a deep reason for that?

"C-can you let me pass, please? I need to use the comfort room," earlier I could still hold my pee, but now it feels like it's really going to come out because of my extreme nervousness.

"Just a few questions miss."

Why are they asking for my consent? And when it's clear to them that I don't want to be interviewed, they still insist. What kind of security does this mall have! They didn't even notice that there's a press person coming in disguised as an ordinary customer.

"Stop taking photos, put down the cameras or this will be the last day your companies can operate," threatened a baritone voice. The cameras that were pointed at me disappeared immediately. My heartbeat hasn't calmed down at all. I'm breathing rapidly.

"Ate, can you hear me?" Aria is now in front of me, holding onto my shoulder. I was frozen in place so I didn't even notice she was in front of me.

Asher gently pushed Aria aside so he was now standing in front of me. I just stared at his chest.

"Amanda Callie, talk to me! Are you alright?" My mouth was open but no sound came out, so I just nodded.

Asher cursed. "They're gone now, Amanda Callie. Calm down," he whispered.

I forced myself to speak because I was starting to feel uncomfortable with his touch. We might end up having an issue. "They'll only notice us if they see us together, Asher," I whispered back.

He sighed. My vision darkened as someone enveloped me. I smelled fresh clothes.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Walk, Amanda Callie," he commanded, so I followed his lead. His arm was wrapped around my shoulder, and my face was buried in his chest. I used my hand to feel what was covering me.

"I thought you weren't going to buy the denim jacket?" I heard Aria ask. Oh! It's the denim jacket from earlier.

"Changed my mind, I actually want the denim. It's been trending recently. Thanks for choosing for me."

I heard what he was saying through the vibrations in his chest. I raised my eyebrows. He didn't strike me as someone who follows trends. Well, we all have sides we do not often show. I slowly lifted my fingers to his shoulders to get his attention.

"Yes?" I assumed he was responding to me.

"I need to go to the restroom. I need to pee."

"That's where we're going."

Thank goodness!

When I entered the restroom, I was still wearing the denim jacket. Just in case, at least I had something to cover myself. I took out my phone to text Astrid because I had just informed them that I was going to the restroom but took longer than expected. They might be looking for me throughout the mall. I received 20 missed calls and texts from the four of them.

Jasper:

Restless! Where are you? Did the toilet swallow you?

Elara:

Amanda Callie! What are you wearing? You ditched us!

Axel:

Catherine...

I rolled my eyes at Axel’s text.

Astrid:

Hey! Are you getting too comfortable in the restroom that you're not coming back?

Astrid:

Amanda Callie, answer my calls! I'm worried about you, should I call the police?

Astrid:

We heard what happened. Are you okay?

Astrid:

Oh nevermind! Of course, you're okay. "Pres Hottie" is coming to the rescue. Oh! Don't deny it! He wasn't ordered, he volunteered.

I just shook my head at my friends' texts. I looked at myself in the mirror. If I hadn't covered my mouth, I might have screamed. This?! This is what they took a picture of?! And Aria is next to me! I look like one of his sidekicks with how I look. My pimples decided to show up now. Some are huge, some are enough to connect the dots. And to add to that, my face is sweaty and oily. I had the nerve to act like a damsel in distress earlier. Damsel in distress is not the right term for me. I am more of a damn this is stress. I'm sure that's how Asher felt. I should apologize to him. He must have felt embarrassed too because he had to comfort someone like me. But then again, he's going to be my brother-in-law anyway.

Wait… BROTHER-IN-LAW?!!

Now that my mind is clearer, I started thinking about what the interviewer asked me earlier. Aria and Asher are getting married. Why does it feel like I didn't hear Mama and Papa announce this? Aria didn't mention it either. And Aria is too young for marriage. She's just about to turn 17! What about her dreams? But then again, Asher wouldn't be a liability in her life. I'm sure he will be a good husband to her.

I debated in my mind whether I should be happy or oppose what's happening. But whatever my opinion is, it doesn't matter if this is what Aria wants. Aria seemed fine earlier with Asher. Oh well! Why am I even bothering about this when Aria doesn't seem bothered at all.

My cellphone rang again.

Astrid:

We're outside the comfort room with Asher and Aria.

I dried my hands with the hand dryer above the sink. We need to hurry home before Mama scolds us. But since we're with Asher and Aria, maybe she won't be mad.