┏━━━°⌜ 𝗪𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 ⌟°━━━┓
❝ 𝗐𝗁𝗒...? ❞
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You were speechless, seeing your mother drop her gambling cards as she stood up to greet you
" just wanted to see you" she tried dusting your shoulders, making you step backwards
" hey is that..." you heard people whisper to each other after noticing your face and body structure
" let's talk outside" your mother had a friendly grin on the outside, leading you away from the public eye
" What!??" You almost yell as you reach outside , trying not to throw a fit
" Why Are You Sending Me These!?! Why Didn't You Steal The Money In My Car!?!" You stress out, throwing the note on the ground
" I don't need money." Your mother took a step closer to you
" then what?!? What!?" You tried composing yourself
" well since your lover boy didn't tell you, I'll tell you" your mother leaned on the wall without a care in a world
" lover boy..?" You murmur, feeling hatred and disgust
" well you are in love no?" Your mothers lips curled into a smile
Your hands stay in a ball, concealing it's anger
" explain this" your mother pulled a photo of you and Childe together. The photo was strong evidence but all you could do was deny
" what do you want" you persisted, time being of a essence
" well, you care about your reputation? What would happen when this is let out? All I want is you to end things with Childe" your mother started laughing
You were lost for words, " what makes you think I'll comply?" You reveal, having no use in lying
" bad things will happen" your mother huffed, looking around
" why?" Your voice started to break
" I just wanted you to have no distractions, there are plenty more better men" your mother openly admitted, " besides didn't he make that bet about you ages ago? Don't think I've forgotten" your mother thought her words to you were out of concern
" there's nothing you can do. You are powerless, even with all the money, nothing will happen so stop threatening me" you had enough, not listening to her words
" really? Okay" your mother laughed to scare you
You close your eyes, " leave me alone. Stop following me like a parasite" you walked away after saying everything you could
" you shouldn't treat your mother like that you know!" Your mother scolded, you blocked your ears, walking outside
You didn't pay attention to your surroundings, bumping into someone on the way
" sorry" you murmur, staring at the ground
" [y/n]." You heard a stoic voice, you stare upwards, completely dumbfounded
" Alhaitham???" You exclaim more loudly than anticipated to the man
" what are you doing here?" Alhaitham so happened to point at the club that sat behind you
" well the question is What are you doing here?" you pressed questions
" well I'm here for some..business but it's late at night, shouldn't you be somewhere?" Alhaitham tilted his head at you
" I should be...but I canceled it" you remember the photoshoot you canceled
" well, okay then" Ahaitham looked around then at you
You smile and continue on your path, Alhaitham slowly following you
" uh, are you walking my way?" You had to chuckle out as Alhaitham stood by your side
" it appears" Alhaitham observed his surroundings, hands in his pockets
" well how's your life been" was what you could only think of at the moment
" it's been...eventful, everyone is giving me an ear full" Alhaitham stressed to you, you could only laugh, admiring his serious expression
" well same" you remember, feeling slight sadness at the thought
" well I'll be heading off here" Alhaitham pointed at the way to the alleyway
" oh okay, bye, stay safe" you wave with a smile, " you too" he responds before disappearing
You watch as he does, smiling before dropping your smile into a glare
Those words your mother said. Were they really true? Did she really mean it?
You couldn't help but cup your head, feeling overwhelming feelings before you hazily walk back to your car
N E X T D A Y
" here" Thoma gave you a bottle of water
" thank you" you refresh your throat after recording for hours on end
" [y/n], can I use you as demonstration?" Yae looked at you, ordering you by her side
" okay" you stood up immediately , returning the bottle of water to Thoma
" okay Childe, like this" Yae Miko looked at Childe, as you sat on the table
" hands like this" Yae pinned you on the table as a demonstration. You lean backwards as Yae was close to you, a little shaken by her impact on the table
You peek at Childe's expression but you couldn't read his intentions at all. He was attentive, like a student observing his own art
" try do it with passion please" Yae Miko gave a smirk, unpinning you and turning back to her stance
" you ready?" Childe guided you off the table with a plastered grin
" well I'll try not to look exhausted" you laugh, Childe leading you to the starting point of the film
" okay" Childe saw you were out of frame and took the opportunity to hold you by the waist secretly, positioning you in front of him
" okay you can go" Yae Miko indicated, Childe letting go of your waist
You lean back from Childe, " what are you doing here? It's night" you pretend to peek outside, Childe leaning forward to you
" h-ey" you stutter, your back reaching the table
" I wanted to see you" Childe softly whispered, the camera panning on you and him as his hands cup your legs
Your lips open slightly as you fell in a sitting position on the table
" about earlier.." Childe stared at your lips, hands trapping you on the desk
" do you really not feel anything for me...?" Childe whispered, hands rubbing your leg. He made you speechless, loss for words
" even if I do this.." Childe whispered to your ear, chest close to touching yours. Breath so close it became deafening
You look behind him, feeling sudden nervousness from all the acting that felt too real for once
" hey..look at me" Childe was attentive to your behaviour, hands guiding your face to his so you would lock eye contact
You slightly frown. 'That wasn't in script...' you had a sudden realisation
Childe stared into your eyes, his mind taking control over him, his hands inched to disobey the script he obliged to act for
Without a thought in mind Childe pushed your head to his, locking lips
It was a sudden surprise for everyone watching. That wasn't in the script at all.
" Done!" Yae Miko hopped in excitement after a few seconds of filming
Your lips part and you look at Yae's reaction, anxious by the response
" that wasn't what I was asking for! But we needed that" Yae's voice was enthusiastic for once, not a tint of sarcasm in it
You stare back at Childe, his hands securely on your thigh, " Childe why'd you do that" you lowly whisper to him discretely
" you liked it no? Even Yae did" Childe gave a cocky remark, whispering it back to you with a wide grin
You frown and hoist yourself off the chair
" do you need water" Childe followed you like a leech, not caring if others saw
" I'll get my own water" you try give a genuine smile, walking to your food area
Unbeknownst to you, everyone's eyes were on you and Childe as he trailed behind you, pestering you with questions
" those two are definitely together" Keqing whispered to Yae who watched the scene
" of course. No doubt about it" Yae Miko gave a sly smile, flicking through her notes
Lumine heard this, feeling slightly annoyed as she watched the scene unfold, watching you and Childe with another glaring figure doing the same
" hey you okay?" Childe couldn't help but ask you
" I'm fine" you give or try to give a neutral smile, feeling tension in the air
" well you seemed like you didn't enjoy it" Childe replied, leaning on the counter
" you said I did." You leave it at that, trying to leave the food room. Apparently you went in there for no apparent reason
" but...you aren't denying you didn't enjoy it" Childe walked to block you from exiting the room
" are you concerned for me" you almost give a laugh to the man
" I'm getting worried. Did anything happen to you. You usually don't look that frustrated" Childe pointed at your face
" how do you know if I'm frustrated" you reply a bit sharper than your usual tone
" I just do" Childe let go of the door knob, travelling in front of you
You stare into his eyes. Wanting to tell him about your encounter with your mother. The problem felt like it was meant to be resolved by your own.
Besides your mother didn't seem to do anything yet.
" I'm fine...please, let's go, we have more scenes to do" you cup Childe's face for a brief moment before taking your chance to leave the room with Childe just observing you
Something was wrong and he knew it.
L A T E R
You slump in your chair, swinging on it before letting out a sigh
It had been a long day and everyone seemed to be attentive to your actions which bothered you the most
You stare at your door as several knocks accompanied it
" Hi!" Thoma peeked through the door, his head showing
" hi" you reply, standing up to open the door for him, " are you staying here? I mean you should go home and rest for tomorrow" Thoma spoke. You huff, feeling the tiredness get to you
" I just needed to finish some things" you point out, dusting your outfit
" remember the podcast tomorrow" Thoma reminded like always, " I know and I'm kinda excited for the topic" you reply, looking gloomy all of a sudden
" are you getting closer?" Thoma referred to the mystery you yourself were trying to solve on your own
" not yet" you smile, someone knocking on the door
" you can come in" Thoma invited, someone stumbling through the door, looking frantic
" hey what happened?" You point to the hyperventilating guest
" something happened! They- hospital" the person tried to breathe, your mood drops as you try to calm them down
" who?" You cupped their shoulder, the person looked at you after regaining their breath
" it's..."
T O B E C O N T I N U E D