Kaden's P.O.V
I woke up feeling rejuvenated which I hadn't felt in a long time. Usually I would wake up tired or with aches and pains but for some reason last night was one of the best nights sleep I've had in a while. I stretched my body, feeling the empty space next to me. Usually I was used to it and didn't think much of it but then I remembered Megan had stayed the night. I quickly shot up out of bed and glanced around the room. I noticed the shorts she borrowed were neatly folded on the end of the bed. I slid out, stumbling slightly from just waking up and quickly brushed my hair to untangle the mess that was created from tossing and turning. I grabbed a blue sweater, trying to gain some heat from the chilly morning and made my way towards the kitchen. As I neared closer, I could feel the warmth of the fireplace moving through the house. I heard some clattering coming from the kitchen so I carefully walked in. Megan had her back to me and was carefully making coffees with the coffee machine that I hadn't used since Bradley passed.
"Sorry I didn't mean to intrude," Megan chuckled nervously, "I wanted to make you a coffee, if you drink even coffee?" She gestured to the cups.
"No it's okay," I smiled, moving closer to her, "a latte with a sugar would be lovely," I leaned against the corner of the counter and watched as she got to work. I watched as she grounded the coffee and put it into the machine. I never learnt how to make coffee. Bradley always got up early and made me a coffee to go for university while I looked after Jasmine. Now I usually just buy coffee on the way to school or from a cafe that was near the school during my breaks.
"How'd you learn to make coffee?" I asked as she heated up the milk.
"I am a woman of many talents," she smirked, allowing the coffee to fill the cups, "I learnt while I was working in a restraunt before the business,"
"In Australia or America?"
"America," she replied, pouring the milk into the cups, "you'll never guess where I worked," she chuckled, shaking her head.
"Where?" I asked, wanting to know.
"You have to guess," she smirked, adding a sugar into my cup. I looked at her and thought. I didn't know any restaurants in America but if she's telling me to guess it must be a well known place.
"I don't know," I laughed.
"You have to promise you won't judge," she sighed, carefully passing me my coffee.
"The coffee or your old job?" I questioned, causing her to laugh.
"The job, I know my coffee is good." I couldn't help but admire her confidence. I took a sip of the coffee, instantly loving the taste.
"Good?" She questioned, a smirk on her lips.
"Very, now tell me where you worked," I pressed, hearing her sign.
"I worked at hooters," she replied, leaning her hip against the counter. I stopped just before I sipped my coffee and looked at her. I knew what hooters was from the movies and media but I didn't expect her to work there. I had many questions but decided to not ask them.
"Did you enjoy it?" I asked, sipping my coffee.
"Besides the skimpy outfits and the constant notion of being hit on it was actually alright," she shrugged.
"Do you have photos?" I asked before I realised what I was actually asking. Meagan's blue eyes met mine and I instantly blushed, "I meant of the restaurant," I clarified, clearing my throat.
"Sure," she chuckled, her eyebrow raised," you know without hooters I wouldn't be where I am today," she sighed. I remained quiet allowing her to continue, "I got scouted while I was working by Gerard Lucas. He was a manager for a modelling agency and took me under his wing,"
"What a place to be scouted," I chuckled, Megan joined me.
"I know but I guess you gotta start somewhere," she shrugged.
"What are you doing today?" I asked, slowly making my way into the living room to allow Megan to follow.
"I don't know actually," she laughed behind me, "I know I'll be doing stuff with my parents tomorrow and next week I'll be venturing off into the outback to see my brother,"
"Carson right?" I questioned, remembering our conversation from last night.
"Yeah," she smiled, "have you got any siblings?"
"No I was an only child, Bradley had siblings though, two sisters,"
"Was Bradley your boyfriend?" Megan asked hesitantly.
"He was," I replied, looking down at my coffee. I hadn't really spoken to anyone about his passing except my mum. I didn't even speak with his family because they didn't reach out to me or Jasmine either. I didn't know why, maybe they secretly didn't like me. Talking about Bradley wasn't something I enjoyed talking about.
"Was he the one who passed away?" She asked quietly and hesitantly. I looked up, meeting her water blue eyes.
"Yeah he was,"
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her hand finding mine.
"It was years ago," I sighed, trying to not let it show that it affected me. Meagan looked like she didn't know what to say which was understandable most people didn't.
"Did you want to come somewhere today?" Megan asked suddenly.
"Where?" I questioned.
"I don't know but I think you should show me around the city," she shrugged, a smile on her lips.
"You want me to take you around the city?" I questioned.
"I think it'll be fun, unless you're busy?" She questioned. I knew I had to pick Jasmine up at six and I had a few things to organise for the test but it wouldn't hurt to spend some time away from it all. Right?
"I think it'll be nice but I have to be back here for half past five,"
"Awesome," Megan smiled.
~~~~~~
It was one of the only days that wasn't raining from the week so I decided to take Megan to a park I always took Jasmine to when the weather was okay. Megan had told Payton that she was spending the day with me which meant her bodyguards were also joining us. I guess I didn't really mind but I feel like it brought more attention with them around and it didn't feel like just us. It made me realise her status compared to mine and how different our worlds really were.
"So why this park?" Megan asked as she stuffed her hands inside her denim jacket pockets.
"This is the park I grew up playing in, plus I take Jasmin here on the weekends when the weather is okay," I replied, looking around at the small family gatherings who were enjoying the nice day.
"I really like it here. It has like a family vibe," Megan spoke as she glanced around at the scenery. The park was old but it has this authenticity to it. There was a large lake that you could walk around and on the way there were cafes or small stalls that you could shop from if you wanted to. Whenever my parents took me here we'd always stop at the stalls and support the local businesses. I hadn't taken Jasmin yet because she already asked for everything in the supermarket so I knew she'd do the same at the markets it's hard to say no especially when she causes a scene.
"Where are you going?" I asked Megan as she walked towards the playground.
"To the playground?" She laughed as if it was obvious.
"Are you seriously going to play on he playground?" I laughed, walking after her.
"I was going to go on the swings I'm too big for the slide tunnels," She chuckled, stepping through the wooden chips to the swings. I went to wipe my seat but Megan beat me to it. She placed her denim jacket on the swing for me to sit on.
"Your jackets going to be all wet,"
"It's fine,"
"But won't you get cold?"
"No I have another jumper on," She laughed, "just get on the swing and swing with me," she beamed like a little kid as she kicked off. I couldn't help but shake my head, a smile on my lips as I kicked off also. I could hear her slight giggles as she swung higher and higher. I wasn't much of a heights person so I stayed low.
"Should I jump?" Megan asked as she swung frantically up and down, her head nearly hitting the blue pole of the swing.
"I don't know is it safe?" I questioned, my mum instincts kicking in. I surveyed the ground and the only thing that could go wrong was her landing wrong or landing on the brick that separated the wood chippings from the grass.
"It'll be fine," she reassured me, picking up her pace before she let go. She flew in the air, her jumper rising up showing me her tanned skin before both feet planted on the ground and she stood up with her hands in the air.
"Perfect dismount,"
"I don't know you were bent over a fair bit," I commented, causing Megan to turn around, a smile on her lips.
"I'd like to see you do better," she scoffed playfully. I hopped off my swing, passing her the jacket which she carried on her arm. It was still quite chilly and after swinging on the swings in just a sweater, scarf and jeans I was beginning to feel the cold.
"Here," Megan handed me her jacket. It was only wet on the outside from the dew on the swing.
"I'm okay," I reassured, putting my hand up. Megan shook her head, wrapping the jacket around my shoulders.
"Your teeth were chattering on the swing," she smirked at me, "where to now?" She asked.
"We can look at the stalls if you like?" I suggested, earning an eager nod from her. I started walking, Megan by my side and bodyguards behind us as we ventured around the lake.
"Oh my god!" We heard a scream coming from one of the stalls. We both suddenly stopped and watched as a teenage girl approached us.
"Oh my god I am such a huge fan!" She squealed, her hands covering her mouth. I turned to Megan who had a warm smile on her face.
"It's nice to meet you," she smiled.
"Can I have a hug?"
"Of course," Megan opened her arms and hugged the shorter girl.
"Oh my god I can't believe this," she continued to fangirl, grabbing out her phone, "can we please have a photo and I promise I'll leave you alone,"
"Of course," Megan smiled, leaning in for the picture. I moved aside, watching as her bodyguards came closer to ensure everything was okay. I watched as Megan said goodbye to the girl but this only caused more people to recognise her. I moved towards a bench that was nearby and sat down, watching as people swarmed her for photos. It made me wonder what it would be like to date someone who was famous. It would be constant stopping for photos, constant paparazzi invasions and stories being leaked and made up. I didn't know how someone could live such a frantic life of being noticed wherever they went.
"I'm so sorry," Megan sighed, brushing her black hair away from her face once she was free from the crowd.
"It's okay," I smiled, standing up from the bench.
"We should change destinations," one of Megan's bodyguards suggested as people still had their phones out waiting to meet Megan.
"Are you okay with that?" She asked me. I nodded, and got ushered by her bodyguards towards a black car with tinted windows that we arrived in.
"I'm sorry," Megan spoke again when we were in the car.
"It's fine," I reassured her, my hand finding itself on top of hers.
"I just, I don't want any reporters or paparazzi spreading rumours about us being out together," she sighed, grabbing her phone out.
"What would they say?" I questioned, taking my hand away so she could type.
"Anything they want but it'll probably be based around dating rumours." She replied, answering her phone as it called.
"Payton," she started. I watched as she spoke into the phone. Her eyes were moving around the car, her leg was shaking up and down as she spoke. I didn't know how I felt about the possibility of dating rumours being spread. I knew I wasn't ready for an outbreak of attention, especially with everything that's happened in my life so far. I also knew that Jasmine wouldn't be able to handle the added pressure when normal pressures of life is already hard for her.
"Thank you Payton, I'll see you soon, bye," Megan hung up the phone and sighed, "she's going to see what she can do about photos and things,"
"Okay," I replied, not really knowing what to say. Meagan turned her body to me, her hands finding mine.
"Things could either blow up or remain the same," she warned me, "but I'm going to do everything I can to make sure things remain as normal as they can," she assured me, her eyes calm.
"The more we hang out, the more public you're going to be." I sat and thought about her comment. As much as I didn't really want to be noticed, I didn't want to lose Megan. We had only known each other a few weeks but after seeing and talking to her in person I realised I really enjoy her company and it wasn't often that I did. It was like we just clicked and could talk about anything and have a good time.
"But what happens if I don't want to stop talking to you?" I asked, looking daringly into her eyes. She looked slightly surprised at my response, her thumb carefully moving against the back of my hand.
"Are you sure?" She questioned. I nodded, not wanting to lose the relationship I was forming with her.
"Then we're in for a bumpy ride,"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Megan took me to the hotel in which her manager Payton was staying. She said she needed to speak with her and said I didn't need to come if I didn't want to but I told her it was okay. It was one of the five star hotels on the beach which I wasn't surprised about. We went up the elevator and the more floors we went up the more I wanted to vomit knowing that if I looked out the window I would faint.
"Are you okay?" Megan asked me, her hand finding my shoulder. I nodded, keeping my gaze on the elevator as it dinged on floor thirteen. The doors opened and she guided me towards room six. She knocked twice and we waited for a reply. The door swung open and I met the familiar brown eyes from when I met Payton.
"It's good to see you again Kaden," she smiled, opening the door for Megan and I to move past.
"You too," I smiled, taking sight of the opened spacious kitchen and living area. It was one of those fancy hotels you saw in the movies. Everything was pristine and clean. I looked to the dining table and saw another girl sitting there. I had no idea who she was but she smiled when Megan stood beside me.
"So this is the Australian girl you've been talking to huh?" She smiled, standing up from the table. She walked towards us, a goofy smile on her face. Her American accent was thick almost like a southern accent.
"I'm Tori," she introduced, sticking her hand out, "Megan's best friend,"
"Kaden," I smiled, shaking her hand. Tori had these marble grey eyes which blended with the hotels furniture. Her platanium blonde hair was long, just layering past her chest which brought out her eyes even more. She had soft ivory skin and pink lips that were full while still looking natural. She was literally a model.
"Did you get many reports about the other night?" Megan asked, taking a seat at the dining table.
"Maybe a handful," Tori shrugged, moving back over to her seat, "but I can guarantee you'll get a hell of a lot more," she sighed.
"Have you made any statements?" Megan asked, as I sat down next to her.
"Well the speculations are true we were on a date," Tori shrugged, earning a glare from Payton.
"I've told Tori not to make a statement and Bruno thinks the same," Payton spoke, moving her brown hair from her face.
"And are you going to make a statement?" Tori asked Megan.
"No," she replied, glancing at me, "we are just friends who were exploring the city," she clarified, which for some reason made my chest feel slightly heavy. I didn't know why so I tried to ignore it. I glanced at my phone and saw it was four thirty. I needed to be home soon to get Jasmine.
"You okay?" Megan asked me.
"I need to get Jasmine,"
"Who's Jasmine?" Tori asked, putting her phone down on the glass top.
"My daughter,"
"Oh cool, Megan loves kids," Tori smiled. I turned to Megan who glared at Tori but gave me a shy smile, "how old is she?"
"Seven," I smiled.
"Well I better get you home," Megan cleared her throat, standing from the table.
"It was nice to meet you Kaden," Tori smiled.
"You too,"
"I'm sure we will see you again on this trip Kaden," Payton smiled at me. I smiled back, getting up from my seat.
"I'll be back in about half an hour to discuss the reports," Megan told Payton. I followed Megan out of the hotel and down to the car we were in before.
"You don't have to come all the way back," I told her, standing outside of the car.
"I'd like to," she smiled, opening the car door for me. I smiled, climbing into the backseat, hearing the door close as Megan walked around the other side.
"Back to Kaden's house please," she instructed her driver who set off back towards my house.
"Thank you for today," Megan spoke breaking the silence, "I really enjoyed feeling normal for a moment before I got noticed," she chuckled, looking down at her hands.
"Thank you for coming over, I enjoyed the company," I replied, which caused Megan to look up and smile at me.
"Hopefully if you'd like I'll see you again before my trips over?" She questioned, hope written on her face.
"Yeah, Id like that," I smiled. It wasn't long until the car pulled up outside my house. Megan opened my door for me and walked me up to my house which I told her she didn't have too but she insisted.
"Thank you for the accomodation Kaden," Megan smiled, shifting her weight between her toes and heel.
"It's okay," I smiled, watching her. Megan's eyes shifted from my lips to my eyes and I could feel my heart jolt with electricity.
"I'll text you?" She questioned. I nodded. She moved in opening her arms for a hug which I gladly accepted. My head was resting on her shoulder, my arms around her back savouring the warmth her body provided. She still smelt faintly of her perfume which I knew it was a smell I was becoming fond of. Her arms were secure around me.
"You're really beautiful Kaden," she whispered in my ear before we parted. My hands were still resting on her hips, hers on the back of my neck. I couldn't help but blush at her comment.
"Says you," I mumbled, causing a small chuckle to leave her lips. She leaned forward, letting her lips touch my forehead in a short sweet kiss. I could've sworn my heart was going to explode with nerves and excitement.
"I'll see you soon Kaden,"
"Bye Megan," I smiled, my hands leaving her hips as she turned to walk back to the car. I watched until the car had reversed and disappeared down the street and it was then I realised I already missed her presence.