✨ CHAPTER 3 — "THE PRE WEDDING SHOOTS" ✨
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💗 Jay's POV 💗
Three days after the boutique marathon, I found myself standing in a pastel-themed studio surrounded by lights, flower arches, and too many people telling me to "relax and look in love."
Right. Relax. With him.
Keifer Watson, in a white shirt and black suspenders, looked like every photographer's dream and every cynic's nightmare. Calm, smug, and absolutely aware of the effect he had on the world.
I adjusted my gown—soft cream with gold embroidery, simple yet elegant—and muttered, "Why does this feel like an audition for a romantic drama?"
He heard me. Of course he did. "Because you're the dramatic lead, Miss Mariano."
I shot him a glare. "And you're the unnecessary side character."
He grinned. "Ouch."
The photographer clapped. "Okay, you two! Let's start with a few standing shots. Hold hands, look at each other, soft smiles!"
Soft smiles. Ha. I could manage polite indifference.
Keifer extended his hand, playful glint in his eyes. "Ready, fiancée?"
I sighed and placed my hand in his. His grip was warm—steady—and I hated how my heart skipped.
We posed. Clicks echoed. He leaned slightly closer, and the air thickened.
"Smile," he murmured. "Unless you want people thinking you're being forced."
"I am being forced," I whispered back.
He chuckled. "Then fake it better."
I couldn't stop the tiny laugh that escaped, and of course, that's when the photographer cheered, "Perfect! That's the shot!"
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The shoot moved outdoors—lush garden, fairy-light strings, petals everywhere.
"Alright," the photographer said, "we'll do a twirl shot next. Mr. Watson, spin your fiancée slowly. Miss Mariano, follow his lead."
"Great," I muttered. "I'm a human prop now."
Keifer leaned close. "At least you're the prettiest one."
My cheeks betrayed me. "Shut up."
He smiled. "Make me."
I twirled, my gown fanning out like sunlight—and then my heel caught on the carpet edge.
The world tilted.
I gasped, arms flailing—
—and before panic could hit, strong hands caught me by the waist.
I blinked up.
He was right there. Too close. His breath mingled with mine, his eyes wide, startled.
And then—
It happened.
A fraction of a second. A slip of fate.
Our lips brushed.
Not a deep kiss, not deliberate—just an accidental, breathless collision of surprise and warmth.
The world stopped moving.
My heartbeat drowned every sound.
His hand still held my waist, fingers tense, his other hand steadying my arm.
The photographer froze mid-click. Someone gasped softly in the background.
And I—
I forgot how to breathe.
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🖤 Keifer's POV 🖤
Her lips.
That's all my brain could register.
Soft. Warm. Real.
I pulled back instantly, still holding her because if I didn't, she'd have actually fallen. Her eyes were wide, cheeks flushed, lips parted like she couldn't believe what just happened.
Neither could I.
"I—" she started.
"I didn't—" I tried.
Silence.
Then the photographer coughed awkwardly. "Uh… that was… surprisingly natural. Maybe… keep it?"
Jay glared at him. "Delete it!"
I bit back a laugh. "You'll scare the poor man."
She crossed her arms. "You literally crashed into me."
I lifted a brow. "Technically, you crashed into me. I was rescuing you from kissing the floor."
Her jaw dropped. "You—ugh! You're impossible!"
"And you're clumsy," I teased.
The photographer called again, "Okay, let's take five!"
She stalked off to the refreshment table, muttering something about corporate disasters in suspenders.
I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady the mess inside me.
Because that accidental kiss? It shouldn't have meant anything.
But it did.
It felt like something I shouldn't want but already did.
Get it together, Keifer. This is a deal. A partnership. Not… whatever that was.
Still, my fingers tingled where I'd touched her.
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💗 Jay's POV 💗
I grabbed a glass of water, ignoring how my hands trembled slightly.
It was just a stupid accident. That's it. People bump into each other all the time. Their lips happen to meet… accidentally… sometimes…
Okay maybe not. 😳
I could still feel the heat of his touch on my waist, the way his eyes had softened for that half-second before we both panicked.
"Breathe, Jay," I whispered to myself. "It was nothing. You don't believe in love. Remember?"
Then, of course, he appeared beside me like the universe hated me today.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
"Peachy," I said, too fast.
He tilted his head. "You sure? Because your face is… kind of red."
"It's the lighting," I snapped.
He grinned. "Right. Must be the romantic lighting."
I turned to glare but he was already smiling that stupid soft smile that wasn't teasing anymore—it was almost gentle.
And for a fleeting second, I wondered if maybe, just maybe, not believing in love was harder when someone looked at you like that.
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🖤 Keifer's POV 🖤
The rest of the shoot went in a blur.
We posed under the gazebo, fake-laughing for the camera, pretending we hadn't just accidentally kissed.
But every time she smiled—really smiled—it felt less like pretending.
During the couple close-ups, she whispered, "You're enjoying this too much."
I whispered back, "Maybe I'm just good at acting."
"Sure," she muttered, but her eyes said she didn't fully believe it.
At the end, the photographer showed us the pictures on his screen—us laughing mid-banter, her twirling, my hand around her waist, that moment right before the slip—eyes locked, unaware the camera caught it.
It looked… real.
Too real.
She stared at the photo for a long time. Then quietly said, "We actually look… happy."
I swallowed. "Maybe we were. For a second."
She glanced up. "Keifer…"
I smiled faintly. "Don't overthink it, Jay. It's just part of the shoot."
"Right," she murmured, but her voice didn't sound convinced.
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💗 Jay's POV 💗
As we left the studio, the sky had turned golden.
I walked a few steps ahead, heels clicking against the pavement.
"Hey, Jay?" he called.
I turned. "What now?"
He held up the engagement ring box, smirking. "Don't forget this. You might need it for the next fake moment."
I took it, rolling my eyes. "Thanks, Mr. Watson."
"You're welcome, Mrs. Almost-Watson."
I fought a smile—and lost.
He saw it. Of course he did.
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That night, lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, replaying everything.
His laugh.
His touch.
That accidental kiss.
And against all logic, all promises to never fall again, a tiny voice inside whispered…
What if fate's just making us practice the real thing? 🌸
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🖤 Keifer's POV 🖤
I dropped onto my couch, exhausted.
My phone buzzed—a text from my mom:
> "The photos look stunning! You and Jay look perfect together."
I smiled despite myself. Perfect together.
Maybe too perfect.
I glanced at my reflection in the window, whispering, "It's just a deal, Keifer. Remember that."
But when I closed my eyes, I didn't see the contract. I saw her smile. The way she'd looked when I caught her. The warmth that hadn't left since.
And for the first time, the thought didn't scare me. It felt… inevitable.
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🌸✨ End of Chapter 3✨️🌸