Borrowed smiles

I leaned against the railing, as I watched him perform for the world to see.

And then came the questions.

“Aiden is it true, that you have a mystery man in your life?”

“Who was in the window then, Aiden? Was that your assistant, or someone else?”

“Is this just the usual PR stunt, or are you and Leona really a couple?”

“Are you guys dating now? When will you make it official?”

I didn’t realize how hard I had clenched my jaw, until my teeth started to ache.

They constantly kept throwing different questions at him, each one more intense and harder than the last, and somehow he managed to keep answering them with a smile on his face.

Aiden laughed smoothly, as he if he was enjoying all these . As if he didn't just spend the night in my arms, while whispering my name like that was the only thing that mattered to him.

"Coward". I muttered under my breath.

“Alright so first of all, I don't know who came up with these rumors ”, he said, flashing his teeth, which revealed his dimples. "But I can tell you for a fact, that it's not true and it's nonsense.

“People tend to speculate and stir things up, especially if they don't have proof to support their claims. But all I can say is, nothing like that going on”.

He glanced at Leona, then reached for her hand. “Although, what I can proudly is that Leona and I are dating and she's my girlfriend. We didn't want to make it public yet and all, but she always has been and I'm so lucky to have her by my side. He concluded as he kissed her hand."

I scoffed. He has no shame, unless Ofcourse it has to do with me".

Then they turned to Leona.

“And how does it feel to finally be able to go public, being with Aiden Vale Ofcourse?”

“Oh my gosh! What can I say? It's been wonderful,” she said, blushing. “Aiden is a sweetheart, he's an amazing person and he's a sweet soul and I'm so proud of being by his side. So it feels great. It's just a pity that people had to come up with such weird rumors him, but we're glad everything is finally out in the open.”

She rested her head lightly on his shoulder, with her arms curling tighter around his. The image was perfect, just how they wanted it.

I could see Victoria grinning from amongst the crowd.

“And tell us more about your new makeup collab. Are there any new shade ideas we should look out for?” a reporter called out.

“Yes! I’m thrilled. I just partnered with a luxury makeup brand for a campaign I’m really proud of,” she said, smiling.

This partnership with opal cosmetics has been a dream come true, and having someone as supportive as Aiden by my side just adds to the magic, and makes everything more exciting. As for the shades— that's a surprise. I don't wanna ruin it yet." She said as the reporters laughed.

Then someone asked another question. “Should we be looking out for wedding bells in the nearest future?”

That earned a coy smirk from her, the kind that had every journalist leaning in. “Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves now,” she teased, then added, “but if it happens, I definitely wouldn’t mind.”

She glanced at Aiden and winked, which made the crowd erupts in a collective 'awwws'.

She was good. Maybe too good. But only I knew something they didn't, something about their "precious star" and here he was, playing the perfect boyfriend to someone else.

Soon the interview came to an end, with a few more camera flashes and a few high-pitched fan screams. They had a charity gala to attend next. As if the lie needed more exposure.

I stepped away from the balcony, my chest tightening

“Sir,” one of the security details nodded at me. “We’re ready to go.”

I nodded and said nothing. I quickly grabbed the keys and headed downstairs, out the back to get the car.

This time, I wasn’t driving.

I sat in the front passenger seat, letting the tinted windows be my shield while I watched as Aiden and Leona slid into the backseat together, giggling like teenagers on prom night.

I exhaled sharply. I didn’t need to turn around to know she had her hand on his knee, and that her lipstick was on his cheek already.

“Let’s make a video,” she chirped. “We just became official. So I have to update my followers, or else they'll literally lose their minds!”

“I don’t think that's necessary, I mean everyone knows already,” Aiden muttered.

“Oh, come on,” she teased, pulling her phone out. “It'll be cute, we'll be cute. You don't have to do to much, you can just say something cheesy like you're so happy being with me, and you’ve never been more happier.”

I took a glance at him through the rearview mirror. His jaw was tight. He wasn’t looking at her, rather at me.

But then he nodded. “Okay fine. Just one.”

She beamed with excitement and started recording.

“Hey, guys!” she said in her usual influencer tone. “Guess who finally decided to stop hiding, and wanted to fill you guys in, on the latest happenings?”

She leaned into Aiden, who gave a soft chuckle and nodded.

“Yep,” he said. “That's right. Leona is finally mine.” She giggled, as she kissed his cheek again.

I nearly laughed.

“So we're on our way to the charity gala,” she continued, “and don't worry, your girl is in safe hands. We can’t wait to see you all there. Right, babe?”

He hesitated, then looked at her. “Yeah. Right.”

And that was it. She ended the video, and tapped her screen, getting ready to post it.

“This will definitely go viral,” she said, more to herself than him. “And victoria will be soooo thrilled.”

Aiden didn't say anything, he just remained silent.

The gala venue glowed as if it a fairytale world, had just come to life. The chandeliers were glowing in their crystal lights, the red carpets laid like tapestries under the feet of eager fans. And the photographers and paparazzi's waited, hungrily.

The car came to a stop, in front of the grand hall. And the moment the door opened, Aiden stepped out and turned around to open the door for Leona. He held out his hand like a gentleman, as she stepped out.

She took his hand as if it was the only true thing she’d ever known. Then pulled her into the spotlight, the perfect synergy, the perfect display.

The crowd roared.

He smiled.

He always smiled.

Then he tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow and guided her, as they made their way through the cheering fans cheering, the cameras, and even the microphones pushing forward.

And I?

I simply followed behind, a couple of steps behind actually, as I couldn't go on the red carpet with them.

As usual I was just as the assistant that I am. As soon as the reporter and paparazzi's all rushed towards them, I got lost in the middle of it all, and he didn't even look back to see if I was there or not. So I took the side entrance, reserved for people like me, saving whatever little dignity I had left.

But now I'm beginning to wonder, what if Victoria was right and Aiden never chooses me instead? Why does it feel like I'm slowly losing my grip on him.