Chapter Twenty-Seven
Adriel
The past week has been one of the best I can remember. It’s like the whole house is breathing easier, that perpetual tightness that seemed to always linger in the atmosphere finally lifting.
Silas has been lighter, to put it simply. There’s a calmness about him now, one that doesn’t make me feel like I have to crack jokes just to get him to loosen up. Danae’s been smiling more too, and even Joseph seems to have softened. It’s strange how quickly things can change.
I sip my coffee as I walk toward Silas’s office, a faint smile playing on my lips.
I push open the door to Silas’s office and find them all waiting. Silas is sitting behind his desk, looking just as stoic as ever but with a certain relaxation in his shoulders. Danae is perched on the edge of a chair with a curious glint in her eyes, and Joseph is leaning casually against the wall. His arms are crossed, but his expression is relaxed.
“Sorry for keeping you guys waiting a bit,” I say, stepping inside with that classic Adriel grin. “The coffee in this house isn’t going to finish itself, you know.”
Danae’s smile lights up her face, and even Silas’s lips twitch upward slightly.
This is so adorable.
“What is it you wanted to tell us that required all of us to gather here?” Silas asks, his tone measured but genuinely curious.
“Well, my brooding big brother,” I begin, leaning against the desk for dramatic effect. “Now that everyone’s on good terms, I think it’s time we broke out of this little bubble. We’ve all been cooped up in this estate for so long, we just might become one with the furniture.”
Danae laughs, a soft, melodic sound that makes me smile wider. Joseph chuckles too, and even Silas lets out a low, brief laugh.
I can’t help but savor the moment. If at any point I get bored with acting, I might take up a career in comedy, given how easy it is for me to get them to laugh. Especially, Silas…it’s rare to see my brother this relaxed.
“Fair enough,” Silas says, his expression turning thoughtful. “Where do you suggest we go?”
“Well…” I draw the word out, letting the suspense build for just a second. “I’ve got a shoot for an ad back in the city. It’s been scheduled for a while, but honestly, I don’t feel like going alone. So consider this a ‘bring your family to work’ day for me.”
There’s a flicker of amusement in Silas’s eyes, but it’s the slight softening of his posture that catches my attention. “Plus,” I add, my tone growing more serious, “I want you to see what my life looks like.”
Silas nods slowly, a rare moment of understanding passing between us. Joseph gives a small nod of agreement, and when I glance at Danae, her grin is infectious. “Can’t wait,” she says brightly.
The drive into the city is smooth, the hum of the car blending with the soft murmurs of conversation.
My eyes dart around all of them as I drive, Silas in the front passenger seat and Joseph and Danae sitting in the rear, noting the mix of curiosity and anticipation on their faces. It feels good, having them here with me. Like I’m finally sharing a part of myself that’s always felt separate from the rest of the family.
As we get closer to the city, the billboards start to come into view. My face stares back at us from several of them.
I’m not even going to pretend that it doesn’t feel good. I can barely contain the smile forming on my features as I sneak a peek at Danae and catch the surprise in her expression, her eyes widening slightly before a smile spreads across her face.
“Is that you?” she asks, leaning closer to the window for a better look.
“Guilty,” I say, my grin widening.
Silas nods approvingly, a small but significant gesture that makes my chest tighten. It’s not often I get that kind of acknowledgment from him. Even Joseph looks impressed, though he hides it well behind his usual calm demeanor.
We arrive at the studio, and the second we step out of the car, we’re greeted by a swarm of fans. Cameras flash, voices call out my name, and I can feel the excitement buzzing in the air. I flash my most charming smile, posing for a few selfies and signing autographs while trying to keep the crowd at bay.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch the expressions on Silas, Danae, and Joseph’s faces…shock, disbelief, and maybe a hint of amusement. I chuckle to myself.
They’re not used to this side of my world.
“Adriel!” the director calls out as we make our way inside, his face lighting up as he spots me. “You’re here! Fantastic. Let’s get started.” Then his eyes land on my companions, and his jaw practically drops. “Oh my…Are these your guests?”
“Yes,” I say casually, though I’m already bracing for what’s coming next.
“They’re stunning,” he says, still staring. “You all have to join us for the shoot today. Just a few shots. You’d be perfect.”
Danae’s cheeks flush pink, and I can tell she’s both flattered and caught off guard. “That’ll be fun,” I say quickly, trying to deflect. “But they’re just guests today.”
To my surprise, Silas speaks up. “No, let’s do it.”
I blink, turning to him. “Are you serious?”
He shrugs, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I don’t see why not.”
The director looks like Christmas just came early, and I feel a rush of excitement.
This is going to be interesting.
"Alright then!" the director says, clapping his hands together like he’s just struck gold. His energy is infectious, buzzing around the room as he turns to the makeup crew gathered off to the side. “Get them looking glamorous. We’ll start with Adriel and the beautiful lady—so get them ready first.”
I can’t help the chuckle that escapes my lips as the makeup crew springs into action, practically swarming toward us. It’s all so fast-paced, so perfectly chaotic. I’m grinning like an idiot when I catch sight of Silas being escorted by a whole team of artists, their arms loaded with powders, brushes, and palettes. The thought of Silas, Mr. Stoic, sitting still while they dab and blend on his face fuels a kind of maddening humor in me that I can barely contain.
But as I’m being ushered toward my own booth, I glance over and spot Danae. She’s smiling, playing along with all the fuss and excitement, but there’s something in her expression—a flicker of nervousness just barely hidden beneath the surface. It’s small, so subtle, but I see it, and it sticks with me as I let them work on me.
Makeup doesn’t take long—just a few minutes of poking, dabbing, and blending. Before I know it, I’m standing on stage, waiting. And waiting doesn’t last long because then she steps out.
The moment Danae walks onto the stage, my jaw nearly hits the floor. My brain flatlines. For a second, all I can do is stare.
They’ve styled her hair up into this sleek, high bun that frames her face perfectly. It makes her features stand out—her eyes, her cheekbones, her lips—everything just pops. She’s still in the same clothes she showed up in, but the way they’ve styled them? Game-changer. Her shirt’s been rolled up at the waist, showing off a sliver of her toned belly, and her jeans are hugging her like they were custom-made for her curves. It’s ridiculous how good she looks.
By the time I’ve managed to pull myself together, she’s right in front of me on the stage.
“Adriel,” she says, her voice soft, and there’s a little smile playing on her lips. She knows. She can see how stunned I am, and she’s clearly enjoying it.
“Danae, my goodness.” Her name comes out like a prayer as I reach for her hand, pulling her a little closer without even thinking. Her skin feels soft against mine.
“Excellent!” the director yells from somewhere behind the blinding stage lights. His voice cuts through the moment, dragging me back to reality. “That’s the energy I want, guys. Keep that up!”
The photographer steps in, camera already clicking, and starts giving instructions. I move automatically, falling into the rhythm, but then I notice it—a slight tremor in Danae’s hand. It’s so faint I almost miss it, but it’s there. A small, barely-there quiver in her fingers.
“Baby,” I say, my voice low enough that only she can hear me.
At first, she doesn’t respond. Her eyes are fixed on the photographer like she’s determined to follow every instruction to the letter. But then, after a beat, she turns to me. Her wide eyes meet mine, and there’s something so sweet, so endearing about the way she looks at me like she’s unsure if I’m really talking to her.
“Getting a few jitters?” I ask, keeping my tone light and easy.
She swallows, her lips parting slightly before she nods. “Uh-huh, ” she murmurs.
“Don’t worry,” I say, pulling her just a little closer, enough to let her feel my presence. Her body presses against mine, and for a moment, it feels like we’re the only two people in the room. “I’m right here with you.”
Somewhere in the background, I hear the director’s voice barking orders, probably at the photographer. “I hope you’re getting this!” he shouts.
Danae lets out a soft laugh, the sound easing some of the tension in her shoulders. I take the opportunity to lean in, my lips brushing against her ear. “The only reason I’m not kissing you right now is so I don’t ruin your makeup,” I whisper, my voice low and teasing.
She squeezes my hand in response. It’s like she’s grounding herself, finding some stability in me. And I can’t resist anymore—I press a quick kiss to her neck, just a light touch, but enough to make her shiver. When I straighten up, I take another look at her, letting myself take her in fully.
“Better?” I ask, my voice gentle.
She nods, smiling now, the nervousness fading from her face. Together, we turn to the photographer, falling into the flow of poses. I guide her through them, keeping her close, making sure she knows I’m here.
Eventually, I catch sight of Joseph and Silas stepping onto the stage, their makeup done.
The hours blur together in a whirlwind of lights, cameras, and endless poses. Silas, Danae, and Joseph take to the camera surprisingly well, their natural grace and striking features making them instant favorites with the crew.
Joseph, ever the perfectionist, takes the whole thing seriously, adjusting his angles and asking for feedback between takes. Silas, on the other hand, surprises everyone…including me. He’s a natural in front of the camera, his usual intensity translating into a magnetic presence that’s impossible to look away from.
“Are you sure you haven’t done this before?” the director asks him, half joking but clearly impressed.
“No,” Silas says simply, but there’s a hint of amusement in his tone.
I watch them all with a mix of pride and awe. Seeing them here, in my world, sharing this experience with me…it’s more than I ever hoped for.
By the time the director finally calls out, “And that’s a wrap,” we’re all exhausted. Silas stretches his arms, his usual stoicism giving way to a rare moment of relaxation. Danae flops onto a nearby couch, her laughter soft but genuine. Joseph leans against a wall, his expression one of quiet satisfaction.
“I take it back everything I’ve ever thought about models,” Danae says, her voice teasing but sincere. “This job isn’t as easy as it looks.”
“Not even close,” Joseph agrees, running a hand through his hair. “Posing for hours is hard work.”
Silas nods, his gaze meeting mine. “You’ve earned your place here, Adriel. This isn’t just a hobby…it’s real work. And you’re good at it.”
His words hit me in parts of me I haven't felt in ages, a surge of fulfillment and joy flooding my chest. For so long, I’ve felt like my work was something separate from the family, something they didn’t quite understand. But hearing Silas acknowledge it like this…it means everything.
“Thanks,” I say, my voice softer than usual. “That means a lot.”
As we pile back into the car, the city lights glowing around us, I can’t help but smile to myself. Sharing this part of my life with them, seeing their surprise, their respect. It’s a feeling I’ll hold onto for a long time.