Chapter 22

The Lies Between Us

22 – Don't Play With Me

"Yeah, we can meet tomorrow...hmm, another dance off? You sure about that?"

Tait listens as Lisie smiles talking to someone on the phone. They were now driving back to the barn house because Soo had let her best friend know it's time to go.

Their talk by the sea went well. He thought since that he was being honest to her then it meant he's expressed himself genuinely towards her. Still, he couldn't help himself but to feel selfish.

"You owe me a latte." She giggles softly. "No I did not! You lost to me."

Tait was starting to get annoyed. She's been on the phone just minutes after they left the beach that he's about to to think she's actually talking to a suitor. At first, he thought she was talking to Saint, but then she started talking about dancing and showing off so he canceled that thought. Saint doesn't look like the type to enjoy dance offs plus he saw him trying his best to shake his ass at the director's party only to fail miserably so it's definitely not him.

The words he told her about the outcomes of her decision was a bit half-hearted on his part. Especially the option where he's willing to be just a friend. It was hard saying those words because he knows it would crush his ego if she completely turns him down.

Call him a hypocrite but the minute he finds out there's another guy to even attempt to challenge his pursuit of Lisie, then he'll definitely play dirty.

His knuckles turned white holding the steering wheel driving a hundred and fifty. He was so focused on the torture the other poor guy will get from him inside his head when Lisie yelled at him.

"Tait, slow down!"

His right foot settled quickly on the middle while shifting gears. The speedometer tick went down to 90 calming down his passenger.

"What's your problem?" Lisie frantically asked to which Tait apologized quickly.

"Don't worry, I won't let us crash." He persuaded. He noticed she wasn't anymore talking to her phone. Instead, she's taking slow deep breaths while closing her eyes. This made him decide to go even slower.

How he hated driving down at 80. He took another deep breath trying to keep a straight face when he thought he's so willing to give in to anything and everything she wants.

When he saw Lisie finally calming down clutching his jacket, questions poured in his mind. Ever since he admitted his feelings to her, he's been hesitant to ask things that might make her think he's too much too smitten.

Not that it's false, it's just that, he's shy about it.

"So, uh...how's Saint?" Tait asked. He didn't need to look at her to know that she's raising a brow.

"You're asking about Saint?"

"Mhmm."

Tait waited patiently hoping to get a hint about that last phone call.

"He's busy doing his final paper. When I don't have a lot for a day, he'll make the most of it by drowning himself with research. He's about to get a master's degree, you know?" Lisie narrated proud of her friend/assistant/bodyguard.

"Ah..."Tait nodded like he's interested. Zero mention of dancing.

Now he knows she's talking to someone else.

"That's great to hear."

"Yeah." Lisie smiled hugging herself very much comforted by his jacket that smells so much like him.

"How about you?"

Tait pouted. He's not quite done with his little rival inspection and she's already changing the subject.

"What have you been up to these days besides hunting?"

Tait shrugged. "I don't look like it but I'm a boring person."

"No, I don't think that's true. I think you show everyone less than what they give you credit for."

He thought he'd disagree. In front of the camera, sure he's pretty interesting but in real life, he's not so much far as different as other boys. But thinking about it, he thought some of his hobbies are interesting. "I'm into photography these days." He admitted recalling the days he spent splurging on expensive cameras just to reach his own standard. "Canada has such amazing views but for me, nothing beats New Zealand."

Speaking about New Zealand has made him remember the texts he sent to her. And just as he was thinking it, he bit back a smile when he took a glimpse of her blushing. Her skin looks and feels soft and fragile like expensive porcelain that any color that touches her cheek would get anyone's attention.

He didn't want her to keep quiet for the rest of the trip. So, he asked about other things.

"So what comes after the clubbing phase?" Tait's question made Lisie think for a second before she finally understood what he meant.

"Have you got any new hobbies? Gardening? Vlogging?...Dancing?" Tait added getting nosier.

He felt her eyes latch on him not tracing anything about him investigating her "other" man.

"I've always loved dancing. It makes me relax." She replied shortly.

Tait waited for her to support her answer but nothing came. She didn't bother giving him any details like where she goes to dance, how often does she do it and mostly, there was no clue as to who she goes dancing with.

They got back to the barn house with Soo giving him a strange look. As soon as the two of them got off the car, Nash's arm went around his neck for a head lock.

"Thought you said you wanted to be alone tonight?" Nash smirked playfully not letting his superstar client-turned-friend go.

"Get off me!" Tait pulled his arm away.

"You dawg," Nash laughed.

When Soo cleared her throat, the boys behaved like boarding school prep students caught by their prefects.

"Thanks for bringing my friend back unscathed." Soo managed to give Tait a diplomatic smile. "I'm going to expect this same wholesome behavior from you for the coming days, Mr. Kingston. Otherwise, it's best you stay away."

"Soo!" Lisie tugged Soo's arm to stop her from saying anything more.

"Babe?" Nash looked at his girlfriend like they've already talked about these matters.

"What? I'm just protecting my celebrity so make sure you keep a leash on yours." She retorted tossing her hair.

"It's okay Nash, I understand where she's coming from." Tait said in his defense. "As for the attitude, I can't promise I wouldn't get cocky. And as for Lily...I'll try my best to keep my hands to myself – that is if I can... considering she's the hottest girl in the country." He whistled.

"What did you say?" Soo was about to snap at him but Lisie was already holding her arm.

"Woops, did I say that last part out loud?" Tait teased, amused at the reaction he's getting.

"I'm sure he's just kidding, Soo." Lisie said while glaring at Tait who just shrugged.

"Bro, I swear if she decides to kill you, I won't be stopping her." Nash grunted.

Tait rolled his eyes. "Fine, I'll behave." He sighed looking at Lisie with another promise in his mind.

"I'll see you in Star Avenue, Lily." Tait waved as Lisie gave him her friendliest smile before getting inside Soo's car.

...........

The next days after that came like a raging storm with Comic Con officially launching the promotions. Tait was already expecting life to be like this for him since he's been at it since he was 5. The amount of people assisting him in their hotel room was more or less twenty people – all of them he's already familiar with. He made sure he knew their faces because the last time he was inside a hotel room with strangers, he ended up drugged and robbed by his own girlfriend who, up until now, was still acting innocent about everything.

When he requested Nash to double his security, his manager didn't even question his sudden decision. And he was very thankful for that.

He was getting his hair done in front of his vanity mirror spinning his phone in his hand, thinking about Lisie. He had texted her earlier that morning to check her condition or if there's paparazzi tailing her but the girl replies dryly. She will only answer with one word replies that makes him anxious because he's worried about her.

"Yul," He called his friend who was also busy with his phone doing online shopping.

"Hmm..."

"I want to ask you about Lily."

Tait saw the slight raise of brow on his hairstylist's groovy face in the mirror. He knew he'd be listening since he mentioned a girl's name. He's used to people always putting their noses to his business. But of course the staff around him wouldn't catch on quickly who Lily is because as far as he knows, he's the only one who calls Lisie Moore that nickname.

"Who?" Yul asked dismissively.

Tait stood up smiling handsomely at his stylist. "I think we're good here. Thanks, Ian." He gave the staff a gentle squeeze on the arm before going over to his friend. He sat beside him on the couch and reached for a bottled water.

"You think she's seeing someone?" He muttered lowly.

"Um, who are we talking about?" Yul acted dumb still busy with his phone. Tait had had it and he snatched Yul's phone from his hands.

"What have you heard from Lisie while I was away? Did Saint mention anything or anyone?" Tait persuaded facing Yul who was tight lipped.

"Mm..."

"What?" Tait's glare was starting to scare Yul and it was a good thing Nash came in and interrupted them. "I knew you and Saint are close, I want to get his number to check on her but that dude's part satanic."

"Tait, you ready?" Nash asked his powerful voice impossible to ignore.

Yul sighed in relief when Tait let him go.

"We'll talk later."

"Yep."

Keeping the other one on the dark was already difficult to deal with and he didn't want to put his acting skills in front of a real actor again. The truth will come out soon no matter how long Yul prolongs it to be. He knew it will only take days especially when that look on Tait's face screams determination.

...................

Hayes was having a wonderful day. Although he knew he won't be seeing her today, he was feeling all the good luck because the old lady from the flower shop said some good things about him being a gentleman. And that whoever receives the lovely flowers will surely felt his good intentions.

Me:

On the scale of 1-10, how excellent u think today's gonna be liek with 10 being the highest?

Elleeeeeeeeeee:

6 because I'm going to hell today (fire emoji)

Hayes laughed. He hasn't given much thought about how he'd pursue her but he's sure he's quite smitten. He's dated a few girls before and never did he felt a connection as strong as this one with Elle.

They've only met for a couple of days and those days it was a bliss. Elle is an extraordinary girl and she deserves the world. Although, he's not sure about why sometimes she feels so distant despite her contagious laugh and bubbly personality, he wanted a shot with her.

Me:

I'm sure you'll make it out of hell since you belong to the heavens ;)

Elleeeeeeeeeee:

Oh staaaahp XD

Hayes smirked at her reply. The times he spent with her, he found out she loves dancing, photography, sweet potatoes and that makeup was her obsession before all the fame. But Hayes hasn't really know a lot and he's been tempted to search her name in the internet but he figured that will only ruin the excitement.

But he's just really curious.

Me:

Um, whyd u think u'd be in hell today tho

It took her a while to reply but after five minutes...

Elleeeeeeeeeee:

I'm attending my movie's presscon :|

Oh.

"Presscon huh?" Hayes pursed his lips remembering Tait mentioning something about a Comic Con today.

He doesn't normally google Tait but out of curiosity, he searched his name.

And in a flash, his heart raced when he saw her name linked on his best friend's.

Tait Kingston arrives with the rest of the Princetown casts in this year's Comic Con.

It was a normal caption but the photo was enough for Hayes to put the puzzle pieces together.

"You're such a talented guy Hayes," Lisie praised him one time walking out the gym.

"Thanks but I know that already." Hayes boosted himself up confidently making Lisie's smile brighter.

"You're nice and sweet and I just wished I met you sooner." She blurted out nervously making Hayes curious. Before he could ask, she beat him to it.

"Forget what I said. It's already in the past." She shrugged walking ahead of him.

Did she, perhaps, get her heart broken? He asked himself. He's got girl friends and he could feel it whenever they were still hung up on the guy. This vibe he's getting from Elle is not that different from his friends. And although she's got that outgoing personality, Elle doesn't open up much.

Hayes gritted his teeth looking at Tait and Elle's photo at the Comic Con standing closely with each other – his hands tight on her waist. He doesn't know it yet but as soon as he finds out he's up against his own best friend in getting Elle's heart, then may the best man win.

..............

Question: Do you want to be assassins in real life?

Tait smirked turning to Jeremy and Ed when the question was directed to them. It sure feels good to see their fans cheering for them so passionately. He almost forgot what it feels like being adored by fans because he doesn't usually go out publicly these days. The minute his shoes touched the red carpet, the sound of the fans screaming brought back old memories.

Back then, he'd hype up everyone by taking selfies and chatting with them, but now, he just waved and smiled.

"I think it would be really dangerous to be an assassin." Ed replied to the question while Jeremy's answer was 100 percent true.

"I'd rather be an assassin in virtual games than in real life hehe." Jeremy chuckles without any pretensions.

Question: How did all of you film the intense scenes and who's the one that jokes around and livens the atmosphere during filming? For Lisie, how different is acting than modeling? Did you have a hard time adjusting or was the transition smooth?

Tait turned his head towards the person beside him. He was a bit concerned about the questions that he personally went to the staff to check the questions directed at Lisie.

"Most of the guys here are really serious so it's usually me who pulls the pranks." Jim answered and the director even added some supporting details like one time when Jeremy pranked Lisie by changing her hair extensions from blonde to blue.

"Yeah and when there are big scenes that require extreme emotions, I don't think there's a particular way to handle it because each actor is different." Tait seconded.

"I agree and if you guys want to know Tait is quite the method actor." Ed chirped in.

"I'm not that intense."

"Psh."

The host turned to Lisie. "Lisie?"

"Well, modeling and acting are two different things but I didn't feel like it's a big change to put my shoes into acting. I've always wanted to act so I think it was easy for me."

Tait leaned forward on the table listening intently to the next question.

Question: For Tait, how was it coming back to acting after 2 years?

"It was...painful." He admitted meeting Lisie's eyes shortly. "Honestly, I thought I'd stay a lot longer out of the country so it's a difficult decision but I have connections with the producer and it was hard to say no. You guys've seen me grow up in TV and just like what Lil-Lisie said," He cleared his throat then continues, "for me it's not that big of a deal. So for your question, I guess I'm doing great."

"You're always great, man." Jeremy sent him finger hearts from the other side of the panel table.

Question: What was the most memorable moment between the cast?

It was the director who answered that question.

"I think for that one, the wedding scene was actually the most emotional and memorable scene because I think everyone who's part of the main cast was there and it was filmed on the last day..."

Tait bit his lip agreeing with the director that it was indeed a memorable but sad day. He wasn't looking at Lisie but he could see her hands clasp tightly on her lap under the table. He wanted so much to comfort her and hold her hand and tell her how sorry he is but he knows she doesn't need that now especially not from him.

"And fun fact...I don't think the actors know this but the guy playing the priest was a real pastor."

"What?" Ed was almost in hyterics like he was so entertained by that fact.

Tait and Lisie reacted the same sending piercing looks towards the director.

"Yeah, so you two...you're like married." The director giggled making the fans cheer wildly while Jeremy whistled not wanting to tease the couple although he wanted to.

Tait only shook his head. Lisie wasn't reacting much either and she's just smiling and whispering things to Ed probably wanting him to shut up.

After that question, the next batch all came in directly towards Tait and Lis.

Question: Are there any lines that inspired both of you? Did you feel any connection with the characters you played?

Tait looked at Lisie and she asked him to go first.

"Okay, so there's this line in the movie when Vaia told Abe, and no it's not a spoiler, she says:

'how can a person like him love when he's done unforgivable things? Would I love him still...tatata...' that line was my inspiration to play Abe. I always think of him from Vaia's perspective and you guys all know how ruthless Abe is from her mind." Tait rolls his eyes.

"You are really ruthless. You and Abe are almost alike except for the bloodlust part." Lisie commented.

Tait pursed his lip sexily wanting to add the part that he's almost as obsessed with her as much as Abe's obsession of Vaia.

"I think for me, I connected with Vaia a lot while reading the script." Lisie answered. "What drew me into her was her resilience while a lot of things was going on in her life. So I somehow relate to that."

Question: Since everyone were overwhelmed with the chemistry you have in the movie, is there any special feelings you felt while you were filming?

Tait sighed clenching his jaw when that question wasn't struck out the list. He was about to tell the host to move on the next one when Lisie answered it herself.

"As the newbie, I think what happened while filming and the relationship between the actors were all special in some way."

Tait leaned back in his chair his body facing Lisie like he's waiting for her to get out of this one successfully. Only, his body language challenged her more.

"I had a lot of scenes with Tait and he's a bit weird but I think he's also a very responsible guy and I thought I never met a guy as hard-working as he is. So yeah, he's special to me." She smiles making Tait's heart flutter.

He shook his head twisting his seat back in front. "Next question."

He looked at her doubtingly making her smile playfully at him, "What? You're welcome!" She whispered.

Question: Will there be a chance for the fans to see the two of you again in a movie or series?

The director answered the last one.

"You'll find out soon after seeing the movie this Wednesday."

After the question and answers with fans, the cast moved to another room for media interviews to promote the movie. Tait was too tired to do anything and his consolation was tonight's party. He pushed himself to act like he's enjoying the next interviews with Magazines and Studio companies but the questions started getting repeated over and over again.

At one interview when he and Lisie got to sit next to each other again, he couldn't help himself but joke with her.

"So when are we going to make out in public?" He whispered lowly while Jeremy was answering the Italian reporter's questions. Tait knew it's about time dating news between them will fire out but he has no idea how their publicists would do it. He thought about pda with Lisie but then he's really scared of what Soo could do to him.

"This Saturday, at 4pm." Lisie replied flatly shocking Tait.

"So there's really a schedule for that?"

"Uhuh."

"Fuck yes."

"Tait! I was kidding." Lisie bit her lip.

Tait groaned distracting Jim.

"But, no, I was actually serious." Lisie giggled making Tait turn his attention fully at her.

"Don't play with me."

Lisie stuck her tongue out.

Maybe if they weren't doing an interview, he'd punish her for being naughty.

"Pssht, guys..." Ed called their attention.

"Please don't mind those two, they just wanted attention." Jim snorted scowling at them when he turned away from the camera. "So as I was saying..."

Jim ended up enjoying the interviews while the rest of the cast were putting their acting skills up front.

Everyone seemed to relax especially when they reached the after party

...................

"I want to say man, you're probably feeling lucky since finding out that wedding was officiated by a real priest." Ed laughed not able to contain his amusement when he saw both Tait and Lis' reactions earlier. For Tait, it wasn't much of a big deal since the real couple who was married was Abe and Vaia, but he had to admit that wedding felt real to him too. 

"I don't tease my costars a lot but I'd put my money on you two." Ed raised his glass.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Tait scoffed drinking champagne.

"Oh fucking lose the mask, Kingston. You ain't a bad boy and stop trying to be the sad boy either." Ed exclaimed.

Tait seemed to relax at that. Maybe he could really trust Ed after all. "Well...I'm a simp that's for sure."

"Now you're talking."

They talked more about girls and their upcoming premiere when some socialites asked for a photo. Tait's eyes surveyed for security and when he found Yul nearby talking to old business people, he gave in to the photo op.

The girls wanted to sit and chat with them but he politely declined their offer. They look real beautiful but, he's simply not interested. He looked back to where Lisie is, talking to Jane and some of her model friends. When he turned back to Ed, the guy was giving him the creepy look.

"Oh man, I wish my girl's here."

"A lot of your girls are here." Tait provoked his eyes going back on Lisie.

"It's a good thing Jimmy went home, he's another hopeless romantic. I don't think I could handle it. I might ask Nira to marry me." Ed wailed letting his head fall at the back of the couch. "Sometimes I think I do want to marry her because I don't want any other guys bothering her while we're miles apart."

"Tch. You? When did you become so loyal?" Tait chuckled not believing the words coming from Ed's mouth.

"Dude, come on. If someone like you could move on from your ex then a player like me can also get serious. And speaking of, you're serious with her, right?" Ed tilted his head to Lisie's direction.

"Why are you even asking?"

"Well, if I may say, I think you need to watch out now that I heard someone's taking a liking to your muse."

Tait's mischievous eyes turns into a glare when his assumptions were now proven correct.

"You're not the only one serious about her."

"Give me the fucking name."

"I don't know the name but maybe you do because Jacey told me this guy lives in a penthouse in Silver Lake." Ed put his arm around his shoulders when a camera from the media was being pointed at them. Ed smiled while Tait's face remained aloof.

Tait's brow furrowed. There isn't much residential penthouses around Silver Lake.

"Did he say what building?"

"Hmm...I think it was in the Hyatt."

That can't be. Because the person who lives in the penthouse of the most expensive residential condominium in Silver Lake was him, Jimmy... and Hayes.

"....another dance off? You sure about that?"

Lisie's words that night in the car flashed back to his memory and slowly, the puzzle was adding up.

Ed asked him if he was okay when he suddenly massaged both his temples.

"Are you drunk already?" Ed asked signaling Yul to come.

This can't be. That other guy can't be Hayes.

To Be Continued...

A/N

It's the men not women who gossips the most XD

In tagalog, there's a word for that and it's: Chismoso~