Alfonso and Andrew's First Family Photoshoot

Andrew's heart drummed a hundred beats per minute as he paced in the limited space of his apartment floor. He could not understand why he felt so nervous for a simple thing as a family photo shoot. He glanced at the mirror and inspected his attire: a formal black suit and pieces of silver accessories. He realized that if he wore his earpiece and held some pieces of documents in his hand, he would already be Secretary Andrew. And that thought made him more nervous somehow. Ugh.

He changed into the navy-blue suit that Allen gave him which gave made him look more casual and fun. His thoughts wondered to what pose rich families make for this type of thing. Do they smile? Do they throw a peace sign? Or do they do that thing where they fake a laugh and bent down just a little to look like their having the time of their lives. Andrew was a at a loss. And he remembered that he forgot something.

Ah. He forgot that he should be feeling nervous. Which caused him to pace again. He would've never stepped out of his apartment if a knock on his door didn't interrupt him.

He opened the door and a handsome Allen with a warm smile on his stupid face shone on him. He was in brown and slim suit and tie. It was rare of him to wear a color outside of the black and gray spectrum. Allen was a sight to look at. He was still a jerk though.

"What's with the grin, jerk?" Andrew leaned on the doorframe. Fixated on Allen's earnest expression.

Allen chuckled and replied, "I'm just happy. Come on, our family's waiting."

Allen cleared his throat. There was a hint of red on his cheeks. He side-eyed Andrew, embarrassed by the stare he was receiving.

He grabbed Andrew by the hand and excitedly pulled him out his apartment. Today, it was Allen who was in the driver's seat. Andrew couldn't help but recall the night their relationship changed forever when Allen drove him for the first time. He never noticed the handsome profile of his boss. Ah, because the bastard never drove for Andrew. Jerk.

"There's a business trip next Friday," Allen segued into conversation. "It's with an energy cooperative in Bicol. We could visit some sights on the way, would you like that?"

Andrew nodded at Allen's veiled attempts in getting him to travel. It was amusing yet generous of him to do so.

As they approached the studio, Luiz was already waiting by the front. He spotted them from afar, he perked up and dashed back inside. By the time they stopped by the entrance, the whole Lopez family was gathered and waiting with joyous grins.

"You are finally here, deary." Mrs. Lopez had been trying out several terms of endearment ever since he had confessed. It was weird but Andrew didn't stop her. She herself was dressed in a white Filipinana finished by a shawl pinned together by a gold brooch on her chest. She pulled him out of his car seat and embraced him tightly. Her smile was radiant.

Luiz, in a bespoke gray suit, flashed him a teasing smirk. His hair was slicked back, and the round spectacles he usually donned were gone. He seemed to be in the mood to tease Andrew today. Even Mr. Lopez joined in. The words 'Ravishing' and 'Handsome' were thrown around. The ease at which they had bantered wasn't left amiss with Andrew. They were more acting like a family these days.

Andrew knew it was difficult for Mr. and Mrs. Lopez who admitted that they weren't used to being present in the lives of their children. Yet here they were, collected together sharing laughter between them.

Mrs. Lopez caught his gaze. They both paused as she seemed to share his sentiment.

They entered the intimate studio. There was a white backdrop affixed in the center with lights and equipment circled around it.

"We did some photographs earlier." Luiz jerked his head towards a set of computers on the side. The staff was browsing through a couple of shots of the parents, and then the joined by Luiz.

The photographer approached them with a smile and a camera on his hand. "We're taking photos for each son with the parent, er— Mr. Allen, if you would join your parents?"

Allen nodded and he followed Mr. and Mrs. Lopez. He stood with a serious expression between his smiling parents. Andrew slid behind the photographer to observe. After a couple of shots, he scratched his head with his brows knitted in frustration.

"Mr. Allen, could we maybe get a happy expression this time around? Something light and breezy."

Allen nodded, but the photographer mumbled something that only reached Andrew's gossip-trained ear.

"Who said the constipated look was the new smile?"

Andrew guffawed then laughed at Allen. Their eyes met and Allen's lips curved into a smile. They did not notice the camera flashes as the photographer captured this rare moment. When he was satisfied, Allen stepped out and Andrew joined him by the monitors.

"Supermodel of the world," Andrew teased him.

"Let us see if you could do better," Allen retorted.

Andrew rolled his eyes and was about to dish out some sick burns when the photographer called him. He turned around and he was met with the waiting faces of the staff. The photographer gestured for him to join Mr. and Mrs. Lopez, who waved their hands for him to come.

"Sorry, there seems to be a misunderstanding. I get this a lot since I look better than Allen, but I'm not a family member," Andrew clarified. "I'm not a Lopez, but I'll be just joining in some of the candid family shots later."

Allen a heavy sigh. He puts his around on Andrew's shoulder and lead him to the setup. Andrew plants his feet on the ground, but Mrs. Lopez pulls him closer to them.

"You are practically family by now," mumbled Mr. Lopez. Andrew glanced at him, and he was offered smile. He nodded his head towards the camera and Andrew does his best to stand straight. He was unfamiliar with the spotlight and awkwardness radiated off him. He couldn't remember how to smile. His nerves were back.

"Another weird one," the photographer whispered.

Andrew blushed. Confusion was written all over his face. His hands fumbled where they should be placed until Mrs. Lopez finally took pity on him. She requested two chairs for her and her husband. They sat on both sides with their heads resting on Andrew's stiff shoulder. They enveloped Andrew in a big embrace.

"This candid style is much more like you," Mr. Lopez said. "Only Luiz likes those formal shoots anyway."

"This way, whenever you see this photo, you'll know that we've welcomed you into this family and that we also rely on you," added Mrs. Lopez.

Andrew chuckled at her cheesy comment even though there was a faint blush on his cheeks. After their shot, they all gathered for the family photo. Everyone eased into it and Andrew honestly had a good time.

Staring into his photos at the monitor, he couldn't help but compliment himself. He looked ravishing. Allen was little bit too angry to be handsome, but he looks okay.

"You're insulting me right now, aren't you?" Allen whispered into his ear with a knowing smile. "You have the same expression when I make some mistake, or I don't understand a pop culture reference."

He was yet again about to lay a sick burn on Allen when the photographer cut him off.

"Would you like to take some couple shots together?" He asked with a grin.

Andrew cringed on the inside but flashed a professional smile outside. Couple shots are the worst. Besides, they've already collected massive amounts of photos together on their business trips.

"We'd love to." Allen agreed on their behalf which left Andrew surprised.

"What the fu—" Allen held his hand and dragged him to the center.

Andrew tried to pull his hand away, but Allen didn't let go. They stood side-by-side. Andrew shook off any weariness and smiled. The secretary Andrew five years ago would have had his heart pounding relentlessly if Allen held his hand this possessively as they took that anniversary photo. But now, Andrew was unsure of himself his feelings. This was all pretend, wasn't it?

Shit. Andrew hoped the warm feeling in his cheeks wasn't a blush. He looked up at Allen who was also red-cheeked.

"I can't take this anymore," Allen said. He let go of Andrew's hand and stepped out of the set, rubbing the tip of his nose in embarrassment. Andrew followed him, but Mrs. Lopez stopped Allen.

"We need to take a portrait for you," she said.

"What for? I have plenty of professional photos already."

"You need another photo that we can use when we announce you as CEO." Her words had an obvious effect on Allen's mood. His face became sullen, and it was like the cold, upfront Allen from a year ago washed over him. The abrupt and obvious change was unnoticed by the aggressive Mrs. Lopez.

They caught each other's eyes.

Andrew thought Allen wouldn't do it. He wanted Allen not to do it, but at this moment, fear overtook him because he could not read what Allen was thinking. Allen walked back to the set as instructed.

Mrs. Lopez gushed over their Future CEO, but Mr. Lopez was not reacting. Andrew found this strange as Allen had mentioned they were inclined to ask his opinion. Andrew glanced at Luiz, worried.

"Mrs. Lopez," Andrew called her. "Will Allen really take over as CEO someday?"

Mrs. Lopez chuckled at him. "Of course, he will. We have full confidence that Allen will lead Lopez Co. into a great transformation. Why we've heard from the grapevine that the change has already started inside the company."

Andrew bit his lip. Why hasn't Allen said anything to him? If Andrew knew that their project to help the company would only have a negative impact on Allen's dreams. He would have never pushed through it.

Andrew stilled.

The thought that he wouldn't help those in need for Allen's sake… He could not fathom how it even passed through his mind.

"Have you asked him?" Andrew asked in a hushed tone.

"It is quite obvious already, is it not?" Mrs. Lopez replied, amused by Andrew's questioning. "Who else can take their dad's position if not Allen?"

"What about me?" Luiz's venomous voice silenced the whole studio.

He had his hands curled into tight fists by his sides. Anger poured out in waves from his stance alone. His furious were also mixed with a feeling of betrayal and hurt.

"Have you ever considered that you also have another child? Do you think so lowly of me that the only choice you have is Allen? Am I that pathetic in your eyes?"

"Luiz," Mr. Lopez stepped forward, but Luiz's harsh words stopped him.

"Do not come near me," he exclaimed. "You both are pathetic. He does not even want the position yet you two are shoving it into his mouth. But you are right, mom. There is no other choice beside him, isn't it?"

"He has worked diligently for the past years," said Mrs. Lopez, weakly. It was a feeble attempt at peace.

"I have worked diligently," said Luiz, furious of not being seen. "I have studied day and night endlessly, so do not insinuate that I have worked less than any member of this family. And I am not downplaying the work brother has put into the company."

"Son," Mr. Lopez tried to appease him, which only made him livid.

"You keep saying to him—" Luiz juts a finger at Andrew "—that you love us. That you are trying to change. That you want us to be a family. How can you honestly say that when you are not even giving us a chance on how to live our lives? We are not business investments that you can hone and control. We are not puppets—we are your sons!"

Luiz stormed out and everyone was too stunned to react. Outside they could hear the roar of Luiz's car driving off until it was barely a whisper. Allen appeared by their Mr. and Mrs. Lopez's side.

"We should wrap up for today," said Allen. "I'll try to give him some time then talk to him. I know the spots he frequents. You two should wait back home just in case he comes back."

Mrs. Lopez shakes his head. "No, we also want to talk to him. He's right. We were too focused on the distance between us and assuming that Luiz was alright that I have ignored his needs. This is my fault, and I should talk to him."

"I also share the blame in this," Mr. Lopez added. "I am his father and I have neglected him just as much. But as much as we want to go. We have to take care of our studio appointment here."

Allen glanced at Andrew and their eyes met. Andrew nodded.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lopez, you can go now," said Andrew with an empathetic smile. "I'll take care of the things here. Just promise me that you will listen to Luiz with an open mind. Don't think about anything else aside from Luiz and Allen's happiness."

Her gaze on Andrew was muddled with doubt. Though it was justified. To them, Alfonso was a good-for-nothing person with no workplace skills. But Mr. Lopez clasped her hands in his and gave her an assuring nod. She let out a held breath and turned to Andrew.

"Then Alfonso, we will leave it up to you."

Andrew had expected a lot more argument, but he didn't want to delay them any longer. He watched their retreating backs as they left, an unsure family of four, shaken. He hoped they would finally sit down and talk.

He spun and grinned at the lost-looking staff. It was probably their first Lopez workplace drama, poor things. Good thing he had brought his work bag. Even on rest days he was still doing secretarial work