Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

Lara sat quietly in the sterile boardroom and listened closely.

“She’s very responsible.” Ben said. “Never been in any trouble. Straight As at school. She’s about to start college.”

“Yes, but can we trust her?”

“I wouldn’t have brought her here if we couldn’t trust her. She’s been briefed about it already and I know she can do the job.” Ben replied swiftly.

“What did you brief her about exactly?” The voice sounded slightly nervous.

“Just the basics.” Ben suddenly looked impatient. “I don’t know why we’re still going over this. We’re wasting time, when we need to act now.”

Lara sat there listening to the men talk about her as if she weren’t sitting in the same room.

“So what do you think Lara?” Ben suddenly asked. She paused before replying.

“I’m a bit unsure about what the expectations are.”

“Naturally we’ll go through the conditions of the contract. And you’re welcome to ask as many questions as you like.”

She nodded apprehensively.

“What more could you want?” Ben said. “She’s not a celebrity, attractive, nice, reliable. She fits the bill perfectly.”

“Lara, you do realise that confidentially plays a gigantic part in this whole exercise?” The man turned to Lara, ignoring Ben.

“Yes, of course.” Lara said.

“And in return we’ll be happy to pay your college fees upfront as well as your living expenses.”

Lara nodded, feeling a little lightheaded all of a sudden.

“I think it’s time to get down to business.” Ben smiled. He gestured for the door to open.

Harry Styles appeared at the door as though he had been standing there all along. Lara’s eyes raked over him, taking in his long curly hair pulled back by a bandana, his tight jeans and scuffed Chelsea boots. She had seen him in person from afar a couple of times before but they had never talked. She felt a little intimidated when his gaze fell upon her. He seemed to be assessing her, and she felt her cheeks flush pink as she crossed her arms nervously.

He turned his attention to Ben and the management team that sat around the table, and made a point of shaking everyone’s hand and greeting them all personally.

“Harry, I’d like to introduce you to Lara.” Ben said brightly.

Harry politely shook her hand.

“So you’re the new girlfriend are you?” He asked with a smirk.

Lara cleared her throat.

“I guess I am.” She said in a tiny voice. Harry sat down in the chair next to her, stretching out his long legs and looking up expectantly.

“Right then, what’s the story?” He asked.

Notes