Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

A week had passed and Lara had survived a mammoth meeting with Harry’s lawyers nutting out the contract and its expectations. It was enough to make her head spin, so she was grateful when they let her have a few days to herself before the plan was put into action. She had already moved out of her poky apartment and into Ben’s small flat in the interim.

“You won’t be living with Harry just yet.” They told her and she had looked up at them in surprise.

“You mean I will eventually?” She asked.

“Maybe, but it’s too early to decide. It wouldn’t look convincing if you were revealed to be living with him so early on in the relationship.” Julian had told her. She could not help but notice Harry look noticeably relieved.

It was a rainy winter’s day and Lara’s first day on the job. She emerged from her bedroom to find Harry, Julian and Ben waiting for her.

“We’ll have to call Janie.” Ben muttered to Julian.

“Who’s Janie?” Lara asked.

“The band stylist.” Ben answered.

Harry laughed, but stopped when Lara shot him a withering look.

“Sorry.” He said

“What’s wrong with the way I look?” Lara looked down at her outfit. She had slipped on a pair of black jeans and boots, and a bulky beige coat, her long hair neatly combed.

“Nothing, nothing at all.” Julian said, shooting an annoyed look at Ben. “It’s just to give you the final touch. A new hairstyle, new clothes. Make up. You are wearing makeup aren’t you?”

Lara’s hand self-consciously touched her cheek.

“No. Should I?”

Julian sighed.

“No, no need for it. Not for today anyway. We know you both haven’t had a chance to get acquainted, so today’s exercise is pretty easy.” Julian looked at Harry. “You know the drill. Walk in and walk out. Take your time with it. We don’t want you looking too rushed.”

“They’ve been briefed already.” Ben said. He clapped his hands. “Okay, let’s get this show on the road!”

Harry rolled his eyes as they were led to the car, and driven through the streets of London. The deluge of rain they had experienced that morning had stopped, but ominous grey clouds still loomed in the distance.

“Hopefully we can get this over and done with before the rain comes.” Julian murmured, half to himself.

Lara and Harry sat in silence, staring out the window at the passing blur of people, buildings and cars. They arrived at Hyde Park and dutifully scrambled out of the car.

“Okay, good luck. Remember the brief.” Ben said unnecessarily. Lara and Harry eyed him silently, and turned to walk through the gates. In a way the rain had been their saving grace as there were not many people around. There were only a few dog walkers and joggers who barely looked their way. Without thinking Lara moved to walk on her own before Harry pulled her back.

“Er, I think they want us to walk together.” He said. “You know, side by side.”

Lara’s breath hitched as he took her hand. She had never been so close to a boy before. She had experienced the usual boy crushes and flirtations, but nothing had ever progressed from there. Eighteen, and never held a boy’s hand, let alone been kissed. How ironic that the first time it happens it’s not even for real, she wryly thought to herself. Together they made their first tentative steps together as a couple.

“Shit, it’s cold.” Harry murmured.

“Your hand’s warm.” Lara said and instantly felt embarrassed.

“Is it? I feel like I’m freezing.” Harry said

“Me too.” Lara agreed. “They sure chose a great day to do this.”

“Do you mind if I do this?” He reached around her waist and placed his hand in her pocket.

“No.” She said although she could not help but feel her body tense up.

“Hey, just relax. I’m not going to bite.” Harry said.

They walked in silence and before very long they could see the paparazzi seemingly appear out of nowhere, scurrying around to get the best shot of the couple. Lara’s first instinct was to pick up the pace to try and avoid them.

“Slow down, slow down.” Harry admonished gently. “They need to get their shot.”

Lara took a breath and allowed herself to relax in Harry’s embrace as they continued to stroll down the path. She had been instructed to ignore the cameras and to not smile directly at them. These were meant to be candid shots and they were not to give the impression that any of this was planned. The photographers were closer than she thought they were going to be and were brazenly calling out.

“Hey Harry, who’s the girl?” One called.

“What’s her name Harry?”

“You’ve done well mate!”

“Just ignore them.” Harry said when he caught her trying to steal a glance at them. He pulled her closer and in a strange way she felt protected in his firm embrace as they continued to walk.

“Watch the puddle.” Harry called, just as Lara’s foot splashed in a deceptively deep pool of water. She lifted her soggy boot up in the air and they both chuckled at her wet jeans. Snap.

She could hear the clicking of the cameras increase.

“How about we jump some puddles?” Harry suddenly asked. Lara looked at him unsure, not sure if that should be deviating from the painstaking brief they had been given. Smile at each other, walk slowly, hug, ignore cameras.

“This is going to be a long year. We might as well have a little fun with it, don’t you think?” He asked with a pointed look. Lara thought for a moment and then looked at him with a glint in her eye. Without another word, they linked arms and looked ahead for more puddles.

“Jump!” Harry suddenly cried, and they both leapt over the puddle. They laughed as they picked up pace and jumped again. Paparazzi and obligations were forgotten as they continued to half run, half walk, calling out as they approached more puddles.

They had jumped over a half dozen puddles, with the paparazzi struggling to keep up, when Harry suddenly leapt in the air and landed right in the middle of a large puddle, splashing water everywhere.

“Hey!” Lara cried.

“It was an accident!” He said unconvincingly.

“Yeah right.”

She kicked at the water in retaliation and watched his smug smile disappear as he looked down at his drenched jeans. But it did not deter him from flicking more water back at her, until they were both soaking wet. They laughed as they realised how stupid they must look and Lara pointed to his jeans. A small leaf stuck to his knee, and he smiled as he reached down to brush it off.

“Not fair.” He said.

“Are you kidding, you did it first.”

“That wasn’t a puddle… more like a tidal wave.” He murmured. Lara giggled and they stood there for a moment just looking at each other, slightly out of breath. They were interrupted by the sound of arguing. Two photographers were scuffling as they tried to get the better shot.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” Harry said wrapping his arm around her waist, and they walked on as the first drops of rain started to fall.

The quizzing started as soon as they returned to the car.

“How did it go, did you make sure- wait a second. Why are you both wet?” Julian asked.

“Well it’s raining isn’t it?” Harry stated. “Look, it went fine. You’ll see when the pictures are released. We did everything we were supposed to do.” Harry glanced at Lara, who unsuccessfully stifled a laugh.

“Drive on.” Julian said shooting them a puzzled look. The car accelerated and ten minutes later stopped outside a café.

“What are we doing here?” Harry asked Julian.

“I think you both should have a chance to get acquainted. This won’t work if you’re strangers; you need to get to know each other. This will be important once people start asking questions.”

Harry noticed one of his security team hanging around the entrance. He nodded his okay, confirming it was fine to enter as the three walked in. Heads turned and the murmurs began but Harry held his head high as he made his way to a table in a cosy corner. They took their seats and looked at each other expectantly.

“Well this is nice.” Harry smiled, his eyes then darting around the room. “Everyone’s looking at us without trying to be obvious.”

Lara smiled politely, not daring to look and wracked her brain trying to think of a topic to talk about but her mind had gone blank. Luckily they were saved by a waitress who approached the table with a pen and pad. She looked to be about twenty five and she didn’t bother to hide the look of admiration on her face.

“What would you like?” She asked staring at Harry.

“A hot chocolate, please.” Lara said instantly.

“Ooh that sounds good.” Harry said. He looked at the menu. “What’s this chocolate thing?”

“It’s a chocolate fondant.” The waitress replied.

“I’ll have one of those too.”

“Whipped cream or ice cream on the side?”

“You only live once. Make it both.” Harry flashed a killer smile and handed the menu back to her.

“A chocolate thing with cream and ice cream it is.” The waitress smiled.

“Thanks Sarah.” Harry said reading her name tag.

“It’s a pleasure.” She replied holding his gaze.

Lara looked from Harry to Sarah and back again with raised eyebrows.

“Wow.” She said, once Sarah disappeared with their order.

“Sorry.” Harry said.

“Why say sorry? Does that happen all the time?”

“Yeah I guess. I just like to play along sometimes.”

He avoided her eyes for a moment and fidgeted with a napkin.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” He asked flatly. Lara watched him for a moment. He seemed to veering from one extreme to the other. On one hand he was a willing participant and was happy to guide her and on the other hand he seemed unhappy with the whole situation.

“Are you okay with all of this?” She suddenly asked.

“What do you mean?” He asked, even though he knew exactly what she meant.

“You and me. Being girlfriend and boyfriend… just for show.” She felt awkward saying the words out loud and the whole situation started to take on a whole new sordid light.

“It’s the way the business works.” Harry shrugged.

“So you’re happy to just go along with it?” Lara pressed.

“I trust that they’re doing the right thing. My career is important to me. If they think this is the way to go… then this is the way to go.”

“Don’t you ever say no?”

“Sometimes.” He said. “But most times it’s just easier to do what they want.”

Silence followed and Lara pretended to be engrossed in a piece of artwork on the wall beside them. She noticed Harry comically wave to get her attention.

“So tell me about yourself.” He said, leaning back in his chair.

“What do you want to know?” She asked.

“Um, I don’t know.” He shrugged. “How old are you?”

“Eighteen.”

“Brothers, sisters?”

“Only child. You?”

“I have an older sister.” He replied. “What are you going to be studying?"

“Teaching.”

“So why are you doing this?”

Lara paused.

“My Uncle’s had a few problems lately… he’s really relying on me. And I guess the fact that my uni fees are going to be paid isn’t so bad either…” She trailed off.

“You didn’t have to break up with anyone to do this, did you?”

“Me? No.” Lara replied shyly. “I’ve never had a boyfriend before.”

She wasn’t sure why she made that admission, in a strange way maybe she was trying to protect herself, although right now she felt more exposed than ever.

Harry raised his eyebrows and looked surprised.

“You mean, like never?” He said finally.

“What part of never don’t you understand?” She asked not knowing why she felt annoyed.

“Sorry. I’m just surprised.”

“Yeah, well it’s just never happened.” She said looking away.

Thankfully they were interrupted by Sarah who arrived with their order. She seemed to linger at the table, expecting Harry to talk to her, but his attention was solely focused on Lara. She was pretty in her own way. Long straight honey blonde hair, milky white skin, soft brown eyes and a small smattering of freckles on her nose, Harry noted. When he realised his staring was making her uncomfortable, he turned his attention to the tempting dessert on his plate.

“Mmm heaven.” Harry closed his eyes as he dug into the gooey chocolate. Lara could not help but watch as he licked his lips in mock ecstasy. She wrapped her hands around her warm glass and was about to taste it, when he leaned over and stuck a spoonful of dessert under her nose.

“Want some?”

She blinked before shaking her head.

“Go on, it’s life changing.”

She smiled before taking a small bite.

“Good, huh?” He said with his mouth full. They sat in comfortable silence, as she pretended not to watch him devour his dessert.

“So back to the interrogation.” He said and she felt her stomach tie up in knots.

“What else do you want to know?” She narrowed her eyes.

“What’s your favourite colour?” He grinned at her relieved expression, and she managed to smile despite herself.

That night when she logged onto her computer she did a quick Google search and was surprised to see the headline:

‘Harry Styles Strolls with a Mystery Girl.’
Harry Styles was spotted looking loved up with an unidentified female as they took a stroll through London’s Hyde Park. It’s been a while since Harry’s been seen with a person of the opposite sex, and he looked happy to show her off to the world as they braved the rainy weather with no umbrella in sight. The couple indulged in a little child’s play as they jumped puddles and seem totally engrossed in each other, with Harry protectively holding her close as they walked. Watch this space for more sightings of this new couple!

Wow, that was quick. Lara thought. It was funny how they had turned a simple walk into an entire news story. She stared at the various photos posted along with the article. One photo showed them simply walking hand in hand. The next showed Harry placing his arm around her, his hand tucked in her pocket. Another picture showed them comically jumping over a puddle, huge smiles plastered over their face. The last photo showed them staring at each other intently, and Lara recognised it as taking place right after the water fight. They had been out of breath and soaking wet, but the photo showed two people in an intimate moment, regarding each other with a fond smile. It was strange how these photos conveyed an element of intimacy. If she hadn’t known better, she would have thought they were a real life couple taking a casual stroll and not two people effectively under siege.

She hoped that the results are what Ben and Julian wanted, and she wondered what they had planned for her next…

Notes