Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

Harry and Lara arrived at Julian’s office together and were asked to wait outside the conference room. As they chatted quietly, Harry placed his hand on her arm and rubbed it affectionately.

“You look nervous.” He said.

“I guess you could say that.” She tried to smile enjoying the warmth of his hand.
Once they were summoned to enter Lara instinctively took his hand and was surprised when
Harry snatched it away. He walked ahead of her and sat down without a second look to see where she was. Bewildered, Lara sat down next to him looking up to see Julian’s eyes had followed her every move.

“It’s been a while.” Julian said still looking directly at Lara who gave a small nod. At that moment, the door opened and Ben walked in. Lara glanced at Harry to see his jaw tighten, his eyes flashing with distaste.

“Okay, let’s just get down to it. We’re approaching the tail end of the contract now. The break up cycle will be happening in the next month.”

“Didn’t you say-“Lara instantly turned to Harry to question him, but he gave her a sharp look which effectively cut her off mid-sentence.

“I thought we agreed this was to go on… for just a little longer.” Harry spoke up.

“Harry, I told you I’d think about it. But it’s been discussed at length, and we just don’t think it’s in your best interests.”

Lara snuck a look at Ben who casually sat back with his hands behind his head, not hiding the smug look on his face. He caught her eye, the smile never leaving his face.

“First things first. The break up will be a gradual process.” Julian said. “For the next couple of weeks I do not want to see you in public together. Not even for a walk down the street. Nothing.”

Once again instinct drove Lara to place her hand on his knee, and she couldn’t help but cringe when he pushed it away.

“Quit it.” He muttered under his breath.

She could feel her face heat up and her breath quicken not understanding the sudden change in him when the following words hit her.

“I like the chase.” He had once said.

She remembered their conversation from not too long ago when he had admitted he liked girls he could chase, not girls who he could easily have.

Well he definitely had her, Lara thought and she couldn’t help but feel the bitterness begin to bubble inside her. Why would he want her now, especially when his manager was orchestrating their break up? She found herself moving her chair a few inches away from Harry.

“Lara.” Julian called and she blinked back when she realised he was trying to get her attention. “Are you with us?”


“Yes.” She replied in a small voice.

“Once the two weeks have lapsed, you’ll then be moving out of Harry’s home and back with your Uncle.”

Lara couldn’t help but gasp, and she instantly looked to see Harry’s response. He merely stared ahead, a blank expression on his face, but Lara could see his jaw tightening again, his hands grasping the arms of the chair. Lara glanced at Ben who offered a small smile in response.

“Why not just get her a flat of her own?” Harry asked.

“Because it’s easier this way. We’re not sure how this is going to pan out and it’s easier for
her live with family in the meantime.”

“Family?” Harry laughed darkly, as Ben shot him a dirty look.

“Am I missing something here?” Julian suddenly asked eyeing the three of them. He was met by the puzzling sight of Lara cowering in her chair, Harry’s eyes flashing with anger and the usually affable Ben looking furious.

“What is going on with you three?” Julian persisted. “Is there something I should know?”

Harry glanced at Lara who gave him a silent plea with her eyes. He eventually leant back in his chair and crossed his arms defensively.

“I think it’s a stupid idea.” Harry said flatly.

“Moving on.” Julian said ignoring him. “Harry we have a few social events lined up for you in the next month. You’ll be attending these on your own.”

“Don’t forget to tell them about Paige.” Ben interjected. Julian gave him an annoyed look and sighed.

“Who’s Paige?” Harry asked.

“I was getting to that.” He said tightly. “You’ll be introduced to her soon. She will be your date at some of these events. It needs to be made clear that Harry chose to end the relationship and that he is now free to date who he wants.”

“And then we’re back to square one.” Harry exclaimed. “Wasn’t the whole point of this to change my image?”

“And it has. But we can’t have you settling down at twenty years old. Paige won’t be a serious relationship. It’s just to show that you’re still out and about and happy to meet new people. You will be available. Not tied down to anyone.”

Julian regarded Lara’s sad face and gave her a pointed look as if to indicate that this was the
correct decision.

“I think you two need to take a break from each other. “ He said firmly. “This needs to end. You’re not together, you do realise that?”

“Who said we were?” Harry said lightly, and glanced nervously at Lara who regarded him icily.

“Ben’s had a word to me about… how close you two seem to be getting. That wasn’t part of the original deal.” Julian replied. “Things were meant to be kept purely professional between the two of you. But it’s becoming obvious to me that you both have crossed the line.”

Harry glared at Ben who cleared his throat nervously before speaking up.

“How about Lara moves in with me straight away? I’m happy for that to happen if you think it will help.” He directed his gaze at Julian.

“How about you keep your fucking hands off her?” Harry seethed, and Julian’s attention snapped back to him

“What? Harry why would you say that?” Julian asked.

“Ask Ben.” Harry mumbled.

Julian turned to look at Ben with raised eyebrows.

“I don’t know what he’s talking about. I’ve never laid a finger on her.” Ben replied. “All I’ve done is try and advise her when I can.”

Julian was suddenly distracted by the sound of sobbing.

“Why is she crying?” Julian peered at Lara who had now dissolved into tears. “Lara!”

She refused to meet his gaze as she sat there with her shoulders slumped, her hand covering her face.

“So have you figured things out with Louis?” Ben suddenly asked.

Harry looked up at him quizzically.

“What do you mean?” He asked trying to keep his voice even.

“Lara was a bit worried.” Ben said the smug look back on his face. Harry turned to Lara and frowned.

“What did you say?” He asked, and she peered out from behind her hand and shook her head.

“Something about him meaning more to you than her.” Ben could see that he struck a nerve and a slow smile spread across his face.

“Are you talking about me behind my back?” Harry’s gaze did not waver from Lara.

“What the fuck is going on?” Julian finally exploded, and all eyes snapped back to him. “I have no idea what you are all on about.”

“It’s nothing Julian.” Ben said innocently. “I’m just concerned about everyone getting along.”

Julian looked confused as he took in the scene before him. What had started out as a seemingly foolproof plan had slowly slipped out of his control. He didn’t understand why Lara was so emotional other than perhaps she had allowed herself to become too attached to Harry. The tension was high between Ben and Harry, but he knew Harry had never really liked him in the first place, not to mention Ben naturally felt protective toward his niece.As for Louis and Harry; he had not noticed any rift between them recently. There were times when they seemed to be extremely close and other times when they would barely acknowledge each other, but that was part of being in a band that spent way too much time together. The boys often got into spats that were solved the next day if not the same hour.

No, what it all boiled down to was that the two seemed to be getting too close for comfort. They had become too attached to each other, and thanks to Ben’s bright idea he was going to have to pick up all the pieces.

“Ben, get out!” Julian suddenly snapped. “I’ll see you in my office.”

Ben scraped his chair back noisily and left the room but not before lightly touching Lara on the shoulder as if to comfort her.

“I know that you two are hiding something but right now I don’t have the time to care. This is going to end now. It was a fucking stupid idea to begin with.” Julian said flatly.

He stood up and walked out without giving them a second glance, leaving Harry and Lara alone.

“What did you fucking tell him?” Harry asked angrily as soon as the door slammed shut.
Lara stood up to leave, but Harry was quick to grab her arm.

“Don’t walk away from me.” He said making her turn to face him. “What did you say?”

“Nothing!” Lara said as she struggled to free herself from his grasp. “I thought he knew about you and Louis but when it looked like he didn’t I just said that you both had a fight. I thought he believed me.”

“That’s because he doesn’t know a fucking thing!” Harry cried before lowering his voice.

“None of them do.”

“How was I supposed to know?” Lara asked. The tears were drying up as the first wave of anger washed over her.

“You could have bloody well asked me.”

“Yeah right. And how do I know that you’re going to be honest with me?” She shot back.

“What the fuck’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean why did you push me away?” She asked. “Why are you so scared to show that maybe you just might like me?”

“Because I don’t want Julian to have an even bigger reason to break us up.”

“But Harry, that’s already happening.”

“I still don’t want him to know.” Harry said stubbornly. “It’ll be worse if he does. He already knows something. God knows what that twat has told him. I don’t want you to live with him Lara.”

“I don’t have a choice.” She said bitterly, wincing as his grip tightened. “Please let go of me.”

He suddenly let her go causing her to stumble backwards. She rubbed her arms inspecting them for bruises before turning her gaze to him.

“What do you want me to do Harry?” She asked feeling helpless. “You don’t want to be with me, but you don’t want to let me go.”

“Come here.” He mumbled. He took a step closer to her and placed his hand on her arm. “I didn’t hurt you did I?”

Lara shrugged not knowing how to answer. All she knew was that she felt tired and overwhelmed. Harry enveloped her in his arms and hugged her close. They stood there for a while before Harry spoke.

“I’ll figure something out.”

She looked up to see a heart-warming smile spread across his face, and she couldn’t help but be mesmerised, as her eyes naturally gravitated to his plump lips.

“We’ll make our own rules.” Harry said. “Fuck Julian.”

Notes

Anyone still reading this? ;)