Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

The next time she saw Harry, she was seated next to him in Julian’s office. They had arrived at the door at the same time, pausing before they bumped shoulders in a bid to be the first through the door.

It was a brief look but Lara did not miss the way Harry’s eyes lowered to her red lips. She had been wearing more makeup lately, in yet another bid to transform herself. The new clothes and make-up were all tools she use to valiantly try and change her image.

She knew Harry hated it when she wore too much makeup and her mind could not help but wander to a memory from over a year ago. She remembered she had worn a dark lipstick and how Harry had reacted.

“What is this?” He reached up and rubbed her lips with his thumb, smearing the scarlet lipstick across her mouth.

“That’s not you.” He said simply, his thumb now tracing back and forth on her lip.

But today, although his gaze lingered for a moment, he did not say a word as they sat down beside each other and faced Julian. He opened his mouth to speak only to be interrupted by his telephone.

“Yes?” He frowned. “What is it? I’m in the middle of something… what? Okay. Okay Ben.”
Lara felt her stomach lurch at the mention of Ben’s name.

“I’ll be back in a moment.” Julian said grimly as he rose from his chair.

Harry and Lara were left alone sitting side by side in complete silence for a couple of minutes before Lara cleared her throat.

“So…” She began.

Harry ignored her as he scrambled to his feet and hunched over Julian’s desk. He quickly thumbed through what looked like Julian’s diary, his tongue poking out of his mouth in deep concentration.

“I don’t think you’re supposed to do that.” Lara spoke up.

Harry ignored her as he leafed through a notebook. And then just as quickly, he raced back to his chair like a naughty schoolboy.

“Well did you see anything?” Lara asked.

“I couldn’t make out his fucking handwriting.” Harry mumbled.

“Nice to see you’re finally talking to me, instead of always texting me.” Lara said.

“You don’t like my texts?” Harry asked, averting his eyes again.

“Well we have to start talking sooner or later.”

“Hmm.” He said, turning his face to finally face her. “I guess we’re gonna have to.”

They shared a look and Lara could not help but study his face. It was the same, yet different.

She did not have much time to figure it out because Julian suddenly appeared at the door. He settled in his chair and straightened up the files on his desk, and cast an accusing look Harry’s way.

“First appearance is next week.” He said with a stony faced expression. “Movie release party. It will be all about Lara showing her support.”

“Movie release?” Lara responded.

“Yes… the boys have just completed their second band documentary. You will be attending the premiere on your own and then meeting up with Harry at the after party.”

Silence followed before Julian added.

“I think it goes without saying that you are both without dates that night. Lara, make sure Tony keeps away and Harry, don’t even think about bringing Jade.”

Lara could not help but cast a sideways glance at Harry, who still managed to maintain a poker face. She had no idea who Jade was and it did not look like anyone was about to volunteer any information. Instead, Julian continued to fire off some more missives.

You need to interact with each other

There will be a photo opportunity

Lara, keep away from Louis. We don’t want those stories to start again

By the time Julian had finished, Lara and Harry were bumping shoulders in a bid to get out of the office. They walked toward the bank of elevators but Harry hung back.

“You go first. I-I’ll get the next one.”

Lara shrugged and walked into the open elevator only to turn around to catch Harry staring at her ass. As the doors closed, her last glimpse of Harry was of him nervously biting his lip and she could feel her skin flush in response.

Two days to go…

X

“Tilt your head… that’s it. Just like that.”

Lara tilted her head, her hair falling half in her face.

“Is that okay?” She asked uncertainly.

“Yes… just lift your hair out of your eyes. That’s it. Hold the pose.”

Tony clicked his camera a few times before placing his hand on her legs.

“Stretch them out more.”

Lara did as he said, sprawling on the couch and running her hand through her hair.

“Beautiful.” Tony responded.

Tony had taken up photography a couple of years ago and had asked Lara to be his subject for some sessions. This one had started out casually, but she could not miss the look in his eye as he snapped away.

“So beautiful.” He repeated.

Lara bowed her head and smiled shyly.

“Stop it.” She said.

“Stop what?” Tony asked with a fond smile. He put the camera down and kneeled down beside her.

“You are beautiful.” He said. “And sexy.”

“I’m not sexy.” Lara said with a shake of her head.

“You are to me.” He said as his hand reached up to touch her cheek and his lips lightly brushed over her face. It was an unexpected sensual moment and Lara closed her eyes as the kiss deepened. Everything would have been perfect if only Harry’s face did not flash through her mind at that very moment. Lara found herself pulling away, only to open her eyes to see Tony looking concerned.

“What’s wrong?”

“I-I had a meeting today.” Lara blurted.

“Oh?” Tony said, lifting himself up onto the couch to sit beside her.

“With Harry’s manager… about my first appearance. They don’t want you there.”

“Well, I wasn’t exactly expecting an engraved invitation Lara.”

Lara tried not to smile, but it was hard when Tony looked so amused.

“Yeah but, I don’t think we can be seen together… at least not for a while.” She said.

“We’ve been pretty low key about our relationship so far… we’ll just keep doing what we’ve been doing.” Tony said calmly. “This agreement you have with them isn’t going to last forever, is it? A few appearances… let their PR work its magic… and then you’re mine again.”

He moved closer until he was on top of her and he kissed her gently.

“But you’re mine anyway, aren’t you?”

X

Lara admired her embellished gold mini-dress s and her sleek ponytail in the full length mirror as she waited for her car to arrive. Her make-up had been done to perfection by the make-up artist that had been sent to her apartment and she could not help but marvel at how different she looked.

She seemed so put together and confident, so totally at odds with how she felt. She could feel her stomach tie up in knots at the thought of attending the screening on her own and even more anxious of the thought of coming face to face with Harry- with everyone looking on.

And then her nervousness intensified at the thought of seeing everyone else again.

From Zayn to Liam… to Louis.

She wasn’t sure how she was going to handle that meeting.

By the time her doorbell buzzed she tempted to pretend she was not home.

But she found herself responding and before she knew it, she was in a car and on her way her way to the premiere. The chaos hit her even before she stepped out of the car. Before she could register the crowds of people, the camera flashes and the sounds of screaming, she was greeted by a young woman.

“Hi Lara, my name is Jessica.”

She explained how she worked for Modest and that she would be accompanying for to the screening. They politely shook hands and then Jessica gently guided Lara toward a separate entrance. She was nice and bubbly and Lara felt relieved she was with someone, instead of being alone. Once inside a roaming photographer recognised Lara and asked for a photo.

Before Lara could reply, Jessica accepted on their behalf and a photo was taken of the two girls and then Jessica insisted Lara pose for a solo shot.

The film began soon after and Lara settled into her comfortable seat.

After doing her best to avoid anything One Direction for so long, it was odd to have them appear before her, larger than life. But this time she could study them without any fear of being studied back, and it was interesting to watch. The entire film played out a sanitised version of what it was like to be in one of the biggest pop acts in the world. The breakup with Lara was skipped over, but Lara was able to see a change in Harry throughout the documentary. So many things were not addressed, but they were obvious to Lara. The band’s exhaustion, the empty look in Harry’s eyes, the rift between Harry and Louis… it was confronting to watch.

As Lara was taken to the after party, she was led to a large screen adorned with the One Direction logo.

“The boys will be here any moment.” Jessica explained. “There will be a few photos taken before the party.”

It was not long before she saw them being herded in, along with Julian and Ben and the rest of the entourage. Lara had no choice but to wait for her turn, and then she was prodded forward to stand with Harry. He regarded her with a blank expression but a fixed stare. She smiled uncertainly before seeking out Julian who stood in the crowd watching grimly.
Her eyes then flitted over to Louis who stood in the background and it was not long before their eyes met. He raised his eyebrows and tipped his head in greeting and she looked away. It felt like forever since they had seen each other as she nervously remembered their last encounter.

“We can leave if you want.” Harry said lowly. “And then you and Louis can both fuck in peace.”

As Lara turned to Harry with a shocked look on her face, the flash of the camera went off.

Notes

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