Natalia stood in front of the mirror admiring the dress delivered to her that afternoon. It was expensive, just like she’d assumed, she could tell that even before she looked at the label. It was black and too low cut for her liking but she couldn’t deny that it looked good. “You better not be getting any ideas Bryan,” she muttered.
She’d debated whether to have her hair up or down before twisting it up and pinning it into place, leaving a few strands to frame her face. “That will have to do.” Bryan was her “date” after all. It wasn’t like she was trying to impress him. She didn’t want him thinking she’d gone out of her way to look good just for him.
To say she wasn’t thrilled about tonight was an understatement. To spend a night with a guy that made her skin crawl while putting on a sickly sweet smile to strangers who probably paid a part in Devlin’s millions was not her idea of a good time. She had 15 minutes until her night from hell officially began.
Natalia walked out of her room and into the kitchen where her mom and brother were eating. “Well?” she said, holding her arms out before giving them a twirl.
Alex wolf whistled while her mom looked on proudly. “You look beautiful Natalia.”
She smiled back at her mom. “Thanks mom.”
“So who’s the lucky… or should I say unlucky guy?” Alex asked between mouthfuls of pasta.
She rolled her eyes. “If anyone’s unlucky here it’s me. I have a business date with Bryan.” She pulled a face at the thought.
“You’re sure he’s got business in mind?” Alex asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Alexei!” Natalia protested while their mother looked at her son in warning.
“What?” he asked defensively. “How many people pay for their employee’s eveningwear huh? It sounds pretty dodgy to me.” He held his hands up. “But that’s just my opinion.”
“Yeah well keep your opinions to yourself.” She feared he was right though. She’d been to a few of these parties with Bryan now and each time they seemed to be getting less about business and more about socialising. Socialising was a big part in gaining contacts and signing deals, she knew that, but her role in being there seemed pointless. She stood at his side like a spare part all night. He could have anyone do that. There were plenty of glamorous women in his own circle who he could drag along but she had a feeling he liked to hold his position over her, silently threatening that if she put a foot wrong her job would be as good as gone.
“Jerk,” she muttered under her breath.
“So what time will you be home tonight?”
She shrugged. “Early I hope, but I’m not sure.” The sooner the better as far as she was concerned.
She heard the horn of a car sound and walked through the kitchen and into the living room, peaking out the window to see who it was. “Damn,” she muttered. “Mom, he’s early, I’ve gotta go,” she said as she rushed into the kitchen, kissing her mom on the cheek quickly before picking her purse up.
“Okay, you have fun and be careful okay?”
“Yeah be careful Nat,” Alexei teased.
She glared at her brother, silently telling him that she’d get him back. “I will mom. Don’t wait up, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Natalia made her way out of the house and looked at the limo waiting at the end of the small driveway. She rolled her eyes. Bryan was all about status. No doubt all the neighbours were looking out their windows wondering what the hell was going on. It wasn’t every day you saw a limo in her street. More than likely it would be trashed if left alone for any amount of time. The fact that he felt he had to prove he had money to people who obviously didn’t have much made her sick. She’d offered to meet him there but he’d insisted on taking the detour to her house.
As she approached the limo the driver jumped out and opened the door for her. She smiled in thanks before ducking into the black monstrosity. There sat a very smug Bryan with his parents.
She nodded at the couple as she sat down opposite them. “Mr and Mrs Devlin.” Turning her gaze on Bryan she felt the urge to sock him one, instead greeting him monotonously, “Bryan.”
He grinned, bearing his too perfect teeth. “My, my don’t we look lovely tonight.”
She shrugged. “Well you picked the dress, I would’ve guessed you’d like it.”
“But the body inside it does it so much more justice.” He raised his eyebrows suggestively.
Natalia sighed. It was definitely going to be a long night. Dana Devlin calling for her attention brought her out of her thoughts. She’d met Bryan’s mother all of 3 times but already knew who Bryan’s money grabbing ways were inherited from.
“These are very… what would one say…rustic houses Natalia,” she commented, looking out the window.
“Just a polite way of saying I live in a piece of shit,” she muttered under her breath.
“I’m sorry dear?”
Natalia shook her head. “Nothing.”
Dana incredibly haughty laugh filled the inside of the limo which seemed to be closing in on her. “Of course I couldn’t possibly live in one of them, far too small for me.”
”Yeah far too big for that head of yours…and that hair, damn that’s big,” she thought to herself.
Bryan moved across the space between them as his parents began a conversation between themselves. He sat far too close to her and when she felt his hand rest on her leg she fought the urge to scream. She calmly pushed his hand off. “I don’t think that belongs there.”
He looked at her in amusement. “You don’t? I thought it felt quite right. Perhaps it would feel better here.” He moved his hand and placed it high on her thigh.
She gritted her teeth and spoke quietly but forcefully. “I suggest you remove your hand right this second otherwise I won’t be held accountable for where my knee might end up.”
When Bryan laughed she couldn’t help but want to strangle him. The only other person who wound her up like this was Justin but the two went in entirely different ways about it. Bryan just made her sick where as Justin, although he was infuriating, did it in a playful way.
He hadn’t been in her thoughts for a while. She had however noticed his absence from the studios that day. She’d grown used to his daily appearance in her life and although she hated to admit it she’d missed the playful banter between them. Maybe she wouldn’t see him again. She knew that he would have to go on tour or go away for appearances in New York or LA at some point but she’d thought he might have told her. “What am I talking about he doesn’t owe me anything.” She didn’t realise she had spoken her thoughts until she noticed two confused and one amused face staring back at her. She smiled sheepishly at them and they turned back to their conversation.
“Don’t say a word,” she warned Bryan, before looking out of the windows at the passing scenery.
“I still don’t understand why we have to go to this thing,” Justin grumbled as he fiddled with the collar of his shirt, itching to loosen his tie and undo the top button.
JC pulled Justin’s hand away. “Because there is going to be some important people there, people who might be putting money into the tour. They’re gonna want to meet the people they are investing in.”
They were sitting in a limo on their way to “some rich guy’s bash” as Joey put it. It was being held in the banquet room of some high class hotel. None of the guys were particularly enthusiastic about going but Justin was the only one continually sharing his distaste.
“What if I pay for everything? Can I go home then?” he suggested hopefully.
“If you didn’t keep buying cars then you might be able to afford it,” Chris piped in. The others ignored him.
He looked out the window at the rapidly approaching hotel. He noticed the red carpet as the vehicle stopped. “Who the hell is this guy anyway?”
The others shrugged. “Who cares,” Chris declared. “We’re getting free food.”
“Hell I’d give you free food if I didn’t have to dress up in this thing,” he said gesturing to his suit.
“Just shut up and smile,” JC said as he stepped out waving to the awaiting media and fans.
“How did they know we’d be here?” Justin asked, looking out the window.
“Who? The media or the fans?” Joey asked as he followed JC’s lead.
“Both.”
“Justin, they always know,” Lance said before getting out.
Justin felt a hand pushing his shoulder. He looked over and saw Chris. “What are you doing?"
Chris continued to push Justin. “You’ve gotta get out before me.”
“Why?”
“You know they’ll forget all about you once they see me and I want you to have your moment out there before I show my face. I don’t want to embarrass you man.”
Justin looked at Chris for a moment before shaking his head. “Whatever!"
Justin ducked his head and stepped out of the limo. He winced as he heard the screams but plastered a smile on his face before raising it, immediately being greeted with the bright flashes of numerous cameras.
They worked their way along the line of reporters, Justin hanging back a little, only answering when questioned directly. They gave the usual answers to the repetitive questions. No they weren’t splitting up, yes they were looking forward to the tour, no they weren’t worried about breaking previous sales’ records.
Finally they were inside the building and ushered into the banquet room. Justin observed the people milling around the room. Everything was just as he expected. Everyone was over dressed, overly perky and no doubt incredibly annoying. Another thing he noticed, nobody seemed to be under the age of 30 and most of them seemed to be in the 50 plus bracket. “Great,” he muttered.
He followed the others to their designated table, immediately taking the chair in the corner and slouching down ungracefully. He watched as JC stood up and walked towards a group of middle-aged men. He turned his head, and as he expected, Lance was also introducing himself to a couple. He estimated that they were probably in their late 40’s early 50’s, he honestly didn’t care though.
Chris and Joey were busy picking at the nibbles placed in the centre of the table. “Doesn’t looked like you’re gonna be picking up any women tonight Joe,” Justin commented.
Joey took his eyes off the food in front of him and turned with a smirk on his face. “Older women Justin, you should try it sometime.”
He shook his head. He should’ve known. Glancing at his watch he groaned. They’d only been there 10 minutes but it felt like at least an hour. He looked around the room again. There was a dance floor but the music - - well it was a band, without a singer, playing a tune that resembled elevator music. He had the urge to hop up on stage and take over the mic to show them how it was done. He chuckled to himself as he thought about what their reaction to his “beatbox” might be like.
“Justin.” He tiredly turned to look at Lance. “Come here a sec.”
Justin made a big production of pulling himself out of his seat and over to where Lance stood. Lance shot him a warning glare and he fought not to roll his eyes.
He motioned to the couple standing next to him. “This is Mr and Mrs Devlin.”
The woman smiled at Justin, held out her hand, and giggled. “Please, call me Dana.”
Justin raised his eyebrows as he took her hand, shaking it lightly. Was this woman flirting with him? She wasn’t bad looking for her age but that was the thing that worried and amused him – her age. He flashed his famous smile at her. Maybe it did work on everyone after all.
“Justin,” he informed her.
She watched Justin glance at the man by her side and hesitated before speaking. “This is my husband, Harry.”
Justin shook the man’s hand firmly. He had the feeling he was a businessman through and through.
“Pleased to meet you son. Lance here has been telling me about your little tour.”
Little? Justin bit back his response when once again he caught Lance’s warning glare. Justin smiled politely. “Has he?”
Lance cut in, fearing Justin’s ability to speak his mind may surface. “Mr Devlin’s company, Devlin Promotions, is taking on a lot of new projects. He thinks we may be just what he’s looking for and thinks some of his clients may also want to sponsor the tour.”
Justin just nodded. He really didn’t care about this aspect of the business. Of course he didn’t want to be walked over again like they had been with Lou but they employed people to sort all this out for them. They were supposed to focus on the music, what it was supposedly all about.
He half listened as Mr Devlin told Lance of all the possible advertising opportunities available these days. In the distance something caught his eye, a woman with dark hair. He only saw the back of her before she quickly disappeared behind a man. Justin was brought back to reality when Lance hit him in the chest.
“Isn’t it Justin?”
He noticed Lance’s clenched jaw and nodded slowly. “Er…yes.” He didn’t have a clue what he was agreeing to but he assumed that was the right answer when he saw Lance relax a little.
“Ah here’s someone I want to introduce you to.” Harry Devlin smiled as he threw an arm around a young man’s shoulder. “This is my son, Bryan. Bryan works for the company too.”
Justin nodded in recognition and the man returned the gesture.
“This is my date,” he reached a hand behind him and grasped hold of her hand, bringing her to his side possessively. “Natalia.”
Her eyes widened. “Justin,” she whispered as she stared at the man in front of her.
If she was shocked, Justin was even more so but he tried his best to withhold it. He bit his lip and shook his head slightly. “Excuse me.” With one last look he turned and walked away.
Chapter 8
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