Dance For Me

Chapter 22

Lauren felt different this morning, although the night spent with Camila was more than satisfying, she couldn't help but feel more lonely than ever as she walked into her empty office. It wasn't long ago that Fallon would be waiting for her in the mornings, a coffee in hand and a sarcastic smile filled with gossip

This past week or so was different, Fallon didn't wait for her and the space once shared was now quiet and dull. She roamed over towards her desk and sighed, a fingertip dragging along the wood with a defeated sigh. It hurt, their absence of friendship that was once a blooming bouquet of spring flowers now a dead field of thorns

She sat down behind her desk and began her series of rituals and routines that aided her into the busy day ahead. It was strange to be working so secluded, even Emma refrained from visiting her space and Camila was far too busy with class to make an appearance at all

She glanced across her desk and gathered a few documents before noticing the half empty bottle of vodka beside the monitor. Some days were better than others of course, the grief of losing her brother added on top a sure fire way to keep the addiction alive. She tried for a while to avoid grabbing the alcohol, she even moved it beneath the desk in hopes she'd forget about it but couldn't

It must have been only an hour before her fingertips wrapped around the neck of its glass, the bitter liquid admired through the sheen before being lifted towards her matte red lips. It tasted no better than normal, the strong scent and burning sensation against her throat a reminder of how broken she really was

She did an excellent job at hiding it, the minty chewing gum and strategic hiding places a great cover for anyone who happened to walk by. It didn't take long for the buzz to enter her system either, that warm tingling in her cheeks and spaced momentum in her head that made things seem less intense

Soon enough however, a loud knock erupted over her door. She glanced up and motioned the visitor in with a brief "What" before noticing the body to be that of her father "Not today Dad!" She barked, returning her gaze into the screen in front "I'm busy!"

"You're always busy" the short necked man spoke as he waved a few documents beside his head "I'll add this to the pile"

Lauren extended her palm with furrowed brows and scanned the title with a scoff "What is this?" She grumbled "You don't work for me, you can't just hand me things?"

Mike chuckled and folded his dense arms "I'm aware Lauren" he smirked "I think you'll find this useful however! The little diamond you're buffing for fame isn't quite the jackpot you'd hoped for!"

Immediately Lauren's ears pricked, her eyes darting down into the document to peel the front cover "What- this is false?" Gasped Lauren in shock "Where did you find this?"

Mike shrugged with a smug grin "I have my people sweetheart" he mumbled "I suggest rethinking your branding portfolio, this girl will only cause you trouble in the media!"

Lauren shook her head and stood while slamming the file into the desk "Did you make this?" She hissed confidently "Did you honestly go out of your way to fuck with my academy over a girl?"

Mike ignored the harsh tone from his daughter as he boldly slid his palms within his pant pockets "Daniel and I are doing incredible things Lauren, our academy is already outsourcing campaigns that would demolish your reputation" he hummed "Exposing the controversial dancers you're trying to push up into high places is only the beginning of our plan to make a name for ourselves!"

"Controversy that you are creating from thin air?" Barked Lauren "What, you can't do shit on your own merit, you have to tear down your own fucking daughter to make money?"