A Parisian Fairytale

Chapter Thirty One

Annabelle had been in LA for two days, and now spent the afternoon in Jeffery's office with various colleagues discussing upcoming collaborations and issues. "That reminds me.. we have a dinner tonight with a big potential. Gotta put our best foot forward Belle.. I'm talking the full works, maybe even put on some good ol fashion English charm?" The woman nodded. "Sure thing.. where?" "Oh I can't remember now. I'll send the deets." Belle couldn't get over how relaxed Crane could be but she didn't voice her judgment, as the LA office always seemed to do well.

"I'll send a car.. go back to your hotel, get glammed up and be ready for 7?" Jeffery said as Belle grabbed her bag and donned her sunglasses. "And you really can't remember much about the brief?" "No sorry, must have left the file at home, don't worry this is just smooshing and networking anyway... it will be fine." Jefferey smiled holding his office door open as Belle walked through it.  He slowly pulled out his phone and checked it for the millionth time before joining her in the elevator. "So how you finding it over here?" he asked as they rode down. "Its nice, I do love it." "Could you see yourself living out here?" "Why? You thinking of retiring or becoming a stay at home Dad?" Belle smirked. "No just curious that's all." "Yeah I could.. my family are somewhat close but with a sister in Australia we have never been on top of one another." "I guess you'll just have to wait until the right opportunity comes along?" Belle nodded with a smile as they headed into the lobby, she turned to Jeffery as he said "Remember, full glam, English charm, we have got to impress." "Sure thing... I still do remember how to work my magic you know?" she said giggling as she headed to her waiting Uber.

Back at the hotel suite, Annabelle quickly jumped in the shower, the Californian Fall temperatures were still high and the day had made her feel sticky. She washed her hair and blow dried it to within an inch of its life drenching it in product with the hope it would stay semi presentable. Opening her wardrobe she debated on what to wear. Jeff still hadn't got round to sending her the details, and she didn't know what the occasion would entail, opting for full glam just as he had instructed her she rifled through some of her options.

"Nathan, how the fuck did you forget a Dior meeting? You know they are kinda vital." Johnny said grumpily from his walk in closet. "Sorry it must have slipped my mind.. still not to worry hey, you like a good night out." The assistant responded nervously. "And Samantha specifically asked for me to wear this?" Johnny said holding a suit bag out of the closet. "She did.. instructed me to insist actually.." "Let's see if we can Johnny it up." The actor was heard mumbling. Nathan smirked before sending a quick text.

An hour later, Johnny was being hurried into a waiting SUV with his security, Sean and Travis. "What is the fucking rush?" he was heard asking lighting another cigarette. "I am the guest of honour, and excuse me if I wanna arrive fashionably late." He smirked putting the cigarette between his lips. "Look Sir, could you just get in the vehicle.. sooner we get there, sooner we can leave right?" Sean said knowingly.

Annabelle donned a beautiful black dress, and decided to pin her hair up, it was far too hot for it to be down. Checking her phone one last time she saw another text from Jeff even though it lacked the information she had been requesting for most of the afternoon.

Car is on its way. Be ready x

Yes Boss. It would be helpful if I knew what to get ready for you know.. x

Trust me on this. It will all work out. x

Hmmm.. OK you owe me Crane!

Annabelle made her way down to the hotel lobby and was met by a driver who seemed to recognise her instantly. "Right this way Miss Davidson" the older man led her outside to a blacked out car and held the rear door open for her. "Thank you." she said sweetly before climbing in extremely elegantly.

Johnny was blaring a Jeff Beck track from the back of the SUV, not really giving Sean or Travis a chance to speak with him or discuss the evening, which suited them fine. Johnny scrolled on his phone before seeing a message from Gina. "If she is checking I'm ok again.. I swear to god..."

Have a fun evening. I hope it goes well! G x

Johnny smiled before tapping out a quick response. He then saw Stephen had message too.

All the best for tonight. Just be you. You can't do any better than that. x

Johnny smiled once again, he had the best supportive friends, even if they fussed a little too much over him at times.

The car pulled up to a rather swanky looking hotel and Johnny jumped out. Nathan rushed off but soon returned as Sean and Travis flanked Johnny into the lobby. "It seems they wanna do a little press and promo beforehand... they've reserved a suite upstairs. Let's go.." The assistant said leading the trio to the elevators.

Meanwhile, Belle felt like they had been driving around for hours. Where on earth were they going? Her phone rang and it was Jeff.

"Hey."
"Hi yourself. What restaurant did you choose? One in Denver?" she said sarcastically.
"Here's the thing... It's cancelled."
"Cancelled?" Annabelle said shocked.
"Yeah... sorry." He sounded weird but Belle assumed he was as put out as her.
"Right.. so I am dressed up in LA for no reason completely alone?" she said biting her lip.
"I promise I'll take you out over the weekend to make up for it. In fact Isla said you should come do dinner with us one night too."
"That sounds nice. Thanks. I'll head back. See you tomorrow."
"Ahh no everyone works remotely Friday. I'll call you over the weekend." Annabelle sighed.
"Sure" now she felt really alone as she hung up and put the phone back in her bag. She instructed the driver to head back to the hotel, and he did so without question. The journey feeling a lot shorter than before.

"Goodnight Miss Davidson, have a lovely evening." The driver called behind her as she headed into the lobby. She made her way into the elevator up to her floor, she did feel a little smug about being upgraded upon checking in, but hey who would complain at a suite?

Exiting the elevator she walked down the corridor, the only noise being her heels clicking along the floor. She saw three men huddled in the corner talking in hushed tones with their backs to her, "Evening" she said and they mumbled back, clearly not interested in her at all as she put the key card into the suite door and pushed it open, she stopped in her tracks.