Falling In Love with a Heartbreaker

Chapter 1: Dutch Courage Charlie, I sure as hell need it!

Tonight was the annual masquerade ball for the agency Icon Advertising hosted, and it was her duty as senior Art director and Co-ordinator  to show face, even though she hoped it wouldn’t be an all-night event, boring conversation, handsome movie stars and even worse; eclectic directors, with women fawning all over them.

After returning 2 days ago, being stuck on set for 4 weeks to then be flying for 27 hours, Tired was an  understatement. Therefore her desire for tonight was tipping the minus scale at the moment.

One thing she pried herself on was her image. She had to. Being at the top meant keeping up appearances, even though she hated the false pretence. Especially in her industry, working in a male dominated field of top execs including her boss Charlie Graham, who is one of the most respected Agency owners in all of Hollywood. Lara had to fight tooth and nail to where she was today and nothing was going to stand in her way of getting right to the top. Which left her with little to nothing of a personal life. A small sacrifice she thought.

Being one of the most requested art directors in her field meant having to always be on top of her game. Glancing at the clock she realised she would have to get going if she was going to be on time which is always rare in Hollywood, no matter how late you thought you were there was always someone else who would be more fashionably late. A final look over her appearance she headed for the door grabbing her purse and mask on her way out.

Outside waiting for her was her driver, well, not her driver but she definitely didn’t mind the perks she thought, at Charlie’s insistence that Henry pick her up tonight.

Leaning against the side of the car Henry looked up to see Lara walking out of the building. Almost catching his breath in his throat he admired the beauty walking towards him. He straightened himself out and proceeded to open the door for her as she smiled at him. God she was beautiful.

“Thank you Henry.” She smiled. “My pleasure Ma’am.”

“Henry, please you make me sound old. Lara please.”

*********

Henry smiled at the gesture and nodded. Getting in to the driver’s seat he started the engine at drove to their destination.

Graham & Gold always went out of their way to provide the most lavish event of the year for their agency Icon Advertising No doubt.

Red carpet, paparazzi, actors, directors, you name it. But the mischievous side of Charlie Graham knew there had to be a twist. A masquerade ball seemed the perfect idea, How ironic he thought, that an industry that thrives itself on publicity and here he was hiding it. No entrance deemed to anyone without a mask, he didn’t care if you were a secretary or if you were the highest paid director in film or Steven Spielberg himself.

As he settled himself along the bar with a stiff shot of whiskey he turned to see the array of guest filling up the ballroom. While surveying the room Charlie noticed that most of his guests’ gazes to on the top of the staircase. All watching as to what they thought was a goddess, But Charlie knew of only one woman that could bring silence to men and woman alike. His Art Director, Lara.

Glancing to the stairs he noticed her sensual curves draped in lace, like it was poured on her. Black hair cascading down the side of her face, as if she was ripped from an edition of 1950’s Vogue.  He hired her 3 years ago after he bought one of her drawings. He was no artist himself but had an uncanny eye for talent and she was dripping in it. He sought her out and had to have her. He was never wrong about talent and he knew that. She proved herself throughout the years climbing her way to the top of her field. Not only did he admire her beauty and talent but she had a sharp eye and a sound head for business. Besides she didn’t take shit from anyone. He smiled to himself thinking of the first time he met her.

3 years ago…

Sitting in a studio working on a clay sculpture, he was engrossed in her captivating ability to spot curves and details no ordinary eye could see. He was watching her and almost as if she felt she was being watching she looked up with an impassive face, but he could see the glitter in her eyes that no doubt came from her love of creating art. He smile and thrust a hand out. She finally smiled and returned the gesture. “Charlie Graham. Nice to meet you.” “Hello” was her reply. “Can I help you?” “Well I certainly hope so, what are you working on?” He could help himself he needed to know everything about this woman, she was beautiful, more likely to be on a runway that in a dark studio, dirty with clay and acrylics. To say he was shocked at her beauty would be the understatement of the century. “Top Secret” she said with a knowing smile. “How can I help you Mr Graham?” “Well I’m looking for an artist”. Looking for an artist? Real smooth Charlie “You seem to have come to the right place, she gestured at the studio filled with artists” He smiled, “Actually I’m looking for you.” Her eyebrows raised inquisitively, “I want you to come work for me, I own an Advertising agency Agency that caters to film studios, we provide everything from personal assistants to graphic artists, and I want you.” She replied much to his surprise with a smile “Ok.” Wow. That was the easiest approval for a job offer he had ever encountered. That thought was quickly erased when she opened her mouth. “But no thanks.” Shocked he asked “Why not?”

She told him that there was one condition she had, he laughed at the ability of this young thing to demand conditions on hiring, “I want free reign on the projects I take, it’s about the art Mr Graham, I’ve been at this long enough to know that frivolous films makes the money but the art matters and not every director and agency, such as yours appreciates the work that goes in to making something from nothing. That is my condition.” Surprised yet intrigued and completely facinated at her tenacity he said, “Deal”. “When do I start?” was her retort.

Smiling at the memory he focused back to the present where he watched her grace the stairs. He glanced around the room to several hungry looking males and just as many jealous woman captivated by the beauty coming down the stairs. Looking back towards her he noticed that she was looking for him. They always seemed to comfort each other at these events

. He knew she hated them but she entertained him and came anyway. 20 years her senior he saw her more and more as a daughter, someone that needed his protection although he knew that was ridiculous she could go head to head with any dominating man that crossed her path, and they too had their screaming matches. He walked towards her with a grin that showed his excitement at her arrival.

“Charlie, how long to I have to be here?” she moaned, laughing at her hesitation and downright awkwardness at the event, “Honey, can you just enjoy yourself for one, you look beautiful and by the way every man is staring at you we might get some business tonight.” Seemingly unimpressed she turned to the bar. “Tequila please”

Charlie couldn’t help himself from chuckling at this woman’s uncanny ability to drink any man under the table with a body as tiny as hers he had no idea where she got the stamina. She glanced in his direction and realised that many people seemed shocked at her ability to drink Tequila the way she could, she smiled and shrugged. “Dutch courage Charlie, I sure as hell need it.”