False Pretences Read online

  Alexander’s expression hardened as soon as it dawned upon him. Of course the shrewd bitch wanted something in return.

  “Very well” he sighed, realizing he only had this one chance to be published. He knew he had to agree or his chance could be snuffed out with the snap of her finely manicured fingers.

  “All I want you to do is to listen to what I have to say, Mr. Collins.” She said matter-of-factly, leaning towards him.

  The intensity on her face told him it had to do with Lara. He prepared himself for the tongue lashing that was inevitable. She was Lara’s best friend after all.

  “Fine. Talk.”

  “Lara told me everything that had happened between you two…from start to finish.” She began, hoping she had his attention.

  “Of course she did.” He sneered, his upper lip curling in disdain.

  Venessa suddenly glared at him. He knew he had to tread carefully around her or he would lose the publishing deal. He shut his mouth and allowed her to continue.

  “I don’t know what you think you saw, but Lara wants nothing to do with Christian romantically.” Venessa said sharply, putting him in his place. “I have known Lara for a long time and she would never sabotage a relationship for a man she had no feelings for. She never even knew that Christian was ever interested in her. Lara may be a lot of things, but she is not heartless.”

  “She was going to accept his proposal” he replied bitterly, recalling the nightmare he’d stepped into. “You should have seen the look in her eyes as he shoved that ring under her nose.”

  “Are you such a stubborn jackass that you will throw away a relationship that you pressed your suit for?” Venessa rebutted, glaring at him. “I told you…Lara told me everything. You weren’t there when Andrew Carver ripped out her heart and stepped all over it when he cheated on her with that socialite slut.”

  Alexander recalled the night they first slept together. Lara was an absolute wreck after her encounter with Andrew. Nobody could fake the pain she was feeling.

  “Okay…I wasn’t.” he conceded, propping his feet upon the table and knocking over old issues of the Daily Mail. “But that doesn’t mean…”

  He trailed off when he saw Venessa looking at one of the discarded magazines with interest.

  “I just saw something interesting” she murmured, picking up the issue she was studying. “Do you happen to have a laptop or tablet handy?”

  Alexander wordlessly handed her his iPad and she quickly typed her query into Safari. He regarded her curiously, wondering what caught her attention.

  “I knew she looked familiar!” she suddenly cried out in triumph.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Alexander demanded, scowling as she looked up at him.

  “Remember I was just talking about Lara’s experience with Hurricane Andrew?”

  “Yes.”

  “Take a look at this image in the Daily Mail and then take a look at this image of Andrew Carver on your iPad.”

  Alexander took both his iPad and his old magazine and gave them both a once over. When he saw the familiar face in the magazine, he realized that Venessa was onto something.

  “This socialite Andrew dumped Lara for…she’s friends with Christian Masters…” he surmised, coming on to a realization.

  “Yes, why?”

  “I have a sneaky suspicion that the rich bastard was responsible for ending that relationship as well.” Alexander declared, making Venessa look thoughtful.

  “You know, it does make me wonder…Christian has always seemed overly attentive to Lara. He spent a long time being her friend and confidant. It wouldn’t surprise me that he isn’t above sabotaging her relationships so that she would eventually fall in his arms.”

  Alexander looked at Venessa, as he began to realize that he was wrong about Lara.

  “I have Andrew’s number” Venessa said suddenly, fishing her phone out of her purse. “I bet he can tell us if it was Christian who introduced them.”

  With that, she activated speakerphone and dialed the actor’s number. He answered on the second ring.

  “This better be good, Venessa” he said coldly as he answered. “I don’t need one of your tongue lashings right now.”

  “Actually, Andrew, I was wondering if you could answer a question for me.”

  They heard him sigh loudly.

  “What is it?” he snapped, obviously irritated.

  “Who introduced you to Sarah Houle?” Venessa asked, hoping their suspicions were correct.

  “That rich bastard who Lara is still friends with…Christian something or other…” was his reply, stunning both Alexander and Venessa with his revelation.

  “Thanks, Andrew.” Venessa quipped before hanging up.

  Both Alexander and Venessa exchanged glances. Alexander felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders and Venessa shook her head in amazement.

  “Christian is to blame for everything.” Venessa hissed, her expression hardening.

  “So it appears.” Alexander mused, tapping his lower lip with his index finger. “I’ve been a monumental ass to Lara. I better apologize to her.”

  “No…don’t go running to her just yet.” Venessa said, halting him. “I have a plan…listen to me and do as I say…you will have Lara back in no time.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Venessa returned to Lara’s apartment promptly after she and Alexander worked out their plan. It was an easy enough matter to convince him to do the ultimate surprise and appear at the gala.

  Now, as she stood in front of Lara’s door, she mentally prepared herself to tell her friend who was behind all of her romantic misfortune. Who would have thought that an obscenely rich bastard like Christian would stoop so low to court Lara?

  Opening the door with her spare key, Venessa let herself in and was surprised to see the apartment meticulously clean…it was just a short few hours ago that it looked like the junkyard of a woman mourning a broken heart.

  “Lara!” Venessa called out, setting her coat and purse on the kitchen island.

  “Yeah?” Lara replied, poking her head out of the bedroom.

  “We need to talk…I have some interesting news for you!”

  Lara came into the main room and sat on her chaise expectantly as Venessa sat in her usual spot on the black leather couch.

  “There’s quite a bit you need to know about your so-called patron, girl!” Venessa started out, biting her lip. “He’s not what you think he is!”

  “Lately nobody has been who I thought they were!” Lara quipped, rolling her eyes. “But do go on!”

  “Christian is the one responsible for your breakup from Andrew.” Venessa revealed, looking at Lara intently for her reaction.

  She was not disappointed.

  “What do you mean?” Lara demanded, her mouth agape. “How is he responsible?”

  “He’s friends with Sarah, that slutty socialite. He introduced her to Andrew. Apparently, Sarah had fancied Andrew for a while and Christian made a bargain with her.”

  The color drained from Lara’s face at Venessa’s revelation.

  “I don’t see how you missed it, but Christian has fancied you for ages, Lara!” Venessa added, noting Lara’s ashen face. “I should have seen the signs sooner but I was more wrapped up in promoting you that I didn’t notice either. Either way, he has stooped to too many lows to make you available for him.”

  Lara suddenly clenched her hands into tight fists…so tight that her knuckles turned white.

  “It all makes sense now!” Lara finally replied, mulling everything over. “The expensive gifts…the dinners out…trying to be the sympathetic friend…I definitely misread him.”

  “Water under the bridge…” Venessa interjected, noticing the expression on her friend’s face.

  “That slimy bastard!” Lara ground out, gritting her teeth. “To think he was the one responsible for all my misery. I ought to beat him senseless!”

  “Let’s not go into extremes, Lara!” Venessa
cautioned her, a familiar glint in her eye. “I have a better idea on how to exact your revenge. You must trust me on this, okay?”

  Lara nodded in agreement. Venessa could tell she was still troubled.

  “What about Alex?” Lara whispered, biting her lip.

  “Don’t you worry about that!” Venessa replied, winking at her. “I have a feeling he may come around.”

  Christian was stunned. This was the first time Lara had ever called him to schedule a date. Could it be that she finally came to her senses?

  As he sat in his town car, he wondered if she was over the toerag she’d been parading around already. She sounded so desperate to see him on the phone…and he was much obliged to cater to her whim.

  She was waiting for him at Launceston Place when he arrived, looking absolutely gorgeous in a tight black dress that he’d never seen on her before. His spirits soared as she looked at him and smiled, rising from her seat.

  “I’m glad you could make it, Christian!” she purred, kissing him on the cheek before sitting back down.

  “I’d travel to the ends of the earth for you, Lara!” Christian replied, kissing her back.

  “I’ve been doing some thinking in the past few days or so since you proposed.” Lara remarked, studying her menu. “I never realized that you had feelings for me before.”

  “Lara…I’ve wanted you since the moment we first met.” Christian revealed, as the waiter approached the table. “You have absolutely no idea what I would do to be with you.”

  “Oh, I’m sure I do.” Lara said cryptically before ordering a glass of Shiraz.

  Christian scowled at her nonchalance. Most women would have swooned at the words he’d just uttered.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” he demanded before ordering a glass of single-malt scotch.

  “It has come to my attention that you have done quite a bit to be in possession of me, Christian!” Lara revealed, putting an emphasis on his name in an odd manner.

  Christian detected veiled animosity in her voice. Something was up and he was starting to become nervous due to her demeanor.

  “Oh?” he replied quickly, trying to be nonchalant. “I’m sure it’s all lies and rumors.”

  Lara tsked and looked at him like he was an idiot.

  “You know, for a wealthy, intelligent man, you have no idea on how to treat a woman.” Lara quipped, her comment cutting through him like a hot knife through butter. “Do you think that lies and manipulation would get you anywhere with me?”

  Christian stared at her, his mouth hanging open in surprise.

  “Ruining my relationship with Andrew by hiring that slut to seduce him? Not your finest work!”

  Christian swallowed hard, hoping the waiter would return soon with his scotch. Lord only knew that he really needed it at that moment.

  “Then, when that didn’t work, you tried to ruin things between Alex and I by an ill-timed proposal…” she continued, not batting an eyelash. “Pathetic, if you ask me.”

  Their drinks arrived and Christian took a large, hasty gulp of his scotch. His ego was taking a beating and it wasn’t going to recover anytime soon. Lara had cut him to the quick and was about to deliver the final blow.

  “Christian…if you had told me how you felt instead of all this subterfuge, you might have had a chance with me.” Lara informed him after a brief silence, playing with her glass. “I’m nothing like those skanks you have on your arm every night. I don’t need fancy gifts or expensive dinners to fall in love with a man. All I need is a true, honest heart…something you obviously don’t possess…”

  “But Lara….”

  “But nothing!” she lashed out, tossing her wine at him. “I deserve a man who will love me as much as I love him…not a wannabe spy who will crush everyone in his way to get what he wants. I deserve better!”

  With that, she hastily stood up, grabbing her clutch purse.

  Christian stared at her in dismay as the red wine seeped into his crisp white shirt. Lara, unconcerned with the embarrassment she’d just caused him, walked away from the table.

  Just before she was to make her exit, she turned to him.

  “Oh, and Christian?”

  He turned to glare at her.

  “Have a nice life. Don’t bother inserting yourself into mine anymore. Thank you for your patronage, but no thank you from now on!” She replied, delivering the final blow. “Oh and you’ll be hearing from the Barbican today. They know all about your antics!”

  With that, she turned away and walked out of his life.

  Epilogue

  The Gala night had finally arrived. London’s best, brightest and well-to-do all gathered in the Barbican Gallery to honor Lara, who had finally achieve the success and attention she’d dreamt of since she and Venessa were in High School.

  Venessa was a nervous wreck of a control freak, flitting this way and that to make sure everything was perfect. The Barbican gallery had outdone itself this time. They went all out to host this special event.

  The ballroom was decorated to look exactly like an underground chamber of a medieval castle. Stone castle walls were erected with intricate pillars and torches everywhere, giving everything an eerie, gothic feel.

  Little alcoves were built into every wall, each filled with one of Lara’s masterpieces. Instead of the usual paper labels, there were screen-printed tapestries describing every painting in a gothic script.

  Guests milled about the constructed drawbridge pathways, staring and marveling at Lara’s work in wonder. So far, it looked like ‘Angels of Twilight’ was a success.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw red dots appear on the corners of several paintings nearest her in rapid succession. Sold already! It was the beginning of a perfect night!

  Looking at her watch, Venessa wondered absently when Lara’s surprise guest would arrive. It was like pulling teeth to make the arrangements, but her friend’s happiness mattered in all aspects of life…not just career-wise.

  It was almost time for Lara to make her speech and so far, he was MIA. She nervously glanced at the entrance, hoping to see his arrival. This was Lara’s night and she wasn’t about to let anyone ruin it, let alone the man her friend had fallen head over heels for.

  Sighing, she turned away from the door and went in search of Lara. She caught a familiar flash of movement out of the corner of her eye as a couple more paintings sold and began to relax. Everything was just fine.

  Lara stood backstage, waiting for the moment she would be revealed to the world. She could hear the people talking excitedly about her collection.

  The night was perfect…the midnight blue gown she wore had tiny crystals embroidered on the bodice and an A-line skirt to resemble the stars in a twilight sky and the intricate braiding of the hairstyle she sported was perfect. She heard a few snippets of conversation and smiled to herself in delight as she found out a few of her paintings had already sold. Her mirth was cut short, though, as she thought of all the couples in the room.

  Sure, the night was off to a great start. Everyone was enjoying themselves and her hard work was paying off. There was just one thing missing, or rather, one person.

  She had arrived at the gala early with Venessa, noticeably dateless. Since she refused Christian’s proposal and severed ties with him, she knew he wouldn’t be anywhere near the gala. Yet, his presence wasn’t what she had yearned for.

  “The Lady Door…” purred a familiar voice from behind her. “Yes?”

  Lara whirled around in surprise.

  “It’s…you…”

  Alexander stood there with a bouquet of red roses.

  “I was a monumental ass and I wanted to make it up to you.” He said apologetically, approaching her slowly. “I am sorry I didn’t believe you when you said you rejected Masters. I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

  “Oh Alexander…it means so much to me that you’re here!” She exclaimed, as he handed her the roses. “I really missed you…I thought I would never see you ag
ain!”

  With that, she put her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

  “I missed you too, Lara.” He replied, wrapping his arms around her. “I never want to let you go. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Alexander” she whispered, letting out a contented sigh. “Please tell me it’s not a dream.”

  Alexander laughed, gently pulling away from their embrace.

  “Let’s go face the crowd” was all he said.

  Lara stood at the stone podium, nervously adjusting the small cue cards she’d prepared for herself. The fluttering of her stomach intensified as she looked into her rapt audience…yet, as her eyes fell upon Alex, she began to relax.

  “I’d like to welcome you to “Angels of Twilight!” “ she greeted her guests, beaming brightly. “It’s been a long-standing dream of mine to be where I am tonight…and now that I’m here, I feel so blessed. As you may or may not know, my inspiration for this exhibition was actually the Fallen Angel Islington from “Neverwhere”, the masterpiece written by Neil Gaiman. Since my younger years, I have always been captivated by Islington and I hope that it’s reflected in every single piece hanging here. I’d like to thank all of you for coming here and celebrating with me tonight and I’d also like to convey my gratitude to the people at the Barbican Gallery for their hard work and dedication to make this night a success.”

  With that, she paused, taking a deep breath as her guests applauded.

  “I also would like to thank my friend and publicist, Venessa, for keeping me on track and helping me achieve my potential as an artist. I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for her tireless networking and promotions.”

  She paused again, flashing a beaming smile at Venessa, who had tears of happiness in her eyes.

  “Lastly, I’d like to thank Alexander Collins, the special man in my life. Alex, words cannot describe what you mean to me and I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have you in my life. It’s been a tough year for me since I parted ways with Andrew Carver…you helped me to pick up the pieces and showed me what true love really is. I love you!”