Chapter 34

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Heavy cameras clicked into position, the chattering of excited young photographers raring to go as they awaited the expensive woman to step out from the car at the end of the red carpet. It truly was a once in a life time opportunity to be invited to the press section of one of Lauren's infamous campaign after parties, many even described it as being the pinnacle of their career

This year was a great example of why attendance was the difference between spiral and viral. It would be the very first appearance of Lauren and her newly appointed vice president CEO, Fallon, born leader and fiercely loyal counterpart. It would also be the first ever year that Lauren would be attending with a love interest, people were starving for the photos, feral for the gossip

Eventually the car door opened, revealing an ivory ankle and sharp black heel. Immediately, the space at the end of the carpet flashed with white snaps and calling voices "Here Lauren!" They called, begging for just a glance of those daring green eyes to front their magazine. Lauren was magnificent, perfectly painted makeup and a skin tight black dress that left nothing to the imagination with generous cut outs into the breast and back area

She offered a flat but elegant stare for the cameras, lifting her chin with a delicate yet powerful hand over her hip. Fallon wasn't far behind, her mousy brown hair perfectly curled behind her shoulders. The pair looked nothing less than powerful, elegant yet experienced. They followed the direction of cameras almost entirely in sync, giving the crowds everything they wanted and more

"Walking in ten seconds" security mumbled behind the girl's backs, signalling the women into the building. Lauren extended her heel towards the door and began her slow strut, reaching a fingertip behind for Fallon who quickly linked it with her own "Gotchu" she whispered, keeping her lips as still as she could

When entering the venue, Lauren paused, taking a deep breath and snapping her fingers for her phone "I need to check on Camila" she growled, clearly anxious of the girl still yet to arrive

Fallon handed over the woman's phone from the assistant beside "She will be fine LJ, no need to worry!"

"I'm not worried" she hissed, snatching the phone into her palms only to see a text from the girl saying 'I'm fine' with a smiley face on the end "I just need to know she is ok, she's only ever been to a handful of these events and it's intimidating!"

The women walked along a large hall and towards a flush looking VIP room to await the next portion of the event, a grand entrance that would have Lauren holding a speech in front of many invited guests from the press

"See, she texted you" Fallon nudged bluntly, stealing a flute of champagne from a tray passing her side "You should focus more on nailing that killer speech, which by the way, I still haven't read?"

"Because it doesn't exist" Lauren winked, standing as still as she could for the makeup artist who had tracked her down for a quick touch up "I like to play these things by ear, talk from the heart, you know how it is"

Fallon curved a brow and pulled the flute away from her lips "Really? That's brave"

"I've never enjoyed your sarcasm Fallon" The woman spat "I think I know how to read an audience?"

Fallon chuckled "Oh I know!" She spoke with a smug grin "This campaign however is huge, the biggest the academy has ever produced and might I just add, it stars your very public girlfriend!"

Lauren rolled her eyes, carefully taking her own flute of Champagne from the same bar boy making his rounds "Your point?"

"My point is that it needs to be perfect, making sure your girlfriend is set in the right light as well as keeping your professionalism" Fallon began sternly "The press could easily turn Camila into a talking point, it's your job to make her look like a good girl"

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