Page 63 of Meet Me at Sunset
She snatched René’s clipboard from him, eyeing the schedule critically. Around them, the backstage area was crammed with models, clothes, make-up artists, hairdressers and reporters, everyone wanting something from her.
‘Camille, more flowers have arrived. Where do you want them?’
‘Alejandro Simón from El País wants to interview you after the show. Can you give him five minutes?’
‘Camille, how is this belt supposed to be styled?’
It was hot, noisy and chaotic. Camille usually revelled in the pre-show atmosphere, but today she couldn’t stop thinking about the blackmail notes, and the fact that Isobel was threatening to expose Camille’s darkest secrets.
Then one voice cut through the mayhem:
‘Camille.’
She turned around to see Nicolas. He looked handsome and composed, in a crisp white shirt and stylish suit trousers, unflappable amidst the chaos. Once again, she realized how lucky she was to have him on her side, always looking out for her.
Nicolas ensured Camille’s attention was on him before he spoke, saying discreetly, ‘She’s here.’
A burst of adrenaline surged through Camille, then her face hardened, and she turned to René. ‘Keep everything under control here. I need ten minutes.’
Camille looked at Nicolas, their eyes meeting in silent understanding. ‘Let’s go.’
It was time for the showdown.
Chapter 29
‘Morning, Emilia,’ Paulo said, as he approached the hotel’s reception desk. ‘You’re looking beautiful today.’ He’d parked his car a short walk from the hotel, leaving it on a deserted track far from the main road. Today was all about flying under the radar – he wanted to keep a low profile for now.
Panic jolted across her face as she saw him, and she quickly stood up, coming out from behind the reception desk and ushering him to one side. ‘Paulo—’
‘Hey, it’s all cool, just relax,’ he grinned, putting his hands on her shoulders and exerting a gentle pressure. Emilia was dressed in the hotel’s uniform of a navy suit and crisp white shirt, her dark hair neatly pulled back in a chignon, her make-up discreet. ‘You won’t get into any trouble, I promise.’
She looked up at him, big dark eyes, and nodded.
‘Did you manage to arrange everything this morning, with the note?’
She nodded once again. ‘Yes. On the breakfast tray, as you said.’
‘You’re more than just a pretty face,’ he grinned. ‘I knew I could rely on you.’
‘But Paulo, I … I don’t know if I can let you in today. There’s so much security, and I’m under strict instructions not to let anyone enter unless they’re on the guest list.’
‘C’mon, Emilia,’ he smiled flirtatiously, reaching out to brush a stray hair away from her face. ‘You know me. You know I’m friends with Lucas and the whole Fontaine family. Where’s the harm?’
‘So why can’t they let you in?’ she frowned.
‘Maybe my invite got lost in the post,’ he grinned. ‘Look, I’ll tell you the truth. Lucas and I had a stupid argument. I feel really bad about it and I want to make things up to him. If you let me in, you’d be helping two guys repair a twenty-year friendship. That’d be your good deed for the day,’ he laughed charmingly.
‘I could lose my job,’ she said, firmly.
‘That’s OK, Emilia, you don’t have to … But then I don’t have to keep those photos of you to myself either. I’ll could just walk out of here right now and give them straight to your boyfriend.’
Panic crossed her face. ‘No, please don’t, if he ever finds out about you—’
‘I don’t know why you’re so worried – you look great in them, that body underneath your uniform. He’s a lucky guy, I hope he knows that?’
‘Paulo … how could you?’ She gazed up at him, with tears in her eyes, only to meet his pitiless ones. ‘OK, I’ll take you.’
She quickly ran behind the desk to remove a key from the drawer. ‘We’ll have to go the back way,’ she said tearfully, pointing him towards a deserted corridor that led past the kitchen. ‘Follow me.’
