NOT LIKE THE MOVIES
Chapter One - Picture Perfect

"Stop callin', stop callin – I don't want to think anymore. I left my head and my heart on the dance floor –"

She should have been working – keyword is should have – but she senseless listened to the lovely words Lady Gaga had to say at her desk, bopping her head in the motion as well as mouthing the lyrics though she knew her fellow co-workers would probably believe Kelly Blank was a complete and total nut job.

Apparently, she had found it more fun to place her iPod on shuffle and suddenly the infectious and sultry beats of Lady GaGa and Beyonce came rolling through. Who was she to help it? Her music was a drug and she was addicted. Peeling back in her seat, her eyes darted out to the window, Kelly was completed surrounding by the countless skyscrapers that made New York City, well – New York City. Right along Fifth Avenue – probably one of the best streets in Manhattan, if not the best – working for a massive production company responsible for countless television talk, radio and web shows.

Kelly was certainly living the life any twenty something year old would want. The perfect job in a perfect city; she for one couldn't complain. It hit her there that if she did not get a move on with her work, she'd lose the perfect job, which could lead to a domino effect and in result; her perfect life would be completely gone.

The music had ended – pulling the plug on the talented duo; her mind was focused on completing her massive workload. It was a Friday night and that usually meant heading out to dinner in the village, drinks in the lower east side and dancing in Chelsea. The typical routine was practiced by her and her closest friends: Melina, Eve and Maryse – her absolute closet friends. She couldn't trade the world for them. The trio had stuck by her side, through just about anything.

They were a special set – special enough they had a frame planted beside Kelly's computer screen where she could gaze at them at any time and no matter what, it always managed to form a smile across Kelly's lips.

Back to her work load, Kelly filed through the stack of papers all involving what was supposed to occur on next week's edition of Layla El's show – Layla – simple enough, just like Oprah. Many had compared her to becoming the next talk show icon and Kelly had been blessed to work as her personal assistant. To make it more special, Kelly was handpicked by Lady Lay – a nickname Layla had created for herself. The woman was the emperor of this kingdom.

Speaking of the Queen of talk shows, Kelly could already hear the elegant accent barreling through the hallway – she was close. Hidden behind the stack of files, the blonde's face had been covered with the exception of her eyes that were still able to watch the madness that would go on in 3 – 2 – 1.

"I am in desperate need of a vacation. I can't deal with this. My life is like a jungle – I'm surrounded by animals and everyone is all out for themselves. What about Layla? Oh no, who cares about Layla – the woman who gave everyone jobs in this damn company and this is how I get repaid?"

Apparently Layla's patience had run its course – it was shown by the enormous noise that barreled out of her voice. Kelly was unaware if this was just that time of the month for Ms. El or was she indeed angry at this world and company? She'd find out any moment now – wasn't she just lucky?

Through the glass doors, the heavy red tint was present against her cheeks and if she looked close enough, the large vein was visible on her forehead. The vein was moments away from popping open.

"Kelly, just the woman I was looking for!" Layla actually seemed content when she spoke to Kelly, "Is it me or is this planet getting full of more idiots than it already has?" Surprisingly, Layla's eyes were shot up toward the ceiling, "Lord, you know I'm a good Christian and all with all the charity work I do but must you keep sending morons down to earth? We don't need them here in New York – send them to Chicago or LA. We're full – there are vacancies over there."

Following her rampage to the higher being, Kelly couldn't help but release a little chuckle and a sweet grin, "You seem a little tense – what happened down in production?"

"Let me just say," She spat out, "I'm firing half that staff next week. Plug it in on what you think happened. Was I intoxicated when I hired those new guys in production? Was my coffee a little Irish that morning I made a total mistake?"

Layla's body collapsed onto the couch that was normally provided for guests or clients she'd have come but today it would be her bed. Rising from her seat, Kelly came forward and eventually took a seat in the opposite chair beside the couch. This was a weekly routine and Kelly knew exactly what must be done.

"Would you want me to call up those people from the spa? I can arrange for a nice session in your office – complete with the scented candles shipped from Italy and we'll play some soothing and peaceful music. Does that sound nice?"

A refreshing sigh was released but Layla had something else in mind – something a little bit better.

"You're the best assistant you know that? But I had something a little different in mind. Get me a trip out of this place – I want to go somewhere nice for the weekend. Maybe the Virgin Islands or I think Aruba? Whichever you can get a flight out for me tonight. That's you're last thing to do for me today. Get me a trip out of this city and you're free to go. I don't want to see you till Monday."

"But I still have –"

"I don't care. I really could care less about Monday's show. I'm telling them it's going to be a re-run," Layla interrupted the blonde, deciding to let the work slide, "Kanye can wait till Tuesday to get interviewed by me. I mean if he could pull the plug on Taylor Swift's speech, than I can pull the plug on him."

Doing as her boss had directed, Ms. Blank returned to her desk and was quick on her toes to find the fastest flight out of New York for her boss, "Ms. El –"

"Please, don't call me Ms. El – it makes me sounds like I'm old and I don't need a verification that I'm thirty three and still not married nor with the man I am going to marry."

Overly dramatic as usual, "Okay, Layla – there's a flight leaving tonight at eight from JFK with nonstop service to Aruba – shall I book the ticket?"

"Book it."

And just like that Kelly did as her boss had instructed her to do, printing out all the documents that were need for the brunette. With the strength she had left, Layla brought herself to the feet and up to Kelly's desk. Pulling up the documents need, she smiled down at all the information.

Kelly always thought it was rather amazing assertive and crafty her boss was when it came down to subjects like this. Kelly wasn't really like that – she never was demanding or got what she wanted. It was always letting others go by first and not taking herself into consideration. The idea of it was sweet – she was selfless but then again sometimes you need to be selfish. Placing others before her own needs was done before but never once did she ever do something for herself.

It's something Kelly wished she could be – just a little more independent.

A pile of mail lay on Kelly's desk that was marked for Layla. Taking the papers into her hand, she'd mentally tell herself 'trash' every time she saw the usual statements she'd receive but suddenly stopped when she came across a seal enveloped that was directed toward her from Vince McMahon.

"Oh dear – I have a letter from Vince McMahon," Kelly continued cleaning up her desk but Layla unwrapped the letter and it was revealed to be an invitation to a party of some sorts, "Oh my – a McMahon Gala? Are you kidding me? I've been invited to this?"

The sharp excitement radiating off of Layla could only explain that this party wasn't just a regular party – there seemed to be some value in it than other's Layla would receive. When she'd come over, she'd arch her eyebrow in curiosity.

A high pitch scream elevated into the room, frightening Kelly in the process, "This is it – this is the one! The McMahon honors gala – I can't believe this…"

"– What's so special about the McMahon honors Gala?"

"Oh Kelly – you think the academy awards or noble peace prize ceremonies are parties you should be invited too? Guess again – they compare nothing to what Vince has to offer. This man is like Bill Gates plus Oprah plus Donald Trump plus the president all together. That's how big this man is. Getting invited to such an event," As she read on, Layla was even more stunned to discover there was more to this.

As she stalled, Kelly grew a little concerned, "Is everything okay?"

"I've been nominated. I've actually been nominated for this," Her assistant would continue gazing at the woman's reaction to the letter that was brought to her while Layla couldn't even gasp for air, "I've been nominated for person of the year."

"Person of the year?"

With Kelly's confusion pouring out, Layla took the moment to give her a confused expression, "Honey, you need to do some research. The McMahon Honors person of the year award is basically the noble peace prize in entertainment – this award is huge. Only a selected few are nominated every year and I have been blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime. Seriously, I don't even remember why I was so mad about before because this certainly makes up for it."

"Well you were," Before she could go any further, Layla shot a glare into Kelly's direction, "Never mind."

"Oh would you look at this? I'm able to bring with me three guests. I could bring my mother or if I'm lucky, a significant other that I may be dating in a few weeks. Kelly, would you like to come with me?"

The invitation was a little surprising – to be invited into such a thing Layla bragged so much about was surprising to say the least. Who honestly brings their assistant to an event like this? Clearly, Layla would.

"I'd love to Layla – thank you."

"– And why don't you bring your boyfriend, Mike right? You should bring him and he can fill the empty seat we have?" In response to Layla's suggestion, Kelly quickly frowned and could see her lower lip wobbling gently, "Oh, I'm sorry – I completely forgot that you and Mike had broken up a few weeks ago. I'm so stupid."

The topic was always a sensitive one that she never as never fond to speak about. Mike was obviously her ex-boyfriend, one she had spent a year with. The truth – he was a good guy. Mike possessed all the characteristics she liked in guy. Funny, sweet and loving: in conclusion, he was the entire package. They were happy; at least she thought they were. The sudden breakup came out of left field. He wanted other things in life and clearly with Kelly in the picture, Mike couldn't have what he wanted – she still doesn't know what he wanted but clearly, it didn't involve her in it.

It's not you, it's me. I want different things. That's all Mike had to say to her and it didn't answer much for her.

It was odd how that all ended. Many questions had remained unanswered and Kelly wouldn't expect for those questions to be answered anytime in the near future. Did she do something wrong? Did he fall out of live with her? Those questions and countless others would remain unanswered and it bothered her that she'd never receive closure.

And now she was all alone. The frustration had garnered inside her tiny little body but it was useless. It was all unnecessary because it would only lead her into a fit of confusion and not a single question answered.

But there was a question she had proposed to herself after this had all happened. Would she be able to find love again? Could see find someone who loved her just the way Mike did? For this question, she didn't have much of a good answer for it. Compared to the others that were left unanswered, she did have something for this one. It was a simple answer – she honestly didn't know.

"No, No – Layla, it's fine. You just forgot and you don't have to apologize to me for anything. Please, it was an honest mistake and I know you didn't mean it. Do not worry about it," Kelly asked her boss. Layla's role for Kelly was to be her assistant but Layla and Kelly would both be surprised by the friendship they'd develop over time.

"I never even asked how you were handling it as of recently? I know it's been a few weeks but how have you been through the ordeal?"

"It's definitely different being single," Admitted Kelly. Kelly rested her palms in her lap and spoke, "I had been with him for such a long time, you know. One whole year we were together – I never had anything last that long but I'm fine. I've done surprisingly better than I would have thought. I'm not handling it as if my life is completely over. He's just a piece of my life and I've come to realized that this part of my life was over and it was time to move forward. Life shouldn't stop for just one person."

She nodded, "I'm glad you're doing better. Now, if I'm correct – I asked you to get my tickets and leave. I know your Friday night routine so I bet they are waiting for you. You should get ready and shack up with some random guy at the club. It will surely get your mind off of Mike."

"Oh yes – the typical meaningless sex with a random guy I met in a club."

"I was just suggesting," When she turned around, her hair whipped back into the air and Layla proceeded to head into her office.

As for Kelly – she was now beginning to look forward to tonight more than ever. She was receiving an odd vibe that tonight was going to be different from other nights. Sliding into her jacket, Kelly picked up her purse and prepared herself for what she knew would be an eventful night.

A/N: There wasn't much going on here but next chapter, we're introduced to Justin :)
I suddenly am in love with Kelly & Justin together and insanely obsessed with Katy Perry, explaining the title of the story :)
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