Dean was getting fidgety in the living room of Lauren's penthouse; it was bad enough he had to put on another monkey suit for this premiere, but now he was suffering through that age old problem men always found themselves in – waiting on a woman. Not just any woman though; if she had been just another random hook-up, he would have been mumbling obscenities already. Lauren however was not a random woman; she was the woman who had stolen his heart long before he knew it could be stolen. He couldn't believe the change in her; she had gone from scared 14 year old girl to a confident, independent and beautiful woman. A noise from above where he was standing caused Dean to look to the top of the stairs; there stood Lauren, her long, black hair flowing down over one shoulder. As Dean continued to take in the sight of her his mouth fell open; she had picked a ruby red satin dress, which had beading down the front until just below the knees and then the satin blossomed out into an elegant pool around her feet. She smiled down at him and took ahold of the dress so she could make her way down the stairs; he noticed the matching ruby colored heels, there was no way anyone would be looking at him this evening. She was breathtaking; he couldn't even form words. "Is everything ok?" Lauren looked at him staring at her and suddenly felt self-conscious. "Do you not like the dress? I could quickly change into something else." Before she could say another word; Dean silenced her with a scorching kiss.
"Don't you dare change!" Dean said as he pulled his lips away from hers. "You are beautiful; in fact, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!" He watched as the red appeared in her cheeks; almost the same color as her dress. He offered her his arm; although he had only seen it done in movies, and smiled as she wrapped her arm around his. They made their way downstairs where the limo that the company had sent waited for them. Dean looked around the inside of the limo; it was the first time he had actually been inside one of these things.
"You look very handsome tonight Dean." Lauren said smiling. "I think we make a pretty good looking pair; us two street kids, we clean up good." She kissed him and took his hand in hers. "Hey! Smile and relax. For once; let me take care of you, I'm good at these types of things." She gripped his hand. "So here's what usually happens; you'll probably be stopped a few times so media can take your picture, think of it like a photo shoot for the WWE. Then you'll probably be stopped a few times for short interviews; they'll be quick ones, usually like one or two questions. Generally, something like did you enjoy making the movie, what was it like working with the other cast and the director and sometimes they throw something like how do you think wrestling prepared you for acting? All you have to do answer the questions and smile. You'll be fine and I'll be right behind you." He nodded to her and squeezed her hand.
Once they arrived the driver opened the door for them and the cameras started flashing; they were like a blinding mass of lights. Dean got out of the limo and reached his hand out for Lauren's. She took his hand and smiled at him. One of the WWE media people that Jon recognized came up to them. "You look great Dean! I'm going to walk down with you and handle who gets to interview you ok? I promise to get you down the carpet without too many bruises!" The man smiled. Dean looked horrified for a moment; until Lauren whispered in his ear that the man was joking with him. The first interview went well and right before they let Jon go, they asked who his date was wearing. Dean looked mystified; Lauren took his arm.
"I'm wearing Versace; you know men, most of them have no clue about fashion. It's why they keep us women around." Lauren smiled and the interviewer chuckled. She kissed Dean's cheek and he whispered a faint 'Thank you' to her. "I told you; I'll take care of you." She whispered and smiled. Once they entered the theatre; Jon finally took a deep breath and she felt his body relax. "Nicely done; Mr. Movie Star!" Lauren hugged him and they kissed; out of the corner of her eye she spotted the angry blonde from the other day, it was clear she was fuming but behaving in the public venue. She reached up and adjusted his tie. "Shall we go enjoy your first movie; Mr. Good?"
"I think after all that out there; I could use to sit quietly for a while, besides I will dazzle you with my superior acting skills." Dean grinned at her as they walked into the darkened room. Two and a half hours later the lights came up. The crowd in the theatre seemed to really enjoy the film; and Lauren definitely had enjoyed it. "Well; think they'll ask me to do anymore movies or should I stick to my day job?" Dean asked with a smile.
"I loved it! You were great Dean; I'm so proud of you! Who would have guessed when we were kids that you'd be in a movie. May I just say; you can arrest me anytime you'd like officer, as long as you promise to frisk and cuff me!" She grinned and winked at him. His devilish grin appeared as he pulled her closer to him.
"I have received reports of some rather questionable activities at your address; I think I better take you back there and interrogate you. It may take a very long time; maybe all night, since I don't intend to leave until you confess!" He whispered in her ear; sending goose bumps down her back.
"Well officer; that will take a very long time, I never confess to anything!" Lauren took his arm and they headed for the limo; a full fun of roleplaying ahead of them back at her place. Once in the limo, Lauren's cell phone rang; it was Juliette. "Good evening Juliette, is everything alright?" She listened to her assistant on the other end of the phone. "Alright; is Jackson taking care of it?" She listened again. "I see; I am on my way there now, please call Jackson and have him end the date with my apologies. He can let the client know that I will absolutely take care of him. I don't want any of the other girls going out tonight; thank you Juliette." Lauren looked over at Dean. "Mind if we make a side trip?"
"Is everything ok? That sounded pretty serious; should we call the police or something?" Dean asked her concerned. Lauren shook her head no.
"This is something that can be handled internally, Jackson, my head of security was providing security for one of the girls on a date; he's on his way to the office as well. I think it's something that will be easily diffused once I'm in the building; you're welcome to come in with me if you're worried." Lauren looked at her boyfriend.
"Yeah; I think I'm going to do that, not that I don't trust your judgment but if something happens and that Jackson guy hasn't made it back in time I might be able to help. I'd feel better about you being in the middle of something if I was there." Dean looked at her grimly. A few minutes later they pulled up in front of a building that looked like it could have been a luxury hotel. When they entered the building, Lauren went to the desk where Juliette sat looking concerned; Dean was right behind her.
"Has Jackson made it back yet, Juliette?" She asked the pretty redhead at the desk.
"Not yet Ms. Anderson; He is on his way, the girls that were still here are in their rooms. I instructed them to lock their doors just as a precaution and currently he's in your office. Good news; I haven't heard anything being thrown in there for a few moments, maybe he has calmed down." She answered, briefly looking at the man behind her boss.
Lauren reached over and hit the intercom button to her office. "Ian. This is Lauren; I'm quite surprised by this sudden outburst of yours. Surely; there is a better way to handle things, I'm going to come into the office and we can discuss whatever issue there is." She said calmly; like she was speaking to a child throwing a temper-tantrum. She looked at Juliette, "As soon as Jackson arrives; send him into the office please." With that last instruction; she removed her jacket and headed into her office, Dean following very closely behind. A man was sitting in the chair across from her desk; his gray hair was cut extremely short, but that was the only part of the man Dean could see from the doorway. Looking around the office; it was clear that the man, before settling in the chair had set out to destroy it. Papers everywhere; glass broken in spots on the floor. Lauren set her jacket down on the leather couch behind the man and carefully made her way through the mess to her desk. Looking around at the damage in her inner sanctum before sitting down in her desk chair; Dean stayed behind the man, but close in case he needed to protect Lauren. "Ian. Really? Did you need to go into a rampage in my office? I truly expected better from a businessman like you."
The man shifted in his chair, "Lauren; I do not enjoy being made to look like a fool, especially in front of the other members of the cause! You are lucky that lying whore didn't get sent back to you in pieces. I had considered it." He threatened in his thick Irish brogue.
"Ian; I'm afraid you are going to have to fill me in on what exactly Bridgette did, or is being accused of doing. I was not made aware there were any issues going on; and please don't make your threats here. Your cause means very little to me other than the fact you position in it pays for your membership to this service. I've made it very clear on numerous occasions that I do not play politics."
"What happened is that you're sweet Bridgette was telling another competitor any information about my business she happened learn from me during our times together."
Lauren shook her head. "Now Ian; what would Bridgette stand to gain by doing something like that, you have always been more than generous to her in many ways. In fact; she just telephoned me from Dublin the day before yesterday, saying just how happy she was. She told me you and her son had hit it off almost instantly and he had asked her when he might start sounding like you. She certainly did not sound like a woman who was looking to hurt you or your business in any way." She said calmly.
"Lauren; I'm telling you, the information I got from a trusted source says she was selling me out! Are you calling me a liar?" Ian's voice rose again.
"I am not saying you're a liar; I'm just trying to understand how there are two stories that are so starkly different from one another. I assure you; I take this very seriously, if what you are saying is true than Bridgette has not only affected your business but mine as well. You know very well that I screen my ladies very well; they sign confidentiality agreements so secure, they make any that the federal government use look like jokes. If she did what she's being accused of; she has broken those agreements and I assure you, the penalties for doing that are more serious than her just losing her job. I as well; have a business to run Ian, and if the story you're telling me is true and it gets out I'm ruined." Lauren leaned forward in her chair.
"How do we resolve this issue, Lauren?" Ian asked.
"This is what I propose; clearly these claims need to be verified for both of our satisfactions. Let me send Jackson with you back to Dublin. You know him; to my knowledge you trusted him enough to allow him to act as your bodyguard during that incident two years ago. I trust him with my own life; I know that he will do a very thorough job investigating this claim, have him and one of your men work together. It will ensure that you are satisfied that Jackson isn't just giving you an answer in order to serve my needs solely. If they find out she is guilty; you and I will discuss what should follow. However, if it's proven that Bridgette is innocent; well. You will not only owe poor Bridgette a very large apology; since I truly believe she feels very strongly towards you, but you will owe me an extremely large apology. Does this sound like an adequate place to start?"
The man shifted in his chair again, "Yes; I agree that this is an adequate place to start."
"Then let's shake like business people on it and go from there." She reached out her hand and he shook it. "Oh! Ian dear; one more thing, about this damage to my office, I will be sending you a bill for the repairs and also for one third of the money I'll be forced to return to the poor clients who did not get to see their companions tonight; due to your rampage. I trust that based on our previous good will and business relationship; this won't be something I'll need seek legal avenues to get that payment." Lauren said forcefully. Just then, her office door opened and a large man that reminded Dean of Brock Lesnar came into the room.
"What the hell!? Lauren are you ok? Do I need help Mr. Boyle to the door?" Jackson asked.
"Everything has been resolved Jackson. Ian is going to take care of the damage he caused. However; apparently there is an issue with Bridgette potentially breaking contracts. I'm going to need you to return to Dublin with Ian and help one of his people look into these claims. I would also appreciate you checking on Bridgette and little Danny to make sure Ian didn't also break any contracts. I'm sure this won't be an issue for Ian." She tilted her head; almost daring him to challenge her. Ian nodded that it was fine. "I want to be kept aware of what is going on regularly; is that clear Jackson?"
"Yes ma'am. I will call you as soon as I've seen Bridgette and Danny; then update you daily after that. Mr. Boyle; shall we head to the airport?" He made sure to follow the man out of the room. Ian briefly made eye contact with Dean on his way out.
"Lauren; I do apologize for my outburst, as soon as you let me know what I owe, I'll be certain to send you the money." He said to her before leaving her office completely. Lauren stood up and for the first time showed any nerves she may have had about the encounter. Dean quickly walked over to her and held her tightly.
"What was that guy's deal? What was all of that about a cause and politics? Is he some Irish diplomat or something?" Dean asked her.
"Ian? No; Ian is the current leader of the IRA. He also has some potentially questionable dealings with arms sales." Lauren answered.
"Wait. Arms sales like guns and weapons? Jesus Christ Lauren! I thought you ran background checks on these guys?" Dean was shocked.
"Yes, like guns and weapons. I do background check them and he passed a very rigorous one. The truth is he has never been convicted of any crimes; even internationally, he has never harmed any of the ladies he has been with in the past and until this evening I was under the impression he might be considering proposing to Bridgette. We'll have to see how this all works out." Lauren sighed.
"He threatened to send her back here in pieces." Dean pointed out.
"Dean, he is just a man who is upset that the woman he trusted with all his being may have used him. I know Ian; He never would have actually done anything like that to Bridgette. I know this because he watched his mother murdered in front of him when he was a young man. He wouldn't hurt a woman." She hugged Dean tightly and kissed him. "Now; I believe I was being brought in for questioning?"