Kapitel 18: A new career for Laura

Tomorrow morning she would return to work and submit the doctor's letter which she had obtained from Rene's doctor. He had paid her a house call while she was over at Rene's home.

Doctor Shane Morris was about Rene's age and he was also unmarried. He had been Rene's family doctor for the past six years and seemed to get along well with the sometimes temperamental artist. He had booked Laura off for three days, with a diagnosis of nervous and physical exhaustion.

After Laura and Monique left Rene's home, it took only about ten minutes for a complete change of scene to take place in the mansion. Ike called Rene to discuss his views about their new music video. He was very anxious about the finer details concerning the artistic side of the video.

Ike told Rene that he had met a famous model (in fact an international supermodel), in London and had made her an offer to appear in a video, featuring a song which the band expected to become a big hit.

The model had been reluctant to make a decision back then in March of this year, which was now two months ago. He had half-heartedly left a phone number for her to contact him in South Africa, if she was interested.

He had not considered telling Rene at the time, because it had seemed pointless to come up with a half-formulated plan. Rene hated that kind of approach.

So today the model Laurelle Thompson, had called to say that she would consider his offer. Ike had then phoned Rene urgently, hoping that he had not come up with some specific idea for the video himself.

Nobody had discussed the layout of the video for that song as yet. Such discussions were to have been left for until after their vacation period and that would only be after August, this year.

So now Rene had his hands full with communicating back and forth between Ike and Laurelle. He had his meals in the study and there were even music instruments in his bedroom.

His hairdresser came in to touch up his hair and dancers showed up to audition for the upcoming new video. They did this in the gymnasium, which was attached to the house. The house was filled with the sounds of rock music.

***

The following morning at work, just after she returned from her tea-break, Laura received a phone call from a man who introduced himself as Steven. He told her that he was calling on behalf of Gregory Le Roux and that she should urgently call Rene's home number when she herself got home.

She should then ask to speak to Gregory, who had some important information which he would like to share with her. Laura did not quite know what to make of the call. What could either Rene or his brother want with her now? She would have thought that they both have had enough of taking care of her for the time being.

Getting home was soon the only thing on her mind. This had to be a confidential matter, otherwise Gregory would not request her to call back from her own home telephone.

***

After Ike called, Rene had to contact his video recording team and inform them that he had a production planned, which required him to go to London on short notice. Laurelle chose to shoot the video there with them, because she would be working at a fashion show in London at the same time.

Therefore the videographers and technicians would have to set extra time aside to incorporate the trip, even though it came at such short notice.

At around the same time that Ike called, Rene's brother came in at the front door, beaming because he expected to find Laura there.

"Well, you would do just as well," he said after he learned that Laura had left. He still had a glint in the eye.

"I've got an opportunity for Laura, so maybe you could be the one to help me coax her into taking the risk?"

Rene was caught by surprise with Gregory's sudden interest in Laura. He had almost forgotten that he had left the two of them behind and that they had dinner together earlier that week, while he was gone.

His brother had another appointment arranged for later on that same evening. Therefore Rene had felt certain that neither Gregory nor Laura would have time to get bored with each other's company.

Dinner had been scheduled to be early, so that Gregory could leave in time for his other appointment. Rene had assumed that they could not have had much to talk about, with such little time at their disposal.

Now however, it seemed as if what they have shared has in fact been meaningful.

The two of them had never before shown much interest in each other. Gregory was mainly interested in girls who had an academic background. That was when he found the time to break away from his research projects―which was not often.

Rene had then assumed that Laura, with her vibrant personality, must have thought his brother to be rather dull company. He now fleetingly entertained the notion that he could have thrown them together much sooner. Years ago.

At least then she would not have been struggling with financial problems and he would have known all the little details about her life. But back then he was himself still very attached to Laura.

His emotions with regards to her were still very strong shortly after their breakup. Her parents did not approve of his choice of career and she chose not to oppose them. Thus the relationship ended.

"So why are you just staring at me in disbelief?" Gregory asked in surprise, after he had explained that he had something to offer Laura.

"I didn't say that I was going to abduct her, for goodness' sake!"

Rene found himself heaving a sigh of relief at his brother's naturally good sense of humor. It was immediately evident tonight.

"So what did you get her?" he asked.

"Good to see that the two of you finally got beyond formalities for a change."