Truth or Dare

The next week went by quickly. Maxwell was busy casting for his new play “Copacabana”. He spent most of the time in the theatre with CC. He had seen tons of beautiful dark women these days, dancing and singing in front of him. They had already filled all the parts except for the female lead. It was like no one really had ‘it’ to play that character. His head was spinning from all those women who had tried so desperately to get that part. Many of them went way beyond just doing an audition. They all came up to him, slipping him telephone numbers, inviting him to dinners or private parties. They were really beautiful, not to mention gorgeous but he wasn’t the least interested. It flattered him but in the back of his mind he knew tacteacted like this just to get the lead. He knew many men taking advantage of these kind of women but he never could. Especially not now.

It is Friday and Maxwell is dead tired. He has seen 7 women already today and still there wasn’t a single one who matched the character he has in mind for the lead. It frustrates him. Everything had gone so well. It was a great musical, a funky love story, it could be the hit of the season but he needed a great star. The rest of the cast was easy to find. He thought almost all Latin Americans in the entire country had audited for him and there were some really talented. If he could just find the one with the right touch. He sighs.

A Puerto Rican girl named Juliana walks up to him. She has just audited and he didn’t intent on giving her any part. He thought he had been clear with giving a cold “Thank you, we’ll call you. Don’t call us”.

“Hiiiiii Mr. Sheffield” she says sweetly as she comes close to him. She doesn’t wear much, just a very short flowery dress with a deep cleavage. He swallows as she puts a finger to his face and traces his clean shaven jaw line. “I thought maybe we can discuss this part over a dinner tonight.” Maxwell sighs. Another one.

Fran just comes into the theatre at that moment. Gracie has asked her if she could go away for the weekend and Fran wanted to check with Mr. Sheffield before she said ‘yes’. She had hardly seen him all week as he has been tied up in the theatre. She knows he has auditions for all kinds of Latin girls. Not liking the fact of him being surrounded by beautiful young girls all day, a sting of jealousy hits her when she sees Juliana touching him.

“I am sorry, Juliana but that is not the way to get a part in the theatre.” He says firmly as he turns his head away from her hand. Juliana is not the one to give up fast and she puts a hand on his chest, caressing it sensuously. “Ah, Mr. Sheffield I don’t care about the part. I am actually asking you out because you are one hot guy”. She sensuously pouts her lips.

“Yeah right” Maxwell looks at her, not amused. Fran’s heart jumps seeing him so firm. She already knows he is not the type to flirt with actresses but one never knows if a man can resist all that beauty.

“I am sure you won’t regret it” she says sexily as her hand moves a bit lower. Maxwell holds his breath. “I … I” he stammers as her hand goes even lower. “Come on, Mr. Sheffield. You are entitled to have some fun. I think you and I will hit it off just fine” with that her hands slides over his belt down. Maxwell then backs away. “I am sorry Juliana but I am engaged”. It slips out of him before he knows it. He wants to be a gentleman and don’t be too rude. So lying about his status should be the least crude way to let her down.

“Well, Mr. Sheffield. I don’t mind. She doesn’t need to know. A man like you shouldn’t tie himself down to one woman” she starts.

“I am sorry honey but he loves to be tied down by one woman.” Maxwell turns around when hearing this familiar voice. It’s Fran stepping towards them.. “Hi honey, I just came to see how you get along here” she says giving him a peck on the lips.

“Uh… yes, hello Mi… darling” Maxwell says awkwardly, giving her a slide hug.

“So, what’s your story?” Fran looks Juliana up and down.

Juliana looks angry. “You should watch your man. He was just hitting on me”.

Fran laughs out loud. “Yeah right! Well, it’s obvious you can’t act so you can also forget whatever part you audited for, right honey?” She looks expectantly at Maxwell.

“Right!” he says firmly. ‘I don’t need people like you in my play”. With that Juliana storms off.

Fran turns to Maxwell. ‘I am sorry Mr. Sheffield, I hope you didn’t have plans with her” she eyes him mockingly.

“Come on Miss Fine, what do you think I am?” he looks at her seriously. He doesn’t want her to think that he flirts with all the actre.
.

She pokes him between his ribs. “I was just kidding” her laugh fills the theatre. “Why would you hit on actresses if you have a gorgeous woman at home everyday?” she smiles.

“I wouldn’t know Miss Fine”. God, she was beautiful again today with her green top and light green shirt. Like a fresh piece of fruit. If he could only take a bite.

He was flirting with her again. That smile, those twinkling eyes, she knew them so well. If they could only have some time alone. Mr. Sheffield was so busy she did not see any chance in the near future to catch him alone. There were always people around. This weekend all the kids will be gone but she is sure Mr. Sheffield will be working the whole day.

“So, what brings you here today Miss Fine?” Maxwell turns around and sits down on one of the theatre chairs. He pats the chair besides him.

Fran sits down. “Gracie, wants to have a sleep over at Melissa this weekend and I wanted to know if it’s okay with you.”

“Yeah sure” he says absentmindedly watching the stage. “Why can’t I just find the right girl for the part?”

“Maxwell” Mark walks in. He is the director of the play and has been handling the auditions together with Mr. Sheffield in the past weeks. He too looks tired of the endless row of girls that past the stage. “This just came in from one of my friend in Brazil”.

He hands Maxwell an envelope and suspiciously looks at Fran. He first assumed she has audited too but didn’t recognise her. “And you are..?” he extends his hand to Fran.

Fran gives him her hand and one of her million dollar smiles. ‘I am Fran, Fran Fine. The nanny”.

“Ah, the nanny.” Marks slow voice moves along with his eyes exploring Fran from top to toe. Fran is surprised by this attention. As far as she could see Mark is clearly gay so not the guy who would have special interest in her.

“Max hasn’t said one word too many about you, Fran” he says as he winks at her. Maxwell turns instantly red.

“Yes, she is very good with the children” he mutters.

“Not just the children I heard.” Mark mocks. Fran looks at Maxwell. Did he discuss personal things in the theatre? She had no idea. Somehow she liked the idea of Mr. Sheffield telling Mark about her. It seems like he had been pretty positive as well.

Maxwell is already distracted. ‘Wow, this is her!” he says loudly while looking at the picture from the envelope.

“Great isn’t she?” Mark says. Fran looks at the picture and sees a gorgeous Brazilian woman.

“Her name is Jenna, she is on a show in the real Copacabana and my partner in Rio says she is really talented. He knows we are putting a show together here about Copacabana so he thought he’d tip me off. He told me she speaks English as well.” Mark is really enthusiastic.

“We need her here!’ is the only thing Maxwell can bring out as he studies her resume.

“Shall I book a flight for you to Rio?” Mark offers. “You have to talk to her first.”

Maxwell looks up. “Yes please do!”. Then he turns to Fran. “We don’t have any plans with the family for the weekend, do we?”

“No, the kids are all gone. So, that will be a nice quiet weekend for me” she can’t hide her disappointment.

“Why don’t you take her with you?” Mark says. “It’s a great city to have some fun. The Brazilians don’t call it for nothing “A cidade maravilhosa”, The Marvellous City.’

Mark winks at Fran as he tries to play matchmaker for the two of them. “I need CC here” Mark continues “and it’s a shame to go alone. It’s even safer to go together.”

Maxwell looks at Fran. The problem is not that he doesn’t want to spend a great few days with Fran alone in a beautiful South American city. He knows exactly that they will have a great time together. How will he ever be able to keep his hands off her there? Just the thought of being with Fran on the beach makes his temperature rise. But how could he deny her this trip?

“Would you like to go Miss fine?” he asks hesitantly looking at her. His heart jumps as he sees her bright smile. “Oh Mr. Sheffield it would be a dream to go to Rio de Janeiro with you! Do you really want me to come along?”
He couldn’t deny her anything, not like this. She looked so thrilled and happy. It could actually be nice to be in a different surrounding with her to sort out his feelings. “Of course Miss Fine. I would love you to accompany me” he beams at her.

Fran throws both arms around his neck and jumps up and down. “Thank you Mr. Sheffield. Thank you so much!” she gives him a big kiss on his cheek. “Oy, I gotta go shopping. Find myself a nice bikini”. With that she runs off.

Maxwell looks at Mark “I am not sure if I made the right decision…”

Mark laughs. “Come on Maxwell. She is gorgeous, sweet and you are obviously in love with her. Go and enjoy life before it’s too late.” With that he leaves Maxwell deep in thought in the empty theatre.