Impetuous Designs Read online

  Impetuous Designs

  By Laura Major

  After pretending to be single on a dating reality show in search of celebrity status, Mia Sampson is cast off the reality show circuit and dumped by her boyfriend of five years. Hoping to regain the hearts of the reality show junkies who shunned her, the scorned mocha reality show diva signs away what’s left of her dignity to a design TV network run by bullies. Thinking that fame is just one episode away and infamy is a part of the past, Mia discovers that she must share the design set with a real interior designer, the motorcycle-riding Nate Long, who was under the impression that he would be the star of the show.

  Now Mia must avoid becoming a tool in Nate’s revenge plot against the network all while trying to deny her growing attraction to the brawny gent with the fiery attitude who knows his way around a bucket of Venetian plaster.

  Once Mia discovers the network’s double-cross, will she stay tuned on her way to regaining her audience’s trust, or will she do right by her dream guy without jeopardizing her rise to television stardom?

  Find out on the next episode of Impetuous Designs.

  Impetuous Designs

  By Laura Major

  LauraMajor.com

  This ebook is a work of fiction. References may be made to locations and historical events; however, all names, characters, places, and incidents portrayed in this novel are fictitious or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), businesses, events, or locales is either used fictitiously or coincidental.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com’s Kindle Store and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Impetuous Designs. Copyright © 2012 by Laura Major.

  Kindle Edition

  Cover Artist: Hot Damn Designs

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, including but not limited to: printing, photocopying, faxing, recording, electronic transmission or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the express written consent of the author.

  Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Re-release Coming Soon About

  Chapter One

  “Ms. Simpson, please sign right here.” The executive programming producer tapped his stubby finger on the dotted line at the bottom of the contract. Mia quickly jotted her signature down on the dotted line in response to the pressure Sandy’s hand imparted on her thigh from underneath the producer’s desk. While Mia and Sandy Wilkes, her business manager, had analyzed the value of this deal from every angle and scrutinized every detail of the contract during a late night conversation just days before, Mia still felt like an under-aged model signing her freedom away to a pornographic movie director.

  “I’d like a copy of that, please.” Mia watched Mr. Langston attempt to discreetly wipe his shiny forehead with the back of his hand.

  “Don’t you worry, it says the same as the documents you reviewed in advance.”

  “I’m sure it does, Mr. Langston, but I require a copy of all my signed contracts. You never know when I may need to refer to it.”

  “Please Mia, let’s not start this partnership with mistrust.” Sandy gave Mia’s thigh a more intense squeeze.

  “Yes Mia, I agree with Sandy on this one. Hopefully, you’ll have a long and lucrative career with the U-Design Television Network (UTN).”

  Sensing it was best to drop the subject, if only for the time being, Mia moved on to her next concern. “What’s next? When do I get to meet the rest of the cast and crew?”

  “Relax Mia. This isn’t like those reality shows you are use to. Here, you are the star. But to answer your question, filming begins in a couple of weeks. Sandy will receive all the details once the filming schedule is set. Well, if there’s nothing else, I think it’s time you two go celebrate.” The women stood up with Sandy taking the lead.

  “Would you like to join us, Jim?” Sandy squeezed Mr. Langston’s upper arm as he walked the women to the door of his oversized office.

  “No, I’m afraid I can’t. Now that we have secured the star for our design show, my work is just beginning.”

  ***

  Waiting at the bar of the local tavern, Mia’s stomach turned somersaults. Why had Sandy sent me ahead while she stayed behind to have one last word with Jim?

  “You don’t look like a television actor who just landed the gig of a lifetime. What’s your problem?”

  Mia let out a sigh, relieved that Sandy hadn’t taken a long time. She could only play with the ice in her mixed drink for so long. “What did you have to talk to Jim about in private?”

  “I had to make sure he wasn’t offended by your questioning of his ethics.” After catching the eye of the bartender, Sandy motioned to Mia’s drink implying that she wanted what her client was drinking.

  “Yeah, I thought I was going to lose my leg from poor circulation the way you were squeezing my thigh.”

  “Damn it, Mia. You hired me to protect your interests. It’s really hard to do that if you don’t trust me.”

  Mia pushed a short strand of her perfectly layered chocolate bob behind her ear. “I don’t mean to suggest that I’m not grateful for this opportunity, but after the fiasco that resulted from my reality show run, I am hoping to tie my name to a more meaningful project. I don’t have much experience with interior design. So, thank goodness for this miracle crew of consultants Jim is putting together.”

  “Look Mia, as I’ve said before, this opportunity is only limited by what you make of it. People want to see an everyday person like you making beautiful interior design choices. This has become a do-it-yourself society. The show isn’t ‘Watch as I get interior design help’, it’s Eye Design. During your reality show stint, didn’t every chat room in cyberspace buzz about your quirky clothing combinations? Just apply that to the homes you’ll be working on for the show.”

  “I’ve been dressing my body for decades. I’ve been dressing homes—never. Besides that was before the anti-Mia Simpson blogs sprang up.”

  “You want to be an actor? Here’s the biggest acting challenge of your life. Do what all actors do. Learn your character who happens to be inspired by interior design.”

  Mia knew in her heart that an actor was not the end result for her career. “Sandy, you don’t seem to understand, I have no interest in being someone other than myself.”

  “You were an attached woman on a string of reality dating shows. Weren’t you being someone other than yourself?” Sandy asked as she popped an olive into her mouth.

  “OK, so I’m capable of turning a less than ideal situation to my favor. That’s why I butted heads with so many people on the reality show circuit. I was more interested in developing my on-air persona, not attacking other people’s weaknesses and showing my ass for ratings. Now, I want to be known for making good television, not for making television controversial.”

  “It’s the same thing, isn’t it? Besides, everything is a process, Mia. Now stop whining, your drink is getting flat.”

  Once Mia and Sandy left the office, James busied himself with filing away the contract and preparing for the next appointment. He pulled another folder out of his filing cabinet and confirmed that the paperwork was in order when the phone rang.

  “Yes, I’m ready. Send him in.”

  James hung up the phone and wiped his sweaty palms on his pant legs. If I get through this, I should get my own actin
g award for today’s performances. As he looked up from the dampened handprints on his pants, the door swung open and his tiny blond receptionist walked in with a dark-haired man who looked to be on intimate terms with the local gym’s weight bench.

  “Ah Nate, I’m glad you received my call about changing the original time of our meeting.”

  After making sure the receptionist had safely closed the door behind her, Nate answered, “Can we just get the formalities over with, Jim? You’ve been keeping me on a long leash for months.”

  “Come on, Nate. You’re very talented. I just wanted to make sure we had the right project and I think Eye Design is perfect for you. You’ll be a dream come true to the female viewers.”

  “I better be more than just the brawn to some pretty face, Jim.” Nate hated having to trust this guy. He’d become a tool of the network because James had no strength or desire to do what was right by anyone but himself.

  “You still owe us time on your contract. It took a lot of finagling on my part but the CEO, against advisement from our legal department, agreed not to sue you for libel after all the things you’ve said to the press lately. You just have to agree to work on this show.”

  “I’d better be doing more than ‘working on this show’.”

  “Just a figure of speech, Nate. Just a figure of speech. Now, just sign the addendum to your contract. It releases you from further obligation if Eye Design is cancelled due to ratings that prove to be detrimental to the overall profitability of the U-Design Television Network.”

  Nate hesitated before taking the pen James offered him.

  “What?” James waved the pen in front of him.

  “I’m just wondering how much damage a libel suit would do. You know what they say—good or bad, press is press”

  “Wonder all you like, but be careful or you could find yourself back in the seedy part of town pounding male flesh for a heroin addict with a shaky 8 millimeter.”

  “Relax Jimmy, you must have a lot riding on this to make such unfounded threats.” Nate scribbled illegibly across the dotted line before slinging the pen across the desktop.

  “Don’t you worry about me, now get the hell out of here. I have a show to produce.”

  Nate walked out of the office and onto the busy L.A. street. He turned the corner that led to the parking garage. Swinging his right leg over the seat, Nate mounted his BMW motorcycle and started the throttle. The reverberation that triggered brought his senses to life. The inner side of Nate’s lower limbs throbbed in time to the powerful machine that vibrated beneath him. Unable to avoid the corner he was now forced into, he was prepared to make the best of a potentially bad situation. Maybe this show will be a hit. Eye Design. Why not Nate Designs? He knew exactly why, because James Langston couldn’t be trusted. At UTN, no decision is made without a purpose. Nate, who always got a surge of anarchist energy when he rode his motorcycle without a helmet, pushed the kickstand with his heel, popped the clutch and sped into the exit lane of the parking garage nearly colliding with a silver Mercedes convertible. The car screeched to a halt in an instant, “Why don’t you watch where the hell you’re going?” Nate’s heart was pounding so hard he was sure it would burst through his chest.

  “You first,” the woman with the perfect chocolate bob replied.

  Before Nate could respond to the disappearing vehicle’s tail lights, he saw the driver’s arm shoot into the air. He assumed he was on the receiving end of the oldest hand gesture on the road until a round object sailed toward him, deflected only by the side of his head. Rubbing the spot above his ear, he spotted the weapon of assault rolling back toward him—an apple. Nate recognized her from her many dating reality show appearances. She repeatedly played the jilted contestant everyone wanted to see ride off into the sunset with Mr. Right. However, as soon as the other women from the latest show’s cast discovered she wasn’t there to make a love match and in fact had a long-time boyfriend, it became an instant catfight. It made for great television but every crevice of Ms. Mia Simpson’s life was uncovered in the tabloids. They labeled her an opportunist—even callous for denying her relationship just for a chance at the limelight. The woman who was once the darling of the romantic reality show junkies was quickly burned at the cyber stake. Nate almost felt sorry for her—almost.

  Chapter Two

  Mia arrived home to a place that felt nothing like the home of a new television interior designer. The door echoed as she closed it. The loft was more like a tomb than a home. Every curtain was drawn shut and mail had been piling up for weeks. She’d been away for nearly three months on her latest reality show excursion and obviously Michael had moved out while she was gone. The last fight had been the worst. She knew the actions that set off the last verbal brawl had tested his limits like nothing she had done before. After five years of being with him, she knew he wasn't the type of man to strike her, but she was grateful the final confrontation took place over long-distance phone lines.

  How can you pretend our life together never existed? He had asked. Do you really want to build your career on lies? I’ve put up with all your fame-seeking schemes, but this? What about us? Mia figured Michael would have gotten over it by the time she’d returned but when she finally did, only empty hangers marked where his clothes had been. Looking around she hadn’t realized how much of the home’s charm had been his. I guess I spent too much time masquerading around like an unattached woman to add my own charm to this space. Mia’s clutch vibrated under her arm. She removed her cell and walked over to the loveseat.

  “I’m glad I got a hold of you. I just talked to Jimmy…”

  “Again, you’re talking to Jimmy? Did you at least get copies of my contract while you’re working him over?” Mia kicked off her red spiked heels and crossed her right blue trousered leg over the other.

  “Do you want to change your persona or not?”

  “I’m listening.”

  “You’ve got a hair appointment tomorrow.”

  “I just had my hair cut for the summer.”

  “I didn’t say we were cutting it. You’re getting extensions.”

  “I don’t do fake hair.”

  “Give it a rest, you’re entire public persona has been a lie. That militant haircut and that razor ambition have managed to earn you bags of hate mail and lose you a boyfriend of five years. I think it’s time to soften your image, don’t you?”

  “How is this my fault?”

  “People want to believe that reality television is real. Everyone knows there’s dramatic license involved but they don’t want their faces rubbed in the outright lies you’ve created. Your potential career rests on your ability to get the public to forgive you. Part of that is seeing you differently.”

  “So, the public hates me because I lied and I’m going to earn their forgiveness by lying to them again?”

  “People won’t hold a few tracks of extra human hair sewn to your head against you. We’re not marketing you as an interior designer. We’re showing how someone with an eye for style—namely you, can apply that to home design.”

  Mia admitted that Sandy’s rhetoric sounded good, but she knew she had to work hard to make this venture a success. Otherwise, she’d need to find another line of work. No easy consolation for someone with her eye on the media mogul’s chair.

  ***

  Two weeks in no man’s land, Nate was beginning to think Eye Design would never materialize.

  “How long are you going to be prancing around a studio set pretending to design homes?” Mitch had entered Nate’s office unannounced as usual.

  “I wouldn’t call it prancing. I’m not a reindeer and these homes are a little more south of the North Pole.”

  “Whatever. We have plenty of clients on the calendar to keep us busy till spring.” Mitch made himself comfortable in the chair across from Nate’s desk.

  “OK. what about after spring? If we wait until we no longer have work to stir up new business, it’ll already be too late.”


  “We need you here.” Mitch crossed his legs and propped his size 13 steel-toed boots on the edge of Nate’s desk. Nate was use to his brother’s need to use his size in an attempt to exert the power he wished he had.

  “Think of all the publicity Long Designs will get, when I’m designing rooms and homes every week on television? Not just publicity, but publicity that earns us additional revenue.”

  “I gotta give it to you, that’s the one silver lining. But you haven’t answered my question, all this work we’ve got isn’t going to get done with just me and my crew. Who’s going to help me while you’re making the most of your fifteen minutes?”

  “I’ve been thinking about that. Let me see what Jimmy’s been up to.” Nate picked up the phone.

  “Be careful, I don’t want that weasel mixed up in our business. We’ve worked too hard for it. Remember what he’s been doing to your career, you’ve been idle for months. Then he snags you briefly with a hope of this television deal and again you’ve heard nothing for weeks. If it wasn’t for this business, you’d have nothing.”

  “I’ve learned how to deal with Jimmy. Sit back and listen.” Nate dialed the number and waited for Jimmy to answer.

  “Hey Jimmy, it's Nate.” Nate signaled silence from his brother as he pushed the speaker button and returned the receiver to the cradle. “What’s up with Eye Design? You wouldn’t have dragged me down to your office to sign that addendum just to pacify me would you?”

  “Of course not, I know you’re the restless type—even with a multi-million dollar design firm to run.”

  “There you go, counting my money again, Jimmy.” Nate ran a hand over his bristly 5 o’clock shadow.

  “What’d you expect, Nate. I mean, you’re a pretty face with a body made for television but in the end I had to make sure you could actually design homes.”