𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 (𝐇.𝐒)

N I N E

There was a stone-cold silence as I strolled over to the kitchen table where the two men were sitting. I was gracious enough to give them a glass of water. There was no telling what they wanted. So if I could get on their good side as much as possible, it would work in my favor. They looked at me as I looked at them. It got me thinking. What kind of name is Owen Smalls? He must have been bullied as a kid.

"Long time no see, Zayn." I said, wanting to break the silence. The last time we had seen each other was almost three years ago. I don't know much about our last encounter as I was drunk off my ass. But I knew it was something I was not proud of. He looked good, he hadn't changed that much.

"Glad to see you in one piece." That's all that Zayn said to me before Smalls cleared his throat. Alerting the both of us that he had something to say. Zayn was right about that. I was in one piece, but barely hanging on. 

"If we're done with the chitchat." Smalls said as he took out a folder, opening and sliding it in front of me.

"Can I ask why you two stopped at my door? I don't think you're a big fan of mine." I smirked. Smalls rolled his eyes.

"I'm sure you know this man." Owen said gruffly as he pointed to the photo in front of me. A frown appeared on my face. 

It was a photo of Granger. Shit.

"I might..." I pushed the photo away from me. Not wanting to give them an answer. Even though I'm sure they knew I was lying through my teeth. 

"Cut the crap, Styles." Owen rolled his eyes. "We had been watching him for some months now. Low and behold you pop up from time to time." He shook his head, giving me a look. "What is with you hanging out with...suspicious people."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I scowled at him, not liking what he was implying. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Zayn becoming uncomfortable with the situation before him.

"You know exactly what I mean. Point blank, Hart..."

Alright. That's it.

I stood up from my chair. I was furious that he would bring up Cece. I hated when anyone brought her up that didn't know her "It's time for you to leave..."

"I wouldn't do that if I was you." Owen smirked as he leaned back against the chair. "You have a lot of skeletons in your closet, Styles." He knew he was pushing my buttons. 

"So why don't you sit down and listen to what we want you to do." Owen said. "I'm sure your managers would hate to hear that law enforcement knocked on your door. God forbid if the press found out."  I shut my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. He was correct about that. I did what he told me and sat right back down. "That's what I thought." Owen chuckled before looking at Zayn.

Zayn, on the other hand, was uncomfortable with the entire exchange. He didn't make eye contact with me as I sat back down.  This guy thought he was some big hotshot, but he wasn't. However, for my sake, I would do what they told me to do. I couldn't deal with more bad press. I went with it. After Owen got off his soapbox I would go drink"What do you want?" I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest.