The Keepers (Niall Horan FanFic)

Chapter 3-Everything Comes at a Cost

Niall Horan. The name swims around in my mind as I try to place it. It rings a bell, no doubt about it. I can tell by the way he's looking at me, an amused smile playing on the edges of his lips.

Then suddenly it dawns on me. Niall Horan. Of course. 1/5 of the world-famous One Direction.

"Niall Horan? From the boy band?" I ask, meeting his gaze for the first time in five minutes, genuinely interested. This wasn't what I was expecting. Normally my employers go for someone who's already on their way down anyway, someone who isn't so fresh. These boys have been in the limelight for 5 minutes, so I know they know nothing about the secrets and lies that are such close companions of fame. Screaming girls willing to take their clothes off in public are nothing compared to what lies ahead for those who truly make it.

"So you know him," he says, curiosity and amusement showing in his eyes. "Or rather, you know of him. It would make this ordeal a tad bit more unpleasant if you know him personally, I might add," he says, though I'm sure he knows what I'm about to say anyways. "No. I mean, yes, I know him, but only from Forbes and what I hear about their multi-platimun albums," I say. "Though I have to admit, I'm curious.." I say, squinting into the gray atmostphere. "Yes, Miss Aster?" "Well, for one thing, if he's part of an international pop sensation who's wildly famous with millions of screaming fans and infinetly more money, why just target one? Why not take them all down? Obviously trying to cozy up to them all is a suicide mission, but five international pop stars..well, I'm sure you already know how much they'd be worth, and it's your reasoning, not mine. And yet, it still seems strange.." I whisper, my eyes tight in the frusteration of not knowing the unknown. His silence is speaking for itself, curious about my unspoken questions. Why he wants to take down only one. Why he wants to take down that particular one. "..that you would pick the one who seems to be the most innocent of them all." I finish, waiting for his reply.

This time, he actually does laugh. Not the nice kind that fills a room and makes a house feel like a home, but an empty, hollow laugh, like what I've just said proves my immiturity and he knows it. "My dear Miss Aster, for someone who seems to be so quick on her feet, you prove to be a litte slower in mind," he says, and I remain silent, my eyes hard. I whip them towards his face, waiting for his next snide remark. "Miss Aster, I would've thought you'd realized. Niall Horan is psychologically the youngest of the group. Even though not technically by age, he's the innocent one, the pure one, the one who isn't chasing after any females, though I'm sure there's a plentiful amount chasing after him. He's proven to be the easiest to take down because his subconcious has the weakest defense. He wouldn't question you if you were to tell him you loved him because what you say he'll believe. Like a child, he's emotionally very easy to hurt. Which is why your next target is him, should you choose to accept."

I let his words sink in, considering all the possible angles. If I say yes, all I'd have to do is cozy up to him and tell him I love him. Like stealing candy from a baby, or in this case, a child. Make a couple promises I won't keep and then a couple hundred thousand is mine, or whatever he's willing to offer. If I say no, he'll find someone else to do it and I'll walk away with nothing to lose.

"How much?" I ask, my eyes on the horizon once again. There's a pause, and I wonder if he's heard me. "One million dollars." I turn towards him almost immidetly, sure he's joking. There's no smile on his lips or in his eyes. "One million? Just for one boy? Are you serious?" "Very. Not only is this a pressing matter, this boy..this boy is one of the five most famous young people on the planet, therefor the pay is high. So I think, Miss Aster, it would be wise of you to consent."

It takes me all of two seconds to see 3 things flash before my eyes: One million dollars. Niall Horan. The look in this man's eyes when I realized he wasn't joking.

I look straight into his chocolate brown orbs.

"Deal."