Sage

17

When I woke up, Gale was no longer there. In his absence lie a small ripped piece of paper towel where he scribbled- "had to go to work. had fun -GW"

I shoved sweet note into my pocket before going to the restroom and utilizing the complimentary toothbrush and toothpaste to freshen myself up, yesterday replaying in my head like a broken record.

I'd actually come to a pretty good compromise for the internal battle I was having about taking his deal. I knew that Harry was greedy with his money so the fact that he's willingly throwing it at me without certainty that the kids are his is only proof that he'll do anything to protect his image. That's the one thing he seems to care about more than money.

So what kind of mother would I be to not take advantage of it?

He was either gonna have to double what he originally planned to pay me, or leave it.

When I'm done freshening up, I grab a water bottle from the fridge and take it with me as I make a swift exit from the room. as I made my way down the halls of the large Hotel, trying to find a nearby elevator that would take me to the lobby.

I have to blink harshly to wake myself up as I continued to yawn. I had no idea what time it was but the high sun beaming through the windows told me it was after eight but before ten.

The lobby is a little less busy than last night, only the receptionist who checks in a slim woman in her middle ages.

I decide not to check out, I'm not paying for anything anyway and I don't know how these things work. Shamefully enough, this was my first time spending the night at a hotel.

"Eliana Rosalie?" A woman approaches me the second I'm outside the hotel. Her hair flies in the wind around us and she tucks a strand behind her ear. I notice that she's holding something in her hand that I can't make out since it's so small.

"Who's asking?"

The two other men, one clad in a button up flannel and the other in a plain blue tee, snap their heads toward me and approach me quickly, practically shoving each other to get toward me.

"I'm Alexia Reinhart with Elite and I was just wondering if you could answer a few quick questions," She says through one breath, not giving a chance to answer before she speaks, "How long have you and Harry Styles been together?"

My brows furrow, face contorting into one of confusion. I realize that what she has in her hand is a recording device, both men share one as well and they point it at me eagerly, awaiting a response.

What the fuck.

"Um, I don't-"

"Is it true that the two of you are expecting," The man in plaid asks.

How do they know that?

I have no idea who these people are but it still has my body prickling with goosebumps. Are they...journalists? Is this what's happening right now?

"How do you know-"

"So it's true," Blue shirt confirms.

"Well if you'd let me fucking talk-"

"Ellie, sweetie," Harry's voice only confuses me further. It wouldn't be a far stretch for me to think I'd died in my sleep and woke up in some alternate reality because why the hell is he calling me sweetie?

Harry hops out of the Lexus he'd lazily parked at the curb, instantly jumping out and speed walking toward me. He wears what looks like are his pajamas, sweats and a loose fitting crew neck. The longer part of his hair is tied up in a little ponytail atop his head, the brown waves sporting out atop. And on his eyes, black shades.