[3] how did we end up here ;; nh

26 » "God only knows where this could go"

◊ Niall ◊

London, United Kingdom, 30th December 2022

Remember when I'm telling the fans "When you don't wanna get papped, you won't get papped"?

Well, I, Niall Horan, will take back those words.

When I was younger, I don't know somehow I could easily camouflage by wearing an oversized sweatshirt, mask, my lovely black beanie, and sunglasses. No paparazzi could acknowledge that I'm Niall Horan from One Direction. But after the comeback, even though I'm doing the same thing, they can easily recognize me.

Well, perhaps my luck of not getting papped has come to an end. Or perhaps, this is my karma because I keep on mocking Harry because every time she gets out with a girl, he can easily be recognized and the next morning he will be the headline of every teen magazine.

A year after the hiatus, I can say that I'm living the most normal life because there is so little chance that I'm going to get papped. But it has been taken away since the comeback.

One Direction's comeback has been the talk of the world since I know, from Twitter, that the fans have been eagerly anticipating our return as a band to the music scene over again since Louis, out of nowhere, promises them that the hiatus will only be conducted for 18 months. But no one really knows that we're gonna be back in 2022. It's insane. Well, as usual, it has a domino effect, especially the inevitable attention from the paparazzi. They are everywhere, trying to capture a glimpse of us as we go about our daily lives, including now; I'm driving to Modest! Golf Management's headquarter is in London. I'm trying my best to focus on the road ahead despite the paparazzi tailing me. I can see that there is one car that is following mine and taking some pictures as well as videos.

Frankly speaking, I can easily get irritated by them, especially since today is a busy day; after the last rehearsal for MITAM Tour's Asian Leg from January to March, I will be having an important meeting to attend as the CEO of Modest! Golf Management. I can't afford to be distracted by the constant flashing of cameras and shouting of questions. To say the least, I just need my privacy to be respected.

As I park my car and pull up to the building, I can see two paparazzi waiting for me outside. I let out a frustrated sigh.

This sucks.

Trying to avoid the feeling of getting annoyed by their presence, I'm focusing my mind to think about the important meeting that I'm going to have as I need to lift up my mood before stepping foot outside. This project means a lot to me since I have always been dreaming of being a businessman and I get the opportunity to do everything that I love, including having a business in the golf industry.

After a few moments of relief – I don't know but my mood doesn't seem just right the past few hours, perhaps I'm just simply tired since I don't have any chance to sleep last night and some people just ruin my privacy today – I glance over to the passenger seat and spot my dark brown blazer, I grab the blazer and slip it on over my black shirt. I adjust the lapels and buttons, making sure everything is just right. The rich brown color of the blazer complements the black shirt perfectly, creating a sophisticated yet approachable look.

I check my reflection in the rearview mirror, making sure my hair is still neatly combed. Satisfied with my appearance, I turn the key in the ignition and head out onto the road.

"Hi, Niall!!" one of them call me out as I lock my car. "How are you?"

Great. Can't you see that right now I look so terrible due to the lack of sleep that I have been facing for the last couple of weeks? But then, I force a polite smile at them and reply. "I'm good, thanks. Just here for a meeting," as I keep on walking, trying to ignore them.