Hoax

Chapter ten

Estelle Adler 

I always dread going to the dentist. Having the doctor scratch away at my teeth, the taste of rubber in my mouth from his gloves and trying to answer his questions with a wide-open mouth, always makes for an awkward conversation.

I also hate plane journeys. Sure, flying can be exciting, but I have such awful plane anxiety that I can only start enjoying myself when the wheels touch the ground.

Doctors' trips are always dreadful too. The fear of what they could discover, worrying about different illnesses that could put me out of action for months. The smell of disinfectant that immediately makes me want to turn around as soon as I've entered the building.

But today...today, is a new level of dread.

It feels like I'm flying to the hospital and afterwards, having a trip to the dentist – that level of dread.

Today is the first time I'm seeing Harry since the contract was signed, and it's fair to say, I'm absolutely dreading seeing him.

We haven't talked, texted, or called since we had that rather explosive argument after the meeting...and by 'rather' explosive, I mean nuclear.

Maybe, just maybe, if things hadn't ended so poorly, I wouldn't be so worried about this thing, but to add the cherry on top of the cake, we have to act like a couple.

Maria and someone from Harry's team have made some calls, so the paparazzi will be hanging around this little coffee shop in Beverly Hills.

Harry's going to pick me up, drive us to the coffee place, we'll have a drink in full view of the cameras and then he's driving me home.

I suppose it's not like I'm spending the whole day with him, which would be the worst possible scenario, but still. In an ideal world, I'd be in bed, eating a takeout and watching some trashy reality show on Netflix.

I do not like the idea of sacrificing my Sundays, to be with Harry-asshole-Styles.

Much to my annoyance, though I suppose it would be unavoidable, Maria gave Harry my address, so he'll be arriving imminently.

I'm in my room, putting my earrings in, when I notice a black SUV pulling into my drive. Luckily, Lucy's downstairs, so she undoubtedly opened the gates for him.

I linger by the window, looking down onto the driveway as the car jolts to a stop.

A few seconds later, Harry opens his car door and slams it behind him. He's wearing a plain black t-shirt and black pants, with his signature sunglasses pushed back through his hair.

I now start to second guess my outfit, fearing I'm way too over-dressed for this 'date'.

I decided to wear a midi-summer dress that's white with pink flowers and some matching Adidas gazelles.

As I hear the doorbell ring, I realise that it's much too late to change my outfit now.

I just hope Harry doesn't think I've dressed up for him because I haven't. I wanted to look good for my own self-esteem and the cameras, since these pictures are probably going to end up on the front page of every tabloid in the Western hemisphere.

I glance one last look in the mirror; running my fingers through my long, brown hair and grab my purse and head downstairs...before, I change my mind.

I hear echoing voices as I enter the landing, catching a few unimportant words as I walk downstairs.

I keep my eye line down, until I find myself at the bottom of the stairs.

Once I bring myself to look towards the front door, I firstly acknowledge Lucy, only spotting Harry in peripheral vision – "Thanks, Luc. You'll be here when I get back?"