Take Good Care

Obsessions

Lou, Lux, and I sat down outside of a posh restaurant in LA complete with fine wooden tables and white umbrellas. I got out Lux's bib and some Cheerios, trying to distract myself with measly tasks so I wouldn't think about the letter.

"There's some really lovely shops around here if we have time after-" Lou began to start some small talk but my mind wandered off onto the letter. 

There was only one explanation: it had to be the mysterious cab driver with the black mustache and glasses who was on my case since I took this position. His signature in the letter (BD60 YIT)  must have been his license plate on the vehicle he picked me up from the airport in. 

But didn't Lou and Tom order that car to pick me up? Did they know him? Did they plan this? Do they know my father? Are they trying to harm me?

I don't think Lou and Tom would ever intentionally harm me. I have their child's life in my hands. So are they trying to help me?

And this "game" that I am supposedly a huge piece in, just being played, according to Mr. Mustache; What the hell was this about? What horrible events would occur in the future that would make me possibly be in severe danger? I'm a nanny for christ's sake. 

All of these questions bounced around in my head until I was completely exhausted from the anxiety and paranoia. But one question remained still, as though it were the central, burning globe powering the other questions. Can I trust my father?

The man that has loved me, stayed with me, and supported me my entire life. When my mother left us when I was four years old he became the only person I had and could trust. I still do not know why she left us, or more importantly, me. Parents split up all the time and still see their kids. But this was not the case with my mother. Not one letter, phone call, or visit from her since the day she walked out  of our door. 

It made me really upset sometimes because I felt unimportant and unworthy in a way for my mother to leave me that easily and never reach out to me. But most of the time, I remind myself of how she is the unworthy and unimportant one to leave me; her only child. 

And sometimes my mind would wander to maybe the reason why she left was because of my father. Could his secrets, lies, and plans have effected her dangerously? Well, none of those things are important now. I can't go back and change them or make sense of them. And I certainly cannot find the answers.

"Dom, we can go to that boutique across the street and then head to the boy's soundcheck. I'd love to buy you a dress for tonight. It'll be your first time seeing the boys perform." Lou interrupted my train wreck of thoughts.

"That would be lovely Lou, thank you so much. You really don't have to buy me anything though. It's just a concert." I said with a smile. I was getting good at this act of pretending everything was fine.

"I want to, though! I love shopping, especially for others. And you must look perfect for tonight, darling. Harry will want to keep his eyes on something beautiful, and that will be you." Lou said affectionately, grabbing my hand.

"Ok then." I smiled and shyly looked down. Lou clapped her hands in excitement and quickly ate her salad while I played with my french fries, my appetite being killed from the stress of uncertainty of what was to come.

We quickly finished lunch and headed across the street to the fancy boutique. Lou ran around the store picking out several different dresses for me to model. She finally settled on a white, casual sundress above the knees for me. It was made of lace and went with the cork wedges she picked out perfectly. My brown waves in my middle part completed the look and we were off to the boy's sound check. 

We walked into the back entrance of the huge venue, walking down secret hallways to get backstage. It gave me a rush being back here, where many other talented artists once were. 

"Hi boys!" Lou beamed. I carried Lux in my arms into the room as I watched Niall and Josh play with the drums while Louis hung out with Sandy playing the bass. Harry, Zayn and Liam were working with their vocal coach. Everyone dropped what they were doing to say hello to us. Niall ran over to us first, as Harry quickly got to us first since he was closer. 

"Dominique you look-" Harry said staring me up and down as Niall cut him off.

"Unbelievable." Niall finished his sentence. 

"Truly radiant." Harry gave me a flirty smile. We locked eyes for quite a bit smiling at each other. Niall awkwardly walked away in defeat with his hands on the back of his head, clasped. 

Zayn was still playing his tough-guy misunderstood act as he gave me dirty looks. I would have punched the puss off his face if Lux wasn't in my arms.

Liam ran on over to us along with Louis. Lou walked over to chairs and dressers where she could set up her beauty supplies for the boys.

"Are you excited to see our show tonight!?" Liam asked me with a genuine smile on his face.

"Yup! I'm sure you guys will be amazing!" I lied through my teeth as I dreaded the thought of listening to this bubblegum boy pop band for hours on end. 

"We sing some covers of popular songs during the concert so you're some what entertained." Louis  said, knowing I probably wasn't the type to go to their concert. I chuckled.

Lou got the boys ready as I played with Lux and took her on walks around the venue to pass time. We joked around with the boys for quite a bit and I even got to play the instruments with them. Louis rode around with me on a Segway around the large room. 

A few times I even got Zayn to laugh at my jokes and actions. I then saw Liam and Harry take him aside and talk to him seriously for a bit, as they glazed their eyes over me, clearly talking about me. Zayn formed a line with his mouth and shook his head in understanding as the boys spoke to him. Zayn then walked over to me. 

"Hey, Dominique." He said my name really awkwardly and dragged it out. "I just wanted to say I'm sorry if I was a jerk to you before and I promise to be nicer and more understanding. You're not as bad as I thought you were." Zayn tried to smile in embarrassment as he was finally manning up for being a huge dick.

"It's fine, Zayn, I understand." I smiled, accepting his apology.

"Yay, friends!" Niall ran over to us and started to joke around. All of the boys then came over and started to shout "friends!" repeatedly, jumping around and crowding around me in a hug. The boys had actually managed to make me forget about my problems and make me happy. I wondered if they had this affect on everyone around them, including their fans. 

The show wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was actually quite enjoyable. They really bonded on stage and made the crowd have a blast. I even liked a few of their songs. Moments was probably my favorite of them all. I noticed Harry would constantly look at me during the show, making sure I was enjoying myself and winking with his flirtatious nature. A few times Niall caught onto this and looked down at his feet. Louis nudged Harry in approval, encouraging him further. 

It turned out to be a lovely night, but I knew it wouldn't last long once I found a letter under my seat as we gathered our things at the end of the show.