Smoke and Mirrors

Chapter twenty

Louis POV

Both Harry and I looked at each other, we then fixed our eyes on the door, I saw fear in Harry's eyes! We know it's fucking Tom telling me it's now time to go to this club, pretend I'm this party boy for the headlines and of course to meet this Brianna girl. How can she agree to this shit? It's fucked up.

I clear my throat and shout to Tom that I'll be out in a minute. I take a deep breath trying to hold back my tears and pray I can drink lots of vodka to numb my brain. It's going to be hard to play this party boy when I'm not really like that, but I guess if they keep supplying me vodka and redbull, I'll get drunk enough to forget why I'm there.

Tom of course will be there watching me, making sure I don't slip up. Harry brings his hand up to my face and slowly rubs his thumb across my cheek, I slowly run my fingers in his soft hair and kiss him on the lips. "I love you" I whisper before walking to the door. Harry pulls my arm back not wanting me to go and of course I don't want to either.

"Be safe my love, I'll be waiting for you when you come home to me" Harry tells me as I get to the oak door. I turn around to blow him a kiss before I pull down the silver handle.

"Come on Louis we're going to be late" Tom barks at me the moment I open the door and we're face to face.  Tom is dressed in all black, head to toe,  it really does feel like I'm going to my own funeral which is kinda true since my life is over from this point onwards.

Tom starts to walk ahead of me down the corridor. I walk slowly behind him with my head down fiddling with my hands. I can't help it, but I'm so nervous. All I can see are the red and white stripes of this hallway carpet, I'm absolutely shitting myself as we walk.

Tom is already at the elevator waiting for me tapping his foot being his impatient self. He huffs at me because I'm taking so long. The elevator pings open and we step inside, I click the lobby button. "You know Louis this is a great opportunity for you and the band, think of the deals you will get out of this" Tom tries to convince me, but I'm not interested in what bullshit he's talking.

I just stand at the back of the elevator with my eyes watching the floor numbers go down without saying a word back to him. He looks at me waiting for a reply, but I just start whistling, he gets it now, I need to do what he tells me but I don't need to talk to him.

The elevator doors open. The first thing I see is AJ our security, he must be coming with us. I have a good relationship with AJ, we have had great conversations and fun throughout the years.

I know he feels guilty for what we have to deal with but it's out of his control, he knows that he would be sacked if he went against what management says. He has tried in the past but they actually suspended him once for speaking up on our behalf.

AJ gives me a small smile in sympathy knowing what is going to happen tonight. He walks towards the glass doors of the hotel and guides me to the car outside waiting. The minute we get outside I'm blinded by the flashing cameras from the press.

I put my left hand up to shield my eyes a little bit while getting into the black van. Tom and AJ get in straight after me. I lean my elbow on the window edge and stare out at the bustling LA city huffing to myself.

"Louis, cheer up you're going to a club, get in the party mood and put a smile on your face, it's a big night for us" Tom tells me in his patronizing manner while elbowing me in the side. I just hum back to him obviously not agreeing to his statement. The rest of the car drive to the club was just a blur to me, I zoned out the whole time.

When we reached the club I could see the lines of people queuing to get in. I could also see the strobe lights flashing from the windows. I'm really not in the mood, I have to pull myself together and plaster on a smile before getting out.