Take Good Care

Revelations

"Haylor spotted in Central Park today with the band's hairstylist's daughter, Lux Atkin. The couple and Lux looked like a happy family on a little outing around the city, sight seeing cheerfully." The TV blared. I picked up the remote and turned off the TV immediately. No matter what, I couldn't escape Harry or this band. "Haylor" popped up in every magazine, conversation, website, and channel hurting me further. 

I got a job at a Parisian cafe down the street, and enrolled in classes for the spring semester at NYU. I felt some order coming back into my life and was forcing myself to be happy because things could be much worse.

I went down to the mailbox to try to get my mind off Harry, and found a letter addressed to me. I opened it up.

Dominique,

Since you are finally out of the claws of Lou Teasdale, I figured I could continue our little pen pal letters. The letters she made you throw away were vital and informative. Let me just make this short: very bad things are going to happen now. You're no longer with the band, and they're about to get hurt. Their lives are about to crumble beneath them. And it is all thanks to your father. I suggest you get back in touch with your father and put a stop to what he is doing. You should also warn the boys. Or else, you will get hurt too. 

The chauffeur

I teared up the letter and threw it into the trash. I stomped down the street and held my hand up to get  a taxi. I told him an address and he drove me straight there as quickly as possible. I payed the driver, hopped out of the cab, and stormed up the steps of the apartment complex, knowing the security codes straight away. I went up a few floors to apartment 32B, and unlocked the door with my key.

"Dom?" My father said shocked and confused. 

"Tell me everything right now. Tell me where mom went and why she left. Tell me why you put me in that nanny job. Tell me what the fuck you have been up to all these years with this mysterious job that has been RUINING MY LIFE!" I screamed, throwing the letter from the mysterious chauffeur across the room towards my father. 

"Dominique, I-"

"NO! Tell me everything right now or else this will be the last time you ever see and hear from me. I'm serious, Dad. I have nothing to lose. But you, you have a ton. Because you have no one."

My father stared at me for what seemed like a lifetime, as his eyes searched for what to do and what to say. 

"Ok. Your mother- she really did leave us. She wanted to bring you with her but I- I stopped her. I knew she could find another man and have other kids. You would be the only one to stay in my life ever, because I thought you had no other choice."

"Why did she leave, Dad? And why did she never come back or write a letter or give us a call?"

"She discovered my job and found it dangerous, corrupt. She packed her bags one morning and tried to take you with her. She thought you would be in danger in the future but I would never try to put you in harm's way. I explained to her that you were always safe, no matter what. She didn't believe me and we fought. She left the house with her bags, and told me she'd be back for you. With my job resources though, I took us miles away before she could find us. Dom please understand my world was falling apart and I couldn't lose my whole family; I had to have you. I'm sorry." My father started crying for the first time in his life.

"I can't even look at you. You think you're going to slime your way out of this like with everything else in your life? No. I won't stand for this."

"Dominique, please you have to forgive me. I realize I have hurt you and I am tremendously sorry and cannot even begin to make it up to you. Dom, please just- I understand if you need some time on your own but I truly have sacrificed so much for you and I...I need you."

"Whats your job?"

"Technically: I'm an undercover cop and work for the government on the side."

"Tell the truth."

"I'm not the good kind of cop or government agent. I make some questionable things happen for my benefit."

My jaw dropped open and I stepped away from my father. I couldn't believe the man I trusted and loved the most was a villain. Funny how I thought the same of Harry, and he betrayed me as well. I didn't know what to do. I was disgusted my father was the total opposite of what I always thought he was. He was a crook. He didn't even do this to support me-he did it for his benefit. He was just afraid to be alone. But I had to stay until I could get all of my answers and find some closure about certain things.

"So why did you put me with One Direction?"

"My partner and I-"

"Who is your partner?"

"Paul Higgins."

My mouth dropped into the shape of an O. Everything was starting to make sense.

"We figured if we infiltrated this band we could somehow break them apart by staging something that they did that would be illegal. The fame and money we could get from that- could set us up for twenty years."

"So I was just a piece in your game."

"I'm sorry I never meant to hurt you."

"Well you did, Dad. Several times. I think I'm done here."

My father ran up to me and grabbed my hand.

"Dominique, please find it in your heart to forgive me. I promise, I'll become a better father and person after this all folds over. We'll start new, I'll do whatever you say."

"Dad if you really wanted to be a better person you would stop what you're about to do now to this band that has done nothing to deserve you ruining their lives."

"Oh really? Didn't one of them dump you for Taylor Swift?" My father said as he picked up the letter from the chauffeur. 

I shoved my father a few feet away from me and ran out, slamming the door behind me. As much as I wanted Harry to hurt like I was, I didn't want his whole life to be ruined as well as his band mates who I still considered my good friends. I was torn. Did I side with my father who gave me a great life who promised to become better just for me? Or did I defend the boys who made me feel like the only girl in the world and were there for me when no one else was? 

As I rode in a cab back home, I shook thinking of all the bad things that could happen and what I was supposed to do. I payed the driver as he arrived to my apartment. I got out of the cab and was headed to the door, until Harry Styles stopped me.