Public Sphere | H.S. | #Wattys2016

Chapter XVI

Author's note: If you don't know it by now, this going to start out with a thank you to every single person that is reading; THANK YOU. 

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It was weird to wake up in an unfamiliar bed. I quickly washed up and dressed myself before heading downstairs.

"Good morning," Anne delightfully greeted me. "Coffee or tea?"

"Coffee, please," I responded with a small smile.

"You slept alright?" she asked as she grabbed a mug with an 'H' and poured some coffee into it. "Sugar and cream?"

"I slept very well, and neither, thank you," I said as she brought me the mug.

She took my hands in hers and held onto them. "You're welcome here any time," she smiled warmly once again.

"Thank you Anne, thank you," I couldn't thank her enough.

Both Anne and Robin had been so accommodating towards me. Every time I came around, whether I was the bearer of bad news or good, they cared for me.

"Hey," Gemma groaned as she walked in her pajamas.

"Good morning, sleepy head," Anne laughed as she gave her daughter a mug.

"I think H is coming around today," Gemma said with her head cradled in her arms.

I paused momentarily, I wasn't sure if I wanted to see him after how I had handled him back in L.A. Hell, I wasn't sure if he wanted to see me.

"I have to make a few phone calls about whether the other boys want out of their contracts," I said as I excused myself from the breakfast table.

After reviewing Liam, Louis and Niall's contracts, I gave them a call. They were all surprised that I was calling them about their contracts. Louis' decision to remain in the custody of Simon was firm; he wanted to continue the working relationship with Simon. Then Niall and Liam were both content with their contracts as well. It surprised me to know that they were fine in their contracts; they didn't want to re-negotiate or anything.

I went back downstairs to the kitchen-area where Anne and Gemma were chatting away. I was a bit stunned and Anne looked at me all-knowingly.

"So none of the others want to leave Syco and Modest?" Anne asked as she poured me cup of tea.

I shook my head in response to her question and in frustration because I was confused and surprised.

"I'm not surprised, to be honest," Gemma added. "Simon was always the hardest on Zayn and Harry."

Her words made sense. The media was always extremely geared towards Harry and Zayn. If Zayn didn't date Perrie, he, too, would have probably had to deal with contractual relationships like Harry.

My personal phone buzzed as I received a text from Cooper. His text indicated that I was to be meeting Simon in a few hours in his London office.

"I have an appointment with Simon at 4," I told the two.

"I should head back, too. Let's go back together?" Gemma suggested as she checked her phone.

I nodded in agreement, silently dreading for what was to be coming later that day.

"I know you and Harry don't get on, but I want to thank you for taking your time and doing this for him," Anne said as she patted my back.

"It's not a problem. I just don't like feeling that I aided in his misery," I said sadly.

"You were just doing your job," she said as she gave my hand a squeeze.

Gemma had to go into town to run some errands, which left me and Anne in the living room. Anne was reading a book while I was replying to some urgent emails.