~ Niall's P.O.V. ~
"Why can't you understand that my personal life is my business?" I screamed in my manager's face. "I don't love Allie!"
"I understand that, but it's what's best for publicity." He said, trying not to raise his voice.
"Our true fans won't care who I date! Why does it have to be Allie?" I yelled.
"Allie is a rising model in the states. If you two date, it will get both of you major publicity." He explained. I could see how Allie is a model. She has that long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Although she's curvy, her body is no where near fat.
"How long is my contract?" I said through gritted teeth.
"Right now, it's hard to say. Anywhere from a few months to a year." He stated, in a monotone voice.
He opened one of his desk drawers and placed a contract in front of me. Of course, they had already talked to Allie. Her signature was neatly signed onto the contract in ink.
"If I sign this and get it all over with, will I be able to choose my own girlfriend?" I paused. "I mean, after Allie and I break up?"
"We aren't concerned about that right now. Can you just sign the contract? All we need is for you two to be seen together in public every once in a while."
I hesitantly picked up the pen. As I was about to sign, I whispered something to myself.
"It's not real." And then I finished out my signature.
When I started driving home, my mind was wandering all over the place. What if Carter finds Juli? What if management makes me stay with Allie permanently?
I was comtemplating the answers to these questions when I heard my phone go off in the glovebox. I opened the compartment and looked at the caller ID. Louis was calling me.
"Hello?"
"Hey Mate! Where are you?" He asked.
"I, um, had to talk to management today." I replied, almost whispering.
"About what? Why didn't they call me in? Usually management tries to screw with all of us." He laughed.
"I signed a contract." I said.
"Niall, don't tell me- you didn't do what I think you did, did you?"
"He said that if I sign, he won't bother me once it expires. And frankly, it's just for publicity. We both know who I really want to be with."
"Niall, you don't know what that could lead to! For all you know, he could be planning your wedding right now, and you'll never have a chance to be with Juli!"
He was right, management has complete control over me.
"We'll talk about it later. I'll be back to the house in like twenty minutes." I said.
"Alright. I'll see you then." He said with a weary voice.
I hung up the phone and set it in the cup holder, keeping my eyes on the road the whole time. One thing started to sink in; professionally, I have a girlfriend.
I don't love her.
It's all for publicity.
I turned into the driveway and pulled into my parking spot. I slid out of the car and slammed the door. A smile creeped onto my face when I saw that Juli was back. I started jogging up to the door.
I walked up the steps and turned the doorknob. When I walked in, the first thing I saw were two girls. One was Eleanor, I knew that for a fact, but the other was facing away, and I had no idea who she was.
When everyone heard the click of the door closing, the mystery girl turned. I would recognize that smile anywhere.
There was only one word I could come up with to explain what I was looking at. Beautiful.
Juli's hair was dyed to a light caramel brown color with blonde ends. It was cut a little bit shorter, and I thought that I would never again see someone who looked so perfect.
"Jules..." I whispered. I was completely speechless.
"We'll leave you guys alone." Louis said, as they all inched their way out of the foyer.
I chuckled a little before I found the courage to speak again. "Juli, you look.. Amazing."
She looked down at the floor and smiled. "Thank you." I heard her whisper.
"Hey, um, can I talk to you?" I questioned, nervous as hell.
"Uh, I guess. Let's go into my room." She turned and walked up the stairs, me following. We turned the corner around the staircase and continued walking to her room. I ran ahead and opened the door for her. She smiled, butterflies erupting in my stomach.
I closed the door and looked to see Juli already sitting down on her bed. "What did you need to talk about?" She asked.
I sat at the foot of her bed and sighed. "I talked to management today... About Allie." I played with my hands, trying to find a way to make this less awkward. "They want us together."
I looked up at Juli to see her looking me straight in the eye. Her hazel eyes shone with tears. "How- they can't tell you what to do, can they?" She choked out.
I nodded my head. "As long as I'm Niall Horan, they will always have control over me." A stray tear dripped down my cheek. Before I knew it, I was wrapped up in Juli's fragile arms.
"Hey, it's alright. At least you'll have someone. And it's not permanent." She forced a smile, but I could tell their was doubt in her voice.
"But what if it is?" I said. "They could make me stay with her and I'll never, ever get my chance with you! Juli, no matter how many times you deny it, I've fallen in love with you! I hate when you talk bad about yourself, because you're perfect just the way you are! Carter was such an idiot to let you go. Don't you see it? I don't want to be with Allie, I just want to be with you!"
After I took the time to pour my heart out, Juli took my hand. "Ni, I'm just a fan who got lucky. You have millions of girls all over the globe who would kill to be in the same position as me right now. But in a few months, my whole life is going to change. And if we're together, it's going to change for you too. Forever."
I looked at her with teary eyes. "I can do that. I can be here; for you and the baby. I can take care of both of you and love you both like no one else can. I am ready to make that kind of commitment." I said.
She stood up and walked towards the door. She said one last thing before she left me sulking on her bed, in a pool of tears.
"I'm not."
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CLIFFHANGER!!!
Sorry it was so short! But I felt like it was an appropriate length for what I have planned in the upcoming chapters.
Let me know what you guys thought about this chapter!!! And vote for it please!!
Comment•vote•read on my lovelies!!
~ Maddie
