Deception (One Direction)

Chapter 9

It had been a week since I had the flu. It had also been a week since I had seen Harry. In the morning I had woken up and he was gone. He had been working a lot lately, which I understood but I couldn’t help but feel frustrated. We had hardly been in contact because he would start work so early and then finish up late at night, too exhausted to do anything but sleep.

Today was a rainy day, which was common for London. I was staying in the apartment, trying to avoid the downpour. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to do in the apartment since I had already cleaned every inch of it. I decided to watch something, putting in my favorite show, Gossip Girl. Just as the episode started, my phone rang.

“Hello?” I questioned.

“Yes hello. Is this Riley Adams?”

“Um, yeah. This is Riley.”

“This is a worker for The L. We have read through your application and have decided that we would love for you to come work for us.”

I was in shock. I was an aspiring journalist and The L was the biggest magazine in London. It covered everything from fashion to world issues to health to celebrity gossip. I had sent in my application when I had just moved here but I never thought that I would actually get hired.

“Really?! Wow, that’s amazing. Thank you so much!” I said, gratitude filling my voice.

“Great. You start Monday.”

The dial tone rang in my ear and I hung up the phone. I couldn’t believe it! In just a few days I would be working at my dream job. I jumped around and did a happy dance completely making a fool of myself. Thankfully no one was watching. Or so I thought until someone cleared their throat.

I let out a scream and held my hand to my heart. Harry stood in the doorway with a smirk on his face. I glared at him and had the biggest urge to hit him but at the same time I was extremely happy to see him. I ran at him and jumped up in his arms and gave him a huge hug.

“What’re you doing here? And how’d you get in here? I really need to move that key. It wouldn’t hurt you to wait for me to answer the door.” I told him.

He chuckled. “I knocked but you didn’t answer. I see now that you were too busy having a little dance party. I’m here because management finally gave us a day off and who better to see than my favorite girl.”

I blushed and ducked my head at his words. “Harry you should be resting. You are working so much.”

“I’ll sleep when I’m dead. Now tell me, what was your little dance about?”

“Oh Harry you’ll never guess what just happened. The L just called me and said that they want me to come work for them.”

A smile erupted on his face. “Riley that’s amazing! That’s so great. This calls for a celebration.”

“No, Harry, we don’t have to do anything special. I know that you’ve got to be exhausted.”

“Riley shut up. We are celebrating and that’s final. I’m taking you out tonight whether you like it or not. And it’s a surprise so don’t even bother asking,” Harry insisted.

“Alright fine.”

“Good. Be ready at 7.”

With that being said, Harry’s tall figure retreated through my doorframe and out of my apartment. I let out a groan. This is not what I had in mind for a Friday night. I just wanted to watch chick flicks and pig out on Chinese food.

I looked at the clock and my eyes widened. It was 4 now and I hadn’t even showered yet. I sprinted to the shower and tried to be quick but thorough. I stepped out of the shower and blow dried my hair and brushed my teeth. It was almost 5 and I was slightly freaking out because I had no idea what to wear. Deciding to do a little scheming, I picked up my phone and dialed a number.

“Hello love. Long time no talk,” the smooth, buttery voice answered.

“Hi Lou. Can you pretty please with cherries on top tell me where your dearest Harry is taking me tonight?” I pleaded with him to give me an answer, which I was so desperately seeking.

He chuckled. I could practically picture him shaking his head at me. “No can do love. Harry already warned me against your antics. It’s supposed to be a surprise remember?”

I groaned. Damn Harry. “Well if he won’t tell me where we are going I have no idea what to wear. Come on Lou help a girl out. I’ll buy you ice cream,” I said, hoping that bribing him will get me what I want.

I heard Louis sigh. “Damn it Riley you know I love ice cream. That’s not fair.”

“What’s not fair is that I don’t know what to wear!” I exclaimed.

“Touché,” Lou countered.

“This is so frustrating. I’m not one of these girls, Lou. I don’t get all worked up like this. I usually don’t get so aggravated about clothes either. You know I’m good with fashion. I always know what to wear.”

“That’s because you like him,” Louis said as if it was the most logical thing in the world.

“You’re crazy.”

“Whatever. You know I’m right. Alright, how about a compromise? I will tell you what to wear but not what you are doing. Deal?”

“Deal.”

“Wear a nice casual dress, nothing too fancy. Oh and don’t wear shoes with a heel. Harry likes to be taller.”

“Thanks Lou. You’re a life saver,” I told him gratefully.

“Yeah, yeah whatever. You still owe me ice cream babe.” I then heard the click of him hanging up. I smiled. Lou always came through for me.

I ended up wearing a thin strapped, knee length turquoise dress with my Birkenstock sandals. I curled my hair into light waves and did my makeup, going a little bit fancier than usual. I was so nervous and jittery. I don’t know why. We are just friends. Never mind what Louis had said. But what if he’s right?

My thoughts were interrupted by a rapping noise on the door. My heart stuttered and I made my way to answer the door. There was Harry, looking amazing and smiling down at me. He was holding a bouquet of roses and offered them to me.

“For you, love.” He said in his deep, raspy voice. Was it just me or was it raspier than usual tonight?

“T-thanks,” I stammered, blushing furiously. I walked into the kitchen and put the flowers into a vase while Harry intently watched my actions.

I turned to him and took in his image. He was wearing an Oxford white button up, which was slightly unbuttoned, and black jeans along with a pair of brown leather boots. His hair was styled so it was slightly pushed back off of his face and his eyes were the deepest green I had ever seen. I could already feel the nerves and my palms start to sweat.

Harry smirked at me. “You look absolutely amazing.”

I blushed and looked down at my outfit. “Are you sure it’s alright? I could go change into something more proper,” I said while motioning to my room.

Harry grabbed my wrist. “No it’s perfect. You’re perfect.”

I smiled up at him. “Thanks. Let’s go.”

As we left my apartment, I made a mental note to get Louis two extra scoops for being such an ice cream lover and giving into me.