Deception (One Direction)

Chapter 12

Two weeks.

That’s how long it been since I’d talked to Harry. No contact or word from him at all. Of course I knew that he was doing okay. I had called Lou many times to see if Harry was all right. Lou provided the same answer every time. He was fine, just busy and that he was sure Harry would call me soon. I knew something was wrong. I just didn’t understand why Harry was ignoring me. And frankly, I was angry. I hadn’t done anything to deserve this.

While Harry had been ignoring me the past two weeks, I had started my job at The L. It was everything that I had hoped it would be. They had me doing trial articles to see what field I was best in and how they could use my reporting skills. I was headed into work today because they were giving me some big exclusive story that was supposed to give our magazine a boost above everyone else.

I stepped off of the elevator onto our floor and walked towards my desk. I set my things down and started to check my emails and voicemails. My phone buzzed with a new message. I grabbed it, typing in my passcode and looking at it.

Harry

We need to talk. I’ll be over later.

Now I was worried. But I needed answers.

Fine. Be there at five.

My boss’s secretary approached my desk and I looked up at her.

“Mr. Thompson will see you now,” she told me.

I nodded my head and walked towards his office. I stopped at the door and knocked, only opening it after hearing a muffled voice. I stepped into the office and took a seat at one of the chairs.

“Hello Riley,” Mr. Thompson said.

“Hi Mr. Thompson.”

“Oh please. Call me Chris.” I nodded my head. “So how are you liking The L so far?”

“It’s amazing. I absolutely love it.”

“Well that’s great. Your work has been fantastic so far so we are pleased to have you. Now as you know, I’ve called you in here to give you a new story lead. While this piece is very important, we feel that you can handle the responsibility. And let me say, if you do well with this piece, you can be sure that your job here at The L will be very, very secure and make you a famous writer.”

I bounced in my seat with anticipation. I just wanted to know what this amazing opportunity was.  What was this one story that could change the rest of my life?

“Well I bet you would like to know.” He set another magazine down in front of me. It had a picture of Harry and me on it. Questions littered the page about us and our relationship. My eyebrows scrunched together as I read over the words. So this was why Harry was avoiding me.

“I’m confused,” I said to him.

“What we want you to do is to get the inside scoop on Harry Styles. We don’t care how you do it, but we want you to figure out what everyone wants to know. The good, the bad, and the ugly. All of it.”

I sat there astounded. I didn’t know what to say. “And what if I say no?”

He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. “Well quite frankly you’ll lose out on an amazing career opportunity along with your job. We can’t have people that aren’t willing to take a story that is given to them. This is a big chance for you and if you don’t take it we’ll have to let you go.”

My heart dropped. I couldn’t believe this. This was my dream job and Harry was my best friend. How could I choose between the two?

“What would happen if I said yes?” I asked.

Chris leaned forward on his desk. “Then you would have to give us a story. Find out about the real Harry Styles. His secrets, his regrets, his dislikes. I don’t care how you get the information I just want you to get it. You have a month to give me this story.”

I thought about my job, about Harry, about the boys. I was still mad at Harry for being a complete ass to me but that didn’t mean he deserved this. But I couldn’t lose my job either. If I didn’t take it, someone else would. At least I could protect Harry by writing down what was true.

“Okay. I’m in.”

“Fantastic. You have a month. Oh and Riley?”

I paused at the door to turn back and look at him.

“Don’t sugar coat it.”

I nodded my head and walked out. I grabbed my things and headed straight for the elevator. I can’t believe what I had just agreed to.

~~~~~~

Harry’s POV

I had to see Riley. I had been avoiding her for two weeks. I couldn’t tell her. I knew she had been in touch with Lou, worrying about me and asking if I was doing okay. I told Lou to say I was fine, just busy. He had been giving me shit about avoiding her and saying I wasn’t treating her right. Imagine what he would say if he knew what I was about to do. Maybe then he would understand why I was avoiding her.

I texted her saying that we needed to talk. I knew what I had to do and I didn’t like it. It was complete bullshit but I was protecting my friends. And hopefully none of them would ever have to find out the truth.

I just arrived at Riley’s apartment and I stopped at her door, knocking twice even though I knew where the key was.

She opened the door. There were so many emotions on her face. I couldn’t tell if she wanted to see me or not and honestly I don’t think she really knew herself.

“Can I come in?” I asked.

She nodded her head and let me in. This was one conversation I didn’t want to have.