[On Hold!] Swift and Painless (Larry Stylinson)

Chapter 19: I Refuse

Harry’s POV

I did my best to keep my nerves at bay as I walked slowly into the room, leaving a very angry Louis outside with Paul.

It was one thing to be called into a private meeting with Modest. But it was something completely different for it to be so secretive and bad that Louis isn’t allowed in to just sit and listen.

That’s what was really frightening me.

“Hello Harry.” The woman at the table said. There was another man sat beside her, but he had his head down reading some papers in front of him.

“Hi.” I managed to get out awkwardly.

“Well…” she said after a second of me just standing there. She forced a sickly sweet smile. I wanted to walk out right then. “Take a seat Harry. We have things to discuss.”

I swallowed.

“Alright.” I sighed as I pulled out a chair and sat down. “What are those things?” Now I just want to get this over with.

“I take it that you’ve seen Miss Swift’s little jab that she made towards you last night, yeah?” she started off, leaning back in her chair and letting out a puff of air as the conversation finally started.

My breath hitched. I knew this had something to do with it. But Louis said that I had no control over it. That they couldn’t be mad at me for it. So why are they bringing it up now?

“Yeah I saw it.” I ground out. “It was kinda bitchy.”

“Well we all know how she is notorious for those kind of things.” She stated with another fake smile. “I guess we should have expected it.”

“I did.” I muttered. “Which is why it isn’t bothering me.” That was partly a lie, but they didn’t have to know that.

“Yes but she’s drawing more negative attention than we thought she would. That’s what we didn’t expect.” The woman continued, voice going firmer as she sat up a bit more.

My eyes narrowed.

“What do you mean you didn’t expect it? You had me start talking to her in the first place for publicity reasons. You and I both know I was going to get more attention on me from her and if it ended the wrong way it was going to be negative. Either way I’m getting publicity. Isn’t that what you wanted?” I protested.

“Yes Harry, but you’re not listening. This type of attention is too negative. Your relationship was supposed to last a little longer at the least. Then the attention wouldn’t have been so negative. Taylor wouldn’t be so angry.” She tried to clarify to the me.

“Well sorry I didn’t wait around ‘til she was satisfied.” I growled. “Everyone was just using me and maybe I was actually looking for someone who cared about me.”

“Well you were wrong to look for that in someone like Taylor.” She commented lowly.

“You were wrong to ‘encourage’ me to go out with her in the first place.” I went back.

“Yeah well, I’m going to have to ‘encourage’ you to do it again.” She said, voice firm and curt as she looked up at me, expression serious as she got to the point. My heart fell in my chest.

“What do you mean?” I asked slowly.

“I think the best way to turn the negative around into positive attention is by getting back together with the girl.” She said. “It will cause even more of a hype as well. And help end a lot of the Larry rumors as a bonus.”