The Shadow (One Direction/Harry Styles)

The Shadow (Chapter 1)

           2 years earlier - Carina's POV

Today wasn't my day. Plain and simple. I woke up, and while I was getting out of bed I hit my leg. Hard. Well, this wouldn't be so bad, if it would've stopped here ! It didn't. I just wanted a cup of tea. But guess what ? I burned my fingers ! Can you believe it didn't stop there ? I actually realised I was supposed to be at work. 40 minutes ago ! You see, I am the manager of my best friend's band. Pretty cool, huh ? Not really. I have to be with them all the time. And I mean, always ! After 2 months it got annoying. After a year, it became torture. Don't get me wrong, I love them, bla bla, but sometimes I just want time for myself. I want to cuddle with my dog, or to watch Harry Potter alone. But I can't. I'm always doing something. I am either talking on the phone with some publicist or writing articles. I even forgot to feed my dog, yesterday. And I know this isn't normal, but I can't let them down, right ? In 10 seconds, I think that is a record or something, I got into my car and started driving. I silently thank God when finally see the building. Grey,plain,impersonale. Just like me. I'd like to tell you that I have the beauty of a model or that I have a body to die for. But I'd lie.  And that is the most important thing you have to know about me. I never lie. I can't nor do I want.     

I am always surrounded by people, but I feel so alone sometimes. It's like they are looking right through me. Just me and my songs. You see, I am songwriter. Well, of course they don't know. I'd just be ashamed if they'd know. Ashamed that I lied straight to their faces every time they asked me if I was okey. But how could I tell them the truth ? How can I disappoint him ? He is so happy living his dream. I can't do that to him. Well, I don't want you to tkink that I am despressed and suicidal. 'Cause I'm not. I'm just unhappy. Sometimes.

I enter the building and almost immediatly a pair of strong, tatood arms are hugging me.

"Hello to you too, Hazza" I said laughing.

He's like that whenever he sees me. It's like he's afraid of losing me. Of saying good'bye.

"You're late. Again." it's all Simon says. Well, he is the grumpy, big boss. I am actually scared of him. Weird, considering the fact that I am just as important as he is. Maybe, more important. I greet him with a polite smile, and then I turn to look at the boys. They are all here. They are tired, but you can see their eyes shining with joy. They love what they do. And seeing them like that, it's what is keeping me going.

"Ok, now that Carina is here, we can finally start." a woman, i don't really know her name, said while sparing me a nasty glance.

"We need more publicity. I know, you are friends with the boys, but if you're not going to do your job, you will be fired, Carina." the old annoying woman said.

I felt Harry tensing next to me. He knows how much I work, so he hates it when they say I'm not doing my job.

"And what exactly are you saying?"snapped Louis. "That she should work herself to death, and then maybe, just maybe you will be happy ?"

"Are you forgetting that you have a job because of us ? That you have lots of money thanks to her ?" Zayn said loudly.

We have this discussion at least once a week. I tried to tell them it's fine. It was useless.

"I think this meeting is over." Liam said

And with that, they were out of the room.

"I am sorry. I know I should work harder. It's just sometimes I can't do it anymore. I am too tired. I work myself to limits, endangering my health. But I will try." And then I was out. Of course, I was embraced by the same strong, tatood arms. I breathe into his cologne, and suddenly everything became a bit better. "I'm fine,Harry ! Stop worring so much, I want you to focus on your music, not on me."