Project Fake It // H.S.

[ 9 ]

- Brianne -

I must've stared at the screen for a good minute or two before I straightened my composure and brought the phone up to my ear. I shouldn't be scared, she's my sister for god's sake - not my mum. Before I could as much as try and explain myself, Liz's voice immediately rang through the phone. Her words were seeping with exhaustion and annoyance, "Brianne! I've been trying to call you all fucking day!" She huffs, and I can just picture her rolling her eyes in frustration.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't have my phone on. I just-"

"Just shut up Brianne, I don't even care anymore. You've ruined everything!" She huffs, and immediately hangs up. My phone returns to the home page and my eyes continously gaze upon the empty corridor. My jaw clenches at my sister's words - I've ruined everything? To hell with that, I've made it better.

"Ms. Carranza?" a voice calls my name and I immediately snap out of my thoughts; turning to face the girl who had been in the room with us. "Are you coming back inside?" she asks, but I know it's just a formality. Even if I didn't want to go back to the meeting, I would probably be dragged back inside.

I clear my throat and nod quickly, taking long strides towards the conference room, the girl props the door open and waits for me to enter before shutting it behind her. Once I'm in the room, I slide into my previous seat next to Harry.

"Hey," I say in a whisper. "About what you said earlier-"

Before I can as much as finish my sentence, a hand slams down on the table in front of me; causing both Harry and I to flinch in surprise.

"Ms. Carranza!" Veronica barks, "Leave Mr. Styles alone."

I don't know what it was, but that one demand managed to make me crack. Before I knew what I was doing, I abruptly stood up from my chair; shooting Veronica a look that could kill. "No." I state.

At my defiance, Veronica raises an eyebrow. "No?" she repeats, clearly surprised with my rebellious behavior.

I nod my head, "That's right, I said no. I'm not going to leave Harry alone because he's miserable right now and you management people have your heads shoved so far up your asses that you can't see it!"

Seeing the look of complete and utter shock on Veronica's face is enough for me, so without waiting for her to respond; I swiftly spin on my heels and storm out of the office.

When I'm halfway down the hall, I hear the conference room door that I had just exited fling open and I involuntarily pick up my pace.

"Elizabeth, stop!" he commands as if I'm a disobediant dog who he's trying to train. I don't listen, but I hear him padding across the granite tiles at an amazingly fast speed until I can hear his breathing practically less than five feet away from me.

He reaches out and places a hand on my shoulder, "Elizabeth, I'm sorry about-"

I quickly cut him off, spinning around and basically tearing away from his grip. "Don't apologize to me as if you actually feel sorry. Just yesterday you were off your rocker and calling me a bitch." I snap, reminding him of yesterday's occurances. He flinches at my harsh tone but at the moment, I honestly could care less.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay." he explains in a quiet voice and for a minute, I feel bad about snapping at him. But just as quickly as the guilt came over me, it was gone.

"I'm fine." I answer coldly, crossing my arms over my chest. He analyzes me for a few seconds before his demeanor suddenly changes - his eyes narrow and his jaw clenches.

"Why are you shutting me out? I"m just trying to help you." he asks.

"Because in case you forgot - we hate each other! I'm not happy with this whole publicity stunt thing and you certainly aren't. So cut the I really do care about you bullshit because in case you haven't realized - there are no cameras around!" I throw my hands up exasperatedly.

"You think I'm bullshitting you?" He says with raised eyebrows and for a moment he actually looks hurt. "Why the fuck would I lie about shit like that?" He questions and the only response I could muster up was a involuntary shrug of my shoulders. Harry opens his mouth once again to respond but it's interrupted when the elevator door across from our frozen bodies slides open and a rather posh lady walks out.

"Good day." She nods before walking past us- allowing her red heels to clank loudly against the carpeted ground.

"Fuck those shoes are annoying." I mutter before turning back to Harry and clearing my throat, "As I was saying.." I begin but Harry slams his hand over my mouth.

"Shh." He demands and I begin to squirm in his tight hold.

"Harry can you let me g-"

"Shh! Damn it!" He growls and I can't help but shutter at his harsh tone- it reminded me of Elizabeth's on the phone earlier, "I think I hear something but if you don't shut the fuck up I can't hear it!"

"Sorry.." I sigh and drop my head to the ground, finally giving up on trying- I was defeated and extremely tired of being mistreated. Especially when I'm the one trying the most to make this relationship work.

"Oh fuck!" Harry yells as the ground begins to shake at an uneasy pace.

"Earthquake!" I hear someone yell in the far-east corridor and immediately my body freezes.

Earthquake?