maid in the am

10.

The sudden blare of the phone startles us out of our quiet moment. Niall darts to the other side of the bed, and answers the phone. I stand up to remove myself from what almost just happened. He's my boss, I can't kiss him. I didn't even really want to, it was just too much time sharing intimate things. At least, that's what I tell myself. He didn't really want to either, he just is playing me. He could have any girl he wants, there's no way I'd be his first choice. He's just lonely, and thinks I'm easy. Well, that changes from now on. I can't let anymore situations get out of hand like this one. No matter how hard he tries, which I doubt he'll try hard once he realizes it won't be easy for him, I can't let him have me. Fuck though, I want to. I've wanted to for the past 8 years. The only thing is, I want the full long term love of my life scenario, and I'm sure he just wants one night of fun. I'm just not that type of girl, and I never will be. It doesn't matter if it's Niall, I need to stay true to myself. I can't let him try anything else. Just as I come to this conclusion, Niall gets off the phone. He starts, "The snake guy is here, he's just letting himself in right now. He's going to come get us as soon as he catches it." He looks at me, standing up and away from him and I see the look of regret flash across his face. He stands up and starts pacing. I watch him as he walks aimlessly back and forth. Why is he so nervous? The snake has been here for all this time and now he chooses to get nervous? He finally stops, and then bounds over to me. He stops before reaching me, and shyly puts his hand on the back of his neck. He rubs his neck awkwardly as he says to me with a grimace on his face, "look I'm sorry, that was really unprofessional. I'm supposed to be your boss, I guess I just get lonely, and no one ever cares to ask how I am like you did. But I won't let it happen again, it was so dumb of me. I'm sorry" he rambles on. Before I even get a chance to respond, there's a rapping on the door.
"Mr. Horan, it's me Romero! I caught the snake, you can come out of there now!" a voice bellows.
Niall rushes for the door, opening it swiftly. He gestures for me to go out first, then he follows. We walk with Romero down the hall into the kitchen. The snake guy keeps staring at me, but I think maybe he's just not used to seeing Niall with a girl? Niall starts to speak, "Thanks so much Romero, how much do I owe ya? What type of snake was it anyway?" He waits for a response. "It was a rattler, good thing it didn't get either one of you. It'll just be $100 for the catch. I'm just glad the pretty lady didn't get hurt" the snake guy says. He looks over at me, and I politely smile. I can see Niall in the corner of my vision rolling his eyes. He opens his wallet and produces a hundred dollar bill, slaps it into Romero's hand and tries to usher him out the door. His attempts are semi successful, until Romero stops and starts trying to talk to me again. He blabbers on saying, "You gotta be careful in this part of the city, can't be leaving any doors open. Snakes are supposedly attracted to beauty, so I guess today proved it." I just look at him incredulously and counter, "Yeah, Niall's house really is beautiful. Thanks for the help!" He looks a little defeated, but I can see he got the picture. He leaves, and just like that the snake incident is over. As soon as he closes the door, Niall bursts out laughing. God, his laugh is so iconic. It echoes throughout the whole house, the sweet ring of pure joy. "Oh my god, that was so cold!" He manages to choke out between cracking up. I can't help but join in on his laughter, his laugh is so contagious. "I've never seen him try so hard with a woman before, oh my god! I can't believe it ahahaha" Niall practically yells. I laugh until my stomach hurts, he does the same. As we finish up our little laughing fit, we make our way to the living room. I left the couch mostly unassembled while I was cleaning, and so I get back to putting everything together. He starts to help me, but I interject "Niall, this is my job you don't have to help me with everything. It's not fair to you." He just smiles and says, "I don't mind, friends help friends." Did Niall really just say we're friends? Did I really just achieve one of my life goals? I've wanted to be friends with Niall Horan since I was like 13. At least one of my dreams is coming true. I contemplate what has happened in this long long day. Oh shit, Niall got hit on this morning too! He teased me now it's my turn. "You know, you got hit on this morning too remember?" I say to him. He blushes and says back, "Well, at least the girl that said that to me was kind of cute. Romero just is not a looker" he says laughing. "What does that say about you?" He continues. "Ha! You so did not just say that! I bet the coffee shop girl was way out of your league anyway. Besides, you're too much of a player to settle down!" I declare. His actions shock me, and I feel the familiar smash of a pillow against my body. "Oh no way!" I yell as I grab my own weapon and whack him back. Before I know it, we're in a full fledged pillow war. I jump up on the couch to get the high ground, it's only fair because he's taller than me, and swing my pillow at him knock him on his butt beside me. He takes a shot at my feet, but I jump over it, only to lose my balance and roll to the floor on the pile of unfolded blankets. Just as he's about to deliver a huge blow, the doorbell rings. He looks at the clock, and then runs to answer the door without a word to me. I pick myself up off the ground, and begin cleaning up the mess we've made. Just like that the fun is over, and now I know why. Halle walks in, Niall in tow as she barks at him.
"You have a scheduled dinner in one hour Niall! You should be getting ready, I set up for there to be many photo ops and it'll be good for your image. It's with your long time friend, Mel Meander. I had to sell it to the media as a possible lover though, but all press is good press!" She rambles on as Niall looks bored and annoyed.
"Now, you have to leave town tomorrow, and promote your new album in the UK, there's a few radio interviews and some regular ones too. I sent the itinerary for the trip to your work phone. You really need to be seen out more, and get your name in the headlines. I'm going to try to get Mel to fly to the UK while you're there, just to stir up drama. I'm in conversation with her manager, but she's being almost as reluctant as you."
Niall interrupts, "Ok Halle, whatever you say, I'm going to go get ready. You can see yourself out, I get the picture. But I'm not going on a date with my friend. I'm bringing someone else. I think you forget that I'm YOUR boss sometimes."
She looks mad, but sticks to her guns "Niall all of your friends are out of town, who are you even gonna bring?" She counters.
"I'll bring my new friend Rosie" he says matter of factly.
Halles head whips around to me, she looks so pissed. I try to diffuse her anger by saying, "I don't know Mr. Horan. I'm not sure I'm allowed to because of the contract Halle had me sign."
Niall frowns, he says "That's rubbish, I'm the boss of both of you, and I am personally inviting you. You're going to come with me!" He's practically yelling by the end of the sentence. Halle looks frightened, probably fearing for her job security, and finally concedes to Niall.
"Fine, whatever, just make sure you make your flight on time tomorrow evening" she says, storming out afterward.
As soon as she leaves Niall says, "Sorry for bringing you into that, she just thinks she owns me sometimes. I had to put her in her place. We better go get ready, we don't want to be late." He leaves me standing there as he goes to change for dinner. I throw the last pillow onto the couch and head towards my room. I can't believe I actually have to get ready for dinner with Niall.