Changes (N.H & L.P)

Chapter 22 - Change Of Plans

Harry’s P.O.V

So this is it. This is the formal signing with the new management. The five of us look down at the contract and read it, making sure that what we’re agreeing to is somewhat in our favour. The boys all seemed to be in the same mindset; the mindset that says that we honestly have no choice but to sign this contract or we will lose our careers. We all sign and hand it back to Sebastian, who is sitting in a huge chair on the other side of his long desk.

I swear I see a small smirk form on his face, but I decide to ignore it. Niall and Zayn are looking down at the floor, fiddling with their hands and thumbs. Louis, being the airhead that he oh-so-commonly is, is exploring the huge office with his eyes, looking at the huge white roof and the posters of the stars that Sebastian had up on his wall. We all assumed that these are just some of the acts that SF manages, and they’re not all singers or bands. There are models, actors, anything that could gain a dollar or two really. I look at a poster with Emily Stevens on it, a girl our age. Liam introduced her to me a while back, but I never really had any interest in her. From the looks of it, she’s an actress.

Sebastian puts the contracts in a folder and sticks the label ‘One Direction’ on it. He slides it into the filing cabinet and comes back over to us with a smile; a smile that didn’t look genuine. It looks mischievous.

“Kyle,” Sebastian says into a phone, “Bring the girls in.”

Not even a minute later, Bri and Jess are inside the room and Kyle shuts the door behind himself.

“Now. Before we head out, we need to set a few things straight.” Sebastian’s friendly mood has now been changed into a dark, serious man who I nearly feel afraid of just by hearing his voice. C’mon Harry, be a man.

“Miss Jess, I’m so sorry to say, but that ring is not to be on your finger anymore. Yours and Niall’s engagement is off.” Sebastian looks straight at Jess.

“Like fuck is that happening!” Niall yells so loudly that Zayn, who is sitting next to him, actually covers his ears.

“There is no way this ring is coming off my finger,” Jess looks back at Sebastian with stern eyes.

“Well, here’s the thing sweetheart. If you don’t take it off, I’m ripping up their contract; and there will no longer be a One Direction.” Sebastian is glaring at Jess, and it’s the first time I’ve seen her merely lost for words.

Niall’s eyes begin to get teary as he looks back at his fiance, as she looks down to her finger and takes off the engagement ring again. That’s pretty much twice in a month. Even though I should be upset that this is happening I can’t help but form a small smile.

“Harry,” Sebastian breaks me out of my thoughts, “You and Niall must constantly keep fighting for the cameras. I want as much attention brought to the both of you as possible. And now that Jess is with you, I’m certain you’ll have plenty of new things to fight about.”

Niall and I look at Sebastian in sync, with different facial expressions. Mine was more of a confused look, while Niall looked like he was ready to get a knife and stab every single person in this room.

“Jess and I are staying together, you can’t force her to go off and date someone else! Especially that guy,” Niall grimaced.

“Yeah,” we all turn back to Jess who had finally found her voice, “You can’t control me. I’m not part of the band.”

Niall and I look back to Sebastian who’s just laughing. He seems so calm about all of this, like he knew that this was going to happen. Like he has a plan...