Colorful (H.S) | ✔️

57

Harry's P.O.V

"Styles! I really thought you wouldn't show up!" Tom enters my field of vision. He has a big smile on his face and I can't stand it. It's way too early for this. 

Well, it's not. I'm just jet-lagged and annoyed at the time difference.

"You've made that clear on multiple occasions," I say flatly. "What was the urgent need for me to come back? I'm pretty sure we've decided this is my downtime."

"You can't just wipe off the face of the Earth," he smiles and takes a seat on the chair next to me instead of the one at his desk. "Where were you anyway?"

"If I wanted you to know, I'd tell." 

He rolls his eyes but keeps his smile. "You fucker. Why are you always so complicated?" I simply shrug and pull out my phone. 

I had texted Ellie when I arrived, but she hasn't responded. Part of me thought she'd be clinging on to her phone, waiting for me to text her like I do with her. I scoff at my own ridiculousness. I'm so needy and I'm pushing my own tendencies on her. 

Besides, she's sick, so it's good she's getting rest.

"I brought you some fuel," Tom says, handing me a cup of coffee. I hadn't seen it when he walked in, but I take it anyway. I need it.

"Thanks," I mumble. 

Oh shit, did I just thank him?

His eyes go wide and I know he's about to make some snarky comment. "Whoever you're hanging out with has taught you the impossible! Wow, Styles, you must be whipped," he teases.

I just hope he doesn't connect the dots. I don't want to deal with a smartass Tom. Knowing him, he'd use Ellie to his advantage.

His eyes grow even wider, but his smile is wiped off his face. "Is... does this have to do with your soulmate?"

"No," I deny. He doesn't need to know. 

He seems to believe me and relaxes. "Good. I actually do have a purpose for calling you today." I anxiously wait for him to continue. If not finding my soulmate is a good thing, then I'm in for trouble. "I have a publicity stunt for you. Your - uh - reputation is going down the drain. Ever since you stopped dating, the fans have been confused. We need to enter a third character in your life."

My brows furrow in confusion. What is this man talking about?

"We need you to fake date another celebrity."

"No, fuck no." I stand up, anger boiling through me. I can't do this. Things are finally going great with Ellie. There's no way I'm messing it up. 

Tom doesn't mind my temper. "Why not? You said you haven't found your soulmate, so what's the problem?"

The problem is that I lied and I did find her and she's amazing. I can't just date someone else, even if it's fake. 

"Well everyone will speculate this fake girl is my soulmate. I already told everyone that I found her." I regret ever mentioning that. It's caused me more problems than I'd like to admit.

"So? What's the harm in that? Besides, you don't have to confirm their suspicions. Just don't deny them either." He sounds proud, like he had this all thought out.

My anger is becoming uncontrollable. I can't let Tom know that I'm so overworked. He'll know something's up. Instead, I clench my fists as an attempt to manage my temper. 

"I'll think about it," I hiss and walk out of the room. No, I won't. I just had to say that so I can get out and punch something.

I pace around in the bathroom, trying not to kill someone.