Two days had passed since my date with Harry. I spent the rest of the weekend ignoring calls and texts from everyone. I just stayed in my apartment. Like I expected, my face was all over the internet, calling me Harry’s one night stand. He tried texting me but I wouldn’t reply. Finally he called but I didn’t pick up. How could I face him?

Monday morning came, and I drug myself out of bed. I put my hair in a bun and put my usual amount of make-up on. I dressed somewhat warmly, a black skirt with a bow and a silk button up shirt with a yellow pea coat. I slipped on cream ankle heels and grabbed my black purse and headed out the door.
I got into a taxi and made my way to work. As soon as the driver pulled up, I saw at least ten people with cameras. How did they find out where I worked? I paid the driver and stepped out and made my way to the door. Cameras flashed and questions where yelled. I lowered my head and just kept walking. This is why I didn’t want to get involved. I hate attention.

When the elevator dinged open, I saw Suzan looking up anxiously, “Aria! What the hell is going on? I thought you and Curls weren’t a thing?”

I walked up to her and frowned. I really didn’t want to get into this. But I knew I could trust her. I explained everything. I told her about Mrs. Kalder wanting me to use Harry and how Harry told me I was different and how I now have feelings for him. By the time I was finished, she was speechless. She just looked at me with huge eyes.

I waved my hand in front of her face, “Um, Suzan?”

She blinked a few times and looked at me, “This is… Insane! What are you going to do?”

I sighed, “That’s the thing, I don’t know. Doing that to someone isn’t right. It would fuck him up. How could
you trust anyone after that? And I really like him. But there’s no in-between. I can’t get the secrets and give them to Mrs. Kalder and still be with Harry. He would know then hate me,” tears stung behind my eyes.

Suzan’s face dropped and pulled me into a hug, “I’m sorry, sweetie. I really… I really don’t know what to say. Have you talked to him?”

I pulled away, wiping my eyes, “No.”

“Maybe you should,” I began to shake my head at her words, then the elevator dinged open. We turned to see a man dressed in a delivery outfit, holding a vase full of two dozen red roses. He walked up to me and Suzan, “Is there a Ms. Franks here?”

I nodded my head, “I’m Ms. Franks.”

He handed me the vase full of flowers, “These are for you.”

My eyes widened in shock and quietly muttered a thanks and he went back to the elevator. I sat the roses down on the reception counter and looked for a card. Suzan found it before I did and read it aloud:
Aria, I know that this is a bit overwhelming, but I really had a nice time. Please call me back? Xx –Harry

My heart raced. That was really sweet of him to do but it just made me feel worse about what I was doing.

My eyes began to sting. I had to tell Mrs. Kalder I couldn’t do this. There is no way! This is just cruel and
wrong.

I made my way to Mrs. Kalder’s office. Without knocking, I entered the room and she was typing on her computer. She looked up at me and smiled, “Ahh. Ms. Franks. I see you’re center of the news. How is your assignment going?”

I glared at her, “It’s not. I can’t do this. It’s wrong.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Really? If I didn’t say better, you have developed feelings for Harry.”

I looked away from her, “It doesn’t matter. Doing this to anyone is cruel. I won’t continue.”

She smirked, “You won’t? Well, I’m sure you know that you wouldn’t get the bonus,” I nodded my head,
“Nor would you have a job.”

My jaw dropped, “What are you saying?”

She chuckled, “I’m afraid if you can’t do this, I’ll have to let you go. Then, I’m sure you’ll have to kiss New York bye and make your way back to Florida.”

My eyes stung again, “This isn’t right, Mrs. Kalder. Please.”

She held her hand up, “There’s no pleading. You will do this or you’re gone. Make your choice.”

“Fine,” I snapped in defeat. She smirked and I turned and left. She knew that if I lost my job, I couldn’t stay. I’m sure my aunt told her that. Fucking bitch. There is no way I could go back to Florida! There’s nothing for me there. I made my way to my office to see Suzan had put the roses on my desk. I shut my door behind me and let the tears stream down my face. My choices: not do my job, get fired, head back to Florida and keep Harry, or continue, stay in New York and hurt the guy that I truly care about. It may be so obvious for some to choose the first option but I can’t just throw my future away for a guy that I hardly know! Who am I kidding? All for I know, he really doesn’t care that much. Yeah, he told me he did and sent me flowers but he lives in a different country! Nothing would come of it anyway. That left me with one decision: do my job.

Which means, I have to be on speaking term with Harry. I picked up my phone and dialed his number.

He answered after a few rings, his accent filling my ears, “Hey…”

My stomach fluttered at the sound of his voice but I quickly pushed it away, “Hey. Sorry about not calling
or anything… I’ve got some stuff going on. Thank you so much for the roses. Their beautiful.”

I could hear the smile in his voice, “It’s alright, love. I was afraid the paparazzi got to you. You’re very welcome. I had a hard time trying to figure out what to get you that could stand up against your beauty, but I couldn’t find anything.”

I laughed lightly, “Well, thank you. That was very sweet.”

“Do you want to do something later? Maybe hang out at the hotel and watch a movie and stay away from the paps for a while?”

“Yeah that would be fun. What time?”

He sighed, “hmmm… How about 7?”

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

He laughed, “I’ll have Robert pick you up. See you later, love.”

I said goodbye and opened my door. I’m not going to let anything come of this. I just need to do what I
have to do to get juicy secrets. Suzan came into my office, “Are you alright?”

I smiled and nodded, “Yep. Just doing my job.”

She narrowed her eyes, “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. I just know nothing good would come out of me and Harry.”

She rolled her eyes, “Whatever. Are you going home for Christmas?”

I looked at the calendar: December 17. We get off of work the 19th until the 4th of January. “Nope. Just staying here.”

Her cell phone began to ring before she could reply and she quickly left the room. I’m just ready for this week to get over with, no more Harry, no more stress, no more feelings.
I knew my feelings wouldn’t just go away but a girl can only hope…

Notes

Directioners this is a question for you!

What would you do if you were in Aria's place? I would love to know!