"How nice to meet you," a man said from a chair in front of a dark oak desk. Simon Cowell, I recognized the face.
"The pleasure is all mine," I said, smiling a full-watt smile.
"So these are our boys. Niall, Liam, Louis, Zayn, and Harry," Simon introduced them all. I waved accordingly, but pretended that I didn't see their outstretched hands. I couldn't touch another boy. That was cheating.
"I'm Robyn, but I wouldn't doubt that you already knew that," I said, nodding at them all.
"Of course we know you! We did research on you before we hired you! You're very very talented, by the way," Harry complimented me. He had stood so I could have his seat, but then Simon had ordered for Harry to have a new chair. Of course, he put his chair right next to mine. Damn, he smelled good.
"Thank you, I work hard to be as good as I am," I said. I didn't bother to mention that Robert didn't think that my work was good. I already knew he was right, I never was. Even though I wished I was as good as my stupid mind thought I was. But Robert was right, so I understood.
"You're a natural, we saw your work in highschool, too," Harry continued. Simon rolled his eyes.
"OK, Harry, stop flirting with her. Boys, go get dressed. I need to discuss a contract with her," Simon said, shooing them out. They all waved goodbye, Harry winked, and they were gone.
****
"Sign on the dotted line and your contract will be official," Simon said after explaining the terms and conditions. I had one week before I continued on the tour with the boys, documenting their experience on the road for their third book. Robert would be angry, but we were running low on money. It was my fault, I spent so much on clothes. My allowance would have to be cut soon.
I took the pen from him and signed on the dotted line, then followed a pretty receptionist, different from the one at the front desk, to a room where the boys were nearly soiling their clothes. The stylists looked like they were ready to kill those boys.
"OK BOYS!" I yelled, getting their attention with a loud whistle, "My camera is already set up, so pose your first pose and I will move you accordingly. Don't fuck around, or I'll hurt you," I threatened. The security guards looked ready to drag me out by my hair. I winced, suddenly scared as the icy memory came back.
"You're the boss," Louis said, saluting like a little sailor and positioning himself between everyone else.
****
"We'll see you tomorrow bright and early at 9 AM," Harry said, waving goodbye after I pretended not to be able to give him a goodbye hug because I was busy putting my camera up. I felt kinda bad about lying to him, but it was whatever. I couldn't do what I couldn't do. I did everything for Robert, and if he didn't want me to touch other men, then that was okay. Of course, he always got mad if I got upset about him kissing another girl.
He was always right though, and so I couldn't be right because I was always wrong.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I said, waving and catching a cab because Robert had come and picked up the car and left a message with the receptionist.