Catching Red Eyes

I was jolted awake by my alarm going off and it felt foreign. I shifted and hit the snooze and put the covers back over my head. I hadn’t been woken up by an alarm in weeks and wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep. I let myself doze off for the next few minutes before my alarm went off again.

“Fine, I’m up,” I said to the inanimate object.

I pushed back my covers and swung my legs out. I looked outside and thankfully it was sunny which I knew would help my somber mood. I opened my bedroom door and the apartment was quiet. I switched on the coffee pot and walked into my bathroom. I turned on the shower and waited for the water to get warm. I smelled the coffee and wandered back into the kitchen.

Grabbing the coffee, I headed back into the bathroom. The water was warm and it felt nice on my sleepy skin. My mind wandered to Harry but at the same time I felt happy to be back in some kind of routine even though my day hadn’t really started yet. The coffee was hitting my bloodstream as I switched off the shower.

I had about an hour to get ready as I pulled open the hallway closet. The clothes fell to the floor as they did before and I grabbed a few things and went back into my bedroom. I picked a light pair of jeans, white tank top, beige blazer, and a pair of tan flats. I let my hair air dry as I applied light makeup and grabbed another cup of coffee. As I was about to pull back my door, I remembered I didn’t need to haul a cab or take the subway anymore. As the thought entered my mind, I spotted the black SUV.

I made my way to the vehicle as Marsh climbed out and opened the back door. I jumped in and felt the cool air blowing from the vents.

“Good morning, Ms. Emerson. How are you today?”

“Good morning. I’m fine, thank you. How are you?”

“Fine, thank you.”

The SUV pulled away from the curb and we were on our way. I opened my phone and sent Harry a good morning text. It was the afternoon there now, but I knew Harry would understand. I sipped my coffee and watched New York pass by. We turned down the familiar street where M&G Productions was and I waited for Marsh to open my door. When the door opened, I was thankful to only see a few photographers with cameras.
Marsh took me up to the double glass doors and I was welcomed back by Maddy yelling at someone on the phone and Marc and George were missing. Maddy motioned me to her desk and I jogged over to her. She then handed me a thick envelope that I recognized as Marc and George’s expenses and I carried them to the back office.

I spent the morning categorizing receipts into an Excel spreadsheet. I didn’t look up until I heard a quiet knock. It felt good to be at work again.

“Hey, Maddy,” I said, smiling at her.

“Shit, sorry girl. I had a million phone calls to make. How are you?? I’ve seen you and your fiancé all over the news. Way to tell us!” she said with a sly smile.

“It’s just a promise ring,” I told her. I felt like a broken record now.

“Well, damn. That is some ring for a promise. Imagine the actual rock.”

I smiled and nodded.

“Come on, let’s order lunch.”

I followed her out to the front as the front doors opened and in walked Marc and George.

“Well, well, well if it isn’t the Mrs. Harry Styles in the flesh!!”

“Marc, it’s a promise ring,” Maddy said to him.

“Oh, well, either way, you should have called your old friends at M&G!”

“Marc, stop. They already have the paps and the press on their backs, you don’t start.”

I appreciated Maddy coming to my aid as I stood between all of them.

“I am only teasing. Come here, congratulations, doll,” said Marc, as he pulled me into hug. I awkwardly hugged him back, realizing this wasn’t his norm but I appreciated the support.

“And to think, I am the reason this all happened! Imagine if I never dragged you with me!”

“Yes, this is true. Thanks for dragging me with you,” I said with a smile.

“You want lunch? We were just about to order,” asked Maddy.

“Get me whatever. I have some calls to make,” he said with a wave of his hand.

Maddy ordered lunch as I took a look at the upcoming events.

“The MTV Movie Awards will be cool.”

“Yea, they’ve got a couple writers going. I went last year. It was crowded as hell and people were just all over the place.”

I nodded and flipped the pages and stopped when I saw a name catching my eye.

“We are interviewing One Direction next month?” I looked at Maddy, wondering why Harry hadn’t told me.

“Yea…I actually just talked to their publicist to confirm. It’s over in Ireland somewhere I think.
Wait, shouldn’t you know this?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “It probably slipped Harry’s mind.”

“Well, you should probably go, right? I mean, it’s a chance to see him?”

I nodded. “I’ll ask Marc. It’s no biggie.”

Maddy eyed me up and down but didn’t push further. She busied herself ordering lunch. I didn’t like people feeling bad for me so making the interview not a big deal defended me in some way but I felt weird that Harry didn’t make the connection. I checked my phone but I hadn’t heard anything back since I had texted him. Maybe he was trying to surprise me? I pushed it from my mind and focused on something else. I waited for Maddy to hang up.

“So, anything new going on?”

“Not really, just the same old stuff. Hey, I think Marc and George might offer you a full time paid spot soon. I may have overheard them last week.”

“Seriously?? Oh my God, that is amazing. I’ve wanted this since I could remember,” I said, trying to keep my voice down.

“Yes! I mean, I probably shouldn’t have told you but you know me, can’t keep anything to myself. I am so happy because you know I hate half the staff here.”

“Do you know when??”

“Not yet but soon. Row, your parents are going to be so happy! And Harry! You gotta tell him.”

“Yea, for sure. They will be ecstatic.”

I marveled in the glorious news. I had spent hours and hours working towards this goal and it felt like it was finally paying off. I remembered late nights in the newspaper office working on articles and long days interning for Marc and George. My life felt almost complete as I checked my phone again with nothing from Harry. I wanted to call him and tell him but I figured he was busy.

The rest of the day flew by and every time Marc or George would call me into their offices, I was praying this was the moment but it was only to fax or copy edit something. I felt my hope diminish a bit as they said goodbye for the day.

“Don’t worry, Row. You know I wouldn’t just tell you something like that without knowing for sure. This week they will.”

“Yea, thank you. I’m ok,” I said and smiled at her. I was ready to call it a day and go home. I forgot how much energy it took to actually work. I looked out the front doors and saw the black SUV. It was bittersweet seeing it considering it reminded me of Harry who was still missing. I didn’t want it to ruin my hopeful mood about my future but it still hurt not being able to see him or even hear from him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Maddy.”

She waved as the phone rang again and she ran for it.

I pushed back the front doors and Marsh was waiting to take me home. I paid no mind to the cameras clicking around me. Upon opening the door, I saw a long box sitting on the seat. I looked at Marsh but he didn’t say a word as he shut the door for me. I opened the box and there was a single rose inside with a note.

*Rowan, my love, I will send a rose for every day I am away from you. Forever, Harry*

This wasn’t real life, was it? I recognized his handwriting as I read it over and over again.

“Marsh…do you these stock piled somewhere?” I asked, looking behind me in the trunk.

“No, Ms. Emerson. Harry’s secret.”

“Fine, fine.” I pulled my phone out and opened my message to Harry.

*Thank you for the rose and the future roses. I guess it helps a bit when you can’t be here instead :)*

I sent the text and wondered how much it must cost to text and call from Europe. I assumed Harry didn’t care because I felt my phone start buzzing.

*You are welcome, love. I know, I wish I was there too. How was your day? I will be able to call after the show tonight.*

*It was good, just long. How was yours?*

I decided to ask him about the interview later when he called.

*Long too. We had a full day of press for the European tour. I will call as soon I am back at the hotel room. I love you.*

*Ok. Love you too xoxo*

My phone was then silent as I sat in the back of the SUV and watched the world pass by.

Notes