Through the Dark

I stand outside the large building that houses the publishing company, trying to focus through my tears. I call Liam. I’m so upset with him right now. I’m mortified. The amount of anger I feel right now outweighs any clear thinking. No answer. I try several more times. Still no answer.
Somehow I manage to find my way to the studio, tears still flowing. Paddy is the first to see me enter the studio. “Lexi, what happened? Are you alright?”
All I can manage is. “Liam. Now.” He rushes off to get Liam.
My anger flares again while I wait. Although the look of absolute concern and fear on Liam’s face when he see’s me squelches the flames a bit. Liam rushes over to me, trying to wipe away the many tears. “Lexi, babe, are you alright?”
I shake my head. “No, how could you Liam?”
“Darling, what are you talking about? Come here.” Liam leads me into a room where we can talk privately. ”Lexi, what happened?”
I calm slightly as I look into his eyes and see the honest confusion. Through tears I try to explain. “She didn’t read my story. She wanted to publish it only because I’m your girlfriend and that would sell books. How could you, Liam? You know how much this means to me.” I head for the door, every intention of getting as far away from here as possible. The embarrassment and hurt guiding me.
“Lexi, stop! We promised we’d never run away. We work through problems together.”
Liam’s words stop me in my tracks. I flashback to how hurt I was when Liam shut me out. He’s right, we promised. I turn to face him. “I’m so sorry, Liam.”
He pulls me into his embrace, holding me so tight. For the first time in hours my body relaxes, my breathing almost normal. Liam kisses the top of my head, whispering to me. “Please sit down and tell me what happened.”
I nod my head and Liam leads me to the couch. I take a deep breath and recount the whole experience. Liam listening to me intently the whole time. “I am so humiliated Liam. I felt like a talentless hack.”
Liam gently takes my hand. “Lexi, first of all I swear to you I didn’t know she was going to do that. Do you believe me?”
Looking into Liam’s honest, hopeful deep brown eyes, I have no doubt he’s telling me the absolute truth. “Yes, Liam. I believe you. I am so sorry I blamed you. I overreacted because I was so hurt.”
Liam lightly lays his hand on the side of my face. “It’s alright, love. I understand.”
I turn my head slightly and kiss his palm.
Liam stands up. “I need to make a phone call, I’ll be right back.”
As Liam leaves the room, Paddy comes in. While I’m telling him the whole story, I can see Liam outside in the hall on the phone. He doesn’t look happy and it appears that he is yelling at someone.
Liam returns and now Paddy heads out to the hall and makes a call. “Who did you call, Liam?” I ask, pretty sure I already know the answer.
“I gave that woman a piece of my mind. No one treats the love of my life that way!”
I smile for the first time in hours. Moving to Liam I say. “The love of your life, huh?”
He grins. “Yes. You know you are, Lex.”
I wrap my arms around his waist. “Thank you for always defending me. You, Liam Payne, are the love of my life as well.”
Liam pulls me in close, kissing me. I hadn’t realized how much I needed his kiss.
Paddy clears his throat. Liam and I laugh.
“I was just talking to an old friend of mine who’s an agent. I explained your circumstances and he wants to represent you. You, Lexi. Not “Liam’s girlfriend”.”
I look from Paddy to Liam. Liam gives me a big smile and a wink. I look back to Paddy and give him a huge hug. “Thank you so much, Paddy!”

Notes