We Took A Chance

Even though I wasn't the one about to meet some very important people, my anxiety was through the roof. What if there's traffic and we get there late? What if I'm not allowed in? Even worse, what if Niall gets bad news?

"Niall, we have to go! I don't want to risk being late." I nag as I put on my second earring.
"I know, I know. Let me just grab my shoes." he informs me before taking out a pair of white shoes from the closet.

The ride to the Universal Music offices was filled with a lot of nervous hand squeezes from Niall who was behind the wheel of a rental. Sure enough we encountered the bad L.A traffic I always hear about. The ride was supposed to be about 30 minutes and it turned into 45.

Luckily I insisted we leave a bit early so the added time didn't affect us negatively.
Inside the building we had to provide identification and go through security check. We were instructed to go up to the second floor where they'd be waiting for Niall.

"Mr. Horan, Sir Adam Wentz is expecting you. This way please." a woman in office attire announces before leading us through a door.

The room had quite a few men seated around a large table. The woman who brought us in was rapidly at work getting some coffees ready. Niall gave my hand one last squeeze before we took a seat and the meeting began.

-.-.-

The meeting was a couple of hours long and it left my head a mess. So many things were discussed that I couldn't wrap my head around. From what Niall explained, Universal won't be signing him but Capitol Records will which is owned by Universal. He has to come back in 2 weeks to make everything official.

Just as we stepped outside the building after the meeting, Niall turned to me and held me tight against him. I immediately circled his neck with my arms as he buried his nose in my loose hair.

"I'm so happy that is over with. Thank you, Zoe. You're incredible for putting up with 2 hours of that." Niall says after letting me go. We began walking towards our car.
"It was... Interesting. I always wondered what happens behind the scenes." I say then looking behind us.

The paparazzi have found us and are shooting away. Niall turns to where my attention was and as soon as he sees them he takes my hand in his. We continue to walk while the 2 men with cameras followed. They kept asking questions to which we kept silent for.

I knew by now that paparazzi were inevitable at airports or clubs, but we hadn't been approached in the street. Maybe it had to do with the fact that not as many paparazzi are in London whereas L.A is filled.

The two men continued to shoot even once we were in the car and didn't actually stop until we got to the red light and cars stopped behind us.

"One thing I don't like about L.A aside the traffic. Hopefully they don't follow us." Niall complains at a red light checking the rearview mirror.
"That was really weird. Who would be interested in seeing pictures of us just walking?" I laugh at the thought.
"You'd be surprised, love. Are you hungry?" I nod and he takes a left on Santa Monica Blvd.
"I know just the place." He winks as he speeds down the boulevard lined with tall palm trees.

We ended up grabbing lunch at a sushi place called Sugarfish just before getting to Ocean Avenue. It was nice to enjoy a quiet lunch with Niall where there wasn't any paparazzi or curious fans.

Niall seemed very excited to work in the music industry again but deep inside I knew this meant changes for us. I didn't want to think about it but it was inevitable to conclude that with a new house and label in California, it meant he'd have to be here. That leaves me alone in London to finish school. The uncertainty of what will happen gave gave me an uneasy feeling but I tried to push it back for Niall's sake.

After our dinner we start heading back to our hotel. We did our usual of singing along to our favorite songs until Niall turns down the volume.

"My buddy Oliver asked if I could do a round with him today." Niall states but it sounds more like a question.
"A round of golf?" I ask hoping not to sound dumb.
"Yeah, he beat me last time. I need revenge." he says parking outside our hotel.
"Well then you better beat him today!" I say reaching for the door handle.
"So I can go?" Niall asks taking me by surprise.
I let out a small laugh before answering, "You don't have to ask me, Niall."
"I do. I won't go if it's not ok with you. I don't want you to be stuck in the hotel."
"It's fine, Niall. I have to work on my paper anyway. I've been slaving over it all semester, I can't believe I'm almost finished and ready to turn it in by the deadline in two weeks." I say once we get to our floor.
"You're so amazing, Zoe. You're smart, beautiful... Sexy... " Niall compliments me stopping to stroke my cheek with his thumb.
"You're making me blush." I state feeling the blood rise to my cheeks. Niall wraps an arm around me as we walk to our room.

As soon as we got in the room, Niall changed quickly into his white golf pants and blue shirt. I couldn't help but snicker to see that he had come fully prepared to play. The boy does love his rounds of golf.

Niall kissed me goodbye and promised he won't be gone long. I opened up my laptop as soon as he closed the door behind him. This paper wasn't going to write itself and I was almost finished. Just 3 more pages, Zoe!

I checked the time on my laptop and noticed it's been 2 hours since Niall has been gone. I just finished up my paper and could finally breathe. I'll edit it once we get back to London to get it ready to turn in. Since I was still alone, I checked my email and saw just a few emails from mailing lists I subscribe to that I've been to lazy to unsubscribe to. I wasn't interested and began to delete them when an email caught my eye.

It was sent on Friday and was marked read but I don't recall reading it. Surely I would remember as it was an email from one of my professors. I dismissed my thought for now and began to read. He wanted to meet during his office hours on Tuesday. Didn't say what for but it left me curious.

I quickly replied back to confirm me meeting him and exit out. My mind traveled back to the fact that this email was marked read. The only person who would have access to my email would be Niall through the app in my phone.

"Honey, I'm home!" Niall chimes before dropping his duffel bag next to the door. He approaches me and kneels on the bed to give me a kiss.
"Niall, I need to ask you something." I begin and watch as he sits at the edge of the bed his face expressing concern. "Answer honestly, have you been snooping on my phone?" I ask without hesitation. Niall seems to have frozen in place after his mouth dropped agape a bit. Just by his reaction I could tell he was guilty as charged.
"Zoe... I... I meant to tell you about it but something about him just made me uncomfortable and jealous. So jealous! I'm sorry!" Niall blurts out leaving me rather confused.
"Wait, what?" I question putting my laptop aside.
"I'm sorry, Zoe. I should have told you he called. What I did was childish." Niall continues to apologize but I'm left with even more questions than answers.
"Who are you talking about, Niall? Who called?" I ask hoping things start making sense.
"Well what are you talking about?" he asks making me a bit aggravated.
"I found an email marked read in my inbox that I know for a fact I hadn't opened. I wanted to know if you snooped and read it."
"Oh. Well, no, I didn't read it." he says looking down while picking at his thumb nail.
"Ok, well, you still have explaining to do. Who called and what happened?"
"Zoe, just please don't be mad. One morning your phone was ringing and I answered it. It was that guy Andrew. I told him off and then deleted any trace of the call. I'm sorry I was just so jealous of him and didn't want you to talk to him." Niall confesses making me unsure of what to think.
"I can't believe you would do that, Niall. That's invasion of privacy! Plus you lied to me." I say with obvious disappointment in my voice.
"I know, I know. I regret it, I do. But be certain I did not spy on your emails." he seems sincere enough as he looks at me embarrassed what he just confessed to.
"Well then this is really weird. How did my email get read?" I say raking my hand through my hair.
"I don't know, Zoe. Maybe you should change your password just to be safe." he suggests and scoots closer to me. I can tell he's trying to test the waters to see if I'm upset.
"I'm still mad at you." I state getting off the bed and walking in to the bathroom. I can hear him sigh and take off his shoes as I close the door. I'm not too upset but I'll let him suffer a bit more.

-.-.-

The following morning I was awakened by light kisses on my bare shoulder and a hand trailing from my arm to my stomach. Niall probably thought I was still mad but I could tell he couldn't keep his hands away. His kisses move from my shoulder up the back of my neck and I could feel him burying his nose in my hair. I pretended to still be asleep and let him pamper me some more. His fingers lightly traced from my stomach to the edge of my underwear. He must have know I was awake now as my breathing had deepened at the anticipation of what he was about to do next.

Just as he began to play with the small bow in the front of my boyshorts, his phone went off from somewhere in the bathroom. I could hear him sigh and get up in search of his phone. What a mood killer, but I figured it could be something important. I stretched out my arms and sat up in the bed. I watched as Niall emerged from the bathroom, his phone to his ear, and a smile plastered on his face.

"Wasn't expecting so soon." he says in to the phone. I raise an eyebrow at him and he gives me a thumbs up. Something must be going right if he's that excited. "Yes, of course. When do I get the keys?" he continues. Ah, the house. His offer must have been accepted. "Can you e-mail me the report?" he asks whom I assume is Angela. "Thanks, I'll look it over but I think we're going to move forward with the purchase. Thanks, Angela." he finished off and throws his phone on the sofa after hanging up.

"Looks like we have us a house in L.A" he chimes throwing himself onto the bed landing a bit on my outstretched legs.
"That's great, Niall! That was fast!" I reply secretely marvelling at the fact that he hints at "our" house.
"Angela said it was easy because our offer was exactly what the seller was asking for instead of trying to negotiate with low ballers."
"Seems like you're really sorting everything out here. Got yourself a record deal and a house all in one weekend." I say looking down.
"Aren't you happy?" he asks taking my hand in his.
"I am, Niall. I'm happy for you. This is all so exciting!" I respond trying to feign true excitement but I can't help but go back to the thoughts from yesterday and how Niall is making himself a life here instead of London.
"We'll have so much fun, Zoe! We'll have to look into what renovations we want, possibly meet with an interior designer.. unless you want to do all the decorating by yourself. I could help, too, but I think a woman's eye is much better. I can't wait to buy new pillows.. pillows are important..." Niall rambles on as I look at him in awe. He seems so excited for this new part of life that he may not even realize that I have to be in London while he would have to be in California. If only life was as easy as he makes it out to be.

Notes

So, not a lot is going on right now. That may all change once they get back to London next chapter.

What could have happened with the email?
Do you think Niall is lying?
If he's lying, will Zoe be really upset since he already did hide the phone call from Andrew?
Are Zoe's worries valid about him having to be in L.A while she stays in London?
What could the professor want?!

Also, if you haven't heard, a sequel will follow this story! Thanks again to all of my readers that voted yes to the sequel. You guys are such motivators. :)