"Everybody has something that they are dealing with, Ty," that's what she always tells me when I try to make her understand, that the way some people treat her is not okay. So I guess yes, I am overprotective towards her, but I have my reasons.
I guess I do have to understand that she isn't a little girl anymore though and I do know Henry. He really is a good guy. So if it works out between them I couldn't be happier. If not, well, I'm sure she will find the right guy. I'll make sure that the wrong ones stay the hell away from her!
So I start walking back into the living room. Ali and Henry are sitting next to each other on the sofa. Poppy is sitting on the sofa opposite them staring at her phone. I can see that Ali and Henry are feeling awkward the moment I walk in. I decide to sit next to Poppy. I know Ali hates awkward situations like this, but I don't know what to do about it.
"So what are you doing Poppy? Texting a guy?" I ask Poppy and try to sneak a peek in her phone. She laughs.
"Ha, ha a guy… please. Never gonna happen! I'm checking out the menu to see what we want to order."
"What about Chinese?" I suggest.
"Yes, Chinese is a great idea," Poppy replies.
Still, silence from the other two.
"Are you two up for Chinese as well or would you prefer something else?" I ask Ali and Henry and try to break the ice.
They both look at me, but neither of them answers. Then Ali starts laughing loud and hard. Now everybody is looking at her and starting to laugh as well.
"Why are you laughing?" I ask her.
"Because you can cut the tension in here with a knife!"
Everybody laughs.
"Chinese would be great mate," Henry finally replies.
I smile at him and he smiles back. I guess Poppy was right after all. We are boys, we laugh it off.
When the food arrives we all make ourselves comfortable and start watching "LOL", some sort of teenage rom-com. Yeah! Happy me. Of course, Poppy got to choose the movie. I keep looking over to Ali and Henry. They seem extremely uncomfortable. Shit. I really didn't want to make them feel that way. I guess I'll have to talk to them to let them know that, but now is just not the right time to do it.
"Right Ty?" Poppy asks me and pulls me out of my thoughts.
"Right what?" I return her question.
"Huh come on Ty, you are not even watching. I watched that "300" movie with you although I thought it was awful."
"I'm sorry Poppy, what was your question?"
"I can't remember it now."
"Well, then it must have been a lie, Poppy," I say to annoy her and it works.
I've finally made it through that movie. To be honest, it wasn't that bad, but I sure as hell will never admit that to Poppy.
"I'm really tired, I think I'll go to bed guys," Henry lets us know all of a sudden and stands up.
"Okay, do you need anything?" Ali asks him also very surprised.
"No, I'm good thanks. Goodnight," he says to all of us and leaves. I'm thinking I should maybe go after him and talk to him, but then again I might just do the same thing first with Ali.
"Love, I hope you are not mad at me. I know I totally overreacted earlier. I'm sorry, I did. I don't even know what has gotten into me and I am sorry that I made you and Henry feel so uncomfortable now. I will talk to him as well. So don't worry. I will definitely make this right and it's not like I don't want you guys to be together or get closer to each other. As I said, I actually have no clue what that was about. I just know that I am truly sorry about it,"
"It's okay, Ty. I mean you definitely did overact, one hundred per cent, but you know me. I don't get mad or at least not for more than five minutes. What do I always teach you guys? It's okay to be angry, but not for more than five minutes because it doesn't bring you any benefit. Rather search for the solutions to make the issues go away," Ali replies with a smile on her face.
"Oh yeah, I forgot I'm dealing with Miss Zen," I say laughing and realize again that she is the nicest human being on earth.
"So, do you guys want to watch another movie? And no, Poppy you do not get to choose this time," I cut Poppy off before she can even say anything.
I saw that cheeky little creature was already opening her mouth. Now she is looking at me like an annoyed little girl, it's quite adorable actually.
"Well, I think after all the drama, it's probably best if we call it a night," Ali says.
"Yeah, you are probably right," I agree.
So we all decide to go off to bed, but before I can get some sleep I definitely have to go and see Henry so I can talk and apologize to him.
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Chapter 7
Henry
I walk in the bedroom and lay on the bed. I've been trying all night to see past what Ty said to me earlier. I know he didn't mean it and only said it in anger but still. This really hurts. No one understands what it feels like to constantly be in the public eye. I don't want to complain because I am living my dream. I love doing what I do and I don't even like calling it a job, but on the other hand, I don't have a private life anymore. Everything I do is public. I can't say Oh yes, let's go there with friends that I have had since my childhood, I have to check the locations earlier, get my securities, get different cars so that the paparazzi follow one car whilst I am in another one and all sorts of things like that. I always have to plan ahead. I am constantly on the run. Travelling from country to country, which is nice, but also I don't get to see my friends and family and everyone is like "wow, you have travelled the world and you are so young that is amazing." Yes, it is amazing, but what they don't understand is that I don't get to see the countries. I arrive, go to the venue and then after that it's back on the plane and off to the next country. The cycle begins again and it never stops, but that's okay. It's part of the job/dream. What I don't like is the press that just makes up stories about you! The thing is when I read all this stuff about me, it simply hurts. Knowing that there are thousands, millions of people that believe every word they say, that is what really brings me down. I don't know why the press decided to make me this "womanizer", who sleeps with every girl he comes across. The thing is, I am absolutely not like that. I respect women. And I treat women the way they should be treated. I see women as strong, powerful and amazing human beings. I was raised to think like that by my incredible mum. Now it is hard for me to get to know a woman, anyway, because of my status. I never know if she is interested in me or just my status. If I am lucky enough to meet one that actually is interested in me than up until now, they wouldn't put up with my lifestyle. I am constantly being followed by the press and very often I am gone, touring the world. Also if they do, they will probably end up in the public eye as well and I can't control what the press will write about them. It definitely will not all be good and on top of all that, I have this label of being a player. Everybody thinks that I have all these fans and I sure don't have any problems meeting someone, but they couldn't be more wrong. Being in this business is great, you have all these people around you, but at the end of the day you end up in yet another hotel room by yourself. This business actually makes you really lonely.
I hear a knock on my door and get pulled out of my thoughts. It's Tyler.
"Hey mate, can I come in?"
"Sure, come on in."
"Hey, about earlier, I don't know what that was about. I know I overreacted. I already spoke to Ali and explained myself. I don't want you two to feel awkward. If you want to get to know each other in whatever shape or form that might be, it's none of my business. We are all adults and I get that."
"I'm glad to hear that, mate, because I really like her and just so you know I don't plan on hooking up with her and then just leave, Ty."
"I know you don't and I am also really sorry about repeating what these shitty press reports say about you. I know that you are not like that. I was just angry and the fact that I have witnessed men hitting on her constantly, seeing the look in their eyes and knowing exa
ctly what they want, doesn't help."
"I get that, Ty. I mean just look at her, it's obvious," I say and mean it.
Ali is stunning. Her hair, her body, that face and her gorgeous eyes. Gosh, it makes you forget about everything.
"Yes, I guess that is true. Although I obviously don't see her like that," Ty says with a look of disgust.
"Yes, that would be weird if you did, Ty, and probably illegal? By the way, Ty, why is she wearing an engagement ring? I never got to ask her that."
Tyler smiles
"I got her that for her birthday. It sounds weird, I know but it actually is not. Like I said, she constantly gets hit on and really hates it. I also wasn't amused by it so I got her that engagement ring to keep the guys off her. It doesn't work all the time, but it does reduce the masses. Now that I think about it, I should get one for Poppy too,"
"I just don't understand why some men think it's alright to see women basically just as sex-objects. It's okay to give it a chance, but just seeing a hot woman and immediately trying to get her in your sheets? I really don't get it," I say and mean what I say.
"So you like her, what's the plan? Do you want to get to know her better? How do think this will work out?" Tyler asks me.
"To be honest, Ty, I have no idea. I was thinking of inviting her to come to my house in London. I mean I am currently just writing on new songs, so I do have more time on my hands than when I'm touring. It's just so complicated. With the press and all that. I don't want her to have to go through that. Especially not when we are just starting to get to know each other. So I don't know if I should invite her after all? What do you think?"
"I think you should invite her. I mean if she doesn't want to come to see you, she could say no. I don't think she will though. So yes, just go for it! I mean you can't always think about what could go wrong. You have to focus on what could go right."
"Okay, that's settled then I'll ask her. I just don't know the right time for it yet," I decide.
"Alright mate, I'm going to bed now. Poppy really drains me," Tyler tells me laughing.
"So we are all good then?"
"Yes, Ty, we are all good," I assure him as he leaves my room.
I turn off my lights and try to go to sleep. I can't though. I can't stop thinking about Ali. I feel nauseous when I think of all these men hitting on her and how uncomfortable it makes her feel. She is a strong woman though and I am pretty sure she handles it quite well. I think of how it might turn out if she comes to spend some time in London with me. I even think about how great it would be to have her on tour with me, but I can't just expect her to give up her entire life just to be with me in mine. I can already picture us being together and having a family. Oh my god. I have fallen hard for her. This is insane. I barely know her, but I already want to spend the rest of my life with her. What is wrong with me?
I dread off into sleep, but shortly after I am awake again. I keep having these weird dreams about Ali. Everything just goes wrong in the dreams. I was very distant to hear earlier when we watched that movie. I didn't want to give Tyler another reason to lash out on her. I grab my phone to check the time, it's 01:11 am. I'll just text her. I don't want her to think bad about me. If I don't get this out of the way, I won't be getting any sleep tonight. So I open up my messages and text her.
"Hey, I hope I'm not waking you up. I can't stop thinking about you. I'm sorry I was so distant earlier. I had a lot going on in my head. Xx"
"Hey, you didn't wake me, I was still up. Can't get you out of my head either. Want to talk? Xx"
"Sure! Xx"
After a couple of minutes, I hear a knock on my door. Ali opens the door slowly.
"Are you decent?" Ali asks smiling.
"Yeah sure, come on in."
She comes inside and closes the door behind her. She sits on the bed opposite me.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine. I just had all these weird thoughts. It's just sometimes…. Ah never mind. It's all good."
"Tell me, I can see that something is bothering you. It's not good to keep it all in. Believe me, I would know. So come on spill it. Trust me, I won't tell anyone and I never judge."
I smile at her and finally open up.
"When Ty and I had this argument earlier he said something. The press always puts me in this perspective of being a womanizer and there is just nothing I can do about it. The people close to me know that it's not true and I guess that's the only thing that counts, but it still bothers me. Just knowing that so many people on this earth read it and believe it. Thinking of me as this person I'm just not."
Ali looks at me with calm, understanding eyes.
"I understand. I would feel terrible if I would read things like that about me. It's okay to feel bad about it. Of course, it doesn't matter as long as you and the people you care about know the truth but still, no one likes to read or hear things about them that are not true."
"It's nice that you are so understanding."
"I know what it's like when people put you in a category that isn't who you are."
"Now it's your turn to open up," I say with a smile.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Ty said that you have been through a lot, but that it was not his story to tell and now you say you know what it's like to be put in the wrong category. So there must have been something in your past," I push her to open up.
"Oh, yes. Well, it's not that big of a deal. I mean it could have been way worse. I just used to have a very bad taste in men. I was in a physically abusive relationship and after that, I ended up in yet another abusive relationship, only this time it was mental abuse. It's okay though. I have found peace with my past. I guess I had to go through that to learn, to value myself. So although that's a hard way to learn it, I'm happy that I am where I am today."
"Oh god, I don't even know what to say. I'm so sorry," is the only thing I am able to reply to that.
"No, please don't be sorry. I don't like to tell people because they look at me exactly like you are looking at me now. I'm not a victim. That would give these men power and believe me, they have no power over me. In fact, nobody does."
"Okay, I get your point. You really are strong. And what did you mean with ‘you know what it's like to be put in a category'?" I ask her.
"Oh, well after these two relationships, I decided it was time for me to have a relationship with myself and work on that. So I just wanted to enjoy being single. When guys tried to ask me out I would always say no because I wasn't interested. First in a nice way, but usually they just wouldn't take no for an answer. So I had to become clearer. That's when the word got around, that I'm this cold-hearted uptight bitch, which I'm not, but if it makes them feel better about themselves so be it. I literally don't care."
"Tyler mentioned that you hate being hit on,"
"Well, it's not like I hate it. It's just when they don't accept a no and start getting annoying. I don't like that. What I hate are the comments some men think are okay to make when you walk down the street."
"What comments?" I want to know.
"Ugh, I don't want to repeat them, but I will say that those are words I don't ever use."
"Okay yes, I understand. That would make anyone feel uncomfortable," I let her know.
We keep talking on and on. I could talk to this woman forever. Whilst talking, we somehow managed to fall asleep.
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Chapter 8
Poppy
Waking up I turn to Ali. But she is not in bed. Okay, this is unusual. Usually, I’m always awake before her. Prince is still fast asleep, but when he realizes that I am awake, he also wakes up.
I get up and decide to walk to the kitchen with Prince following me. I figure Ali is surely going to be in the kitchen, making coffee. But when I arrive in the kitchen, there is nobody there. Where the hell is Ali? I make myself a cup of coffee and walk to the bathroom. Ali has to be here, but again I find the bathroom empty. I get my phon
e from the bedroom and call her. When there was no answer, I decided to text her:
“Ali where are you? Are you okay? XO”
My phone rings shortly after and it´s a text from Ali.
“I’m fine I am on my way to you. I’ll explain everything to you in a minute. XX”
I can’t wait to hear what this is all about. I see Ali coming up the stairs.
“Where were you? I’ve looked for you everywhere and I was downstairs, too, but I couldn’t find you anywhere!” I ask her being so curious to find out where she has been.
“I’ve been in Henry’s guest room,” Ali starts.
“What! Oh my god, Ali!” I interrupt her with a smile.
I am flabbergasted.
“Yes, but no you can wipe that smile off your face Poppy, nothing happened. We just talked and somehow fell asleep.”
“And what did you talk about?”
“Everything and nothing. It was amazing. He is a really nice guy.”
“I’m sure he is Ali. I’m so happy for you!”
“Yes, well thanks love, but I mean we barely know each other so let’s wait and see where this leads us .”
“Ali, it’s okay to be hopeful and dream even if it is only in the beginning. Try to let loose of your concerns. Open up!”
“I will open up in time. I promise, but I mean I just don’t want to jump into something when I don’t know how it’ll turn out.”
“Ali! You can’t control everything. You will never know how it’ll turn out unless you actually try. If you cut it off because of your fears before it starts, then you will never find out. You really have to get over yourself. It’s time!” I tell her and mean it.
I decide to let Ali think about my words and get dressed to take Prince out for his morning walk. Ali wants to take a shower and get ready.
Keep It Secret: Time Starts Now (Part Book 1) Page 4