Keep It Secret: Time Starts Now (Part Book 1)

by Elain Parkinson

  Kurt looks at me with concern.

  “You know what is interesting?”

  I look at him and shake my head.

  “You just listed all the things that could happen. Every single thing you just listed was a negative thing. You never even considered anything positive coming out of it, which amuses me because you are the one person always focusing on the good and positive. Why don’t you do it now?”

  I’m a little shocked. He is absolutely right. Here I am the girl who always focuses on the good and positive, the one who always tells everybody around her to do the same. I’m such a hypocrite. But it still doesn’t convince me enough to change my mind. At least not yet.

  We eat our food and keep talking. It’s nice spending time with Kurt. After dinner, we walk through the town. I say goodbye to Kurt when we get to his tube station. I walk back home because it’s only a fifteen-minute walk. As I walk back home I think about what Kurt said earlier and try to make it work in my head. I try to think about something positive coming out of Henry and me being a couple officially. But all I can think of is how I enjoy walking back home in the evenings and then my mind wanders off to how I would never ever be able to do that anymore if I decided to be in the public eye with him. I did my research and two of his former band mates have girlfriends who also are not in this industry. And they are being followed everywhere by the paparazzi and some of the fans. I don’t know why, but apparently, it is extremely interesting to know what the girlfriend of a celebrity is up to.

  When I arrive back home, I decide to listen to some good music to get in a better mood. I don’t want to call Henry when I’m so focused on what could go wrong because he can immediately tell that something is wrong. So after listening to some of my favorite songs and being in high energy again, I call him.

  “Hey beautiful, I hope you didn’t have too much fun without me,” Henry says as he picks up the phone.

  “No, of course not. How could I enjoy my evening without the great Henry Green?”

  “That’s what I was hoping to hear,” Henry replies with a smile.

  “How was your night?”

  “It was alright. I got some things done and watched a movie. Do you have any other dates planned next weekend?”

  “First of all, it wasn’t a date, mister and second of all, no, I don’t have anything planned next weekend. Why?”

  “I’m glad to hear that because otherwise, my plan would have gone horribly wrong.”

  “What plan?”

  “Well, one of the things I got done earlier was deciding that it’s too long until you come to London. So I booked us a little cabin in the woods of Austria. I’ll come and pick you up on Friday at noon. It’s not that far from your place, so we’ll drive there, it’s a mere three-hour drive.”

  “What? Are you serious?”

  “Of course I’m serious!”

  “What if I had said that I do have plans?”

  “Well, as I said earlier, then my plan would have gone horribly wrong,” he replies laughing.

  “You are insane,” I say with a smile.

  “You are the one driving me insane, beautiful.”

  We keep on talking until we are both tired and decide to go to sleep. As I lie in my bed, I can’t believe that I am going to see Henry in a couple of days. I’m so happy and really excited. I’m already thinking about the outfits I’m going to wear. While imagining what the next weekend will be like, I drift into sleep and dream about Henry.

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  Chapter 12

  Henry

  I’m lying on my sofa. I just face timed Ali. She is now going out for dinner with a friend and I know it’s stupid, but I can’t help being a little bit jealous. I don’t think that she would cheat on me or anything. I trust her. But just the fact that he gets to spend time with her when that is all I want to do. I pull out my notebook and try to write on my songs. Every single song I’ve written so far has to do with Ali. At least parts of it. I can’t help it, she is the only thing on my mind. I haven’t finished one song yet. This is starting to become a problem. I only have a couple of months left to finish my album and I also have to record it in that timeline. When I start to try and finish one of the songs again my thoughts drift off to Ali. I decide that I have to do something about it. I put my notebook to the side and get on my laptop. I definitely can’t wait another three weeks until I see her again. I’ll just surprise her with a nice weekend getaway. So I look up nice locations that are peaceful and quiet where no one will find us. I find a place in Austria. It’s only a three-hour drive away from where Ali lives. There is a very nice little cabin in the woods. I book the cabin. After that, I book my flight and a car. That’s all settled then I’ll finally see her this weekend. Why do I have the feeling that I have forgotten something? Oh. Then it hits me. I have to ask Ali if she has time and actually wants to go.

  As I can’t focus on writing my songs I decide to watch a movie. Of course, I pick a movie I knew Ali would love. It’s a movie called “Mother’s Day” and I must say it’s a really good movie. Finally, my phone rings and Ali face times me.

  After the phone call, I decide to go to bed. I can’t sleep though. I am like a little kid before Christmas. All I can think about now is how to make this weekend perfect. That’s when my phone rings again. I think it must be Ali because she also isn’t able to sleep. I grab my phone from my nightstand, but then I see a different name on the screen. It’s Ryan. A friend of mine.

  “Hey,” I answer the phone.

  “Hey Henry, am I disturbing you?”

  “No, no it’s fine. I’m in bed, but I couldn’t sleep anyway so all good.”

  “Oh man, I’m sorry, where are you?”

  “I’m in London at my house. Are you in town?”

  “No, sorry I’m in LA at the moment. I was on a TV show and now I’m off again because I’ve still got four more concerts before my tour ends.”

  “You okay?”

  “Yeah fine, a little stressed out. You know how it is. I’m glad when the tour is over and I get a short break. The reason I’m calling is I’m in London in three weeks. I’m doing an interview on a radio show, but I don’t have anything planned after that. So I was thinking if you are also free during that time, we could meet up and spend some time?”

  “Oh, yeah sure. The thing is I met this girl and she is coming over in three weeks. But I already told her she could bring her friend so if you’re up to it we could all hang out together maybe?”

  “Sounds great. Are you like dating this girl?”

  “Yes, she’s my girlfriend, but don’t tell anyone because she is not in our business and she wants to keep it private.”

  “Of course I won’t tell anyone, Henry. That’s rare. A girl who doesn’t want the media attention. Sounds like a keeper.”

  “She is a keeper! Definitely, a very special woman.”

  “Could you do me a favour? Don’t tell her or her friend who I am.”

  “I won’t,” I assure him.

  “Okay, well I’ll text you the details as soon as I know them. See you then mate,” Ryan tells me and we hang up.

  I wake up the next morning from the sound of my phone ringing. I answer still half asleep.

  “Yes?”

  “Henry, where the hell are you?” my agent wants to know and he doesn’t sound amused.

  “I’m in bed. Why? Where am I supposed to be?”

  “Are you joking? You have a radio show in like ten minutes.”

  Shit. I have totally forgotten about that.

  “I’m sorry, Jeff. It slipped my mind. Can you make them wait? I’ll be there in thirty minutes!”

  “I’ll make sure they’ll wait. Just get here as quick as you can,” is all he says before he hangs up the phone.

  I jump out of bed and run under the shower. I quickly throw on some clothes and then jump in the car. I can’t believe I forgot this interview. I never forget any appointments. I really have to find a w
ay to not constantly think about Ali. I can’t start letting other people down because of it and I have to work on my solo career.

  When I step out of my car, Jeff walks towards me.

  “What is wrong with you Henry? This has never happened to you? Does this have to do with this girl in Germany?”

  “No, why do you say that? I just overslept. I was trying to write on my songs until late and then I overslept. I`m sorry, okay? It won’t happen again.”

  “It had better not!” is all Jeff replies.

  He is really angry. We walk into the radio station. I quickly greet everyone and get prepped before we go on air.

  “So, finally here to join us is Henry Green,” the radio moderator announces me.

  “Good morning everyone,” I say.

  “So tell us, Henry, you were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago. What made you late. Spent the night with some girl?”

  Of course, that’s what they are trying to make out of this situation. Henry Green, the womanizer, is late because he spent the night with yet another girl.

  “No, to be honest, I’m human as everyone else is. I worked on writing songs until late last night and then just overslept, like probably everybody already has done once in their life.”

  “Ah, are you sure it wasn’t because of a stunning girl?” the moderator won’t let go.

  “I’m one hundred percent certain. I would know it if that was the case.”

  I’m starting to get annoyed.

  “So let the people out there know, what is going on in the life of Henry Green. Can we expect some new music from you soon?”

  “Yes, like I said. I’ve been working very hard lately on writing songs. I still have to record them, but I plan on coming out with my album in the next few months.”

  “Okay great, I’m sure you just made a lot of people very happy right now. So now we’ve got some fan questions for you to answer. Are you ready?” the moderator wants to know.

  “Sure, let’s get going.”

  After I’m done with the radio interview I say goodbye to everyone and apologize for being late again. I walk to my car.

  “Henry, wait!” Jeff calls after me. I turn around and look at him

  “Look, I’m sorry on lashing out on you earlier,” Jeff starts the conversation.

  “It’s fine Jeff, I get it. I was late and that’s not okay. I really am sorry and you know I’m usually very reliable. I just overslept that can happen,” I tell him.

  “I know. And I know you are very reliable, but it’s just you told me you have problems writing your songs and that you haven’t finished one song yet and now this. You’ve never been like this and I’m sorry for saying this, but it all started going downhill when you met that girl,” Jeff goes on.

  “Stop it, Jeff. Why do you always bring her up? This has nothing to do with her. For once in my life, I’m doing something just for myself and it’s making me happy. She makes me happy!” I cut him off.

  “I’m just saying she is not good for your business. If this goes public you will lose a lot of fans. So keep it secret!”

  “Seriously Jeff? Is that all you think about?”

  “Of course! I’m your manager, that’s what I’m supposed to think about. And to be brutally honest with you, I think you should end it. I mean it’s just a fling anyway. Cut her off before it gets too serious!”

  I look at Jeff and I am deeply hurt and disappointed. I open my car door. Before I get in the car I turn around.

  “Do you know what, Jeff? I’ll forget what you just said because if you really mean what you’ve just said, I really should be cutting someone out of my life and that person is not Ali.”

  Jeff now looks at me with his mouth open. I get in my car close the door and drive off.

  Back home I make myself a cup of tea. I can’t believe what Jeff just said. I mean I get it, he is my manager, but I’ve been working with him for years now. Yes, of course, it is his job to think about the work and what effect what will have on it, but isn’t it also his concern to make sure that I, his artist, is okay? That I’m happy especially after knowing me for so long? I don’t know where to turn to now. There is only one person who can help me right now so I call her. My mum.

  “Hey sweetie,” my mum answers the phone.

  “Hi, mum.”

  “Are you okay darling? You sound depressed?”

  “I just had a horrible day. I overslept and was late for this radio interview and then on top of that Jeff lashed out on me.”

  “Oh sweetie, I’m sorry that you are having a bad day. Is there anything I can do?”

  “Actually yes, I need your advice. I’m already stressed because I have problems writing my songs. I miss Ali and then this today. Jeff told me that I should break things off with Ali because it’s not good for business.”

  “Darling, listen, I haven’t seen you as happy for a long time. And I know you think highly of Jeff and his opinion, but then again he is on your payroll so that is his first concern. My first concern always has and always will be you. You as a person, not you the celebrity money-making machine. You have given so much of yourself to your job, your fans and everybody. It’s time for you to have something that makes you happy and from what you tell me Ali is a sweet, loving and kind girl. And I can see that she really makes you happy. So don’t let that one thing that makes you happy be taken away from you,” my mum interrupts me.

  “I already feel better, mum. Thank you.”

  “Of course darling, anytime. I can’t wait to meet Ali.”

  “You will mum, I promise. I’m going to Austria with her this weekend, it was a surprise. I booked us a little cabin in the woods.”

  “That sounds lovely darling. I’ve truly got a great, caring son. I’m very proud of you!”

  “I love you, mum.”

  “I love you too, sweetie.”

  And then we hang up the phone.

  My mum is right. I have to resign the opinions of people close to me if they are on my payroll or if they are just worried about me as a private person. I don’t care what the public thinks and I don’t care about my job at this point. I deserve to be happy and I will not let anything come between me and Ali. Nothing!

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  Chapter 13

  Alison

  Okay, I’ve packed all my bags. I know I’m only going away for the weekend, but I couldn’t decide on what to wear and I want to be prepared for everything. That’s just who I am, I always plan ahead. I don’t really know what to do with myself right now. I am ready to be picked up and am currently just waiting for my doorbell to ring. I go over everything again in my head. Have I forgotten anything? I don’t think so.

  Finally, my doorbell rings and it is Henry. When he turns up at my door I can’t help it. I jump into his arms and throw my legs around him so forcefully that we nearly both fall over.

  “That’s exactly the greeting I was hoping for,” Henry whispers in my ear. I kiss him.

  “So, do you want us to go or do you want to stay in my arms?”

  “Both!” I reply not letting go.

  I decide to let go eventually and put my feet back on the ground after all. Henry looks past me in the hallway where my bags are standing.

  “Wow beautiful, I didn’t know that you have decided to move in with me,” he says pointing at my luggage.

  “Well, you know me, I like to be prepared,” I say apologetically.

  “I know that, but five bags for a weekend? Thank god, I have a well-paid job because, with your sense of packing when we go on holiday, we will definitely have to fly private,” he says taking me in his arm.

  “I mean, I guess I could get better?” I say not believing myself and not convincing anybody.

  “No, you can’t, but that’s okay,” Henry replies with a smile shaking his head.

  “Okay, let’s grab your household then and get going. I have the first surprise waiting for you downstairs,” Henry tells me while picking up four
bags which only leaves one small bag for me and my handbag to carry.

  We walk down the stairs to the street.

  “Where is the car you rented?”

  “Well, about that. I know you just sold your old car…”

  “Yes, and?”

  “So I had planned on renting a car, but I know that your favourite car is a Range Rover, which is understandable since it’s my favourite car, too.”

  “Yes, well I have good taste,” I interrupt him.

  “You do. I mean obviously, that’s why I am your boyfriend. So because of that, I decided to get a Range Rover,” Henry points to a white Range Rover Sport.

  The exact car I have been ranting about because it is my dream car.

  “Oh my goodness, Henry, you rented my dream car?” I say in a squeaky voice.

  I can’t help it, I’m so excited.

  “Yeah, well, something like that” he replies, but I don’t really listen because I run to the car.

  “Can I drive it?”

  “You can drive it as often as you wish.”

  We put my bags in the boot, where Henry’s stuff already is. He has one small bag. Of course, he does. I jump into the driver’s seat and Henry gets in the passenger’s seat.

  “Oh my god, I’ve never driven this car before. I’m so thrilled, I feel like the queen of the road.”

  Henry laughs.

  “I’m glad you are so happy about it. Get used to that feeling.”

  “Oh, I could easily get used to this feeling. I don’t think I will be able to give it back after this weekend.”

  “Well, then don’t.”

  I look at him rather confused.

  “What do you mean?”

  “What I mean and what I was saying earlier is that I was planning on renting a Range Rover so you could drive it, but knowing you had to sell your old car and that you don’t want to spend money on buying a new one right now I changed my mind and instead of renting a Range Rover for the weekend I bought you one.”

  I just look at him in shock. This can´t be happening to me - I am just speechless.