We get out of the car and walk in the lift that takes us from Henry’s garage up to the living room. We all take a seat on the sofas and let out a deep breath. Henry goes and gets a blanket for me because I am shaking. I don’t know if it’s because I’m just cold, or because I am just so shocked. He puts the blanket over me and takes me in his arms. Ryan does the same thing for Poppy.
“Do you want something to drink? Maybe a glass of water?”
“No, thank you. I’m good.”
“How about I make us some tea? I guess that this is what you Brits always do. Whenever there is any type or form of crisis, you make some tea and everything seems to be better after that,” Ryan says and stands up.
Henry and Poppy laugh, and even I am able to smile about that comment.
“Yes, that’s true. I also have the impression that’s what you British people always do. I’ll help you with the tea, Ryan,” Poppy replies and they both walk off into the kitchen.
“How are you feeling, love? I mean really?”
“I’m fine, babe, just a little shaken up. I don’t know why this is stressing me out so much, but then again it just triggered my anxiety. Feeling trapped, feeling followed is all I fear, and it all happened so suddenly. I’ll get over it, but I don’t know. It just was a bit much for me I guess.”
“I am so sorry, I should have been more careful. I should have known that this would happen. I’m an idiot,” Henry rants.
“Stop! You are not an idiot. We both knew that sooner or later this could and probably would happen. It is not your fault! Do you hear me? I made the decision to be with you, although I knew exactly what it means. Now it has happened, and we will have to wait and see how much damage has been done. After that it’s time for damage control,” I say to calm him down.
I really wish I could believe my own words. But I just don’t want him to feel any guilt. It isn’t his fault. I truly mean that, but everything else? I don’t know. I don’t know if I can do this if I am strong enough to do this. I don’t think I am, but there is no point in telling him that and making him feel even worse.
“I love you. You know that, right?” Henry tells me and looks into my eyes.
I take his hand in mine “I know. I love you too,” I reply and kiss him.
Poppy and Ryan walk back in with a tray filled with tea and cups.
“There we go. Just let the British tea work its magic,” Ryan says and puts down the tea.
“Ryan and I were watching the tea boil, and we're hoping to find out what makes it so magical but we couldn’t,” Poppy says and shrugs her shoulders.
Henry and I both laugh a little and each take a cup.
“Well, the magic is in the tea!” Henry replies.
We both look at each other, take a sip of tea and both say, “Ah there, it’s already better” at the same time.
Poppy and Ryan both just shake their heads.
“Brits. No one will ever understand them,” Ryan says and Poppy agrees with him.
“Poppy, can you stay with Ali? Just make yourself comfortable. Ryan and I have to make a few phone calls and will join you again shortly,” Henry asks Poppy and gets up.
I don’t like to be treated like a mental case, but then again I must admit I have barely spoken a word because I still am pretty shaken up. There are so many thoughts running inside my head that I can’t cope with, so from the outside it must seem like I am a mental case right now.
“Of course,” Poppy says and the boys leave the room.
◆◆◆
◆◆◆
Chapter 21
Poppy
The boys leave the room to make their calls. I’m guessing it is to their managers and stuff like that. I’m sure those horrible paparazzi won’t wait for a second to release those photos. Today I did realize how hard this business is. I mean, I always thought it was, but really being in a situation like this is terrifying. Poor Ali, I feel so sorry for her. This triggered her. I’m surprised about how I stayed so calm myself. I really can’t explain it but I am glad it is this way. Maybe because I don’t have anything to lose at this moment. I couldn’t care less if they write some shit about me, as I know it’s not true, and it will definitely not destroy my relationship with anyone, as I don’t have one. At least not yet. I get up and walk over to Ali and sit next to her.
“Tell me, what’s going on in your head? And don’t even dare say ‘I’m fine’ because it is me you are talking to. Remember I’m not going to buy it,” I plead Ali to tell me how she really feels.
“How are you so calm about this? Really, I envy you. Did we just go through the same thing?”
“You know I have just been thinking about that, and I think it’s just because I don’t have anything to worry about at the moment. Although, I can assure you I am just as surprised as you are, that I am as calm as I am.”
“Well, to be honest, I don’t know what to think about it right now. I have like a million thoughts running through my head, and at the same time, my head feels empty. If that makes sense.”
“It does make sense love, and I know exactly what you mean. Everything you feared that could happen just happened, and it was really stressful. I will tell you this, although it did seem like I was calm and am calm the whole time, I also thought it was really frightening. I somehow expected it to be bad, but actually going through it? I could never have imagined it.”
“Did you hear the things these people shouted?”
“I did. It was horrible, but as Henry already told you, they just do that to get a reaction. The ruder the comment, the more likely it is, that he is going to react to defend himself and you, but as a professional, he just knew he had to ignore it as much as it pains him to hear it, and I am sure it does pain him a lot. They said the same things to Ryan as well. So, that’s just what they do. It’s their job, even if it’s a terrible one,” I say trying to cheer her up.
“They said the same things to Ryan and you? I never heard that. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry? You never said those things, and to be fair your head was under a coat,” I say laughing, hoping she’ll join me which she does.
“Oh Poppy, what am I going to do?” Ali asks looking for help.
“What do you want to do?”
“I want it to be like it was before. I want it to be just me and him like the time we were in that little cabin in Austria. That’s what I want!” Ali says with tears in her eyes.
“I guess that is something you won’t be able to have, love.”
Not wanting to break her heart but knowing that this is the truth.
“I know,” Ali sighs.
“So, what’s the plan, Ali?”
“Do we have to talk about it now?”
“YES!”
She looks at me with big eyes.
“I’m sorry love, but there is no point in putting it off. It’s just another thing to worry about in your head, and I know for sure that it will be something that you will do. So go on, what is the plan?” I plead her to tell me and look at the problem right now instead of brushing it off.
“I love him.”
“I know that. But love isn’t the issue here Ali.”
“What am I supposed to do? I know that I am not ready for this, but it would mean I would have to let him go, and I can’t think of doing that. There is no solution I can think of. I love him. I do, but I have to love myself more, and that means I have to let him go even if it will kill me inside. Just the thought of losing him breaks my heart and makes me feel sick, but then again if I have to deal with what I had to deal with before on a daily basis, it will break me,” Ali explains tears running down her face.
I know that this pains her to talk or even think about, but if she doesn’t get it out, it will eat her up alive. I take her into my arms holding back my own tears. Seeing her cry makes me want to cry with her immediately, but I have to stay strong for her.
“Do you have a solution for me?”
“I wish I would have t
he perfect solution for you, love, but I don’t think there is one. However, I suggest we wait it out. Let’s see what the papers have to say about the incident and then decide from that okay?”
“Yes, let’s do that,” she replies, and I grab a tissue for her so she can dry her tears.
“So, enough about me and my drama. Tell me about Ryan. He seems to be nice, and you seem to like him,” Ali says with a cheeky smile.
I have to smile as well.
“He really is nice. I do like him a lot. He is funny, kind, and he makes me laugh. Oh, and he is so handsome!” I reply flushing.
“He is handsome, and I can tell he is one hundred per cent your type,” Ali winks.
I just giggle a little embarrassed to be caught.
“So, would you like to see him again?”
“Oh yes. Absolutely, that is if he feels the same way of course.”
“I’m pretty sure he does. The way he looks at you, and how he took care of you earlier? Please. It’s obvious he does. Don’t be ridiculous!”
“Well, I remember not too long ago, sitting in your garden and telling you the same thing about Henry.”
“That’s true. Well, and look where we are now!” Ali says and we have to laugh.
“What are you guys laughing about? I hope it’s not about us?” Ryan says as he and Henry walk back into the living room.
“Not really, you guys are not the only source we talk about, mister,” I reply and smile at him.
“Ouch, that hurt,” he replies and pretends to feel a pain in his heart.
Henry walks over to Ali, kisses her on the forehead, and sits next to her.
“Not to be complaining, but there are four sofas in here, and you three are sitting on one. I do feel a little left out,” Ryan does complain.
“Aww, you poor boy, we don’t want that,” I say and walk over to take a seat next to him.
“That’s more like it! There is something I have seen in movies and always wanted to do.”
We all look at him to explain to us what that is, but he doesn’t.
“Go on mate, what is it?” Henry finally asks him.
“Can’t tell. I’ll have to show you.”
He then pretends to yawn, stretches out his arms, and puts his arm around my shoulder. We all start laughing.
“Oh god, that is such an old trick,” Ali rolls her eyes still laughing.
“But it worked!” Ryan replies feeling very proud of himself.
I’m not complaining. I like him holding me in his arms.
“Do you guys want to watch a movie?” Henry asks us.
“Yes. That’s a good idea. Let’s watch a movie. What movie did you have in mind?” Ryan replies.
“I don’t know. Let’s go on Netflix, and see what movies are available, and decide then.”
So we do exactly that. We decide to watch a comedy to lighten up the mood for everyone after what happened earlier. Although nobody seems to be stressed out anymore, except maybe Ali, but she is not showing it, there still is a little tension in the air, the movie is really funny. We laugh a lot, and I am cuddled up in Ryan’s arms. I knew I missed this kind of feeling, but now that I’m feeling it I realize how much I have missed it. My mind wanders off, and I think how nice it would be if Ryan and I would become a couple. Ali and I being best friends, and Henry and Ryan also being very close friends – that just seems perfect. We have never had that before but always wanted to. We could have fun dates, all four of us.
“Poppy?” I am being pulled out of my thoughts.
“Yes?”
“I asked you if you are tired and wanted to go to bed,” Ryan asks me.
“Oh, why is everyone else going to bed?” I ask him back not knowing what’s going on because I have been daydreaming.
“Well, I’m going to carry Ali up now. She is already fast asleep. I already offered Ryan to spend the night here because it’s too late now, for him to go back to the hotel, but you two are more than welcome to stay up and do as you like,” Henry explains.
“Okay, well, Ryan are you tired?”
“A bit but I also would like to watch the end of the movie.”
“Good, then let the two of us stay up and watch the rest of the movie.”
Henry picks up Ali who is fast asleep. When he picks her up, she doesn’t make a sound. I don’t think she even realizes any of it. Henry has her in his arms and then turns to Ryan and me, “Goodnight guys, see you in the morning,” he says, and then walks up the stairs with Ali in his arms.
“I wish I had what they have,” Ryan says as we both watch Henry walk up.
“Doesn’t everybody?”
◆◆◆
◆◆◆
Chapter 22
Henry
“Jeff, I don’t want to hear it. Honestly. Thank you for helping us earlier, but can we please just leave it at that? I know you don’t approve of her, and I don’t understand why, but then again that is none of your business. Talk to you later. Bye,” I hang up the phone.
Really, it annoys me so much the way Jeff talks about Ali, and it can’t go on. I have enough to deal with right now, and the only thing that counts is for Ali to feel okay. I motion to Ryan who is still on the phone with his manager that I am going back into the living room where Ali and Poppy are. I walk back and as I am about to enter, I hear Ali crying whilst talking to Poppy. I decide to give her a moment and wait outside the door. I hear her saying that even though she loves me and it will break her heart, she will have to let me go because she can’t deal with all the circumstances surrounding me. I feel like someone just shot me. My stomach drops, and the whole room is spinning around me. She can’t mean that. She can’t leave me. I don’t know what I would do. I have to show her that we will get through this together. She just can’t give up on me. I am pulled out of my thoughts when I feel a hand on my shoulder, and turn around to look into Ryan’s face.
“You okay, mate? You look as if you’ve just seen a ghost,” Ryan says in a quiet voice, so the girls can’t hear us.
“Yes. Fine.”
The girls are laughing now, and Ryan walks into the living room, so I decide to follow him. I don’t even hear what they are talking about. My only focus is to go over to Ali and hold her. I can’t lose her, not like this or at all.
We watch a movie together to lighten the mood, but I can’t focus on it. Ali is in my arms all cuddled up. I don’t ever want to let go of her. The words she said to Poppy earlier keep running around in my head, and I can’t get them out. I have to figure out how to make this right. How to show her that we belong together no matter what. Ali has fallen asleep, so I decide to take her to bed. I let Ryan and Poppy know that Ali and I are going up to bed, and then pick up Ali carefully, so she doesn’t wake up. I walk up the stairs with Ali in my arms and just love having her near me. When I reach my bedroom, I carefully lay her down on my bed. She doesn’t wake up. She must be so exhausted. I take off my clothes and lay in bed next to her. I pull the blanket over both of us, put my arm around her and fall asleep.
I wake up the next morning with Ali looking at me.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
“Good morning, babe.”
She looks around the room really confused.
“What’s the matter?”
“I don’t know, I was wondering how I got here, but I can’t remember at all.”
“Well, that’s because you fell asleep on the sofa last night, and I carried you up to bed. You must have been really tired because you didn’t wake up once.”
“You carried me up here? Wasn’t I too heavy for you?”
“Too heavy? Please, love. You are tiny, how on earth would you be too heavy?”
“I’m not that tiny,” she protests with her arms crossed.
“You are amazing, love, with your sexy curves and everything in the right places, but you still are only 5.4, so that is tiny.”
“Well, that depends on how you see it.”
“You are absolutely right i
f you live with the Smurfs, then I’m sure you are a giant,” I say and laugh.
Ali pretends to be offended but also has to laugh.
“I’d better go, and take a shower, and see how Poppy is,” Ali lets me know as she climbs out of bed.
“Oh, maybe we should give Poppy some space,” I say with a bright smile.
“Why, what happened? Is she alright?”
“I guess she will be more than alright. Ryan stayed the night!”
“NO!”
Ali gasps and puts her hand over her mouth to cover her wide grin.
“Oh yes, he did. I don’t know if they stayed in the same room because we went to bed before them.”
I can see the thoughts running through her head. This girl is the nosiest person I know, and not knowing something kills her.
“You’ll find out soon enough, don’t worry,” I tell her and wink.
“I wasn’t thinking about that,” she tries to defend herself.
“Yeah, I’m sure you weren’t, love,” I say knowing exactly that this is what she was thinking about.
I get out of bed and walk in the bathroom with Ali. I take the rest of my clothes off, and Ali does the same. We get in the shower together.
I take the loofah sponge and the soap and rub it all over Ali’s back. I love watching the foam drop down her back down to her spine. I brush it over her arms watching her every move. I am so hard right now. I gently turn her around, so she faces me. Without saying a word she takes the loofah out of my hands and starts to run it over my chest. I watch her watching my chest as the foam runs down, just as I did before on her back. She looks up at me biting her lip. I know she wants it as bad as I do. I place my arms behind her back and pull her up. She flings her legs around me and holds on tight. I lean her back against the tiles and push into her. She moans the second I enter her. Gosh, she is so fucking beautiful, especially now. The water is running down on us, and I keep on thrusting into her. She claws her fingernails in my back. I feel her tensing up, and know I have almost got her there. When she tightens her legs around me even more, pulling her head back and closing her eyes, I know she is coming and I do the same thing inside of her.
Keep It Secret: Time Starts Now (Part Book 1) Page 13