I Cannot Hide This Even Though I Try ~ A COMPLETED One Direction Fanfic

18 - Honest Rumours

“Welcome back, Mr. Payne,” a voice booms from the other end of the table.

I gulp so loudly that I’m sure the receptionist at the front desk heard me. “It’s a pleasure to be back,” I mumble, though we all know that this is just a courtesy.

“Why have you requested this meeting, Liam?” Will inquires from the seat next to the head of the table.

“It’s just, uh, I wanted to, uh.” I freeze up, unable to speak my mind due to the nerves that are eating me alive.

“Liam and I want to break up,” Danielle blurts when she sees that I’m stuck.

“Your relationship brings the band great attention from the media,” the man at the end of the table reminds us.

I allow myself to make eye contact with the man who got me where I am today: Simon Cowell. I know I should be more than thankful to him for the great opportunities he has given to me, and I know that he’s actually a great guy, but right now he is the scariest person alive. “I, uh-” I cut myself off and clear my throat, hoping to gather my thoughts again. “We think that the media would be more interested if we broke up,” I state.

“And why is that?” Simon asks, cutting off the murmurs from the other businesspeople in the room.

“If we broke up, it would be all over the news because the media can’t get enough of the drama caused by broken relationships,” I point out. “And besides that, the fans would see this as the first time that I’ve been single since the end of the X Factor.”

“You wouldn’t be single, though, unless you and Niall have something to tell us,” Will interrupts.

“No, sir, our relationship is better than ever,” I mutter.

“And how soon do you expect us to be able to convince everyone that your seemingly perfect relationship is now failing?” Simon questions, raising an eyebrow.

“Something tells me it won’t be as difficult as you’re making it out to be,” I suggest.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Will probes, looking between Danielle and I.

“It means that Liam and I have spent the last few days laying the groundwork to make your jobs easier,” Dani explains. “We figured that if you denied our break up, we could always deny the rumours that we planted.”

“And who’s to say we won’t deny it still?” Will questions in response.

To my surprise, Simon raises a hand to silence everyone, including Will. “The band is doing well enough on its own now, so there’s no point in having Mr. Payne and Ms. Peazer continue with their little façade,” he says. “We can have your relationship officially over by the end of the day tomorrow, but if there is any sign of the band losing popularity, there will be no arguing from you two about getting back together.”

“Yes sir,” Danielle and I chorus. As soon as we’re given permission to leave, we’re gone.

“I can’t believe it,” Dani utters.

“Neither can I,” I breathe. “We finally get to be just friends.”

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*Rayne’s POV*
(September 29th)

I can’t believe I’m in university. I’m sitting in the common area in my residence, doing homework while I wait for a reply from the text I sent to my best friend. The television is on, which I’m still not accustomed to after so many years of not having cable, but it isn’t bothering me because it’s on one of the stations that plays music most of the day. I stop what I’m doing for a moment and look up at the screen, mesmerized by the words I’m hearing.