How It's Going To Be [h.s.]

Chapter 59

"What?"

"This management company no longer needs you services."

"You're firing me?"

"Relocating, actually."

"I don't think I understand."

"Hendrix and Carter is a public relations firm here in London that is searching for a digital media strategist. I submitted your name and they are offering you a position. You'll be making more money for them than you have been with us. They saw some of you work here and noticed that you come highly recommended. They are ready to hire you now."

"What?" The world stopped turning. Everything I had ever worked toward professionally was being ripped from me. I had landed my dream job and now I couldn't even have that.

"Kate, listen to me. The dynamic has really shifted and we feel like you will grow if you move to this new company. I know it's not the entertainment industry per se, but they do work with some musical acts occasionally. And Hendrix and Carter is one of the most renowned PR firms in the U.K."

"The dynamic has shifted?"

"We just don't have a place for you here any longer."

"But you said I was an asset."

"You were, but..."

"But the dynamic has shifted," I said coldly.

Julia smiled apologetically. "I wish it weren't this way, but this is business."

No it's not, I thought. "Is this because I skipped the London shows? Because I spoke to Ruby and I thought everything had been sorted out."

"No! No, of course not."

"Then why, Julia?"

Her face grew pink with frustration and she sighed again. Julia shifted uncomfortably under my glare. "It...it was requested."

"It was requested that I leave?"

"Yes."

"By who?"

Julia's eyes widened in disbelief. Then I understood. Harry had asked for me to leave the management company. Harry had requested it.

"Whom should I ask for when I call Hendrix and Carter to accept the job offer?"

Julia looked sad immediately. "Ask for Mr. Carter himself. He wanted to speak to you straightway." I made to stand up. "Actually, there are a few things here I need you to sign. You are privy to a lot of sensitive information regarding One Direction. I know you would never disclose details, but I need you to sign these contracts that essentially require you to withhold that information and refrain from speaking publicly about Harry, Niall, Louis, Liam, or any part of One Direction including the work you did here and the people you worked with."

"I'll sign anything," I mumbled.

I signed four pieces of paper wordlessly. I stood up from the chair and noticed my desk had already been cleaned out and the contents were sitting in a cardboard box beside Julia's door. Julia gave me a short embrace and handed me the box. I walked slowly out of the office building, down the street, to the bus stop, and onto the crowded bus where I was officially severed from One Direction. 

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Hendrix and Carter was a cutting edge Public Relations firm based in London with work spreading across the globe. Mr. Carter showed me around the sprawling office himself. The building was extremely modern with white furniture and chrome fixtures. Everything looked fragile and unwelcoming. The staff members were quiet and dressed entirely in black. No one was loud and colorful and exotic and exciting the way Alessandra, Ruby, Tory, Natalia, and Jill had been.