Second Chance - Chapter 11

MY OTHER HALF

HOLLY...


I woke up that morning with a slight headache. Allie had already called to remind me about the book signing which was supposed to start at 10. I took my phone from the side table and look at the time. It was only 7.45am; I have hours and hours to get ready for the event.

I arrived last night at the hotel close to midnight. A tall, dark-haired man was sitting at one of the armchairs at the lobby and immediately I thought of Ryan. I wanted to call Martha but it was late and I decided to give her a call the next day. I have not talked to Ryan for weeks. I hoped he was doing better.

I heaved a great sigh and opened my eyes. I really have to get out of the bed and get ready but I just could not find the energy to move. I stared at the ceiling and started to think about what happened the night before.

The show the lads put on was fantastic. I could not keep my eyes away from Louis. Standing there in the dark, together with squealing and excited screaming teenagers, I look my fill of him. I remembered the time when we were together. I missed the way he looked fondly and indulgently at me, the way he held my hands and intertwined our fingers together, the way he kissed my forehead lovingly, how he always hold me close and... I missed everything about him.

The alarm I set at 8.30 am went off. With great reluctance, I dragged myself to the bathroom and got ready for the book signing. I wore a black sleeveless blouse and beige pants matched with black multi-strand stilettos.

I walked into the bookstore where the book signing was held at fifteen to ten, but there were already a group of people waiting for the book signing to start. I smiled cheerfully and waved at them.

          “Hi.” I greeted them. “Thank you for coming. Just give me a minute, okay.”

          I went in search of Allie and found her coming out from the back room.

          “Oh, Holly. There you are. I was just thinking of calling you.” Allie took my tote bag and ushered me to my seat.

    

          The turn out for the signing was just as impressive as the day before. I chatted and signed the books until lunch break at one o’clock. I had chicken sandwich and a bottle of water at the back room as I was not in the mood to go anywhere. Lunch break was over at two and I continued with the book signing until three.

 

          “Is that it, Allie?” I was exhausted.

          Allie nodded and smiled at me. “Yup, it’s a wrap. Now you can go and put your feet up.”

          Allie was in her mid-thirty, a divorcee with two children to support. She was a sweet woman but a shrewd agent. She was introduced to me by Ryan. Ryan told me they used to date when they were much younger. When Allie first met her ex husband, they remained friends. I could imagine the two of them together. They made a very striking couple.

        “Hi, there. I haven’t seen you in a long time.” The voice was familiar but I could not remember the face that go with it. I turned towards the door; a lovely brunette was standing there with a wide smile on her face. She opened her arms towards me.

          “Jenna Harrison!” I squealed. I could not contain my excitement. “Oh my....,”

          “Holly Adams.” Jenna smirked. “Nice to see you.”

          I stood up slowly from my seat. I could not believe she was here. “Oh, God. Jen, I missed you.” I walked towards her into her open arms. We hugged for a few seconds.

          “Where have....”

          “How are you?”

          The two of us started to talk simultaneously and then giggled. This is just like old times.

          “You go first.” I suggested.

          “Okay. Where have you been? Nobody knows where you were.” She said and then lowered her voice in a whisper. “Louis was really heartbroken.”

          “I know but things happened and sometime you need to make a decision quick. And sometimes the decision made is going to hurt others.” I had never told Jenna about Louis and me, but she walked in on us making out in a dimly lit area backstage and apologised profusely. She never asked me about the incident but every time she saw me and Louis together, she winked and smiled.

          “Hmmm... very cryptic. Never mind, we are going to have a chat about that later. Just us girls. Right now we can’t because the boys are just behind me. They got delayed by a few fans. Well, not a few. A large group of them, it seems.” Jenna explained. “It’s Harry, Zayn and Louis.”

          “Oh.” That was the only response I could give upon hearing Louis’ name mentioned. He came and my heart was singing. I tried to concentrate on Jenna. “What brings you here? You looked beautiful, by the way.”

          “Aww, thanks babe. You looked beautiful too. I’m here for the amateur film-making conference. I came with my boyfriend, Parker whom Harry absolutely detests. I had a screaming competition with him about Parker. Sometimes Harry can be a pain in the you-know-where. He just could not understand that whoever I date is my choice.”

          “He was just looking out for you.”

          “Yes, I know. That’s why I can’t be angry at him for very long. But lately, he had been very critical of my choice of boyfriends.”

          “How many have you had since we last met?”

          “Umm... well, after Morgan, there’s James, and Rob, and Ed. Oh, and Al and Dave. I would say about ten.”

          “Ten in less than three years?” I was amazed.

          “That’s quite a lot, isn’t it?”

        “I would say ‘yes’. No wonder Harry is worried. He doesn’t want you to get hurt.”

          Jenna smile and I was taken aback. I had forgotten how stunning she looked. She could get a guy do anything for just by smiling at them.

          “Enough about that. How are you?”

         “I’m great. Just got my first book published and in the process of drafting for another one.”

          “That’s great. I am so happy for you.”

       “Seems like you girls have forgotten about our existence.” Harry walked in through the door.

          “How can I forget you when all you do is reminding me that you exist for the sole purpose of making my life miserable?” Jenna shot back.

          Harry rolled his eyes. “I do not make you miserable, Jen. Parker will.”

       “Okay, that’s enough you two. Why don’t we go upstairs where we can chat comfortably?” I suggested. I hugged and kissed Harry and Zayn but I just smiled at Louis. He stared at me and finally gave me a heart-melting smile. Now, I was probably a silly puddle at his feet!

          The five of us went upstairs where there were comfortable fluffy sofas we could sit on. I took out some fizzy drinks from the refrigerator. We chatted for a while and I could not help but keep glancing at Louis. My gaze met his a few times and I quickly looked away. Then I realised that Jenna was watching us. She looked at me, winked and grinned widely. I blushed at being caught staring at Louis.

           “Holly, sorry to bother you but there’s a man at the door asking for you.” Allie interrupted our conversation.

          “Oh, do you know who it is?” I asked Allie, bewildered. I was just about to turn around to look at the man when I heard a familiar voice.

          “Mrs. Phillips.” He greeted me while walking up the stairs and I gasped in surprise.

          “Noah! What are you doing here? Did... did something happen to Ryan?” I was starting to panic.

          “No! No, Mrs. Phillips. Nothing happened to Mr. Phillips.” Noah said trying to calm me down. “I am here to drive you to the senior Mrs. Phillips’ home. Mr. Phillips wanted to see you.”

          “He wants to see me?” I was so elated that I forgot that Zayn, Harry, Louis and Jenna were listening to the conversation.

          “Yes, ma’am. I am to drive you after your book signing.” Noah smiled and nodded politely at me.

            “Oh, okay. That is just wonderful. You go on ahead. I’ll be with you in a few minutes.” I said. Noah bowed and walked away. I sighed and turned around to find four pairs of eyes were fixed on me with stunned look on their faces. I was so elated that I forgot that Zayn, Harry, Louis and Jenna were listening to the conversation.

          “Did I hear the guy right, Holly?” Zayn said. “Why did he address you as ‘Mrs. Phillips’?”

          The group sitting on the sofa was waiting impatiently for the answer. I could feel my face redden. How the heck was I going to explain this?

          My breath came out in a rush and I shook my head slightly. “You heard him right. ‘Phillips’ is my married name and Ryan Phillips is my husband.”

           “You’re..... married?”

          “Yes.”

          “... and you didn’t even think of telling me?” Zayn was clearly disappointed and hurt.

          “I’m sorry.” I whispered. I felt so guilty that I wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole. I did not dare to look at Louis.

          “Holly...” Zayn started but could not finish his sentence. He was so frustrated. He ran his hands through his hair, stood up and stormed off. If Zayn was angry, he usually just walk away and stay away to cool off. 

          “Zayn, I’m sorry.” I apologised but he ignored me. Louis still did not utter a word. He was still sitting but his face was without expression.

          “We are so fucking unimportant to you, aren’t we?” Louis swore. He was so furious that the curse in front of me. He usually refrained from using swear words in front of me because he knew I hated it. “You couldn’t even tell us this.”

         “Louis, I’m really, really sorry.” I was very close to tears.

        “I begin to wonder how many secret you are keeping from us.” He added.

        “Stop it!” Jenna came to my defence which I was going to be forever grateful. She stood up and enveloped me in a protective hug. “Leave her alone.”

         Harry was looking back and forth at me and Louis, clearly guessing that there were things that he did not know happening between the two of us. “Uhmm... I’ll go and look for Zayn.” Harry offered awkwardly and Jenna nodded her agreement.

          “Could you give us a minute, Jen?” Louis requested. “I think Holly and I need to sort this out.”

          Jenna gave Louis the evil eye and asked me, “Is that okay with you, Holly?”

          “Don’t worry, Jen. I’ll be fine.” I assured her. “Go on.”

          Jenna walked away hesitantly. She looked back a couple of time and I smiled at her to convince her that I would be okay.

          “Okay, Holly. Let’s talk.”