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

Chapter 43

                 

New York City was loud and limitless. Everything was in constant motion making my eyes drag over the city slowly in an effort to process the beautiful chaos. The yellow taxicabs dotting the roadways were a classic sight. The streets were packed with late afternoon foot traffic as people got off work. Buildings were massive and geometric against the gentle, organic clouds. Above it all was a throbbing symphony of honking, revving engines, shouting, and the unseen mechanics of city life at work.

When I told Harry I was going to New York City, he made me promise to go shopping while I was there. Harry had set up credit card authorized accounts at a few of the luxury stores on Fifth Avenue. I didn't promise to buy anything, just to look around. With limited days in the city, I had a small window of available time to shop. Eli agreed to accompany me to Fifth Avenue the first evening in New York.

We left the hotel lobby and stood under the awning as our car was brought around. Immediately, a pack of photographers emerged from the edge of the building and began taking photographs of Eli and me. My first reaction was to turn around and see if a celebrity was nearby, then I heard the photographers calling out to me.

"Kate!"

"Is it true Harry is leaving One Direction?"

"How long are you in the city?"

"Who is this guy? Where is Harry?"

Eli was a step behind me, but leaned in to whisper in my ear, "Don't answer them."

I stayed quiet until the car was parked and Eli carefully ushered me into the backseat. Eli rode in the front seat beside the driver. They talked quietly about parking plans and pick up times for the rest of the weekend. I tried to look out the window and find excitement in the city that had been drained from me by the photographers.

___________

                 

The next day was centered on a meeting with the project manager of a company who was scheduled to present a proposal to me regarding a social media strategy and opportunity for One Direction.

Eli accompanied me to the lounge where I had been asked to meet the project manager. It was located on a side street behind a rusty door and down a narrow corridor. When we stepped inside, I caught Eli tense out of the corner of my eye. He scanned the immediate area carefully.

We started down the corridor toward the opening to the lounge. The air was smoky from expensive cigars. I squinted through the dim lighting and saw a cocktail waitress approach us, balancing a tray of drinks. She looked tired and irritable as she rattled off a rehearsed greeting and asked if I was looking for anyone. She pointed me toward someone in a corner booth.

I started toward the booth, but Eli caught my elbow. "I will be at the bar watching."

"Okay," I nodded.

He was a short, stout man with thick-rimmed glasses and a bowtie. His hair was a dull sandy color and his smile was crooked, but not in the charming way. When I got to the booth, the man didn't bother standing to introduce himself. I realized I wasn't going to get a handshake and sat down.

"The name is Chase," he nodded at me.

"Chase," I repeated. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Kate."

"How was your flight?" He watched the waitress go by and didn't even notice that I didn't answer his question. "I appreciate you coming out to New York to meet with me, Kate."

"I'm interested in hearing your idea."

I sat across from Chase and fell victim to his repulsively strong cologne that was better suited for a man three times his age. His hand was clenched tightly around a glass containing a bitter smelling amber liquid.