"Please get back to me as soon as you have the confirmation," my reply is more stern than my nervous assistant, Aubrey, deserves but this is the third time he's called since this morning. Jackson assigned him to me at the end of last month and so far he's been competent but very easily nerved up.
Harry and his realtor, Karen, walk past me towards the second living room and I rush to catch up hoping that's the last call I'll get from Aubrey. Tonight is the book release party for my first published work, Born and Bred. Being the neurotic I am I declined any help from my agent or Jackson, including the party planner he usually uses for these types of events. I've worked tirelessly all week to make sure every minute detail is perfect â down to changing my nails from my usual Louboutin style to clear pink acrylics to match my outfit - and yet the second Aubrey arrived on the yacht to insure everything was in place anything that could go wrong decided to. There's been a problem with the decorations, the food, and even the servers being too nauseous to serve while on the boat. I've been a nervous wreck since the first call and the tension in my stomach hasn't been lifted by any of Aubrey's attempts at reassurance. The more he says he can handle it the less confident I feel in his abilities, especially with how overwhelmed he sounds.
His nerves are igniting mine and seriously ruining what should be an amazingly exciting moment for Harry and I. We've talked about house shopping for a while now and this morning we decided to finally put our money where our mouth is so to speak. So far we've checked out a bunch of houses - mansions really - and at nearly each one I've gotten a call from Aubrey. Needless to say I'm overwhelmed but surprisingly enough not about the idea of buying a home with Harry. We haven't been taking the search too seriously but the fact that we're even entertaining the idea in my mind says something.
"Sweetheart, are you paying attention?" Harry laughs lightly, crossing the room to grab my hand.
Karen smiles sweetly but I know she's probably annoyed with us by now. We haven't shown much interest in any house she's shown us.
"Sorry love, my head is somewhere else," I grin, linking my fingers in his, "What were you saying?"
He shakes his head and walks us into the spacious room next door.
"I was saying we could use this room as your office. Maybe line this wall with books," he explains pointing at the wall opposite a wall of large windows, "Then, we could place a L-shaped desk in front of the windows so you could see out as you write."
He's standing in the middle of the room in a slouchy cable-knit sweater and his favorite pair of ripped jeans that sag just enough that I get a peak of his boxers when he raises his arms. The excitement in his eyes as he lays out his decorating plans is unlike anything I've seen today.
"You like this one huh?" I ask, already knowing the answer by his body language.
A self-conscious smirk graces his lips, "That obvious?"
"Uh huh," I nod, walking over to meet him in the center of the room with a hug.
It's like being in his arms lifts a film from my eyes. No longer is this a playful fantasy that could or couldn't happen. Being wrapped in him in this room makes it all very real. This could be the home we get engaged in, get married and come home to, raise children in - it's laid out in front of my eyes, playing out like a movie in fast forward. This would be a home for us, our home.
My heart races at the thought but instead of giving into the fight or flight response it triggers, I cling tighter to Harry's torso. "So is there a basement for your studio?" I ask, taking a deep breath.
His back stiffens then relaxes and a smile that lights the room touches his lips. "Right this way."
~*~
Even though Harry loved the contemporary-modern home we saw, we checked out a few more, including a penthouse downtown before we were done. Once finished we had to rush across town to meet the boys in order to practice for their performance at the Billboard Awards. They're up for the Top Duo/Group award again and after their three year winning streak they're ready to take home a fourth.
Our day has been pretty packed so far and as soon as we're done here we have to head home to get ready for my book release party.
Walking into a building that resembles a warehouse, I end an incoming call from Charlie. He's been calling me at least twice a day for the past week and I've been ignoring every single one. I've said everything I wanted to say to him so he can fůck off. I won't let his toxic nature corrode what Harry and I are building.
Harry opens the door for me and the second I walk in I'm blinded by flashing lights.
A squeal leaves my lips as I trip over my feet and land on the floor.
"Shįt!" Louis yells before helping me up, "Sorry!"
"What the hell Lou?" I ask, slightly annoyed.
"It was a prank gone a bit," he stops speaking in search of the right word, "awry."
I send him a scolding look and walk into the room towards Niall's smiling face. I can tell he's trying so hard not to laugh. I'm not sure if it's because I fell or because of the cursing out Louis is getting from Harry behind me.
"I was going to say, "That's only a taste of how tomorrow is going to be," once she wasn't blinded but how was I to know she'd fall down?" Louis explains, his voice going up an octave.
I can just imagine Harry's face, all annoyed and flustered, his brows coming together.
"Piss off with the pranks Lou. She could've gotten hurt is all I'm saying," Harry gripes, irately.
I turn to them both hoping to stop the arguing and unfortunately for Niall, his entertainment.
"I could've but I didn't so calm your tits Harold," I snap playfully, earning a glare from him and a laugh from Louis. "I don't know why you're laughing Lou, you're on my shit list now so watch your back."
He rolls his eyes and sticks out his tongue mockingly in response.
A mixture of "She told you" and "Oh shįt" erupt from the side door as Liam and Zayn step in.
"Finally sanity has arrived," I joke, rushing over to hug them both.
Through random hangouts when they're in town and the glory of technology I've developed such an amazing relationship with each of these boys. Liam is my voice of reason, when I need levelheaded advice I can call him. Louis is my wild streak, he's always down for a good time that may or may not require illegal activities. Zayn is my zen, we're a lot alike. We have the most calming conversations and yet when we turn up together it's such a cohesive good time it's like I'm hanging out with myself. Finally, Niall â my cookie monster â we team up the most out of all of the boys and every time we do it's the best time. I've never had a friend like him, his sense of humor is the best and his sunny outlook on life keeps me enjoying every minute that we're together. I really love these boys, each of them is special to me in their own way â I couldn't be more glad that I met them.
"So fill me in," Liam demands. He loves to gossip with me, almost as much as Louis does.
"Yeah, what'd these arses do this time?" Zayn jokes, taking off his leather jacket.
I laugh and decide to give them the cliffs notes. "Louis tried to kill me, Harry got upset, and the huge shocker Niall just laughed the entire time."
"Hey," he yells from his spot across the room, sounding offended.
I shrug and listen to Liam and Zayn give the boys a hard time while we wait for the coordinator to get there. It was odd to me that we have to practice to walk down a carpet but I'll ignore it. What the hell do I know about it anyway? I've been practicing my red carpet looks in the mirror every time I go into the restroom so I won't have that deer in headlights face I had last time we were on a carpet â Harry almost caught me a few times.
Zayn jokes, "I have no idea why you call Niall your best friend. Out of all of us I kick their asses for you more."
I laugh, leaning into Harry's legs surrounding me from my seat on the floor between them. "That's true. I may have to change it up, there're enough of you to have a new bestie every week you know?"
"What is this treachery?" Niall asks, his arms in the air in confusion, "I go to the bathroom for one second and you're replacing me already?"
I shrug, "You've got to step it up Neil, you ain't the only one tryna be the only one."
He looks stumped, "What does that even mean?"
I laugh and spend the last of our wait time explaining the Drake lyrics.
~*~
"Aubrey," I take a deep breath and smooth out the satin material of my dress to calm down, "I know you're doing the best you can but everyone will be here in less than fifteen minutes. The yacht is going to leave the dock in forty-five minutes, you have plenty of time to check the book displays, decorations, and insure the staff is stocked with motion sickness pills for the guests as they arrive."
He looks up at me through long thick lashes with those doe eyes that made me immediately agree to him being my assistant. The kid is such a sweetheart and a hard worker too. I've been ridiculously tense throughout this process and he's done everything he can to reassure me that I'm not alone in the process.
"Yes ma'am-," he stops himself, shaking his head, "Bailey. Yes, Bailey, I'll get right on it."
Smiling I gaze at the fruits of my labor. The yacht looks beautiful, like heaven on water and in perfect yet understated placement my book cover is displayed. Born and Bred is in large script across an interracial couple deep in an embrace against a black background. The story is about a black girl from a family of civil rights activists in love with a white boy with a racist family in the thirties.
The time period of the book is reflected in the dress code of the party. As guests start coming in Harry joins my side - looking dapper in a black tailcoat suit and black and white wingtip shoes - grinning down at me. Each of the boys comes in with their girlfriends dressed like they're stepping out of a thirties cocktail party with glowing smiles. Amita and Damien walk through the door soon after and blow my mind with their outlandish fashions. They're dressed in full formal attire, floor length gowns and top hats in tow.
As the final guests start pouring in I start to make my rounds and greet everyone. I thank everyone for coming and receive their compliments about the theme and how nicely the party is decorated. No one's read the book yet so I'll be handing out free copies on the way off the boat once we dock at the end of the night.
The faces pass by so fast it's almost like everyone's on a conveyer belt. Before I know it the yacht is taking off through the water and the party is in full effect. Drinks are flowing and hors d'oeuvres are floating around on trays while people dance and make small talk. Harry hasn't left my side as I introduce him to the writer types I've met over the past few months and my local Spoodle supporters who could make it. I keep seeing him out of the corner of my eye staring at me with this pride in his eyes that makes my heart pound.
That pride filled gleam grows as I take the small stage to give my speech to thank everyone for coming. Looking out at all of my friends and acquaintances I feel honored that they all would come out and dress up just for me and my dream. I see my books stacked on the table and could cry at the sight of them. I've worked so hard to see this come to fruition. I've gone through endless sleepless nights of writing, public torment, public humiliation, too many failures to count â personal and professional â but it was all worth it to be here in this moment.
Taking the mic in my hand I feel it wobble between my fingers, my nerves getting to me. Clearing my throat, I tap on the mic to get everyone's attention.
"Hi everyone," I say with a smile, holding my hand up in a small wave, "I'm sure I've greeted each of you personally if the aching in my feet is any proof but in case I haven't I want to say hello and thank you for coming."
I get a few chuckles at my joke and smile, some of the tension in my shoulders releases.
"Some of you may not know this but I've been writing for a very long time. However, it didn't dawn on me that I wanted to be a writer â an author â until I was in college and well on my way to a totally different degree. I worked tirelessly not only in school and at my jobs but at my writing because I knew I wanted to have this moment. I moved to LA to have this moment, I quit my job to have this moment, I wrote day and night and pimped my writing out to what felt like a million publishers to have this moment. I mention all of that to say that I felt like each of those things wouldn't work out at one time or another. I'm a firm believer in the saying, 'Everything happens for a reason,' and me being able to stand here in front of you all with my book everywhere you turn is proof of that. So many times I wanted to give up and just walk away but it's because of you â each of you in this room â that I didn't. Even if we just met, you encouraged me to not give up because my goal of writing has always been to bring people together and tell them stories they could love. That goal, as of tonight, has been accomplished."
I can feel tears welling in my eyes at the realization that this is my reality. No need to pinch myself because I'm most definitely not dreaming.
With tears in my voice I wrap my speech up, "I don't know if it's in bad taste to say you're proud of yourself but to hell with it â I'm extremely proud of myself, of my hard work, my dedication to the craft and to my audience. With every story I write I leave a piece of myself inside of it. I've learned so much about myself through writing and I can only hope that this next chapter of my life continues to teach and grow me. I've imagined this moment in my head a million times and this is more than anything I could've ever thought-up. Thank you all so much for coming out tonight and sharing in this moment with me. Thank you for helping me leave my mark on this great big world. It's been a long time coming so let's pray for many more."
I raise my glass in a toast and we all drink â champagne has never tasted so good.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
What's up my good people!!!!
IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!
Even though it's my birthday, I wanted to give yall a gift because yall give me something each and every time you share my book, leave a vote or a comment, and every time yall give me props for my writing!! This is a dream come true â having people read and enjoy my writing â so THANK YOU!
I hope yall enjoyed the chapter! It was hard af for me to write it! I've been going through a lot lately so that's probably the issue lol Hopefully yall enjoyed the chapter anyways! Only a handful of chapters left until the end of the book yall :)
As always, the chapter is unedited so please forgive any mistakes!!
This chapter's Question...
How was your summer?
Mine was alright I guess lol Too short as per usual smh
This chapter...
I wanted this chapter to focus on Bailey and the fact that she's finally making her dreams come true. She's slowly accomplishing everything that she set out to do and even some stuff that she didn't :) Also, she and Harry went house shopping which is just *squeals* I have to find a house I can imagine them in for future reference *hint, hint*
Also, the picture is of B's outfit she wore to house shop (which I'm obsessed with btw) the second picture is of the house Harry fell in love with, and the third is of B's outfit she wore to her book release party.
Also, I know The Billboard Awards are in like July (I think lol) but in this case they are in October because yeah lmao
This chapter's song...
I Was Here by Beyonce. I originally was stumped about what song to use for this chapter but then Queen Bey popped up on my shuffle with this gem and I knew this was it. I think this is everyone's goal in some capacity â to be remembered, to live and love without any regrets. When writing this chapter I had a hard time writing the book release party section because it's something I want for myself and as funny as it sounds I felt a little envious lol Every time I hear this song I feel a rush of emotions and I guess that's what writing this chapter did for me.
As for new follower S/O's...
This time we have:
MayumiSakura123, kendralinette, AmberL_123, youngfor3v3r_12, charlotteriver, ole_bae, selectiveyouth, dishanotani, shannonsld, and _Blood_moon_alpha_!!!
Thanks so much for following and I hope I don't disappoint!
Invite your friends to read and follow and leave me some feedback in the comments!! I love hearing from yall!!!!
Until Next Time,
WBN