"I catch your eye then you turn away"

The meeting has been going on for quite some time now. Simon was simply updating them about the production of the songs for the new album, any changes and he touched the subject of going on tour. Coming up with a name and what countries yada yada yada.

I was so distracted during the meeting. I kept feeling like someone was watching me and then when I looked up, his mysterious eyes quickly averted. Although I tried to seem unaffected by it, it still got to me. I think he could sense that I wasn't down for being friendly with him. 

A little background story......When I was 7, my family and I went to visit mi abuela, who at the time was living in Holmes Chapel. One day at the park I met Harry sat on the swing by himself. We quickly became friends and hung out everyday while I was in Holmes Chapel.

When I had to leave to return home, we promised to write to each other all the time and call when we can. I still remember our first video chat when we were 15. We told each other everything and we always found something to talk about. We were always there for each other even if it wasn't physically. We made it work. 

He was my best friend and I was his. 

He was my secret and I was his.

Too bad a friendship like ours only lasted nine years though. In his last letter, he wrote that he was going to do something cool and when he gets back he'll tell me all about it so that I can 'take the piss'.

That was the last time I ever heard from Harry. 

All I saw was his cute face with his messy curly hair on tv auditioning for the X Factor. I wrote him many letters telling him how proud I was of him and that I'm his number 1 fan. I never got a reply though. When things took a turn for the worst not too long after, I wrote him some more hoping to get comfort from my best friend when I needed him the most but again....nothing.

After that, I learned that the only person I can rely on is myself. Things are better that way.

As I reminisced those 9 years and everything that's happened between then and now, I feel tears prick my eyes but immediately forced them back down. 

He doesn't deserve your tears. Nobody does.

I got up to fetch the water pitcher again to top up everyone's glasses as I saw that they were getting empty and I mostly needed something to distract myself.

I started at Liam first. While pouring the water into his glass, I hear Louis not so subtly whispering to Niall, "I bet I can get her into my bed today. I have a serious case of blue balls" Niall shoots him a disapproving look. Liam seemed to notice that I caught on to the comment smiles apologetically at me. 

As if I'm not pissed off already...

Before I realize what I'm doing, I passed Niall and went straight to Louis. I lift the pitcher as if I going to pour water into the glass but instead of aiming for the glass, I lift the pitching and spill it over his pants. 

Maybe that'll take care of his blue balls situation.

"Oh my god, I am so sorry. I don't know what happened. I so didn't mean to do that" I said sarcastically. Harry, Liam and Zayn are trying not to laugh but Niall couldn't care less. His infectious laugh filled the whole room. Louis looks at me with so much anguish and embarrassment, "It was a joke, lady. Christ! It was a joke!"

This guy's humour is seriously broken. 

I almost feel sorry for the dude.....or bloke as they say here in London.

Then I remembered, Simon was still in the room. Well shit...busted. I turned to look at him and he did not find this amusing...Oopsie.

"Mia, we talked about this. I will not condone this type of behaviour" Simon said sternly in a hushed tone, pulling me off to the side in a corner where we were out of earshot.

"Yes we talked about this. But how was I to know that he was joking?!" 

I can't tell you how many times I've gotten hit on in this very office. I've lost count. 

And I've brought it up with Simon a number of times too. It just saddens me to know that he doesn't do anything about it. I know girls who held this position before me who had to deal with the same things, maybe even worse than me. So they left.

They were sick of it.

And when they weren't sick of it, they were tired.

So they were sick and tired of being preyed upon so disrespectfully.

Why is it that women have it so hard in this world yet we're always to blame. I've managed to scale back on lashing out for the sake of Simon keeping his clients because he has done so much for me these past two years but I didn't count on seeing Harry today. My senses were amplified and my hormones were raging.

Something had to be done.

Except now I feel really bad for ruining Louis' pants upon finding out that he was joking and now he's been subjected to being teased by his friends.

"We should stop at the grocery store on our way back. Get Louis some diapers!"

"What are you? Four? You can't still be walking around with pee stains, mate. It embarrassing!"

"Awww Lou...do you want me to sing some Sesame Street for you?"

But putting that aside, what really has my feelings hurt is the way Simon just simply called me out. And for what? Disgraceful behaviour? Oh please! I refuse to work in an environment where I can't stand up for myself when I feel disrespected! Wow Confident Mia is coming out today. 

I almost wanted to yell " You know what?! I quit" and because I'm so extra, decide that I will  make my last dramatic exit. Okay, maybe not the best decision to just suddenly quit my job but this is not the first time that I've been treated like this at work and it won't be the last if I just stand here and do nothing.

Then I remember that I'm bind by a contract.

Oh goodie. Now I'm stuck here. I didn't know what else to do but I knew that I didn't want to stay in that office a minute longer. It felt like I was suffocating. I looked at my watch and saw that it was almost three. Mari should be here any minute now. I needed to get out of here.

I groaned to myself about not being able to quit. I then looked at my watch again and said, "I think it's best if Linda comes to finish the meeting with you guys, yeah?"

I don't wait for a response as I start walking towards the door while muttering, "mi trabajo apesta" (my job sucks)

"Your job doesn't suck, Mia. You just make it seem difficult," countered Simon.

Everyone in the room watched Simon in surprise, including me. I didn't teach him that. " What? My wife is Cuban. I have to pick up on some things, don't I?" I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach when he mentioned his wife.

"Anyways, it was lovely meeting you all." I eyed each one of them while saying this, Harry being last and then I left the room. Approaching our desk, Linda's eyes immediately widen, 

"What did you do?!"

"Pretty pleaseee, can you go finish up the meeting for me? I promise to do the next one," I begged, pouting and displaying my best puppy dog eyes.

"Alright, fine!" she waves me off with a smile and I squeal excitedly, rounding the desk to hug her.

"Okay, okay! Shoo, get away!"

Couldn't have asked for a cooler colleague.

When I reached the lobby, a smile immediately made it's way unto my face. Her smile could brighten up anyone's day. She stood next to Mr. Jones, her driver, her eyes scanning the area for someone. When I caught her eyes, she lit up like a Christmas tree and ran to me screaming, "Mamá!"

A/N
Chapter 4 is up! So things didn't go so well in the meeting. Got some info about Harry and Mia's friendship. And surprise surprise...Mari has made her appearance.
The picture at the top is Mariangeli
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!