The Setup

Hi I am Cleo Somerson. Yea the famous model. But I wasn't always famous. I am from Dublin. I used to be just a normal girl. Then when I turned 16 it all changed, I got the opportunity of a life time to model at Seventeen Magazine. My manager is basically my mom. Oh I forgot to mention that I am an orphan…more or less. I know who my parents are. My mom still lives in Mullingar while my dad is currently in prison. But that’s a whole other story that I don't want to tell right now. Rachel Stevens adopted me when I was 12. I spent four years at school in Dublin until Rachel sent me off to model. That’s were I met my best friend, Michael. Although I call him Mickey. He is my rock. I never really had a lot of friends. Growing up I mostly kept to myself. I was however good friends with Niall Horan. Yea I know. I lived next door to him. We were practically attached at the hip growing up. But then my mom gave me up. For good reasons. It always hurt to think about my past. So lets just talk about what's going on now. I am currently sitting in Rachel's office waiting for her to come in. I was woken up by Mickey saying that Rachel called and needed me right now. All I wanted to do was sleep. Oh yea I live with Mickey. Its not as weird as people think. Anyway here I am sitting in a pair of running shorts and a running pullover. And a pair of bright Nikes. It was 11am and here I was. I didn't even get to shower. So my red hair was in a bun. My grey eyes darted around her office. Mostly at the pictures of us on her desk. I was all she had. Her husband died in a car wreck the year she adopted me. She couldn't have kids of her own and she didn't like to be alone. Everything I have now is because of Rachel. She's more of a mother to me than my actual mother. She comes waltzing in and sits down. She had black hair and eyes the color of chocolate. "Oh thanks for coming over so quickly darling! I hope you haven't been waiting long. Do you need anything to drink?"
"No I am good. Now why am I here? Today is my day off."
"Well not anymore. You have an event at 2pm today. It’s a Seventeen shoot."
"What? But--"
"And that’s not all I have to say. Now please control that nasty temper of yours."
"I can't make any promises." Yea I have a bit of an anger problem. Not like I beat people up in a rage more like I just get pissed off really easily and then I say things that aren't ladylike. It wasn't as bad as she makes it seem. "Fine. A good friend of mine called in asking for a favor. Now you have been single for your whole career. Which don't get me wrong has been fine so this setup will work for you. You are going to be dating Niall Horan."
"WHAT?! NO I REFUSE! I DON'T NEED A BOY. Mom please tell me you are kidding and that this is some sick joke."
"Darling think about all the press you will get and he's benefitting from this as well. Please just cooperate."
"HELL NO! I AM NOT DOING THIS! YOU ARE MAKING HAVE A FAKE RELATIONSHIP! My career is just fine!!!"
"Cleo Rose. Stop this right now! You can either go along with a good attitude or a bad one. Either way you will be doing this since I already agreed."
"AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN ASK ME?! WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING?!"
"CLEO ROSE STOP YELLING RIGHT NOW!" That shut me up real fast. As much as Rachel was my manager she was still my mother. So I didn't like it when she yelled at me. Her assistant came in "Uh…Mrs. Stevens they have arrived."
"Send them in. Behave Cleo." Who the fuck was coming in? I turned around and my eyes landed on Simon Cowell and him. Niall Horan. Great. I did not get enough sleep for this shit. "Please sit down Simon, Niall. Cleo doesn't bit." I just glared at all of them. I hate all of them. Well I could never really hate Rachel but still. Niall sat down next to me and just smiled. I wanted to punch him so badly. How could he agree to this? "Cleo its nice to meet you. I am Simon Cowell."
"Yea I know who you are. I don’t live under a rock." That earned me a glare from Rachel. "Can I go?"
"No Cleo. Today the shoot you are doing will be with One Direction, then afterwards you are going on a date with Mr. Horan. Then after that you will be going on tour with them."
"Hell no. I will not being going anywhere with him. I have a job! This is all fucking stupid."
"Cleo you don't have a choice."
"I am not going MOM! Over my dead body will I be leaving with this moron." And with that I stood up and tried to leave but stupid Tony was blocking the door. I stomped my foot and sat back down. Niall tried to get my attention but I was having none of it. They continued to set up our first date. Dinner and a movie. I just sat there with my arms crossed. Eventually I got to leave and I did just that. I heard Niall yelling my name. But I had to keep on walking towards my flat. I had to talk to Mickey. I got back and saw Lola was there. Great. I love Lola don't get me wrong she is adorable. "Cleo! Ahh you're back! I just got the call and we are working together today!" Mickey came from the kitchen and looked at me. "I thought it was your day off?"
"Change of plans. I am going to shower then we can head out Lola."
"Okay! Oh I can't wait! We are working with One Direction today Mickey! How cool is that!" Mickey looked at me with worry. I just sighed and headed to shower. Mickey knows about my dark past. He's really the only one who does. Even Rachel doesn't know the whole story. Lola is just oblivious which is fine. I got out and grabbed a pair of high-waisted shorts and a white tank top. Then I grabbed a sheer sweater and a pair of sandals. Lola was already out the door when Mickey stopped me. "What really happened with Rachel? Because I know she wouldn't just call you down for a schedule change."
"We can talk about this later okay? I can't be late." He just nodded and let me go. I gave him a smile and followed Lola to the studio. Just when I thought my past was finally done trying to claw its way back into my life, this had to happen.

Notes