March 28th, 2016
8:09am

According to sources close to the singer, Styles hasn't been heard from in over ten days. If you have any information on where he may be, I'd recommend calling the phone number on the screen as soon as possible. The reward has now been raised to $20,000.

I grabbed the remote and changed the channel on the television, shoveling another bite of salad into my mouth.

"It's funny isn't it?" Liam laughed, "He's probably on a coke bender overdosed somewhere in the hills. Do you think they'd give us the $20,000 if I called and gave them that tip?"

I snorted, my fingers tapping at my keyboard as I balanced my food on my lap. "The money isn't worth it. Don't act so humble, Liam."

"Smart. That's is why you're my favorite assistant."

2 YEARS LATER
July 23rd, 2018
6:52pm

I stepped out of my car, grocery bags strung on my arms as I used my foot to kick the door closed. I approached the front door, tipping my head back. "It's me!"

The door swung open, Zayn nodding towards me as he grabbed the bags from my arms. "Sorry, I would've came out and helped you sooner. Didn't know you were coming today."

"Yeah, Liam mentioned you guys are out of cigarettes and milk. I got you guys some new snacks and stuff too."

Zayn's eyes glowed at that, setting the bags on the counter as he dug into the one containing a box of cigarettes. "You're a fucking lifesaver, Anna"

I smiled at the irony. If anyone was being a lifesaver, it was Liam Payne. Taking over his deceased father's farm in the middle of Michigan for the sake of helping people that never did anything to deserve it. A better option than suicide, I suppose.

Zayn decided he was done with his life in August of 2015. Developed a gambling addiction and stole money from his friends and family. Ended up cheating on his girlfriend when he got drunk in July of that same year. He had nobody left until Liam's dad took him in and let him stay at the farm under a few conditions; fake your death and provide labor in return.

One man faking his death turned into 10 men and then after Liam's dad died of cancer in the winter of 2016, Liam had no choice but to take over the farm and all his father's money.

"Is Liam here at all?" I stood back, watching as Zayn brought a cigarette up to his lips. "I've been trying to call him and he has no signal. Assumed he's here."

"Yeah he's somewhere around here." Zayn leaned against the counter, smoke pouring out of his lips. "He's in a weird ass mood."

"Oh yeah?" I tilted my head, hand clutching my phone even though I should've just left it in the car because it has no use here.

"Anna!" Niall exclaimed. "Liam heard you come in. He needs to talk to you in his office."
I pushed off the wall that I was leaning on and walked towards the steps that Niall was walking down from. "I got you snacks. In the kitchen."

"Awesome, thank you so much." Niall expressed gratefully, passing me as he walked towards Zayn.

I walked up the steps and straight to Liam's office to find him typing like a mad man on his laptop.

"Anna." Liam breathed out, glancing up at me with bags under his eyes. "Thank god you showed up today! I've been here since yesterday morning. I can't get ahold of you. I figured you'd stop by."

"Liam, what the hell. Have you slept yet?" Silence. I furrowed my eyebrows before turning around and pushing the heavy door closed, twisting the lock. "Tell me what's going on."
"I tried to sleep this morning, I couldn't. I've been doing something else."

"Like what, Liam?" I sat in the chair across from him, crossing my arms. "I'm your assistant for a reason. I could've helped you out."

Liam stayed quiet, lips pressed together as he looked up from his laptop.

We sat in silence for another moment before I huffed out the breathe I was holding, rolling my eyes. "Liam, what did you do?"

"You're gonna have to come see for yourself." He stood up from the desk, running a hand through his greasy hair as he stepped towards the door.

+

Once we made it outside of the farmhouse, Liam climbed into the passenger seat of my car.
"Where are we going, Li?" I groaned, getting into the car and putting the key into the ignition.

"It's a good five minute walking distance. I hurt too bad to walk it one more time. The shed."

"The shed that's across the field? Liam did you murder someone?" I began driving through the grass and around the bushes.

"God, no! Anna shut up. I can't say it. You have to see it for yourself." He aimed the air conditioning vent at his face as he took a deep breathe. I continued to drive.

"Okay, okay. Park here. We have to walk through these trees."

I parked the car, tossing my keys into the bag swung over my shoulder. I followed Liam through the maze of trees, feeling the nerves hit my stomach when the shed came into view.
I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Liam, what the fuck did you do? You know how I get when I'm nervous. I'm going to barf everywhere any second."

"Come here. Please." He grabbed my hand, tugging me along.

Every step closer made my heart pound even harder and eventually we were standing face to face with the door. Liam swallowed hard before slamming his fist against the door with rhythm, stepping back as if to wait for someone to answer the door.

My eyes widened, glaring Liam up and down. "Who the fuck is in there, Liam?"

Liam didn't respond as he began to bite down on his nails.

The door slowly opened.

Silence.

"You must be Anna."

Notes

Thank you guys so much for choosing to read my story! I will be updating this story weekly.