Ⓕⓔⓑⓡⓤⓐⓡⓨ ①⑧ⓣⓗ ②⓪②⓪

Talia's POV

I know you wanted a promise,

I wasn't ready, can I be honest,
Never knew what I had until I lost it...

I tapped my fingers against the table while my head bobbed in place as my newly finished song blared through the headphones that sat on top of my head. "Do you think people will like the song, or would they just continue to hate me for releasing a song that could potentially have meaning to Zach and I's relationship?" I asked Brad after the recording was finished.

I intently watched as Brad pressed a couple knobs and buttons before diverting his attention in my direction with furrowed eyebrows. "Honestly, the release of 'Rubberband ' can go in two directions, Talia, but this song is one of the best you have ever written." He responded with a nod of his head, and I gave him a faint smile. "I didn't know you could write. Whenever the boys and I asked for your help, you always brushed us off. Why?"

I breathed out a nervous chuckle before gently tugging off the headset. "I didn't think I was cut out to write songs. I just started messing around with the piano at night and found myself writing what I thought were poems." I tell him, gesturing to the song book that sat in front of us.

"I guess music runs in the family," he jokingly said before a chuckle slipped past both our lips. "No, but in all seriousness. This song is amazing, and I am so proud of you, sis."

I pouted, seeing the proud small smile dancing on Brad's lips. "Thanks, big bro," I tell him while reaching over and squeezing his hand.

After our conversation, quietness lingered in the air before it was silenced by the sound of my phone ringing. I rummaged through my bag for a couple of seconds before I pulled out the ringing device. I furrowed my eyebrows at Zach's contact name flashing across the screen. "Who is it?" Brad questioned.

"Zach," I murmured before pressing the green icon on my screen.

"Talia?" Zach's voice rang through the phone speaker, but he sounded distressed.

"What's wrong?" I instantly asked, disregarding the normal greeting. I heard Zach exhale sharply.

"We have a problem," Zach began, his voice tensed. "Articles about us meeting up at Monique's the other day have been released. It's all over every possible social media platform."

My heart sank at Zach's words. The last thing we need right now is more unwanted attention, especially about our personal lives. "How bad is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

I heard Zach let out a shaky breath, and I could almost imagine him pinching his eyes shut while running his fingers through his hair. "Pretty bad," he grimly responded, and I could tell this would mean his team would have to come up with damage control, especially since we have a past. "There are already speculations and rumors... They're painting our meet-up as a "secret rendezvous."

I momentarily clenched my eyes shut. "Shit! Zach, this is all my fault." I managed to choke out through an almost inaudible murmur. "If I hadn't asked you to meet in such a public place—" I continued to nervously rant, but he cut me off mid-sentence.

"Babe, it wasn't your fault," Zach sternly responded, and I could faintly hear someone heatedly talking in his background before an 'oof' was heard. "I wanted to meet you as well. You might've walked out of my life, but the feelings I had for you never disappeared." He continued, and I nervously bit my bottom lip, but at the same time, I could feel blood rush to my cheeks.

I briefly gazed at Brad to see him with his eyebrows furrowed in confusion or worry. 'Is everything okay?' He silently mouthed, and I shook my head before returning to the call.

"Alright," I settled with as a response because I couldn't go into detail about my feelings towards the brunette on the other side of the phone with my older brother sitting in front of me. "What is our next step? What does your team suggest we do?"

"I have a meeting with my PR team at around 11:30," he said, and I nodded. "Listen, this may look bad in their eyes, Talia, but remember, I won't let you do or make you do anything if you don't want to."

I sighed and looked up at the studio ceiling. "I know," I exhaled to him, "but I will do anything to help fix the damage I created for you and the boys. I know this is too early, and we both agreed to take things slow, but I'm not doing this for anything; this has more to do with the fact that I love you, Zach. I'll do anything to help you."

"I love you too." Zach responded quietly after a few seconds of silence on his end. "I have to go, but I will text you if they need you to come in for the meeting. You remember the building, yeah?" He said.

I nodded my head. "Yeah, I remember. Good luck, and again, I am so sorry. I know the boys must be annoyed with me," I tell him.

"Don't apologise. It's both of our faults and about the boys... Let me handle them, okay?" He told me, and I hummed. We exchanged a quick goodbye before I pressed the red icon and tossed my phone onto the couch that I was seated on.

I groaned and tossed my head backward. "Fucking paparazzi," I muttered angrily. "Tell me again why we decided to move from London to Los Angeles again." I asked my brother, who chuckled in response, to which I sent a glare in his direction.

"Stop being dramatic," Brad responded with a roll of his eyes. "What happened?" He asked.

I sighed and pursed my lips momentarily before fixing my gaze on him. "I met up with Zach a few days ago. Apparently they managed to take pictures of Zach and me, which look like we're cozying up with each other, but really he was comforting me," I explain to him.

I watched as he raised an eyebrow in my direction. "Elaborate," he says, and I glare at his demand.

"What do you mean by 'elaborate'?" I mimic him with his thick yet deep British accent. "I told Zach why I left, and I broke down after telling what one of his fans had said to me that same day," I continue, harshly gulping, "and... let's just say Zach wasn't happy. I was crying, and he came to my side of the booth and comforted me, so my head was pressed against his chest, and he was leaving soft kisses on my head."

Brad grimaced. "Too much information, sis, and I do not sound like that." He said, and I quietly mumbled 'debatable' under my breath. "Well, yeah. That would cause Paparazzi to manipulate the picture into something that isn't just so they can stir unnecessary drama."

"Mhmm. Zach said he has a meeting with his PR team, and we go from there," I tell him with a sigh. I gaze at the clock before looking back at the empty booth. "Anyways, are we officially done with the song?" I ask him, changing the subject.

Brad's face instantly lit up. "Yeah, it's done and ready for the world to hear," he said, and I grinned. "I know I have said it too many times already, but I am incredibly proud of you, Talia. You went from making a name in the modelling industry to finding yourself through music."

I smiled, took a few steps to where he sat, and hugged him with my arms tightly wrapped around his neck. "Thank you for always looking out for me and for helping me finish writing and producing the music for me," I whispered into his ear.

"Thank you for being the best little sister any guy could ask for, even when you're being your annoying self," he retorted, joking at the end of the sentence. I pulled back and pushed him to the side, the two of us laughing.

Zach's POV

"You told me that you were taking things slow with her! You said you weren't rushing into anything with her," Jack muttered in the seat beside me, and I sighed at his constant questions, gripping the steering wheel with a tight grip.

"We are! We are taking things slow Jack!" I tell him through gritted teeth. "You and I both know how tabloids take things out of context!" I continued, irritated with his constant badgering since I got off the call with Talia. His continuous complaining while I was on call with her did not ease the worry I have for what David has to say about the matter that Talia and I have to tackle.

"Yeah, that 'I love you' was definitely you guys taking things slow," Jack sarcastically retorted, and I had enough of his questions about Talia and I.

"What the fuck is your problem? What I say to Talia is none of you or the boys concern Jack! I love that girl with a buring passion, and I won't let you, the boys, or even management come in between the two of us!" I yell at him as I press the break and the turn-off button to halt the car in place. "Now get out," I tell him while opening his door from my side with a flick of a button.

"But Za—" Jack started, but I didn't want to hear anymore about what he had to say about the issue.

"No," I sternly tell him with a shake of my head, "I've had enough. We're here, so I would be appreciate it if you could just get the fuck out before I completely lose it!"

I watched as Jack pursed his lips before unbuckling the seat belt that was strapped against his chest. "You know, ever since Talia came into our lives, you've changed, and I don't know if it's for the better or worse," he states with a straight face, and I glare at him.

"I didn't ask Jack," I tell him, not bothered by his observation because I am the same Zach they all know. I grabbed the key from the car, my phone, and my wallet, and stepped out of the car, locking right away.

The two of us walked towards the building, Jack a few steps ahead. I flipped my phone around, unlocking it, and sent Talia a quick text that I had arrived at the building. I frowned, as I hadn't gotten a response from her yet, even though she normally responds instantly.

I glanced up and smiled at the receptionist before stopping a step behind Jack. The second the lift arrived, we stepped in and Jack leaned forward and pressed the designated floor that David had asked us to come to, Even though it's damage control for me, the rest of the boys have to be there for some reason. I leaned against the wall of the lift and watched the numbers fly by, groaning internally at the faint elevator music.

"Hey Z," Daniel said once I stepped out of the lift before Jack did on the floor. I smiled at him and took a seat next to Corbyn, greeting him with our handshake that we always do.

"Hey guys," I greet them before pulling my phone, which buzzed in my hand, but my eyebrows furrowed at the message that Talia sent.

*Imagine the below image as an iPhone 11 pro*

I lifted my head from my phone and stared at the door ahead of us that remained closed. 'What are you playing at, David?', I thought to myself. I exhaled sharply before pocketing my phone in my front pocket.

"Why do we all need to be here if Zach was the one that caused the problem?" Jack grumbled out, and I couldn't help but send a glare in his direction, as did the other boys. "What? I'm just saying what you all are thinking, aren't I?" He continued with his arms crossed against his chest.

I scoffed, "Then be our guest and leave. You can deal with David's repercussions later." I nonchalantly retorted back to him before wincing at the feeling of an elbow jutting to my side.

"Boys? You can head in," a petite voice said, and we all snapped our heads in the direction of the secretary who sat at a magahony desk that I failed to notice once I walked in, seeing as I had passed that prior.

'Finally' a voice murmured in the silence, and I rolled my eyes, knowing that Jack was the one who made that comment. As soon as the five of us stepped foot into the conference room, we were faced with not only David but a few other members of the PR team. "Why did you call us all in for this meeting?" Jack grumbled after plopping down on one of the few seats that were left vacant.

"Because, Mr. Avery, this issue not only impacts Mr. Herron, but it also impacts each member that represents this band," a bald guy who I might've forgotten the name of responded. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I discretely pulled it out to see I had received a message from Talia saying that she was heading up to the conference room that we were all seated in.

Not even a minute later, the sound of a faint knock was heard, and David hollered, 'Come in, and just then the door opened to reveal the love of my life. I sent a small smile in her direction as she made her way over to the only vacant seat available which ironically was next to me.

"Right now that everyone is here," David started as he flipped through the thick blue folder that sat in front of him. "Talia, didn't I tell you to steer clear of Zach if you did decide to terminate your contract with us?" David questioned her, and I snapped my gaze in her direction, knowing very well that she hadn't mentioned anything about that at Monique's Cafe.

"Yes," she whispered loud enough for everyone to hear with her head bowed down.

"If you clearly understood that, then why were you seen meeting up with Zach a few days ago?" David sternly asked, and I intently stared at Talia to see her playing with a ring that adorns her third finger in her right hand. "Ms. Simpson," David called out after a few minutes of Talia or anyone uttering a word, and I could see her body tremble the slightest bit.

"I needed—we needed closure, David," Talia said, and I glanced back at David and gulped at the fury that burned in his eyes, making it a darker shade than it's usual colour, and I gulped harshly for Talia's sake.

"Closure? Closure? You left on your accord and willingly accepted that one of the consequences of your rash decision was to stay away from Zach and any of the boys." He hissed through clenched teeth, and I clenched my fist and tightened my jaw.

Talia scoffed. "Right, I forgot. You just assume we're all like you, emotionless human beings." She retorts, and my eyes widen at her bold statement. I stared at the girl that I am head over heels for and just saw her stare at David with a poker face, no emotion visible, but I could tell internally that she was panicking about what she had spluttered out without a single thought.

"Excuse me—" David started to proclaim before Amanda, our head of our PR team, halted David from uttering anything else.

"Miss Simpson, these pictures portray a different meaning," Amanda stated before tossing three magazines down onto the table right in front of Talia and I.

I peered into the three magazines before aligning them into one row. I inhaled a shaky breath at all the provocative headlines displayed at the very top.

Exclusive: Zach Herron and Talia Simpson Reunite Behind Closed Doors After a Three-Month Hiatus

Zach Herron and Talia Simpson Meet Up Behind Closed Doors is Uncovered as the two cozy it up in Moniques Cafe

Herron's Secret Rendezvous with Ex-Beau after 3 Months of Silence

When I had finished reading each article that was in front of us, my blood began to boil. I clenched and unclenched my fist and jaw. "What the fuck are these!" I hiss through gritted teeth after averting my gaze from each false article title.

"Articles that could've been avoided if you hadn't met at such a public place or met at all," Amanda retorted with her arms pressed against her chest while she leaned back into the leather chairs.

From my peripheral vision, I could see Talia opening her mouth as if she was going to say something, or if I can read her properly, she's going to apologise. "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking, and I wanted to apologise to Zach for treating him and leaving him the way I did." Talia quietly spoke out, and I sighed, knowing she felt guilty for choosing such a place, but to be honest, it's both of our faults. I could've said I'd meet her at her house or suggested she come over to mine.

I shook my head. "No." I spoke up, and all heads turned in my direction, giving me a look of either surprise, confusion, or even anger. "If you're blaming someone, you blame the both of us, not just Talia." I sternly tell them.

Amanda opened her mouth momentarily before closing it, pursing her lips tightly. "Despite all of this, we need to come up with damage control." She huffed and rubbed her forehead. "Talia, we're unable to contact your manager. Could you get a hold of her because she will need to be online to hear this."

I turned my head towards Talia and watched as she pursed her lips together. "You're unable to contact her because I'm no longer working with her," Talia asserted calmly, leaving everyone beside me bewildered, even David.

David was the first to get out of his confused state by clearing his throat and grabbing a pen and paper. "Well, if you're not under her agency, can you give the name and number of the new one?" He asked, and I bit my lip to prevent the laughter itching from slipping past, as I was the only one besides her family and friends that knew she quit modelling.

Talia shook her head. "That won't be necessary, David." She said, which left David even more perplexed than before, which led him to ask her 'Why' to which she responded, "Because I quit modelling."

"You do realise how this is going to look, right?" James Davidson, one of the PR team members, said this with his eyebrow furrowed. Talia looked at him with an eyebrow raised and hummed. "If this gets out, it'll seem like you got a lot of opportunities because you dated Zach." He continued, and Talia furrowed her eyebrows, and I could see her jaw clench.

"Listen here, I didn't get those gigs because I dated Zach because, if you haven't forgotten, my brother's band is much bigger and recognised as Zach's." She hissed, and I winced internally at the stab towards our band, but I understood what she was hinting at to James. She didn't need my exposure because she's already linked to Bradley Simpson from the British boyband The Vamps. "I got my modelling gigs because I was actually good at what I was doing, but you needed me to help you with Why Don't We because you knew who I was related to beforehand."

I stared gobsmacked at Talia before glancing back at my team to see them just as gobsmacked as I was. "So what happened to your Vogue and Victoria Secret gigs?" Amanda asked, a fierce glint in her eyes.

"Rejected," Talia curtly responded with a smile on her face. "Remember, I quit. I'm glad I listened to Zach when he initially told me to quit because he was the only one beside my brother to notice that that job was unhealthy for my mental health." She continued with a scoff.

The room remained silent for a few minutes before a throat was cleared. "Are we going to decide on what to do about this?" Jonah asked, gesturing to the articles.

Amanda pursed her lips and averted her gaze to Talia momentarily. "We don't have an option but to portray you and Zach as a couple...again," she said while running her fingers through her hair, trying to tame it.

Talia raised an eyebrow at her. "Is that your solution to every situation like this?" She asked, raising one of the magazines off the table.

David leaned forward with a smug expression. "What do you suggest we do, Ms. Simpson? Because it seems like you seem to be an expert." He sarcastically told her, and I pursed my lips at his comment.

Talia leaned forward, reciprocating David's actions. "Well, from what I've seen by being behind the scenes of scandals that my brother and his bandmates had faced. We could simply ignore this until everyone calms down," she simply said with a shrug and placed the magazine back down.

"What makes you think that in time this will be forgotten?" James asked while pointing to the magazines.

"That's just how your world works, isn't but if you think it won't, I'll cooperate in whatever you feel is appropriate for a situation like this." Talia suggested with a grin plastered on her face. "Although my bet is that this whole thing will be forgotten in about a week or two."

James sighed and leaned back. "Alright. We'll see if it's forgotten," he said, and Talia nodded.

"Wait, you're actually taking advice from an eighteen-year-old girl?" Amanda screeched with an incredulous tone in her voice.

"Why should we make them date, Amanda? It'll cause a bigger scene than necessary." James said with a sigh.

"That's what the boys need!" She exclaimed, flinging her arms in the air. "The more attention Zach brings, the more fans they get, and so on and so on." She continued.

"You just proved me right," Talia stated with a laugh of disbelief. "You only want me because you know I'm more recognised, and that'll help Zach and the boys," she said with a shake of her head.

"It's either this or we sue you for breaking the contract policies." Amanda threatened, and I clenched my jaw.

"Did you just threaten me?" Talia incredulously asked.

"I wouldn't say threaten, more like negotiate with a twist of blackmail." David answered instead with a smirk on his face, and I internally growled at him.

I looked at Talia and shook my head. "You don't have to do anything, Talia," I told her in a soft tone. She averted her gaze from Amanda and David to me, and her face softened.

She shook her head. "I promised you this morning that I'd do whatever they asked to help you, but not because they asked Z." She started, and my mind raced with thoughts on how lucky I was to find such a beautiful, thoughtful, and kindhearted soul like her in the middle of this mess. "It's because I love you," she mumbled loud enough for only her and me to hear. I sent her a small smile and nodded.

"If you're sure," I tell her.

"Being with you has never been a mistake I've made Z," she said with a shake of her head. She then averted her gaze to my PR team, and her expression changed to a professional one. "I'll do it, but on one condition," she says.

"Which is?" James and Amanda asked in unison.

"I don't want us to have to sign a contract," Talia said before letting out a heavy breath. "I love Zach for who he is, not for the fame, and I don't want people to think I'm just with him for who he is."

"But that's pro—" Amanda started to say, but James cut her off.

"You got yourself a deal, Ms. Simpson," he said.

The six of us spoke with the team for another five minutes before we all stepped outside and headed for the lifts in silence. "Listen, I want to apologise for what I said in there," Talia said a few seconds later, when we had stepped into the lift.

"About what? You said a lot of things in there." Jack mumbled, and I glared at him.

Talia pursed her lips, and I saw her frown slightly before nodding her head, "I'm sorry about saying that my brother band is more recognised than yours, and your management needed me to boost you guys a bit. I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that you're management was using me for their own personal gain because of who my brother is" She said it quietly, almost as if she thought if she spoke louder, she'd get attacked by one of us.

I frowned at her deflated tone, but before I could utter a single word, Jonah had already pulled her into a side hug since he was closer to her. "Don't worry about it, Tal, we understand," he said, and she wore a sad smile, nodded her head, and looked down at her shoes, finding the ground more interesting.

The lift finally reached the ground floor, and the six of us piled out. The sound of someone's phone buzzing, indicating a message was received, made us look at each other, but we shook our heads as if saying, 'Not me'. I looked towards Talia and saw her glance down at her phone with her eyebrows furrowed before the colour in her face drained, and it seemed as if she'd seen a ghost.

"Talia?" I call, placing my hand on her shoulder. I felt her body tense under my touch, and I instinctively pulled my hand away before she snapped her head in my direction, and I could see the fear in her eyes.

Her mouth opened and closed before she quickly glanced around the place and took a step back. "I need to go," she blurted out, and in a blink of an eye, she was running towards and out of the entrance.

"What was that?" Daniel asked.

I shook my head and looked back at him, "I don't know..." I trailed off as I answered him. I ran towards the building entrance in time to just watch Talia drive off in a rush, almost as if someone were following her.

Who texted her to make her that frightened?