Enticing (20) (Patreon)

Author's note: my grandfather will be having surgery on Friday. I am extremely scared and nervous for him. I don't know if you know this, but he is the last father figure that I have left. After my father passed away, he became my world. Aside from that, I hope you enjoy tonight's chapter. I AM SO SO SORRY for all the inconvenience. I'll be posting Different tomorrow night or the day after tomorrow.

“I am bored already” Alessandro shared with a pout as they all sat in the living room of the apartment where they had been staying for almost ten days.

They had been to all the museums and had eaten everything available in Rome — according to Alessandro.

“It's time to leave” Michael sighed, closing the magazine that he had sat down to read.

“Before Alessandro drives us crazy” William had been answering some emails from the company. He had been enjoying himself. Unfortunately, Alessandro had been ruining it with all his whining.

“So, should I set up everything for tomorrow morning or should we leave tonight” Harry glared at Alessandro. It was already the middle of the day, and they had decided to stay in after Y/N complained that her ankles and feet were hurting from all the walking.  “Ok, so that's a no. Tomorrow it is” he said excitedly, raising from his seat and running to make all the arrangements.

“Where are we going?” Y/N asked as she closed the book that she had bought and had been reading lately. Her head was resting on Harry’s thigh as they enjoyed the quietness and the coolness of the apartment. Some days had been extremely hot while others had been chilly and windy.

“To the north of Italy”

“To Alessandro’s family estate in Lake Como” Harry explained further, “There is, even more, to do over there. You’ll never want to leave” he smiled down at her.

He didn't have to insist because she had fallen head over heels for Italy. She had even grown to love the long lines. It had begun when in the line to get into the Vatican Museum. The boys were angry at her, but she insisted on waiting like the others. It had been an exceptionally hot and humid day. An older woman had called out to them from across the street.

Keep in mind that Y/N had no previous knowledge of how to speak Italian, but she could sense that the woman was calling out to her. So, she crossed the street without any further doubt and much to Harry’s dislike.

The older woman grabbed her hand and pulled her into a shop. Much to her surprise, it was her own coffee shop.

“Thirsty right?” She managed to say as they walked up to the counter where two men found it second nature that she was luring people into the shop. Funnily enough, the older woman never gave her a cold drink, but rather the opposite — a ridiculously hot espresso. She invited all of them for espresso. In fact, Harry had found it amusing. It had the potential to become another of those very funny stories that they shared whenever asked about their holidays abroad.

“When are we leaving?” Y/N asked as Alessandro reentered the room.

“Tomorrow morning by train” He smiled, “they pick us up at the station”.

“By train?” Michael frowned annoyed that they were flying. He wasn’t a fan of sitting for so long. Even, and when he was a little boy. He had given his mother a hard time, and even unfortunately he had never grown out of it.

“I thought it would be a nice idea” Alessandro shrugged, “for Y/N and for the scenery”.

“That’s a wonderful idea.”

“says Mr. impatient” William chuckled, earning him a kick from Harry. “Should probably get packing”.

“Do you want to go to one last dinner in Rome tonight?” Y/N smiled and nodded excitedly wanting to spend some good one-on-one time with Harry. “Go get ready then” he pecked her lips and helped her off the couch.

“Where are you taking her?” Michael asked intrigued.

“Just to a little place that I know then maybe for a walk” he shrugged, “nothing fancy”.

Michael nodded and remained silent. He didn’t feel necessarily jealous but felt like was missing something.  He missed being accompanied.

“I am going to get ready” Harry laid after a few minutes of quietness.

“Perhaps you should call violet” Alessandro suggested to him, knowing how upset he felt by his expressions. “Let her know where we are and how much you really miss her”. Michael had never needed to ask for anyone back. Hence, why it was an unknown concept to him.

“This is cute,” Y/N said to Harry as they sat in a small and intimate bistro. She wore an oversized black blazer with some knee-high boots that complimented her legs. “How did you find this place?” She asked watching him unfold his napkin and place it on his lap.

“It’s a very long story” He smiled as he looked up with a cheeky smile.

“I've got time” Y/N responded as Harry signaled the waiter for him to approach, so they could order a bottle of wine.

“Well, this was years ago. I was still in college” He seriously said, “we have gone out on a riverboat after going out for drinks.”

“Michael’s idea?” Harry nodded as he tried to figure out what to order and confess what turkey happened that day.

“It was somewhat late, and before I got on the boat, I had told Michael that I needed a restroom, and he insisted that the ride wouldn’t take long”.

“Shut up” Y/N could tell where the story was going. Harry chuckled and exhaled loudly. Only a few people knew about the story. Y/N brought her hands up to her mouth in disbelief.

“Turns out the boat ride was an hour and a half. I got off in desperate search of a bathroom and came across this little restaurant on the way.”

“So, did you? Did you pee your pants?” Harry smiled but kept his lips shut and shyly nodded. “No way!” She laughed heavily with him.

“I hoped the restroom door and I knew it was too late” He admitted, chuckling heavily. “They had to buy me a new pair of everything”.

“Oh my god,” She laughed, holding her stomach. “I am sorry” she apologized because she could imagine how embarrassing it could be and let alone to someone of his caliber.

“It's all right. I’ve gotten over it” He sat up straight and tried his best to recover his composure. However, it was hopeless because it was too funny. “Maybe I still haven’t”.

They dinned and wined for hours. Y/N even shared an embarrassing moment, so Harry wouldn’t feel alone.

“About Oliver” Harry suddenly said as they finished their coffees. Y/No’s laugh instantly died down.

“What about him?”

“It’s nothing bad. I just don’t think I’ve ever gotten the chance to properly thank you for all that you do for him and coming into our lives in such a critical time.”

“I love him and how his personality is developing” she commented, she knew she wasn’t supposed to develop any sort of special connection with any of the kids she took care of. Although Oliver was different, she could tell from the first day. “He is so great, and I don’t say it just because of what we have”.

Harry smiled, tugged on his lips, and tried his best to keep his emotions to himself. If there was something that made him emotional was speaking about Oliver. He was everything that he had ever wished for and more.

The couple strolled around before calling a driver and heading back to the apartment. Everyone had already retired to their bedroom by the time they arrived. And since they had to be up early the next morning to catch the train, they decided to stay up and pack up.

“Let me make sure we didn’t leave anything on the bathroom counter,” Y/N said as Harry finished packing the last few things.

Her phone was placed on the bed when the screen brightens up. Harry’s attention was drawn to it and not because it was a one-time thing, but because it had happened five times in three minutes.

He looked over and reached out but retracted knowing that it was her privacy, and he shouldn’t cross that boundary. Although, the phone kept getting notifications and Harry grew impatient. And so, he reached out and checked the origin of the messages after looking over his shoulder.

It was James. Her ex. And so, he grew scared and nervous about losing her.