Enticing 44 (HS) (Patreon)

author's note: hope you enjoy a bit of drama tonight! Will post the second chapter of Enticing of the Week in a few hours. enjoy. happy reading!

word count: 1.6K 

Time had passed, and Y/N was finally given the green light by her doctor to return to work. While she had cherished the moments spent at home, taking care of Oliver and working comfortably in her loungewear, the excitement of being back in the workplace was palpable. She had missed the hustle and the thrill of encountering new challenges.

As she strolled through the office corridor, William's voice called out to her, “You're back!” He couldn't help but notice the significant growth of her baby bump; it was now undeniably visible that she was pregnant. The relationship between Harry and William remained somewhat strained, with their interactions limited to work-related discussions.

“Hi,” she greeted him with a warm smile, peeking into his office. “I'm feeling much better. I'm really glad to be back. How have things been in my absence?”

“Good, good. I'm thrilled to have you back,” William replied with a smile. Y/N gave him a nod and a parting smile before heading to her own office. Once inside, she settled down, organizing her workspace and preparing to tackle the mountain of emails and files that awaited her. The world of work was a welcome change, and she was determined to dive back in with the same dedication and enthusiasm she had always shown.

Every now and then, Y/N would pause her work to respond to text messages from Harry. He was in discussions with his realtor, working diligently to secure a new apartment. He had successfully sold their previous property, the one where he had once envisioned their happily ever after. It wasn't because the apartment was inadequate, but rather because it had become a repository of painful memories.

Moreover, Harry harbored a growing fear that Y/N's ex might have learned about the location or obtained some kind of information about it. The thought of that potential threat weighed heavily on his mind as he searched for a new place where they could start afresh, free from the haunting shadows of the past.

“I need a place with top-notch security, Alice,” Harry explained to his realtor, his gaze fixed on the view outside his expansive office window. He had a sense that she wasn't quite grasping the urgency of his request. He continued to emphasize his need for enhanced security, as well as a requirement for increased privacy.

“None of the penthouses you've shown me have private elevators,” he pressed, his tone becoming sterner. “Anyone can access the top floor. Do you understand, Alice? This was the one non-negotiable requirement I had.” His frustration was evident.

“Mr. Styles, perhaps I can explore options outside Manhattan or consider a brownstone?” Alice suggested. Despite being in her sixties, she had a reputation for catering to high-end clients. To her, Harry was a challenging client, not easily impressed.

“That might work,” Harry contemplated. He knew they couldn't live too far from the city. Manhattan, with all its traffic and hustle, had its unique charm. “I didn't mean to come across as harsh, Alice. I apologize. A few weeks ago, my wife was harassed at the entrance of our building. She's four months pregnant.” Harry was surprised at his own vulnerability. He rarely apologized and sharing his private life with others was even rarer.

“I understand, Mr. Styles. I'll get to work and send you some options,” Alice replied, her understanding deepened by her own experiences as a parent.

“No problem. I'll be eagerly awaiting those listings. Have a wonderful day,” Harry said and ended the call.

“Andrew!” Harry's voice rang out as he finished signing contracts and reviewing proposals. His plans for expansion into England were in motion. The trip to London, which had been intended for meetings with contractors and associates, had been abruptly cut short the day Y/N got injured. Since then, he'd been conducting virtual meetings, keeping his fingers crossed, and hoping for a smooth process without the need for travel.

“Yes, what can I help you with?” His assistant inquired.

“Has anyone from the London crew called or left any messages?” Harry asked, handing him a small stack of papers.

“Nothing yet. They mentioned they'd call the following morning, which translates to much later tonight,” Andrew replied.

“Alright. Anything else?” Harry asked as he set a late alarm on his phone to ensure he'd be available for their call.

“Well, there is one more thing...” Andrew hesitated, knowing it would only bring stress to his boss.

“Tell me,” Harry urged, “Is it about Y/N?”

“No, she's fine. It's actually from your father and sister,” Andrew said. The mention of his family immediately tensed Harry. The last time they had all been together, things had spiraled out of control, and his father had acted rudely, even hurting Y/N. Harry vowed to prevent such an incident from happening again.

“What's the matter with them?” Harry asked, his tone stern.

“Your father has been calling, asking to talk to you. Allison has been requesting a callback, something about siblings always sticking together,” Andrew relayed with a hint of amusement. Harry rolled his eyes at his sister's sentimentalism.

“I suppose I'll call her tomorrow. You can disregard my father's calls,” Harry decided.

“Alright,” Andrew nodded. “Is there anything else, sir?”

“No, I think I'm heading home. You can leave early, Andrew,” Harry said, powering down his computer and grabbing his wallet and phone. Andrew acknowledged and texted the driver that Harry was on his way down. “Have a pleasant evening,” Harry bid as he waited for the elevator.

Winter was undeniably on its way, the air growing colder and crisper as Harry stepped out of the building and hopped into the waiting black suburban SUV. He could feel the seasonal shift, and he was looking forward to retrieving his scarves and long coats from the back of his closet.

“Mike, think we can make a quick stop for some Chinese on the way?” Harry asked, glancing down at a text from Y/N. She had a craving for Chinese food, especially dumplings in copious amounts. She'd even joked about wanting enough dumplings to rival Po from Kung Fu Panda, which had brought a chuckle from Harry.

“Of course, Mr. Styles,” Mike replied, smoothly changing their route.

Harry had come to appreciate the life he was currently leading. Gone were the days of waking up in his apartment, disheveled and nursing a hangover. He cherished his domestic life and the comforting presence of someone to come home to at the end of the day. Leaving the office now filled him with anticipation, eager to return to his home and his favorite people.

With their Chinese food secured and enough to last them several days, Mike drove Harry back to his residence.

“Have a good night, Mike,” Harry called out as he exited the car, carrying the two paper bags filled with delicious food. He knew Y/N was already in their apartment. He had arranged for another driver to take her to the office and bring her home every day, ensuring her comfort and safety.

“I'm home!” Harry's cheerful voice filled the air as the elevator doors slid open on the top floor. He wore a warm smile on his face, excited to reunite with the most significant loves of his life. “Y/N?!” he called out, setting the bags down in the kitchen before crossing the dining room and entering the living room. His surprise was palpable.

“Why aren't you answering my calls?" Allison Styles stood just a few feet away from Y/N, her attire a stark contrast to Y/N's relaxed appearance. She wore a dress with tights and boots, a trench coat, and gloves. Harry's gaze quickly shifted to Y/N, who sat on the couch with Oliver, clad in cozy pajamas and fuzzy socks, makeup-free.

“How did you get in here?” Harry inquired as he shrugged off his blazer, folding it in half and tossing it over the back of the couch.

“Why aren't you answering my calls or texts? I had to come all the way here just so we can talk. That's not fair, Harry,” Allison protested.

“I'm not answering your calls or texts because I'm busy living my life. I know why you're calling, and I don't want to hear it,” Harry retorted. Allison was easily swayed by her father, especially after significant conflicts. She had been enlisted to convince Harry to reconcile with their dad.

“Harry, he—” she began.

“I said I don't want to hear it, Allison!” Harry cut her off, frustration evident. “Why do you always do this? Why do you keep doing his dirty work?” He walked past her, heading toward Y/N and Oliver. He leaned down to kiss her forehead.

“He feels bad enough, Harry. He says he wants to get to know Y/N. How long are you going to carry this out?” Allison rolled her eyes. Her father had asked her to reach out to Harry on his behalf, despite their troubled relationship. She believed that they needed to forgive and forget; after all, he was their father, and they owed their existence to him.

“Grow up! He's manipulating you. You're being so foolish! He is using you to get what he wants. He doesn’t love us, and it’s time for you to accept it” Harry exclaimed.

“Harry!” Y/N interjected, placing a calming hand on his forearm.

“Where's Mom? What does she think about all of this, huh? Mom hasn't called me or anything because she knows I'm right. He should own up to everything and come talk to me face to face. I don't depend on him, Allison, and neither should you” Harry declared firmly, his anger simmering as he defended his stance.