Enticing 46 (HS) (Patreon)

word count: 1.5K

🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN MY DARLINGS! hope you had a wonderful night filled with spooky things and tasty treats! 🎃

"Do you think it's a girl or a boy?" Y/N inquired as Harry gently brushed his fingers across her bump. They were seated at a cozy Italian restaurant conveniently located near both of their offices, having planned to share a lunch together.

"I'm hoping for a girl," Harry admitted, expressing his desire to have both a son and a daughter, just like he and Allison. He recognized the joy of having a sister, and he believed that Oliver would relish the companionship and growing up together. "But if it's not, that's perfectly fine too," he quickly added, not wanting his words to be misconstrued. Harry was genuinely excited this time. He felt blessed to be involved in every aspect of the pregnancy.

"I don't mind either way. I'm honestly not sure," Y/N replied with a slight frown before picking up her fork to savor the carbonara pasta before her.

"Speaking of the baby, we'll need to start getting everything ready," Harry noted.

"I'm sure we won't need that much stuff. We can use Oliver's things," Y/N suggested, assuming Harry had saved all of Oliver's newborn essentials.

Harry's expression shifted to one of confusion. "I mean, you kept all of Oliver's newborn stuff, right?" she inquired.

Harry smiled at her and looked down at his food, feeling a pang of guilt. He hadn't retained any of it; the majority had been donated. He hadn't anticipated having another child.

"That's absurd," she remarked, rolling her eyes at him.

"I donated it! It's not like I threw everything away, darlin'," Harry replied, his smile wistful as he took a sip of his wine. He had reservations about drinking in front of Y/N, but she had insisted, essentially making him share the moment. "When's your next doctor's appointment?"

"It's later this week," Y/N shared, her anticipation building. Perhaps they would find out the baby's sex this time. She hoped the baby would be more cooperative during the ultrasound. "Can you make it?"

"I'll make time. Wouldn't miss it," Harry assured her, reaching out to hold her hand and tenderly kissing the top of it.

"Is Allison mad at me?" Y/N asked bluntly, her thoughts consumed by the question over the past two days since Allison's departure. She knew she had stepped in when it wasn't her place, but Allison's disrespect toward Harry had pushed her to speak up.

"No, darlin'," Harry reassured her. "I think she realized she went a little too far." Y/N couldn't quite understand, but she suddenly found herself in tears. Sometimes, the weight of it all felt like too much. She had an aversion to conflict and despised making Harry feel bad, so she often kept her concerns close, not wanting to be a burden or cause him any distress.

"Oh, darlin'," Harry sighed, his heart aching at the sight of her tears. He was accustomed to her joyful smile, making the contrast all the more poignant. "Everything is alright. She's not angry or anything. Maybe she was just taken aback by everything. Would you like me to talk to her so she can apologize?"

Y/N shook her head, big tears streaming down her face. "No, don't. I'll just make it worse," she pleaded. "It might just be the hormones," she added with a self-aware nod, realizing how silly it all sounded. Harry gently wiped away her tears.

"You're just feeling a bit sensitive today, and that's perfectly fine," Harry assured her. "How about if I finish work earlier than usual today, and we spend the evening watching movies and indulging in some comfort food at home? Will that make you feel better?"

Y/N nodded enthusiastically through her tears, a soft laugh escaping her. Harry empathized with her, unable to fathom the challenges of pregnancy. All he wanted was for her to be as comfortable as possible. Despite his reluctance to leave work early, this time he was determined to do so, as she needed him.

After their lunch, Y/N and Harry returned to their respective offices, each with their own set of responsibilities. Y/N had an important meeting scheduled with William and some potential investors. She needed to pitch a significant deal to them and had meticulously prepared her proposal, backed by data confirming it was a worthwhile investment. She felt a mix of nervousness and excitement about showcasing her potential.

On the other hand, Harry had his hands full with various external issues to address. He had to meet with his associates in London, as their construction project had encountered several setbacks, including permit issues. Harry was sincerely hoping he wouldn't have to travel for this matter.

"What's going on, Mark? I need some good news," Harry said, leaning forward in his chair. "What's happening with the construction crew?"

Mark had been incessantly calling Harry over the past few days, reporting that construction had slowed down due to heavy rain in London. An unfortunate incident had occurred where a worker accidentally damaged a gas pipeline, necessitating a call to the fire department. The pipeline was temporarily sealed, suspending the gas supply to the building. This, in turn, delayed the laying of the concrete foundation and pushed back the permits by about a month.

Mark was visibly anxious, fearing that Harry might reprimand him severely. He had always been meticulous in overseeing the workers, and Harry appreciated his attention to detail. However, this time, a momentary lapse in attention had led to a major issue.

Harry let out a deep exhale, running his fingers through his hair. He was growing weary of the challenges that came with the expansion project and simply wished it would be completed.

"I'm surprised, Mark," Harry began. "How much is this going to cost us?"

"I'm truly sorry, Mr. Styles," Mark apologized sincerely, and Harry could sense his genuine regret. It was the first time he had encountered a problem with Mark in charge of construction. While it wasn't entirely his fault, he was the one responsible and had to bear the blame in front of the boss. "It won't happen again. I swear."

"I understand, Mark. Everyone makes mistakes, and I was genuinely surprised that it hadn't happened sooner after all these years of working for me," Harry reassured him with a smile. "Sometimes, situations get out of our control. Now, tell me the cost so we can get it resolved."

Mark proceeded to share the detailed cost estimates he had prepared for the meeting, relieved that Harry hadn't reacted with anger and fired him.

As the day transitioned into evening, the sky grew darker and colder, and the first drops of rain began to fall from the gray heavens. Harry parked his car in front of the apartment building and scrolled through the menu of a restaurant he wanted to try, all the while eagerly anticipating a cozy evening in pajamas, cuddling with Y/N.

"Y/N? I'm home!" Harry called out as he entered the apartment. He noticed Mrs. Johnson, their housekeeper, looking weary and troubled. Concerned, he inquired, "What's going on?"

"I tried, Mr. Styles, but he was very persistent," Mrs. Johnson replied, her voice lowered. "He basically let himself in," she whispered, nodding toward the office.

Determined and already angered that someone had upset Mrs. Johnson, Harry made his way into the office, only to find his father and mother inside. His father stood by the window with his hands in his pockets, while his mother sat on the couch, elegantly dressed in Chanel, with her ankles crossed.

"Does no one in this family respect privacy?" Harry blurted out, startling both of his parents. "First Allison, and now both of you?"

"That's no way to talk to your parents, Harry," Mrs. Styles chided, setting down a cup of tea that Mrs. Johnson had prepared for her after some disagreement. "It's good to see you."

"Why are you here? Did Allison spill the beans already?" Harry questioned, his frustration evident as he hurriedly untied his tie.

"She might have mentioned that your girlfriend is pregnant," Mr. Styles replied, his gaze intense. "So?"

"It's just very surprising. Is this really what you want, Harry? To have another child? To add more responsibility to the already intense load you carry?" Harry was taken aback. He felt betrayed by his own mother, as he had always considered her an innocent angel caught in a challenging relationship. Suddenly, his father seemed to have influenced her. "Because I'm sure your father and I can do something to fix this situation."

In response, Harry silently made his way to the small bar in his office and began pouring himself a glass of whiskey on the rocks. He was beyond angry.

"You don't have to stay with her, son," Mr. Styles finally spoke, his words laden with implication.