Enticing 53 (Patreon)

Author's note: here is the second chapter as promised. The third chapter will not be of Enticing. The third chapter will be of Lycan.  I hope you enjoyed tonight's chapters! Let me know what you think! We are nearing the end of Enticing. I suggest you give a read to the other stories before the story ends. In case you want to continue having something to read here. 

word count: 2K

"That doesn't look right," Y/N remarked to Harry as they sat on the carpeted floor of the nursery. Oliver was perched on her lap, and a few feet away, Harry kneeled, diligently assembling the crib for their upcoming addition to the family.

"This shouldn't be so hard," Harry added, frustration evident as he consulted the instruction booklet. "I hope the rest of the furniture isn't as complicated. Maybe we should've just hired someone to do this."

"That's not a good story, is it? I'm sure she won't like knowing that her dad couldn't build her crib, so he paid someone to take care of it."

"She doesn't need to know," he chuckled, determinedly continuing to build the crib. "We won't tell her." Laughter filled the room as Y/N juggled keeping Oliver entertained and preventing him from causing chaos with her earrings and hair. The challenges of assembling furniture were momentarily forgotten in the joy of shared moments as a growing family.

As the afternoon sun streamed through the nursery window, bathing the room in a warm glow, Harry and Y/N continued their collaborative effort. Oliver, their curious and energetic toddler, was becoming increasingly interested in the assembly process, attempting to mimic his dad's movements with his tiny hands.

“There you go!” Y/N praised, her eyes twinkling with affection as she watched Harry navigate the crib's construction. He had finally gotten the hang of it.

As the last pieces clicked into place, the crib stood tall and sturdy, a symbol of anticipation for the new family member on the way. Harry and Y/N shared a triumphant look, feeling the satisfaction of overcoming a minor challenge together.

"What color do you envision for the walls?" Harry inquired, looking around the yet-to-be-decorated nursery.

"I'm not entirely sure, but I do know one thing – no pink," Y/N replied, her eyes scanning the room. "I think if we choose a more neutral color, it can evolve with her as she grows."

Harry nodded in agreement, taking Oliver from Y/N's arms. "Good thinking. I'll get started on the dresser then?"

"Sure thing. I'm heading to the kitchen to start dinner," Y/N said, planting a kiss on Harry's lips before retrieving Oliver. She knew the toddler's enthusiasm might hinder any assembly progress. "Pasta sound good?"

"Absolutely delicious," Harry replied, his attention turning to the furniture assembly task at hand.

In the kitchen, Y/N situated Oliver in his highchair, ensuring he had a clear view of the culinary action. She turned up the music, creating a lively atmosphere as she prepared dinner. Pouring herself a fizzy, fruity drink, she hummed along to the tunes, reveling in the joy of the present moment.

As Harry continued to assemble the dresser, Y/N moved around the kitchen, preparing pasta with a sense of joy and anticipation. The aroma of the sauce filled the air, blending with the lively tunes playing in the background. Oliver, entertained by the music, babbled happily in his highchair.

Once the dresser was finally assembled, Harry joined Y/N in the kitchen, wrapping his arms around her from behind. He placed a soft kiss on her neck, and she could feel his warm breath against her skin.

"Dinner smells amazing," he whispered, making her smile.

"Thank you," Y/N replied, turning around to face him. "How's the dresser?"

"Sturdy as can be," Harry assured her with a grin.

“Would you like some wine?” She asked him, “And don’t worry it won’t make me feel bad” Harry smiled as he sat down on the stools, across the kitchen island. That’s when his phone started ringing. The phone popping the happy bubble that enveloped them.

“Styles” His phone was monotoned and stern. His expression shifted from curiosity to concern as he listened to the voice on the other end. It was his security team informing him of an unexpected event.

"What's going on?" Y/N asked, noticing the change in Harry's demeanor.

"Seems like we've got a bit of a situation," Harry replied, his brow furrowing. "There's been a break-in at our old apartment. Security cameras caught someone, but the image is too blurry to make out the face."

Y/N's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and worry crossing her features. "Our old apartment? But it's empty now, isn't it?"

Harry nodded; frustration evident in his voice. "Yeah. I just don't understand why someone would break in. They're sure it's a man, but that's about all they know."

The couple exchanged a concerned glance, contemplating the unsettling news. Y/N instinctively placed a comforting hand on Harry's arm.

"What do we do?" she asked, her thoughts already racing.

Harry let out a heavy sigh, his mind spinning with thoughts as he considered their next steps. "First, you're not going anywhere. Whoever attempted to break in was obviously looking for us or something related," he declared with a firm resolve. Harry had taken precautions to keep their new address confidential, sharing it only with a select few within their trusted circle. Having experienced a break-in before, he was adamant about avoiding any potential leaks that could compromise their security.

Y/N's nerves intensified as she absorbed the weight of the situation. The thought that it might be James again, resurfacing to terrorize her, sent shivers down her spine. The stakes felt higher now, with her pregnancy adding an extra layer of vulnerability. The baby inside her had grown, but it wasn't ready to face the world.

Her fears spiraled as she imagined the worst-case scenarios. What if James had somehow tracked them down? The notion of him finding her again haunted her, and the anxiety settled deep within. The sanctity of her home, the supposed haven, now felt fragile and threatened.

Harry, sensing Y/N's distress, moved closer, wrapping a protective arm around her. "We'll figure this out, love. We won't let anything happen to you or the baby," he reassured, his voice a steady anchor amidst the rising tide of fear.

Harry's morning took an unexpected turn as he decided to visit the old apartment before heading to work. The urgency to assess the situation and ensure Y/N's safety fueled his determination. As he arrived at the vacant residence, his security team awaited, ready to brief him on the unsettling developments.

The atmosphere inside the old apartment was tense. Harry, accompanied by his security detail, observed the aftermath of the break-in. The few belongings they had left behind—a table, some furniture—were strewn about, a chaotic tableau of intrusion. The air held a heavy stillness, disrupted only by the creaking sounds of damaged items.

His security team shared their findings, detailing how the break-in had occurred and expressing concern about the blurred image captured on the security cameras. The realization that someone had invaded their space, possibly with malicious intent, fueled Harry's determination to get to the bottom of the situation.

In the wake of the break-in at their old apartment, Harry felt a heightened sense of concern for Y/N's safety. Harry met up with Bryce, the highest ranked officer of his team.

As they sat down in a private space, Harry's expression reflected the gravity of the matter. He began, "I need to ensure Y/N's safety, now more than ever. After what happened, I can't take any chances."

The security chief, a seasoned professional with a stern yet understanding demeanor, listened attentively. Harry continued, "I want someone with her at all times, especially when I'm not around. I don't want any vulnerabilities. We can't let anyone get close to her."

Bryce nodded, recognizing the importance of Harry's request. "I understand, Mr. Styles. We'll make the necessary arrangements. I'll assign a dedicated security detail to Y/N, ensuring her safety around the clock. We'll also review and strengthen the security measures at your new residence."

Harry exhaled, a mix of relief and determination coursing through him. "Thank you. I just want her to feel safe, you know? We can't risk anything, especially now."

The security chief reassured him, "Rest assured, Mr. Styles. We'll take every precaution to protect her. Our team will be vigilant, and we'll ensure her safety is our top priority."

The days were passing with the constant hum of heightened security around Y/N and Harry, yet an unsettling undercurrent of anxiety persisted within her. The weight of the past intruded into her present, casting shadows on the otherwise joyous anticipation of impending motherhood.

One evening, as she closed the blinds in their bedroom, Y/N thought she saw a shadowy figure across the street, staring back at her. Panic gripped her heart, and her mind raced to the darkest corners of her memories. She hesitated, frozen by the fear that someone from her past had found her.

"Harry!" she called out urgently, her voice betraying a mix of distress and fear. Harry rushed into the room, his concern evident. "I saw someone outside, across the street. It looked like him," Y/N stammered, her eyes wide with dread.

Harry, ever protective, immediately went to the window and peered through the blinds. "Love, there's no one there. Are you sure you saw someone?" he asked, genuine concern etched on his face.

Y/N felt a knot tightening in her chest. "I... I thought I did. Maybe I'm just being paranoid," she admitted, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her. "Sorry, I don't mean to freak out."

Harry wrapped his arms around her, offering comfort. "It's okay, darling. We'll figure this out. If you're feeling uneasy, we can talk to the security team, maybe make some adjustments. I just want you to feel safe."

In the following days, Y/N's unease lingered, manifesting in fleeting glimpses of a phantom presence. At work, she thought she spotted him in the lobby. In the grocery store, a stranger's face seemed eerily familiar. The lines between reality and her haunting memories blurred.

In the hushed ambiance of their home office, Y/N and Harry sat engrossed in their respective work, the soft clatter of keyboard keys and occasional rustle of papers filling the room. However, Harry couldn't ignore the palpable exhaustion that clung to Y/N. Sleep deprivation cast a shadow on her features, a stark contrast to the vibrant woman he knew. He observed her from across the room, a concern etching lines on his forehead.

The memories of that haunting day at the office lingered, and Harry couldn't shake the guilt that clawed at him. He regretted sharing the details with her, knowing it had resurfaced painful memories. In the quiet moments, he pondered if he should have shielded her from those haunting truths, grappling with the weight of his choice.

“Let’s go to bed” Harry blurted, interrupting the silence that had settled between them as they worked on their own tasks from their jobs.

“I can’t. I still have some stuff to take care of” She refused as she vigorously continued to type and plug in numbers into an Excel document.

“Lovie — you look extremely tired. The stress is eating you alive. This isn’t healthy for either of you” his eyes drifting down to her tummy. “Please. Come to bed”.

Y/N stared at him as she possessed the words that had just come out of his mouth. After a few seconds, she closed her laptop and turned off the lap from her desk.

“Let’s go” Harry smiled and threw an arm over her and kissed her forehead as he guided her towards their bedroom.