Enticing || Chapter 54 (Patreon)

Author's note: hey everyone, here is the first chapter of enticing of the weekend. I hope you all enjoy it. I'll update you with the day of the next chapter soon. Will also be uploading pictures  of the cast just so you all have a better idea of how they look and put a face to each name. Will be doing it to all the stories. Hope you enjoy. 

In the heart of Manhattan, a chill permeated the air, signaling the imminent arrival of winter—a season as cold as it was promising for Y/N and Harry, signaling the impending birth of their baby girl. Every fiber of Y/N's being throbbed with discomfort, various aches coursing through her body. Yet, amidst the discomfort, a bittersweet sentiment lingered. The impending end of her pregnancy left her feeling wistful, her swollen belly a constant companion for months. Initially, the chaos of pregnancy had left her yearning for a different timing, wishing she could have experienced it under different circumstances. However, as she approached the culmination of this journey, she couldn't envision traversing it any other way, finding solace in the unique path they had forged.

"What do you think?" William's voice broke through Y/N's reverie, pulling her back to the present. They were deep in discussion, exploring the potential of acquiring a new company and venturing into fresh investment opportunities. Y/N blinked, refocusing her attention on the proposal before her.

"I think it's worth considering," she replied thoughtfully, adjusting her posture in the plush chair. "But we need to conduct a thorough analysis of the market trends and potential risks before making any decisions."

William nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Agreed. We'll need to crunch some numbers and have another meeting. I trust that you will take lead the team?”

William nodded, "Absolutely. We can't afford to overlook any potential pitfalls.”

Despite the impending arrival of her baby and the discomforts of late-stage pregnancy, she chose to continue working until the very last moment. The fast-paced nature of the financial industry, coupled with her commitment to her clients and colleagues, compelled her to stay engaged in her work. Additionally, Y/N wanted to ensure that her projects were properly handed over and that her team was well-prepared for her temporary absence. Balancing her professional responsibilities with the anticipation of motherhood was challenging, but Y/N's strong work ethic and sense of duty drove her to persevere until the final days before her maternity leave.

"Alright. I guess that would be it. You are all dismissed," William declared, signaling the end of the meeting. As everyone started to gather their belongings, he turned his attention to Y/N, noticing her thoughtful expression. "You seem thoughtful. Everything alright?" he inquired, observing her as she packed her papers and prepared to return to her office.

"Yeah," she nodded, offering a small smile as she continued to organize her things. Y/N met William's gaze and elaborated, "I guess I'm just reflecting a bit on my pregnancy and what's to come."

"Big changes coming. How is Harry?" William inquired, acknowledging the noticeable silence that had formed between them since their paths diverged. William was no longer included in their gatherings, as if the group had collectively distanced themselves from him. The only exception was Alessandro, who still made efforts to visit. William hadn't reached out to Harry either, fearful of facing rejection once more. He harbored a sincere desire to mend their friendship, understanding all too well how difficult forgiveness could be for Harry.

"He's fine," Y/N replied, her voice tinged with understanding. "He seems very excited about the baby, eager to meet her”.  William simply nodded in response, rising from his seat as the meeting came to a close. As he prepared to leave, Y/N's unexpected words caught his attention.

"You really should reach out. He misses you. I know he does," Y/N remarked, pushing her chair back into place against the table. "You should come to the gala this weekend."

Harry's company was hosting their annual Christmas gala, a cherished tradition that brought together employees, investors, and the board committee. It was a lavish affair, with Harry sparing no expense to ensure a memorable evening for all attendees. The gala featured games with cash prizes, and even the chance to win a car. Dinner was served, accompanied by live music, creating an atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie. Harry thrived in these moments, relishing the opportunity to interact with everyone in a relaxed setting.

"I'm not sure he wants me there, Y/N," William admitted hesitantly.

"Everyone was invited, William. We'll be there, too. Harry wouldn't have invited you if he didn't want to see you," Y/N reassured him, trying to dispel his doubts. Deep down, she felt guilty. The strained relationship between William and Harry weighed heavily on her conscience. It was her fault; she had asked William to lie for her, and he had done so without hesitation. Y/N longed for reconciliation between the two men, recognizing their similarities and the bond they once shared.

"I'll think about it," William finally said, his tone reflecting his uncertainty. Just as Y/N was about to leave, he added, "Congratulations on your engagement." She flashed him a warm smile in response before heading out.

Y/N worked until almost six, catching up on tasks that had piled up during her absence for the babymoon. Determined to keep work stress at bay, she made a conscious effort not to bring it home, wanting to fully enjoy her time off. "Goodnight!" she called out to her colleagues as she shut down her office for the day, then headed out.

Exiting the building, Y/N fished her keys out of her bag, ready to head home. Despite wearing comfortable shoes, her feet ached from the day's activities. As she made her way towards her parked car, she noticed the emptiness of the parking lot and couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched.

Unease crept over Y/N as she continued to hear the soft steps behind her, growing increasingly anxious with each passing moment. Gripping her car keys tightly, she quickened her pace, the sound of her own heartbeat echoing in her ears. Despite her apprehension, she hesitated to glance back, fear gripping her tightly.

With a racing mind, Y/N couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. As she reached her car, she fumbled with her keys, her hands trembling slightly. She finally mustered the courage to steal a quick glance over her shoulder, hoping to catch a glimpse of whoever was following her—or confirm that it was merely her imagination.

However, the darkened expanse of the parking lot revealed nothing but silence and empty spaces. No one was there. Yet, the sense of unease lingered, refusing to dissipate as she hurriedly unlocked her car and slipped inside, her heart still pounding with trepidation.

As Y/N slid into her car, she wasted no time in locking the doors and starting the engine, her hands trembling on the steering wheel. With a deep breath, she glanced once more into the rearview mirror before accelerating out of the desolate parking lot. The familiar streets of Manhattan blurred past her, but her mind remained fixed on the unsettling encounter.

Tears welled up in Y/N's eyes as she navigated through the city, her heart still racing with fear. The sense of vulnerability gnawed at her, leaving her shaken and unsettled. She couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched, the paranoia lingering like a shadow over her every thought.

With each passing moment, Y/N's grip on the steering wheel tightened, her knuckles turning white with tension. She longed for the safety and comfort of her home, a refuge from the creeping fear that threatened to overwhelm her.

As she pulled up to her townhouse, relief flooded through her veins. Hastily parking the car, Y/N practically leaped out, her breaths coming in shallow gasps. She dashed inside, locking the door behind her, the click of the deadbolt a comforting reassurance of security.

Alone in the safety of her home, Y/N collapsed onto the couch, her body trembling with residual fear. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to calm her racing heart, the echoes of her encounter still haunting her every thought.

The sight of Mrs. Johnson, the longtime maid, bustling around the kitchen offered a small comfort, but her own unease remained palpable.

Mrs. Johnson glanced up as Y/N entered, her keen eyes immediately catching the distress etched on her face. "Goodness gracious, dear, what happened?" she exclaimed, her wrinkled brow furrowing with concern.

Y/N tried to offer a reassuring smile, but her trembling hands betrayed her composure. "I... I thought I saw someone following me," she admitted, her voice wavering with fear.

Instantly sensing her distress, Mrs. Johnson nodded understandingly and bustled over to the stove, filling a kettle with water. "Sit down, dear. I'll make you a nice cup of tea. It'll help calm your nerves," she said soothingly, her voice a comforting presence in the quiet kitchen.

As the kettle began to whistle, Mrs. Johnson expertly prepared a steaming cup of tea, the fragrant aroma filling the air. She placed the cup in front of Y/N, her warm gaze offering silent reassurance.

Taking a shaky sip, Y/N felt the tension slowly begin to ease from her body. The warmth of the tea spread through her, soothing her frayed nerves and offering a momentary respite from the fear that still lingered.

"Thank you, Mrs. Johnson," Y/N said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. Despite her initial reluctance, she couldn't deny the comfort of the older woman's presence, the simple act of preparing tea a gesture of kindness that eased her troubled mind.

After her soothing encounter with Mrs. Johnson, Y/N took a few moments to collect herself before making her way upstairs. She changed into comfortable clothes, shedding the day's worries along with her work attire.

As she entered Oliver's room, a sense of calm washed over her. The soft glow of the nightlight cast a warm, comforting glow over the space, and the familiar sight of Oliver's toys and books brought a small smile to her lips.

Approaching Oliver's crib, Y/N gently lifted him into her arms, his weight a reassuring presence against her chest. She pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, breathing in the sweet scent of his.

As the evening sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow through the windows of their townhouse, Y/N busied herself with preparing Oliver for his nightly bath. She filled the small tub with warm water, adding a few drops of his favorite baby wash, the soothing scent filling the air.

Oliver giggled and squirmed with excitement as Y/N undressed him, his chubby little legs kicking eagerly in anticipation. She couldn't help but smile at his infectious enthusiasm, her heart swelling with love for her sweet little boy.

Just as she was about to lower Oliver into the water, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house, signaling Harry's return from work. Y/N glanced over her shoulder, her smile widening as she caught sight of him entering the hallway, his tired eyes lighting up at the sight of his family.

"Hey, pup," Harry greeted, his voice warm with affection as he made his way over to them. "How was your day?"

Y/N turned back to Oliver, gently lowering him into the tub as she replied, "Busy, but good. How about you?"

Harry leaned against the bathroom doorframe, watching fondly as Y/N washed Oliver's chubby arms and legs, the sound of his delighted giggles filling the room. "Long," he admitted with a tired smile. "But seeing you two makes it all worth it."

As Y/N finished bathing Oliver and lifted him out of the tub, wrapping him snugly in a fluffy towel, Harry stepped forward to help, his hands gentle as he dried their son's damp hair.

Together, they carried Oliver into his bedroom, where Y/N dressed him in his soft pajamas while Harry readied his bedtime bottle. As they settled Oliver into his crib, his eyes already beginning to droop with sleep,

After tucking Oliver into bed and sharing a tender goodnight kiss with Harry, Y/N made her way downstairs, the events of the evening still lingering in the back of her mind. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she paused, her hand hovering over the banister as she debated whether or not to tell Harry about her unsettling encounter in the parking lot.

But the fear of being perceived as paranoid or irrational held her back, and instead, she forced a smile and turned to Harry. "I'm just going to grab my purse from the car," she said casually, her voice sounding more confident than she felt.

Harry nodded, his attention already shifting to the living room where dinner awaited. "Alright," he replied, giving her a warm smile before disappearing into the next room.

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Y/N made her way to the front door, her heart pounding in her chest with each step. She pulled on her coat and stepped out into the cool night air, the familiar comfort of their neighborhood offering a small measure of solace.

As she walked briskly towards their parked car, her eyes darted nervously around the dimly lit street, half expecting to see the shadowy figure from earlier lurking in the shadows. But the street was empty, the only sound the distant hum of traffic in the distance.

Reaching the car, Y/N quickly retrieved her purse from the backseat.

Y/N's heart leaped into her throat as she watched a small piece of paper flutter to the ground from her purse, the words on it sending a shiver down her spine. For a moment, she stood frozen in place, her mind racing with a million terrifying possibilities.

With trembling hands, she bent down to pick up the paper, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps. The handwriting was jagged and uneven, the message chilling in its simplicity.

"Always watching. Coming for you two soon."