Enticing 56 (Patreon)

Author's note: Exam week is officially over! The good news is that I've done really well and I am very proud of myself. Here is a chapter of Enticing. Things are going to get complicated!  Hope you enjoy. 

word count: 2.3K

The gala was more extravagant that Y/N had foreseen it. The ballroom shimmered with a thousand lights, casting a golden glow over the elegantly dressed guests. The air was filled with the sound of laughter and conversation, mingling with the soft strains of music that floated from the live band on the stage.

Harry's annual Christmas gala was always a lavish affair, but this year he had outdone himself. The room was decorated in opulent shades of gold and silver, with towering Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights and shimmering ornaments.

As Y/N entered the ballroom on Harry's arm, she couldn't help but be awestruck by the grandeur of it all. She was dressed in a stunning floor-length gown of midnight blue, the fabric flowing elegantly around her as she moved.  Her hair was styled in an elegant up do with a few pieces of hair out that framed her face, and a simple necklace adorned her neck.

Harry, dressed in a classic black tuxedo, looked every bit the dashing host as he led her through the crowd. His eyes shone with pride and happiness as he greeted guests and introduced Y/N to his colleagues and friends.

The ballroom was abuzz with excitement as guests enjoyed champagne and hors d'oeuvres, mingling and dancing to the music. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the promise of a night of celebration and joy.

The moment Violet stepped into the grand foyer of the gala, her eyes immediately sought out Y/N. The smile that broke across her face was radiant, her eyes widening in delight at the sight of her friend.

"Oh my god! Look at you!" she exclaimed, crossing the room in quick strides to reach Y/N. Her gown, a vision of elegance in soft ivory, swayed gracefully with each step.

Y/N couldn't help but return the enthusiastic hug, feeling the warmth and familiarity of Violet's embrace. "It's so good to see you, Violet," she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness.

"You are glowing," Violet continued, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Pregnancy suits you"

Y/N chuckled, feeling a blush creep into her cheeks. "Thank you," she replied, feeling a surge of gratitude for the genuine compliment. “I honestly just want her out already”

Michael, ever the gentleman, followed closely behind Violet, a warm smile on his lips. "You look stunning, Y/N," he said, his eyes twinkling with warmth.

“Who let you in?” Harry asked Michael, “I explicitly told security not to let assholes in” Michael left out a soft laughed and hugged Harry. “Violet” he smiled, pulling Violet into a friendly hug. "It's good to see you both.”

"Harry!" Violet exclaimed, returning the hug with equal enthusiasm. "You look dashing as always.”

"Thank you, Violet," Harry replied with a smile, his eyes flickering with genuine warmth. "And you look absolutely stunning tonight.”

As they continued to chat and catch up, Harry slipped his hand into Y/N's, his touch a comforting presence. They talked about the upcoming arrival of their baby girl, sharing stories of nursery preparations and the excitement of becoming parents.

The conversation came to a halt by arrival of another person. It was William, his usually confident demeanor tinged with nervousness.

He had been debating with himself for hours, rehearsing the words he wanted to say to Harry. The fear of rejection loomed heavy on his mind, knowing that he had hurt his friend deeply.

Taking a deep breath, William stepped closer, his eyes flickering between Harry and Y/N. He cleared his throat, drawing their attention.

"Harry, Y/N," William greeted them, his voice a touch uncertain. "I hope I'm not intruding.”

Y/N turned to face him, a polite smile on her lips "Not at all, William. It's good to see you here, Thank you for coming" she replied, her tone very polite.

Y/N sensed the tension in the air and glanced between the two men, her heart aching at the strain she could feel emanating from Harry. She knew how much this moment meant to William, and she silently hoped for the best.

William returned her smile, grateful for her friendly gesture. "I've been... well, trying to make amends," he admitted, his gaze flickering briefly to Harry.

Harry's expression remained unreadable, his eyes guarded as he watched William carefully. The silence between them stretched, filled with unspoken tension and unresolved emotions.

"I... I wanted to apologize, Harry," William finally spoke, his voice slightly shaky. "For everything that happened before. I know I messed up, and I'm truly sorry."

As William spoke, his voice filled with genuine remorse and a plea for forgiveness, Harry's heart softened. He could see the sincerity in his old friend's eyes, the weight of his regret evident in every word.

Before William could finish, Harry found himself unable to hold back any longer. With a surge of emotion, he stepped forward and pulled William into a tight hug, surprising both William and himself.

William was taken aback by the sudden embrace, feeling a rush of relief flood through him. He returned the hug just as tightly, feeling the weight of guilt lifting off his shoulders.

“It’s all good” was all Harry said before letting him go.

Y/N watched the scene unfold with a sense of warmth and happiness. Seeing her two friends embrace and reconcile filled her with a sense of hope and joy.

As the music swirled through the elegant ballroom, Harry couldn't resist the urge any longer. He extended his hand to Y/N, his eyes filled with a warm and inviting smile.

"May I have this dance?" he asked, his voice low and filled with affection.

Y/N's heart skipped a beat at his request, a soft blush rising to her cheeks. She placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth of his touch as he led her to the center of the dance floor.

"Of course," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

The soft crooning of Frank Sinatra filled the air as Harry pulled Y/N close, his hand resting gently on the small of her back. Y/N placed her free hand on Harry's shoulder, feeling the strength and warmth of his embrace.

They swayed together in perfect harmony, lost in the music and the moment. The world around them seemed to fade away as they moved together, their bodies pressed close, their hearts beating as one.

Harry looked down at Y/N, his eyes filled with love and tenderness. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have her in his arms, to call her his partner, his love.

“I can’t wait to call you my wife” he whispered, his voice barely audible over the music.

"I don't think I've ever loved anyone as much as I love you," Y/N replied, her voice barely above a whisper. The words tumbled out, filled with the overwhelming emotion that surged through her.

Harry's heart swelled with joy at her words, his eyes locked on hers, filled with all the love he held for her. He gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, his touch tender and loving.

The night unfolded in a whirlwind of laughter, music, and celebration. Harry and Y/N danced the night away, their hearts overflowing with joy and love. They moved across the dance floor with effortless grace, lost in each other's eyes and the enchanting melodies of the music.

As the evening progressed, Harry found himself called upon to give a speech.

"Good evening, everyone," Harry began, his voice carrying across the room with a warm, inviting tone. The chatter died down as all eyes turned to him, eager to hear his words.

"I just wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for being here tonight," Harry continued, his eyes scanning the room with appreciation. "This gala is a celebration of the incredible work that each of you does every day. It's because of your dedication, passion, and hard work that we are able to achieve such great success."

The room erupted into applause, the sound echoing off the walls as Harry smiled, his heart swelling with pride. He could see the faces of his employees, their eyes shining with happiness and pride.

"I also want to take a moment to thank our investors and board members for their continued support," Harry added, acknowledging the important role they played in the company's success. "Your belief in our vision and your unwavering support have been instrumental in our growth and achievements."

As the applause died down, Harry's gaze turned to Y/N, who stood beside him with a radiant smile. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, her eyes sparkling with love and pride.

"And lastly, I want to thank my fiance, Y/N," Harry said, his voice filled with emotion. "You are my rock, my inspiration, and my greatest joy. I am endlessly grateful for your love, support, and unwavering belief in me.” The room fell silent as Harry's words filled the air, the love and admiration for Y/N palpable in the room.

"To all of you, thank you," Harry concluded, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey, and here's to many more successes and celebrations together."

The room erupted into applause once again, the sound of cheers and laughter filling the air.

"What?" Harry smiled, finishing his glass of champagne as he made his way towards Y/N, who stood proudly in the crowd, clapping happily. Her cheeks were flushed, and a wide smile graced her lips. She glanced around the room, checking for any prying eyes.

"You're embarrassed?" Harry teased, a playful glint in his eyes as he noticed the blush on her cheeks.

"Just a bit," Y/N giggled, feeling a rush of warmth as Harry pecked her lips. She wasn't accustomed to being the center of attention, especially in such a public setting. Y/N certainly hadn't expected to be so publicly acknowledged.

"I embarrassed you?" Harry teased, his arms wrapping snugly around her waist, drawing her close. He nuzzled into the crook of her neck, placing soft kisses along her skin, eliciting a delighted giggle from her as his stubble lightly tickled her.

Y/N could feel the warmth of his breath against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. She tilted her head slightly, granting him better access, enjoying the playful intimacy between them.

The moment was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing behind them. Harry's smile faltered, then vanished altogether as he turned to see his mother and father standing there, looking somewhat serious.

"Mother. Father," Harry greeted them, his tone chilly as he kept Y/N close beside him, a protective arm around her waist. "What are you doing here?"

"We are investors. What do you think? We were invited," Richard replied, his voice stiff.

"I know," Harry said, his gaze unwavering. "It's just... this is the first time you've ever attended. I'm surprised. What do you usually say? You don't mix well with the common people?"

Richard's jaw tightened, but he chose not to respond. The gala had always been Harry's idea, a tradition he'd started since becoming CEO. Richard had never approved of the event, finding the concept of praising workers for doing their job somewhat distasteful. In his mind, they were paid for their work, and that should be enough.

However, as Harry glanced at his parents, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment. Their absence from previous galas hadn't gone unnoticed, and now their sudden appearance felt more like an intrusion.

Harry hadn't forgotten their last encounter, the memory vivid in his mind. The way his parents had tried to pressure him into leaving Y/N and their unborn daughter was something he couldn't shake off easily. The tension between them had been palpable, their disapproval hanging heavy in the air.

“How long do you have left?” Jacqueline finally spoke and addressed Y/N.

"A few weeks," Y/N responded, her voice measured. She wasn't ready to delve into specifics, especially after Harry had recounted everything she had said. She felt the need to keep them at arm's length, to protect herself and their unborn child.

"Do you know the gender?" his mother inquired, the question innocent enough on the surface.

"What do you want?" Harry interjected, cutting off any opportunity for Y/N to respond. His tone was firm, a subtle warning not to push further. He knew his parents well enough to anticipate their next line of questioning.

Y/N glanced at Harry, a silent communication passing between them. She could see the protective glint in his eyes, the unspoken message to handle this delicately.

“Nothing. We just wanted to catch up” Jacqueline explained.

“Well, since you're here, let's try to enjoy the evening," Harry said, the tension in his voice palpable. "Excuse us.”

With that, he turned away, guiding Y/N away from his parents towards the dance floor. He could feel their eyes on them, the disapproval practically radiating from them. But Harry refused to let their presence ruin the night.