My mood was dampened after I left the coffee shop. Leaving Harry with that girl was not sitting right with me. I need to find my own apartment too, living with Ashton was not bad but I guess he needs some privacy. So it would be better if I leave him alone with his humongous apartment. My phone rang breaking my chain of thoughts and I answered using my bluetooth head set as I was driving my car. "Althea I am stranded. My car's engine is down and I am standing in the middle of no where. Please help me. I tried calling Louis but I guess he is still busy as he is not attending my phone."

"Calm down Priya. Do not panic and tell me slowly exactly what the problem is" I told her cutting her panic rambling. She took deep breaths and then told me that she is near downtown bar that is quite run down and her car is not starting. She tried calling car services and they are coming to pick it up but she is unable to get a taxi. I took a U- turn and went to the designated place. Once I reached there I saw the guy from toll service flirting with her which she wasn't appreciating.
"Priya" I called her out. She sighed relived and the guy gave a flirtatious look to me. I rolled my eyes at his obvious behavior.

"Your will soon get a call regarding your car" the guy said. She nodded and practically dragged me back to my car. Once she was in and settled she took a relived breath and said "Bad night, very bad night."

I smiled watching her so worked up "what were you doing here at this secluded area?" She sighed "Long story for some other time. For now please take me somewhere safe." I nodded and started my car "My home?" I asked. She shrugged so I started driving towards my home.

"You sure hell live in a castle" Priya exclaimed when we were coming out of the elevator at our designated floor. I laughed "Stop exaggerating Priya, it's my brothers. He is a business man what else do you expect from him. Grandeur is his specialty" She nodded and said "Sometimes I find him intimidating"

I chuckled "All this tough man look is for show. He is a softie at heart. He cried when I fall from swing and had a broken elbow back at school in Hampshire"

She laughed "Sure he is. Softies are hotties and moreover Brits are born hot, I guess." I gave her a knowing look "So you found my brother hot" I winked.
She gave a nervous laugh "Just saying" "Ahan, so you do find him hottie." I pressed few buttons outside apartment and then put my hands for finger prints testing causing the door to open. Priya was watching in awe. "Being rich have got perks. Technology and all." She said and winked.

We had just entered the apartment when an annoying voice welcome me "You are late Althea. I was worried sick, no calories are burnt in calling your brother, for God's sake." Ashton was fuming standing in the hall in just his shorts. When he saw Priya he gasped and blushed "Next time inform me when you are having company, I will dress properly and will not forget my etiquettes. Sorry ladies"
Saying that he left. I giggled and looked towards Priya who was still ogling the place where Ashton was standing few seconds ago "Earth to Priya, he left" She looked towards me and cleared her throat nervously and said "Eh, yea I know I was checking, um, I was checking the flooring" I laughed and said "Yea sure you were, the floor, with packs and muscles. Right!" She blushed being getting caught.

"Not my mistake your brother is a feast to eyes" She said. "Okay drop it. Too much information for a sister." She laughed at my awkwardness.

"Stay for dinner and help me out in cooking too please." I urged. She nodded and then we were busy preparing dinner in which surprisingly Ashton helped.

At dinner I saw Ashton stealing glances at Priya and vice versa.
I was tired of this sneak peek "Oh come on both of you. Cut the tension already. Ashton ask her out on a date. You guys are basically eye raping each other"
Ashton choked at his food and Priya snorted.

Ashton glared towards me. I shrugged. "You guys are acting obvious"

"Oh shoot, its 10.30 I am super late, I have got shift at 5.30 at morning. I must leave. Althea can you call a cab?"

"I will drop you, don't get worked up" said Ashton. "Yea the almighty super hero Ashton always helps the needy" I butted in. "We are going to have word when I return" Ashton ordered. I gave him thumbs up and when Priya went to get her bag I whispered in his ear "Give her a sweet good night kiss brother" and winked. He goes red in face. "Aww, look Ashy knows how to blush" "Stop it Althea" he groaned. I laughed at his helplessness.

Once they were out I searched online pet shops. I am very much into buying a pup or a kitten as soon as possible and knowing Ashton he will not allow me. So next step buying my own apartment which again either he or my parents won't agree. Tough battle to fight ahead. The ringing of door bell interrupted my web surfing. Without having a look at the peep hole I opened the door and saw Harry standing there looking all delectable and here I was standing looking like a clown. Please I need Cinderella magic now. Where is my fairy Godmother!

"Hi" he beamed. What is the occasion to be this happy? I thought. Nevertheless I replied "Hi!" he rubbed his nape of neck nervously which was quite amusing for me. "Is Ashton home?"He asked
"Nope. He went out to drop Priya but he will be arriving soon. Come inside have a seat." I asked him politely. He nodded and took a seat "Are you buying a pet?" He asked me looking at my laptop screen.

"Oh yea. But convincing Ashton is a tough job." He nodded deep in thought. "What do you prefer? A dog or a cat" I shrugged "Anything. I love them both" he nodded again "Look Althea. I should apologize. Lorraine was acting like a brat"

I sighed "Look Harry the girls in your life, they are not my concern. Just keep them away from me. Your colorful life and your girls are none of my concern" There was a look of hurt on his face and I immediately regretted saying this. Can't I just keep my mouth shut.

"Harry what I meant was... He did not let me complete my sentence.
"No it's okay. I am sorry. My girls won't bother you" he stressed the word My girls. There was a moment of silence amongst us. I cleared my throat and asked "Would you like to drink something. I mean tea or coffee"

"No nothing. No caffeine please I am as such insomniac" he replied.

"Oh, umm have you tried treatment. Or warm bath or warm milk" I blabbered.

He smiled "Everything. But I feel I will be sleeping contented if I have a girl in my arms sleeping by my side whom I love deeply" He said those words looking directly in my eyes. His heated gaze was making me uncomfortable, I gulped and said "Oh, hopefully you will find one" He nodded. "I hope. Insomnia is the reason why I take a girl home most of the night to f*ck. I cant sleep" I coughed awkwardly. He laughed a hearty laugh, I looked towards him confused but he was still laughing like a maniac. When his laughing fit subsides he said "You are really miss prim and proper Althea. The awkwardness you felt hearing that 'F' word was hilarious. I bet you are still a virgin."

I blushed hearing all that and my awkwardness increased. He looked seriously towards me all traces of laughter gone "Are you actually!" he asked bewildered "Did you date, I mean you do have boyfriends in the past, right?"
When I didn't reply his eyes went large. The realization hit him and then he was looking amused towards me like he has won a lottery. "Thanks for the info. You are not going anywhere now" I looked confused "Excuse me. What do you mean?"

He was about to say something when the front door open and Ashton sauntered in. "Hey mate, what brought you here?" Harry stood up and they shake hands and hugged all manly. "You forgot the deal, our business collaboration on that"

"Oh yea. Come inside study. We will discuss, as such you are insomniac. And looking at the condition, I will be sleeping late too"

"You guys are having some joint venture or something" I interjected. Ashton nodded "yea Styles and Williams are working together on a project"

I nodded "Okay I will leave you guys. Good night." And then I pick up my laptop and remember about the pets "Oh yes I forgot we need to talk Ashton" I said pointing towards the screen. He rolled his eyes and nodded.

When I entered my room I flopped on my bed and recalled the conversation that I had with Harry few minutes ago. What did he mean by saying I am not going anywhere. What does he imply and just like that thinking about those green orbs and dense curls sleep overpowered me.  

Hope you guys enjoyed 

I have dedicated this chapter to Readlove88. She has got her birthday today.

Image of Priyanka Chopraas Priya Gupta on side

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