I realized I keep on making Anna check up on the preparations for exhibitions every "Saturday" in this book and I don't actually have one lmao. Time for that. I mean yeah, they've been happening in the background.

• Chapter Seventy Seven •

I sat in my office, swinging my pen up and down like a seesaw between my forefinger and thumb. My mind was lost as a million thoughts flooded it, drowning me into an overthinking abyss. The sound of crying broke my trance and I looked up to find Courtney running out of Harry's office, tears streamed down her cheeks as she weeped. I got off my seat and made my way into his office, "What was that about?" I gestured to a crying Courtney "What? Courtney?" I nodded, Harry's nonchalant expression never fails to amaze me. I stepped further into his office and he flipped through the file in his hand, making side notes on a piece of paper "I fired her" My eyes widened at his response

"Why?" I shrieked and he rolled his eyes "She was not employed by either Gemma or me therefore someone who isn't instated by us shall be retrenched. It's a rule, Anna" He said in a tired voice, rubbing his eyes since Noah kept us up the entire night. Noah's teething has really taken a toll on him and Harry. "That's understandable but what did you say to her? She was bawling her eyes out" I took a seat on the recliner in his office "Nothing that I wouldn't say to any of my other staff" He shrugged, I watched his tongue dart out to lick his lips while his eyes traveled to my bare legs "Hey, Mr hormonal" I snapped my fingers in mid-air to grab his attention "Hmm, what?" He shook his head as if he just wasn't caught gawking at me.

I held back a giggle, "You're going to have to wait a few more days" I reminded him and he groaned "Can there not be an injection that you women can take so that your periods can stop?" I walked over to him and sat on his lap, his arms went around my waist "There is one, it's called menopause." I laughed as Harry rolled his eyes "You'll survive a few days without sex, Harry" I patted his cheek and his lips stretched into a smile "I really ruined you, didn't I?" I frowned "What do you mean?" He chuckled and pecked my lips "You're practically a monster now, there's no innocence left" He pointed out and I rolled my lips into my mouth, realizing it's true.

"I am innocent" I lied, knowing at the back of my mind the amount of erotic books I've read "Yeah? Then explain to me as to how you learnt to give a blowjob?" Harry raised his eyebrow, his crude choice of words made my insides flip over and above "There's nothing to hide, babe. I've seen the collection of books you and your sister read. They were very interesting and rather informative" Harry smirked and I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment "I can explain that" I started only to trail off, my tongue felt thick as I couldn't form a single coherent sentence to defend myself and my sister. "I find it very sexy not embarrassing. It just showed that you're not one who throws herself at a guy which is what I admire about you, I've told you this before"

Harry's hand rubbed up and down my back and I sighed "It's absolutely embarrassing" I let out a soft laugh and he pecked my temple "Don't be" He squeezed my side and I sunk further into his embrace. "Am I going to get an answer to my question the other night?" Harry whispered and I tensed "I need to think about it" I answered in a small voice, hoping I didn't disappoint him "Take your time, I'll wait. I'll wait for however long it takes" Harry said, the compassion in his voice made my body melt. Eventually, I left his arms causing him to whine, "We're still going to be together later on. I think you can survive another four hours" I chuckled and headed back to my office not before kissing him quickly.

As I shut my office door, I leaned against it. My mind traveled back to three nights ago when Harry asked me something that made my entire being freeze. I couldn't make sense of the situation until he shook my shoulders, after hearing those words tumble out his lips. It's a big step but I don't know if I'm willing to take that as yet. If I said I wasn't expecting him to ask me something like that, then I'd be deceiving myself. Taking that step with Harry solidifies our relationship, making this for the long run, no turning back. "Anna, are you in there?" I jumped on the spot, startled hearing Gemma's voice from behind the other side of the door. I turned around and opened it to reveal her standing there with Noah in her arms.

I noticed the stricken look on her face, "Hey, is there something wrong?" I became worried seeing a sleeping Noah and instinctively reached my hand out to check his temperature in case he fell ill "No, everything is fine. There's nothing to worry about but Shawn and I are flying back to LA in an hour due to an emergency" I nodded and she handed Noah over to me, I began swaying gently to keep him asleep "Raiza had the day off so we were babysitting him and I've already told Harry, he said he'll come to take you home soon" I nodded again in understanding "That's no problem and have a safe flight" I smiled at Gemma, her brows were creased into worry and she hugged me before walking away, I didn't pry into her problems.

I placed Noah's bag onto my desk and took a seat on the couch in my office, I stroked my hand along his back in a soothing manner as soft snores left the infant. I cursed under my breath when I heard the phone ring, I placed Noah onto the couch, boxing him in before attending to the beckoning device. "Hello?" I answered in a whisper only to hear Louis' voice on the other side "Is Harry there? I've been trying to call him for the last hour" Louis said in a tired voice and I could hear the slight chatter on his end "He is but he had a meeting so I think he's still busy with that. Is it something important, I can take a message if you want?" I offered "No, it's okay, I'll talk to him later. Thanks Anna" Louis said and cut the call before I could even say anything. Rude much.

An hour passed as I waited for Harry, I busied myself in sorting out the filing on my desk then moved on to updating the gallery's website for the annual exhibition which is in two days. This is the one that Harry actually attends, it's a completely private event. All the other exhibitions that were planned weren't of much importance, those were like visiting a museum to look at the various artefacts. However, the art pieces are sold to people that have no idea what to do with their money. That's basically how Styles Inc brings in their revenue.

Did y'all really think that, evil me, would actually put what Harry said? Suspense is what makes a book, my dear ones. I hope you enjoyed it. Ily.

My parents stopped me from studying :/ stupid hypertension. But guess who sneakily wrote chapterssss