• Chapter Two •

Waking up the next morning, this time before my alarm could go off. I did my morning routine, finding the apartment in complete silence. Natasha is probably gone to university already, I made myself a bowl of cereal, Storm was running around doing his own thing.

After breakfast I picked out my clothes for today; a simple pencil skirt - I've never used it before - and black dress shirt with pump heels; comfortable yet classy. Maybe I shouldn't use the pencil skirt, I stood in front of my floor length mirror noticing the slight flab around my abdominal area. Shaking my head I placed the well fitting skirt back into my cupboard along with the shirt then settling on a flowy dress.

Grabbing my photography supplies, I headed off to the venue at which the gala was taking place. I parked my Mustang, glad that I don't have to travel with public transportation anymore. I smiled at the doorman as I stepped in the hotel, he tipped his hat. I was met with a grumpy receptionist and I twisted my mouth, not happy to deal with moodiness this early in the morning.

"Hi, I'm here as the assigned photographer for the fund raiser this afternoon"

"Name" she chewed on her nails and I grimaced, It looked like she was picking something out of them rather than chewing on the keratin filled bone. "Anna Montgomery" I shifted my bag to my right shoulder, the weight of it weighing me down

"Jeffrey will show you to the ballroom" she said, never taking her eyes of her hideous nails "Thank you" I turned on my heel finding a bell hop. I was taken to the ballroom and gasped upon the sight of its décor, absolutely marvellous, almost fairytale-like.

"Ah! I bet you're here from Styles inc. I'm Danté Parrish and you are?" A man dressed in a suit stood in front of me "Yes, Anna Montgomery" I shook his outstretched hand "What a beautiful name for a beautiful lady" he smiled and I pulled my hand back before he could kiss the back of my palm "Thanks" he displayed his teeth even if I literally yanked my hand away from his vice grip.

"So what do you need me to do first?" I questioned, leaving my supply bag on a chair then rolling my shoulders about to get some ease in them. That camera is heavy, Harry made it seem like a feather when he picked it up. When I turned around to face Danté, I caught him staring at my behind, I glared at him and cleared my throat.

"Right, we wanted vintage style photos for our magazine this year so we asked the best photographer and artist in the whole country to help us out. He recommended you," does this guy even know what he's saying? I already know all of this ", Anyway you can start taking pictures of the décor and of the courtyard that leads outside" he rambled on eventually leaving me alone.

I let out a breath of relief, tying my hair in a messy bun, since no one is around, I grabbed the camera which took me a while to figure out how to put the film in. I strapped the lanyard around my neck, focusing the camera in certain spots, I began my work. Pretty stupid assignment, to be honest, I guess Mr Styles told me to do this so he didn't have to see my face today. I shrugged and continued taking pictures.

In the next half hour, guests dressed in posh clothes and shiny jewelry filled the ballroom. I sighed, cracking my neck from keeping it in one position for so long. My heart ached when I watched what the fund raiser was for, so maybe these rich people are not all that snobbish. Especially what I heard next shocked the skeleton out of me.

"We would like to thank our guest of honor, Mr Harry Styles, for the generous amount of 2 million pounds that he donated towards saving these children. Give it up for Mr Harry Styles everyone" the announcer had said and I fumbled with the camera as I stood right in front, his eyes made contact with my shocked ones and for once, his were warm. I shot a picture of him on stage with other VIP members.

Okay maybe just 2 with those people but the rest were just of him, almost as if through these pictures I can understand him better. His hypnotic eyes locked with mine as he stepped off the stage, a smirk forming on his face which made me think Arrogant Styles is back.

Taking a break from the camera, I grabbed a flute of champagne, a grumble was heard and my eyes widened when I realised it was my empty stomach that begs for food. Walking over to the buffet, I munched on some cocktail sausages when I had the urge to pee.

I walked out the ballroom, once making sure that the expensive vintage camera was safe and the films were in their cases, in search of the restrooms. "Excuse me, can you show me the way to the Ladie's room?" I asked a bell hop, he pointed into a hallway and I thanked him. I hate pump heels, well without them I'd look like a dwarf.

I spotted the restroom down the hall and quickened my pace when an arm stretched out, a hand gripping onto my arm pulling me into a dark room. "God, I waited so long for you to be alone and done with that stupid camera" a mouth attached to my neck and I gasped at the sudden change in events. I recognised the voice as Danté's which made me want to gag.

I wiggled my arms about in his hold, trying to break free from his vice grip, his hand reached behind my dress pulling, more like ripping, the zip down and an immediate rush of cold air hit my skin "Get off of me" I pushed at his chest but that only made him stronger.

"Why? Don't you like me?" He sounded breathless, probably from all the biting he did to my neck, ouch that hurt. "Like you?" I scoffed "I hardly know you now get off of me before I kill you" he laughed at my threatening tone. I rolled my eyes, lifting my leg allowing my knee to make contact with his groin. He dropped to the floor as a groan escaped his mouth, "Serves you right" I lifted my foot, kicking him on his side, grateful of heels for them being like sharp pencils.

Why did this happen? Are men so disgusting?

I rushed out the room, my arms around my back holding my torn dress to my skin, walking as fast as my heels could take me to the restroom. I ran to the mirror, finding blue marks around my neck and collarbone. I feel so dirty. Why did this happen to me? I cupped my hand filling water in it before rubbing my wet hand along my neck, to rid myself off Danté and his disgusting touch.

I gathered my breath and stepped out the restroom only to gasp upon the person in front of me "What happened to you?" His eyes widened. So he cares? "Nothing" I pushed pass him, he gripped my arm and I hissed in pain, his hand letting go of me. I looked at my arm to find handprints from when Danté grabbed me. "Who did this to you?" He sounded concern "None of your business" I started walking again when I was pulled back and a coat was draped over my back

What the fuck?

"Now tell me what happened?" He ordered "Like I said, it's none of your business, Mr Styles. I can handle myself" I stood tall as my hands gripped on my dress. "You're my employee and you're my responsibility" I'm sorry what? He crossed his arms when a door behind him opened revealing a sweaty and red faced Danté. I looked over Harry's shoulder with wide eyes, Danté spotted me and took determined steps towards us "You bitch" he shouted

I took a step back, my hands now gripping the lapels of Harry's coat "He did this to you?" Harry questioned and I cowered under his intense gaze, meekly nodding I hung my head when I heard a crack. Looking up Danté had his hand covering his nose as Harry swung his arm about. "Don't you have any respect?" I gasped realising Harry punched Danté in the face and I couldn't help but giggle.

But did Harry just stand up for me?

"Who is this? Your lap dog?" Danté groaned "What? No?" Harry scoffed and I rolled my eyes "Listen here, you pervert, touch me one more time and I won't hesitate in shoving my heel up your ass" Harry faced me with wide eyes "Wait" he said and I spoke "Like I said, I can handle myself, Mr Styles" I handed his coat back to him, loving the stunned expression on his face.

I sneaked back into the ballroom, going unnoticed, I collected my stuff, thankfully my bag was already packed so I didn't have to do it with one hand. With my arm still around my back that held my torn dress to my body, I power walked out the hotel and into my Mustang. I blew out a breath of relief when I reached my apartment.

Running inside, of course I locked the door first, I stepped into my room and had a shower. Today was eventful, I got to see the kind side of Harry Styles even if it was for a few seconds, my dignity would have vanished into thin air if I wasn't learned in self defense, Harry stood up for me and I don't know why but I couldn't stop smiling at the thought. Even if it was for a little while.

Well this chapter just went downhill. What'd you think of it? Don't forget to vote. I think I shouldn't have put this in the chapter, it was too soon but Harry had to give off some emotion towards her. God I feel this whole starting was so rushed. Ugh!

As always all the love x