Harper's POV

It was now the middle of November me and Angelo had been hanging out for almost a month now, it only confirmed that I did have feelings for the man, but he made it clear that the time we spent together was only as friends when he suggested the idea a month ago. It made my heart ache slightly that he only saw me as a friend, but if spending time with him as friends enabled me to spend time with him, I'd take it. 

Over the last month, we'd spent a lot of time together to the point where my nan began questioning me on where I was going; I suppose spending the past six years as a recluse and suddenly spending time outside the house that didn't involve me going to work shocked her slightly.

Angelo was a great person to spend time with; he was full of exciting stories from when he was a child. Growing up in a completely different background to me he'd experienced much more as a child than I had, he told me stories about how he grew up in and around all of his father's hotels in and around the country until he finally settled in London when he was 10. However, he never mentioned his mum; it made me wonder if they had a strained relationship with her. I decided it was best to leave this particular can of worms unopened; curiosity did kill the cat.

He also told me that his father originally owned the company he owned and he had inherited it some time ago. It amazed me how much he accomplished in such a short period, the way his eyes became brighter and less cloudy when he spoke about what his plans for Deluca corporation made my heart flutter he was proud of what he'd accomplished after taking over from his father. 

I wanted to ask him about his father he was the only parent he ever spoke about and it was clear that Angelo adored the man, from the way his lips always showed a slight ghost of a smile when he talked about him. However, something inside me still held me back from asking about his dad; something didn't seem right.

The day I first met up with Angelo was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life, he'd be meeting the Harper who didn't wear make-up or tight-fitting clothes he'd be seeing the version of me that wore baggy clothes and glasses. Even though we were spending time together as friends, I was scared that he wouldn't want to be seen with someone as plain and simple as me

. However, that wasn't the case, after planning to meet up over text we settled on one of the coffee shops in town, the planning process was stressful, two ordinary people usually decided on a date, time and location and they'd meet up. Not with Angelo and me, we had to work around both of our schedule's his business one and my school and sleeping one which proved more complicated than we first thought. 

However, it went perfectly we spoke about what was going on in both our lives and the conversation never died out, he made me laugh and for the first time in a long while I had a friend, even though I secretly wanted more from this relationship.

When Angelo and I weren't spending time together, we text each other regularly, even though he refused to text me when I was in school stating that my education was more important, though he ended up confessing to me that he'd text me in a business meeting when they got too tedious for him. However, there was one Monday morning that I resented him even having my number, the day that Angelo decided to pick me up before school to take me to get coffee it was going fine until I told him I'd have to go soon to make sure I got to school on time, but Angelo had other ideas.

Flashback – Harpers POV

"How are you even functioning properly so early in the morning" I grumbled as I got in the back seat of the limo. "Years of early morning business meetings and early morning flights around the country" Angelo replied he laughed when he saw how grumpy I was.

"Coffee now please" is all I can say as I settle into the comfortable leather seats in the limo.

Five minutes later, we reach the coffee shop; it had become a regular place for Angelo and me; it was a small shop that not many people knew about it was our hidden gem. "Harper, go and get us a table while I order, you having your usual?" Angelo asks as we walk through the front door of the shop. "Yes please, I'm paying next time though," I say with an eyebrow raised trying my best to look intimidating, it fails as I hear Angelo chuckling as I make my way to an empty table.

A few moments later, Angelo walks towards our table with two mugs in his hand, placing the cups down I pull mine towards me and take a tentative sip of the hot liquid. We both sit in silence for a moment Angelo knew by now that I needed a few moments to caffeinate myself properly so that I could function like a normal human being, it had become a routine that I looked forward too. I liked being friends with Angelo, a part of me still longed for a more intimate relationship with him but sitting here with our coffee and enjoying each other's company was good enough for now.

"That's so much better; I can think properly now," I say as the coffee slowly starts to work its magic. "I'm glad you're feeling more human now, you hate mornings don't you" Angelo chuckles as he takes a sip of his latte. 

"Yes, I do, especially when I have a back to back psychology lesson in less than half an hour. I can't wait till it's all over I can finally relax for a while." I let out a deep sigh "I'm going to have to get going soon I don't want to be late for school" I felt guilty for having to leave Angelo so soon, but it's a 15-minute walk to school from here and being late isn't my thing.

"Don't worry, I'll get Craig to drop you to school, my morning business meetings don't start until 9:30 so I've got time". If I were drinking my coffee, I would have spat It all over Angelo and probably ruined the suit he was wearing, Shit how am I going to get out of this situation. I started to panic, showing up to school in a limousine is not my idea of staying as low key as possible if the school recluse suddenly turned up to school in a fancy car people were bound to start asking questions. 

"Harper, why do you look like you've just seen a ghost, are you feeling okay?" Angelo asked, he must have noticed the miniature panic attack that just went on inside my head.

"U-um yeah, I'm fine, but you can't drop me to school you'll um get stuck in traffic, I'd feel terrible if you missed your business meeting because of me" I stuttered, I could see the look on Angelo's face, and he wasn't convinced. "The meeting is past your school; I'd be driving that way anyway Harper, don't be silly it's not a problem honestly".

"You can't drop me to school Angelo I'll be fine walking honestly" I stood up to grab my things, but Angelo had other ideas. "Why not" his reply came out harsh, and it shocked me to hear him speak like that. 

I groaned internally if I tell him that I'm a social outcast and that I have one friend that happens to be him he's going to think I'm a real freak show, there's no way he'd want to be seen with me once I tell him. The look he was giving me told me whatever bull shit excuse I was about to make up wouldn't be good enough, so I sat back down in my chair and decided that honesty, in this case, would be the best policy.

"I'm the school recluse, Angelo; I have zero friends in school. I go to school to keep my head down and leave. I'm not little miss popular I'm barley even noticed and that's how I like it. If I show up in your limo people are going to start asking questions , nobody knows about Opal not even my nan , if that got out my life would be a living hell people would start assuming things and I've worked too hard to have everything crumble down at the last minute". By the time I'd finished my little speech my hands were shaking, and I felt like I was having a breakdown, I looked up at Angelo and immediately I felt my self-calm down slightly.

"I'd never let anything bad happen to you Harper, you've got nothing to be scared of. I understand that you don't want people finding out about your job, but you've got to remember that it's one of the most exclusive gentlemen's club in the country so I'm sure your secret is safe from your school's rumour mill, they probably don't even know about the club itself. I'm taking you to school and that's the end of it, if they have anything to say they can come and say it to me okay?" 

The fierceness behind Angelo's words caused a shiver to run down my spine, his eyes had gotten darker and his jaw was clenched. I tried my hardest not to stare at him, he looked dangerous and it made me want him even more. The man was driving me crazy.

I took a few moments to take in what Angelo had said and I began weighing up the pros and cons of the situation. On one hand he was right, no one would know about the club especially the exclusive suite, so I don't know why I was getting so worked up about it. However, on the other side of the coin if people found out I'd be humiliated people would assume I was a whore or a gold digger when nobody not even Angelo knew the reason why I had to work there. Maybe I'd tell him one day.

I don't know what convinced me to say yes, whether it was the look on Angelo's face and the promise he made to keep me safe or the fact that I needed to start living a little I found myself agreeing to the lift to school. I needed to stop existing and start living and maybe Angelo could be the one to help me do that.

"Fine you win you can drop me to school" I groaned as I tried to keep my anxiety under control, but in the back of my mind I knew with Angelo by my side everything would be okay. Angelo looked back at me like a cat that got to cream a heart stopping grin was plastered across his face and I couldn't help but mirror his expression as I finished of the rest of my coffee.

"We should get going, I don't want you to be late" Angelo got up from his seat and passed me my bag and helped me into my coat, the simple gesture made my heart flutter. It was becoming harder to keep thinking of Angelo as just a friend when he does all of these kind things for me, but I had to keep my feelings for him under control, I didn't want to lose this man he'd become a prominent figure in my life, even if I'd only known him for a little over a month, his friendship meant too much to me.

Walking over to the limo where Craig was waiting for us, I gave him a smile as I slid into the back of the limo and waited for Angelo to climb in behind me. Angelo gave my hand a small reassuring squeeze "You've got nothing to worry about" he whispered. I had to stop myself from gasping at the sudden skin on skin contact it made my heart race, but Angelo looked completely unfazed by the ordeal.

"Craig would you be so kind to drop Harper of at her school before my meeting this morning"

"Of course, sir" Craig replied and swiftly pulled out of the car park and began driving in the direction of school.

The drive to school was full of general chit chat about what he and I were up to today, I spoke to him about all the lessons I had that day and he told me about the few contracts he had to get signed as part of a few ongoing business deals he had going on. Angelo laughed as I told him about how I hated having psychology first thing in the morning.

As we began getting closer to school my anxiety started to rise I could already picture all the people staring at me as I got out of the limo, I was beginning to regret this decision this could all end so badly. For some reason Angelo must have noticed how anxious I was getting because he took my hand in his and began tracing little circles across my skin with his thumb. 

I had to bite back a moan I felt creeping up my throat, the feeling of his skin continuously brushing against mine was enough to make me completely forget about the fear of leaving this car in front of most of the school, he made me forget and I loved it.

Still trapped in my Angelo induced daze I barely noticed Craig pulling up inside the school gates I only fully realised where I was when the car came to a gradual stop and when Angelo let go of my hand. I took a moment to gather my thoughts, I could see all of the other students gathering in small groups to get a glimpse of the mysterious car that had parked inside the school gates. I was grateful that the windows were tinted, I knew people were going to notice me getting out of the car but for some reason I didn't want anyone seeing Angelo.

"You can't sit in here forever Harper" He chuckled as he turned in his seat to face me, I knew he was right and I was going to have to get out soon I didn't want to make him late for his meeting I couldn't let the fear of other people's opinions get in my way. "Thank you for the lift Angelo, I really appreciate it and thank you for paying for the coffee this morning" I smile at him and run my hands through my hair "I guess it's now or never" I mumble more to myself I grab my stuff and open the door. "Have a good day" Angelo says before I can get out of earshot.

"you too" I reply and with that I force myself out of the comfort of the limo and into the prying eyes of half the school's population. I kept my head held high not paying any attention to the people blatantly staring at me as I walked passed them all, I was glad the bell had rung before I decided to get out of the car, I could hide myself away in my psychology class and hope this unnecessary attention blows over quickly.

© End of flashback ©

It was Sunday afternoon and Jack had given me the night off, so I was currently lounging around the house with nothing to do, my nan had gone out with one of her friends from bingo. I was glad she was getting out of the house it isn't healthy to stay cooped up inside all the time. I laughed to myself at the thought, I was a hypocrite up until a month ago I never left the house, but now I had Angelo, the thought made me smile. My phone vibrated next to me, an even larger smile appeared on my face I already knew who it was from without even looking at the screen.

From: Angelo

To: Harper

Are you in work tonight?

From: Harper

To: Angelo

Not tonight, jack gave me

The night off. In work tomorrow, night

Though, will you be there? I'm doing 9:00

Till 1

From: Angelo

To: Harper

Of course, I'll be there I've got something

To tell you anyway.

With that we spent the rest of the day texting back and forward, having Angelo in my life really gave me a new perspective of life, he made me laugh and he filled a hole that I hadn't realised needed filling. I'd spent so long trying to avoid building bonds and relationships with people from such a young age as I had always felt the underlying fear that one day they might get taken away from me. 

With Angelo it was different, he was different he made me want to try and for the first time in a long time I didn't feel lonely I felt happy and I was going to hold onto this feeling for as long as I possibly can.

A/N

I hope you all enjoy this chapter ❤️ I'm currently in the middle of writing Fridays chapter and I promise you won't want to miss this one so remember to add Day and Night to your library so you don't miss an update !

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