Harry Styles

Something shifted in me after that run-in-incident with Kensington at the hospital. That was the second time it happened ever since the afterparty that Niall had. I tried so hard to make it go away but it just bugged me. It made me want to reach out to her and just talk to her more. The need to know her was so fucking strong that it burned me.

And kept me up at night.

It was five am. I woke up to the rain as it heavily banged on my windows. I exhaled through my mouth as I turned on my side and grabbed my phone, still plugged in to charge. The brightness almost made me go blind and even at the lowest setting it was way too strong. My thumb instantly clicked on the Mail icon and so my inbox loaded and laid out all the unread emails I had received. Right away, I went to create a new draft.

From: Harry Styles <[email protected]>

To: Renleigh Kensington <[email protected]>

Kensington,

It's so fucking early and I don't even know why I'm emailing you. I also never swear. Not in emails, anyway. It's raining so bad and I left my car outside of the garage and so I already know I'm going to have to get it cleaned. Rich people problems, huh? I can see why people hate my kind.

"What the fuck, Harry..." I mumbled to myself as I read over the sentences and then exited the email. It saved as a draft but I didn't even care to delete it properly. "Fucking hell," I sighed after I closed my phone and hid my face in the palms of my hands.

I hated that she was the first person I wanted to text – or, well... email. Right as I woke up, she was the first person on my mind. Literally out of everyone I knew. Her. It frustrated me greatly because it was highly unlikely that the thought of me even crossed her mind at all.

Did I develop a crush on her? Because I surely fancied her. That took a hell of a lot to admit, even to myself, so I didn't want to push down and hide that feeling from myself. I didn't plan on ever telling Kensington about it, she most likely would have laughed in my face and I wouldn't have blamed her. We never really got on so for me to suddenly turn up at her work to tell her I liked her... that would be pretty fucking weird.

But so was the fact that she constantly sat on my mind. I wasn't used to being so hung up on anyone, I haven't had a proper girlfriend in ages. The last time I was in a relationship, I was still at university and let's just say, I got played. Big time. Annoyingly, I was the one to fall too hard every single time.

Example of this could be the current situation. My feelings were already stronger than hers, I already crossed a line I never knew I would. And that had to stop right then and there. She was no way in hell ever going to look at me anything other than her competition so this little crush of mine needed to be buried away.

But not after stalking the fuck out of her social media.

And man, was it a good idea... no. It fucking wasn't. Because if it did anything, it sure as hell wasn't giving me the closure I needed. It just caused my already fragile feelings to light on fire and grow into something bigger.

I always thought Kensington was hot. And I still do. But as I went through her Instagram feed, filled with selfies and many outfit photos which looked very high quality, it struck me that she was more than hot. She was gorgeous. Beautiful, even. Her eyes looked so serious and rich in colour with them being greener on some whilst on others the brown came out more. Most of the photos were of her in suits – well, more professional looks. Work trousers and a few dresses here and there. I scrolled back as far as her outfit to our date in Italy. God. She looked stunning.

My thumb lived its own life when it double tapped the photo and I felt my heart go mad. Like, it literally started to beat louder and faster. I was so embarrassed even though I had done it on purpose. I couldn't quite believe it made me feel so... weird. It was a fucking like on a social media app.

So, to make the situation worse, I followed her.

I made myself laugh with that one because soon after, I had a direct message. From her.

renleighkensington: why the hell are u stalking me on social media too

harrystyles: good morning to you too x

She read the message but didn't reply. I knew she wouldn't reply. She constantly played hard to get and I enjoyed a cheeky chase.

harrystyles: how come you're up so early?

renleighkensington: could ask u the same

harrystyles: the rain woke me up

Fucking hell Harry. She was probably not arsed. At all. Yet I told her, anyway. I had a feeling she fucking laughed at me. When she didn't respond but she read it, I knew I was right. And I wanted to crawl six feet under the ground.

harrystyles: first you ignore my email and now my messages

harrystyles: rude

Double text. I fucking double texted her. Who the fuck did I think I was?

renleighkensington: i'm not about to fucking kill someone on the road just to answer your messages

harrystyles: wait, what

harrystyles: you're on your way to... where, exactly? it's half past 5 in the morning

renleighkensington: i just got to work so don't bother me anymore, cheers

harrystyles: you are fucking mental

harrystyles: i can see you reading these messages

harrystyles: might make a stop at your work before i go mine

renleighkensington: don't u dare show your face at my office

renleighkensington: i'm gonna write a note and inform everyone not to let u inside the building

harrystyles: you wouldn't do that

harrystyles: quit ignoring me and follow me back

harrystyles: yes i'm definitely gonna go in and see you before work

renleighkensington: u seriously need to fuck off

harrystyles: fuck you, you mean

renleighkensington: u and your dick need to stay away from me

harrystyles: that's so rude! what did we ever do to you

renleighkensington: just searched up how old u are

harrystyles: and?

renleighkensington: i was right... u are literally 5

harrystyles: rude

renleighkensington: mhm... google is right

renleighkensington: u've been calling me rude ever since i dmed u and u are talking about your dick as if it was an actual person. please tell me why haven't i blocked u yet

harrystyles: triple ouch

harrystyles: anyway i'll see you around eight xx

And then I closed the app because I knew I would have carried on talking to her more. Trust me, there was nothing more that I wanted than that but I was also supposed to distance myself from her.

Or was I?

Obviously, I knew she would never feel the same but I could try, right? It wouldn't hurt anyone. Well, maybe me. But I was a big boy, I could deal with it. I have done before so it was worth the shot. And, until I got hurt badly, I knew I would never stop. Experimenting was important to me, otherwise I would never be able to find out what I can and cannot do.

Eventually, I made it out of bed and into my bathroom where I had gotten ready then went downstairs to make myself a nice breakfast. I had a personal trainer and also a pretty serious diet plan – which thankfully included cheat meals – so I always knew what I was going to eat.

I stood in my boxers with one hand on my waist whilst the other one scratched my stomach just where I had a tattoo. A loud yawn escaped my lips as I heard paws against the kitchen floor and then felt a warm body against my leg. I chuckled lowly as I lifted my hand off of my side and placed it on Dax's head to scratch it a little.

"Have you done your thing, buddy?" I mumbled even though I knew he would never be able to answer me properly. He pushed his head in the palm of my hand as he asked for more attention. Dax was a needy dog and not many people believed me when they were told until they actually met him. The reason why that happened every single time might have been due to the fact that he was a massive Blue Great Dane. But in his case, not everything is about the outside and looks. He was the sweetest dog I have ever met or owned. "Oh, fuck," I quickly moved the pan off of the hot stove when my eggs started to burn a little and put it on my plate.

It was around seven when I left my house with a green smoothie in the cup holder of my car. I had my playlist playing as I sat in my suit and my laptop open on the passenger seat next to mine. I had to download a lengthy document and for some reason it was taking the piss. It was for this random meeting that I had scheduled for quarter past eight. I was only informed of it this morning therefore I was not prepared for it but thankfully I had two capable assistants who knew what to do.

Before I got to work, my cousin texted me to make sure our lunch was still on for today and also my neighbour who usually looked after my dog when I was at work all day.

"Right, what do I need to know for this meeting?" I asked Charlotte once she met me on the ground floor and we took the lift up to my office together. My mind was already too busy and focused on work that nothing else seemed to have place in there. And then my assistant began to fill me in and new and fresh ideas popped up in my brain that busied me until we had to attend this 'emergency' meeting.

Needless to say, but by the time I got to my lunch date, I really had no idea where my head was at. I never had meetings longer than three hours and so because this one almost reached that time limit, I wanted to off myself. I had two more after lunch, literally back to back and the simple thought of them made the hairs stick up on my body.

For someone who wanted to become a CEO all of his life, I sure moaned a lot about my duties.

When the clock turned to five pm, out of nowhere, I realised I told Kensington I would go see her at eight. In the morning. And it was five. In the afternoon. I was nine fucking hours late. Then again, that meeting in the morning wasn't planned and since it was quite important – it turned out to be in the end – I couldn't have missed it.

I was close to running out of my office and down to my car to drive over to her building then I realised we were nothing. Like, not a couple, not friends, not anything. For all she knew, I could have been joking in the morning. Plus, she never liked me going over to her. She didn't particularly enjoy my company – not that hers was any better than mine. I mean, her company was nice... but she could be, well, rude. But that was because she didn't like me and didn't want to be around me.

Or who knew.

I sure as hell didn't. I also had no idea why I began to make up excuses for her. She most likely didn't need them as she had enough of those for herself. Nevertheless, even knowing that, I still wanted to see her. I said I would.

harrystyles: are you at work? x

God. Was I desperate? Maybe. But I really liked her. Even though she could be annoying. And she didn't like me. And whatever I wanted would never become reality. But trying seemed like an ok idea to work on. If I never try, I'll never know, right? Right.

She never answered which gave me war flashbacks to Italy when I never got a reply to my email. She was terrible at answering. But it was probably only to me. Not that I should complain because although she never confirmed she'd accompany me to dinner, she did turn up and she looked really good.

Probably the best she ever looked. Or maybe that was just the first time I ever really looked at her. The images of her in the silk dress and high heels, soft skin, delicate yet confident moves never quite left my brain. That night truly changed the way I thought about her and the way I looked at her. It really was the start of my little crush developing on her.

renleighkensington: where else would i be?

harrystyles: true. you never not work

harrystyles: so um I never went to see you this morning because something came up but I have no more meetings for today other than a few emails to sort out and was just wondering if you wanted to grab a coffee quick?

renleighkensington: sure

Wait... what?

Is she serious?

renleighkensington: i cba driving tho so come in your car

renleighkensington: i wanna see it anyway i heard it's nice

harrystyles: alright, sweet. I'm leaving now then

The grin on my face was embarrassingly hard to wipe off. I couldn't get rid of it. When I informed Jamie of where I was going – because we passed each other in the halls – he just smirked at me and said 'have fun, boss' as if I was going to get laid or some shit. If it was up to Kensington, I would die without having sex one last time. In all honesty, her name and that activity in the same sentence was something I didn't think of before.

Once I got to her building, I was about to message her on Instagram but I noticed she was already outside. She stood out like a sore thumb in her dress pants and white blouse, her hair all over the place as the wind was quite strong today. I couldn't believe this woman stood outside without a coat. It was bloody freezing and the sky was almost as grey as the asphalt, ready to let go of all the rain that it held.

I drove up to the curb which wasn't allowed probably because all the cars parked in the car park once I entered the street to the building. I stopped the car, the engine still on, as I flashed the lights twice at her and she got the memo as she walked towards me. Kensington pulled on the door handle and it didn't open at first because the lock was on. It made me chuckle when she gave me a disapproving look and then I let her in.

"Good afternoon," I greeted as she sat in the car. Her perfume hit me right in the face. It was strong and a fucking ton, it was kind of overpowering but it matched her personality. "How many bottles of perfumes have you used today?"

"First of all, it's not a good afternoon, second of all, it's way too fucking hot in this car and third of all, I only used two today. Usually it's five," she commented as she buckled her seatbelt in. Her voice was very serious and for a short second, I couldn't decide whether she was serious or not. She looked at me as I stared at the side of her face, her contour and bronzer, a little bit of blusher and highlight accentuating her features. "I'm kidding."

"I know," I said quickly. "I'm just still in shock that you agreed to this."

"That makes two of us," she mumbled. "Anyway. I need to ask, where do you get your coffee from?"

"I don't drink coffee that much but I usually just go to whatever's closest. Why?"

"Just wondering... don't think I could hang out with someone who drinks Starbucks."

"Oh, shit," I laughed as we were on the way... to anywhere, but Starbucks. "What did they do to you?"

"Nothing. I just find their coffees to be average and insanely overpriced. I make better myself."

"Is that an indirect invitation for me to go over and taste it?"

"It's a fiver. A tenner if you sit in my home," she joked and I couldn't help the smirk on my face. What was even happening? Where was the woman who couldn't stand me?

"A tenner for an experience like that?" I asked back, slightly shocked as I put on the act. "Expect me there every day."

"Seventy quid a week and two-hundred and eighty a month is something I can work with. We shall negotiate and I'll get you a contract to sign."

"That's a good business deal to you?" I laughed.

"For a cup of coffee? Yes," she said and sounded very serious. It gave me the feeling that she would write a contract for a relationship, too. I bet she wrote one for her family. At least, I wouldn't have put it past her. "So, did you find enough inspiration from my account this morning?"

"What do you mean?"

"There had to have been a reason for you to go through my pictures," I looked at her as she said that and right in that moment, she looked away from me. It was very much as if I had caught her staring at me or something. But then again, I didn't want to give myself false hope.

"Can I not just lurk?"

"Alright, fair enough," she hummed. "I hope you know it caused a bit of commotion, though."

"Ah, let me guess," I laughed softly. "The media caught onto it?"

"Mhm."

"Ah, well," I shrugged. "At least they have something to talk about."

"You seem strangely ok with us getting talked about as if we had something going on... last time I checked, we cannot stand each other," she spoke, but probably mainly for herself. Because I didn't have that strong dislike towards her as I used to.

"What does it matter what they say if we know the truth ourselves?"

"If I remember correctly, which is quite hard actually, you seemed to have a problem with it when I got a bit carried away with my JD at the afterparty a few weeks back," she caught me out with that one but nothing I couldn't recover from. Thankfully, I mastered my facial expressions and I had no trouble hiding the fact that she almost knocked me down.

"That would have been negative press whereas this is pretty positive, if I say so myself."

"Perhaps the rumours are true – you do have a way with words," she admitted and it made me smirk. For a few moments, the only thing that filled the silence was the ticking noise of the blinker. "And also, your car is nice. I'm kind of jealous."

"Oh, wow, thanks, love," I said as I soaked myself in the jokey compliments. Then again, she always seemed so serious about cars, I wondered if she knew a lot about them or if she just liked the look of them. Maybe the power these vehicles held made her feel the same power. "I wasn't too sure on the red leather interior then I searched up a shit ton of pictures of it online, went to see a few in real life and thought I had to get it custom made."

"I really like the black exterior and red interior. Especially for your car. I mean, I couldn't imagine owning a BMW but it is gorgeous."

"What car do you have?" I asked. "Other than your Lambo."

"Well, I have the red Lambo and a white F-Type. I used to have a Mercedes but I kind of got bored of it and gave it to my brother."

"You have a brother?" I asked back. I was more shocked at that than the fact that she had two sport cars.

"Yes. Why is that surprising?"

"It's just... you never talk about your family. As far as I'm aware, the media doesn't even know about it."

"My family is part of my private life therefore nothing that strangers should know. I never felt the need to include them in my career, mainly because my parents and my brother told me they wanted no part in it. I understood and respected their decision," she explained and it made sense. My family wasn't really a main focus, either. Obviously, it was impossible to keep their existence out of the spotlight because our parents already had a name and were very much talked about.

"That makes sense... so, is he younger or older?"

"Younger."

"Ah, right... I have a younger brother, but you know that. And a sister. But you also know that."

"How is your brother, anyway?"

"He is better. Once I took him home, he was fine, thank you for asking," I smiled as the car stopped under us once we arrived at the final destination. Then, out of nowhere, the rain began to cover the windows of my car and I groaned. "Fabulous."

"I love the rain," Kensington blurted out randomly which made my head snap towards her. She didn't seem like someone who did. "Alright, whoever gets in last pays for the coffee," and then she was out of my car as I sat in there, completely stunned for multiple reasons.

I had no idea where the usual, moody Kensington disappeared to but I wasn't about to complain when I had gotten the perfect opportunity to get to know her more.

• • •

a.n.
5k pleathe!!! thank u pals oof this is literally my most liked book from the start and seeing it go so well still is kinda cool hehehe

also omg i bet no one was expecting her to say yes, at least i was surprised myself when i decided to make her agree lmfao

the next chapter will be out on sunday as per usual and it'll bring even more surprises so buckle up hehehe

hope everyone's having a lovely time off and if you celebrated christmas then it was lovely!! xo