Renleigh Kensington

Anxiety filled my system and ran through my entire body from the minute my eyes opened. Little noises made me jump and I almost crashed my car when someone seemed to have sat on their horn behind me in order to hurry me up. A long line of curse words rolled off my tongue as my feet pressed down on the pedal and made a move, even though there was nothing more I wanted than to get out and smack whoever was behind me across the face.

When I got to work, the time seemed to fly by and when the clock hit eleven, the presentation began. Thankfully, I had a few other people there with me who helped out with this thing and that took a lot of pressure off my shoulders. Danielle being one of them, she seemed much more comfortable and used to giving presentations.

I had no idea why I was so nervous. I had meetings all the time where I sometimes had to present. This was no different therefore it made no sense as to why I felt this way.

Then again, I kinda wondered if someone in particular caused me to behave this way.

In the very back row, he was there. He kept his word and turned up on time. He wore a navy-blue suit that seemed to be a bit chrome-y when the light hit the material with a white shirt and red boots. He had his usual set of rings wrapped around his long fingers and I wondered if he ever took them off. He smelled great, as per usual, and it was so intense that all throughout the presentation, that was the only thing in my nose.

After Danielle finished talking – as I made sure my employees talked first so I could test out the audience – I was the next one to take the stage.

"Hello everyone," I started and decided to treat this as a meeting. But without as much business language. These kids were only sixteen or seventeen years of age, I highly doubted they would have understood me with it being so early as well. At least, teenagers thought eleven was early, right? "My name is Renleigh Kensington and I am the CEO of Kensington and Co. I'm not sure how much everyone knows about the company or if anyone knows anything which is why I prepared a presentation which includes all the basic information."

With the clicker in my hand, I went through the slides, although my attention never really focused on them. I knew that shit inside out. There was statistical data, too, which seemed to have impressed the teachers and a few students, too.

As the presentation went on, I got into it and with that, I also became a little hot. Or it might have been due to Styles' intense stare that never actually left my face. Every one of my moves were followed by his green eyes, especially when I took my maroon coloured blazer off which revealed the same coloured turtle neck and hugged my body tightly. My trousers matched, straight legged and a little shorter as they ended just under my ankles. I had a pair of nude heels on which went nicely with the dark outfit.

"Alright, so, I guess that concludes the company, where we are now and where I would like to see it go in the near future," I smiled after the little video ended. It was a summary of the company: some of our investors, vague plans, employees, whatever else. I had no idea if the students found it useful but the teachers seemed invested in it which was nice. "Does anyone have any questions?" that seemed to grab a few people's attention as their hands landed in the air. "Yes?"

"Um, how did you manage to build your company so quickly? Like, how did you become so successful almost right away?" a girl with brunette hair asked. She sounded rather interested which, again, was nice. For a short second, I thought it may have had been her who included me in her presentation.

"So, I have done a four-year degree at university and out of those years, I have spent one working in the industry. Funnily enough, I was actually an assistant," I looked at Danielle, who smiled back at me. "From that experience, I have taken away a lot of knowledge and also links. Networking is very important in our industry. Through those links, I have found many opportunities which thankfully led me to a successful company of my own."

"So, did you do a master's degree as well or did you just only do those four years?" she asked again.

"Yes, I have done a master's degree as well. That was right after my final year."

"How did it feel having your competition in the room whilst you talked about the future plans for your company?" one of the lads asked. The voice sounded familiar but couldn't put a face to it until I found the source. Mason Styles. He smirked at me and so did his brother. Which caused me to smirk as well.

"It felt exciting, I would say. However, I didn't share anything I wasn't supposed to, if that's what you're asking," I smiled at him and he nodded knowingly. He was just as cheeky as his brother. The Styles were something else.

"Renleigh, what would you say to those who are looking to get into the business world?" one of the teachers asked. "Are there any tips for them?"

"Honestly, just have passion for whatever it is they are wanting to do. Also, get as much under your belt as you possibly can. I mean that in terms of education and experience. You may not be the top-class student, I know I wasn't, but that doesn't matter. It is good to have it. As for experience, it is very hard to gain some however, like I said, networking is so important. Even now at your ages... if you know you want to be a boss in the future or even just a manager. Get out there. Success won't come to you unfortunately," I explained. "When I was at university, and I always tell this story, my lecturer told me that we are all on our own. We have to get things done and sorted by ourselves if we want to get somewhere in life. I would say that is pretty correct. I got myself where I am today."

"How has your success changed the way you view life?" the question came from the one and only Harry Styles. His deep voice caused everyone's heads to turn.

"It hasn't changed much, if I'm honest," I stated. That wasn't a lie. Sure, I had more money than in all of my life before and it allowed me to pay off all my uni debt but it didn't blind me if that was what he tried to get out of me. "I don't abuse my position or my power."

"How does it feel to have so much control over your work? How does it feel to be treated like a celeb?" one of the students asked. "Oh, and also, you're like... a female CEO. How is that? I mean, there are only so many young females like you."

"Having control over my work is amazing as I get to do whatever I want to in order to build more success. However, that really doesn't mean I'm a celeb nor should I be treated like one. I do pretty much what other CEOs do," I replied as I nodded along. "As for being a female CEO at such a young age... it feels really empowering. And like I can do anything, you know? My team is mostly made up of women because, well... this might get really deep for a second but, I have always thought and believed, as I have had experience of this in the past, that men get treated differently to women. For me, it is important that everyone gets treated the same and with being a boss of a constantly growing company, it's like my personal little mission to ensure it happens within my business."

After that, the whole thing was just... over. Everyone got their complimentary pen and little notepad and the teachers asked me a few more questions whilst the students talked amongst themselves or to my employees. From the corner of my eye, I saw Styles talking to his brother with his hands in his trouser pockets which caused his blazer to rise up a little on the bottom. He must have sensed the way I stared at him because his eyes slowly travelled up to meet mine and then he smirked. And that made me do the same so I quickly had to look away.

Ugh.

This was so out of character for me. I never did voluntary presentations and I didn't... flirt with people. Was that even flirting? How does one even flirt? I haven't done it since I was with my ex. Wait... did I even flirt with my ex?

"Oh, no, I hope I'm not the one you're thinking about," Styles chuckled as he walked over to me once the class left. It was just the two of us in the room now. "What's gotten your eyebrows all pulled together and your forehead so creasy?"

"Just thinking about my ex," I told him flat-out. I didn't see the point in sugar-coating things. He wanted an answer and I gave him one.

"Yikes," he said and I rolled my eyes before I turned my back on him. "That was a great presentation, by the way," Styles said as I gathered my papers and closed off my laptop.

"Yeah, I thought it went well," I hummed. "They all asked pretty good questions so it was really good."

"I, uh, talked to Mason after that question... I didn't think it was appropriate."

"Why?" I smiled curiously. His brother didn't ask anything inappropriate.

"He just... the way he... with you and me being rivals yet me being here I thought..." he rambled on before his eyes suddenly stared into mine. "Wasn't that. You know. Weird?"

"Nope. I thought his question was pretty funny, actually," I turned towards him fully with my arms crossed and my bottom leaned against the table. "He knew what he was doing. It was kind of like an inside joke between us three."

"I thought you would find it weird."

"Why?" I furrowed my eyebrows as the question fell from my lipstick coated lips. My head tilted to the side a little as his eyes travelled away from my face to desperately catch his eyes. They were kind of mesmerising.

"I felt like there was a hidden meaning behind it, you know... well, I don't know. How would you, then?" he chuckled to himself.

I really didn't get what he tried to say.

"I reckon you're thinking too much into it," I stated as he hummed like he agreed. "Anyways. I, um, kind of made sure I didn't have anything until two so I'm free for a little over half an hour."

"Really?" he looked and sounded surprised as he snapped his head towards me, a soft smile tugged on his lips and his eyes kind of sparkled. But that might have been because of the lighting. "That's great! So, uh, should we go for lunch, then?"

"We can do, yes. But I need to get a few things together in my office before we leave."

"Alright, that's fine," he nodded.

With my stuff in my hand, I turned off the lights and shut the door behind us. Styles seemed confused when we walked towards the lift that went straight to the top floor.

"So, does this not stop on any other floor?" he questioned curiously. He seemed kind of... amazed. Alongside being extremely confused, of course.

"Nope," I smirked. It satisfied me whenever people realised, I had a lift for my own use. No one really got in it other than me. And, of course those few people who I had taken in it. And I don't mean that in a sexual way. "You should invest in one."

"I'm not sure I have the time to be getting my building refurbished," he chuckled. "But I must admit, it is a sick idea."

"What can I say? I'm full of them," I shrugged cockily and his muffled chuckle was the only response I had gotten.

After I gathered everything I needed and gave Styles his coat back, we made our way back down to the ground floor. I contacted my driver to pick us up for lunch because I – kind of – really wanted to have a glass of wine and I knew my lunch partner would end up with one as well.

"So..." Harry gulped down his drink as we sat in the restaurant, across from each other with food in front of us. "I have received an invitation to my cousin's birthday..."

"Nice," I hummed and nodded as I stuck my fork in my food and lifted it to my mouth. I was starving, I haven't eaten since... probably yesterday. I was a terrible eater. I didn't really take care of myself when it came to food. I ate whenever I remembered I had to. "Why exactly are you telling me this?"

"Well... I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?" he blurted out. 

"Isn't it meant to be a family thing?"

"Yeah... I suppose. I just thought... well, it's kind of silly, really," he chuckled as he averted his gaze from mine and focused it on his food. My eyebrow rose in curiosity.

"Go on."

"My uncle's wife is really interested in fashion and her and I spoke about work stuff before. We, um, wouldn't really work together because usually, when family does, things tend to go... wrong," he explained. I kind of had a feeling where he was about to go with this but I didn't interrupt him. "I thought maybe you'd come and talk to her about stuff. You know, fashion things. She's got her own business going with makeup stuff and all."

"Are you trying to link us up or something?"

"Honestly?" he asked in a deep voice. It clearly dropped from before as he got rid of whatever was on his mind. "I just want you to come with me. My family is a bit... weird, I would say. They can be a lot and every time I have to attend whatever it is, they are hosting, I get really overwhelmed. I usually drag my mates with me but all of them cancelled."

"Are they really that bad?" I laughed at the thought of all of his friends saying no after constantly attending these family get-togethers.

"They can be, yeah."

"And you want me to go?" he nodded.

"I mean, you don't need to come. Like, I just brought it up because- well, just to spend some time together somewhere and also get this family thing out of the way."

"I'll um have a think," I responded. Which was better than saying no right away, wasn't it? Usually, I flat out said no but with Harry, it was always tricky. I kind of wanted to know him. Which was strange. Because from the moment he appeared, I wanted him gone. And I still do. But I also wanted to know him.

This was all so much to deal with. Kind of silly, too. But for someone like me, who was impulsive but also had the tendency to overthink things, it was just a lot to take in and deal with mentally.

Was I ready to meet Harry's family? Should I even be this worried about it? Why did it make me think so much? There was no reason for me to want to impress them. Him and I were not together or anything for it to be so stressful for me. Also, why the hell did I give in to him so easily? Every single time? It became truly annoying for me. Mainly because he was on my mind a lot lately.

And when someone was on my mind a lot, it only meant that they would be a thought that is fucking dreadful to get rid of.

• • •

a.n.
oof my fave chapters are coming up FAST so i hope everyone's excited 🤩🤩

i loved writing this chapter although i feel like the end was lowkey rushed idk it got me to the good shit tho so i guess it's all good innit

ummmm let me know if you guys still want me to update twice a week from now on like will you have the time to read??? or should i stick to only updating on sundays? whatever u like pls tell me so i know lol thank u xx