Renleigh Kensington

I had never felt so much panic before going back home and it annoyed me that I couldn't figure out why. Well, at first, I had no idea, now I just blamed it on the time I told Styles what happened to me whenever I was around family. It had to have been that, right? I opened up the wounds I always kept pressed down, the same ones that I never dared to open because I couldn't deal with them. Although it was my decision to tell him about it, I still blamed him for it because when I asked if we could talk, he seemed completely off. And I know, I know... you cannot really tell how people feel through a text message but his two-word reply put me off. It was very easy for me to give up on something like that, I hated feeling the way I did in certain situations and talking about those things was the last thing on my 'things I enjoy' list.

It was Thursday now, when I was meant to meet up with him so we could talk. That was something I didn't look forward to – for me, everything that went down was already sorted. It happened and I was over it. He, on the other hand, was very much all about sorting through problems and I guess I couldn't escape that easily.

This was such a grey area for me because when I was with Wolf, he just let me have my way. If I said I was over it and it was in the past, he was cool with it because for the most part, he made the mistakes. This meant that as long as it didn't leave him in trouble, he was more than happy to move along. This time around, it was very much me who fucked things up but I guess that was thanks to him.

I had piles of clothes on my bed – suits, dresses, skirts, shirts, socks... all kinds of shit. I was only going for the weekend, yet I was ready to pack my whole wardrobe up. The mess I made was from being so distracted and as much as I wanted to pin it on my feelings towards going home, it really was Styles who caused my mind to go to war.

It just annoyed me that he didn't want to talk to me. At least that was how it came off to me. Especially because he didn't even try calling me after I told him I was driving. And yes, I didn't reach out either, but that was mainly due to the fact that I texted him first and it didn't work out. Plus, the way I felt about these past few days without him, probably added to the confusion that swirled around in my head.

It was a constant battle, really.

I knew I shouldn't have let myself like him because it was not professional, however, there was only so much I could control in this situation. It was a fight between my heart and my head, I guess, which was very cliché and it made me gag and almost throw up but that was the truth and I had to face it. No matter how many times I spoke to myself in my mirror, how many times I said out loud that I cannot and will not like him, that all went to shit.

This week was the worst week and I had to come to the conclusion that this was because of him. Because he wasn't a part of my week.

Prior to this, he would always come to my office, he would always call, text or email me. Prior to this, we would always see each other at some point. But now... it went from everything to nothing. Sure, it had only been three days and I shouldn't be this fucking hurt over it, especially when I wanted to burn his hair down almost two months ago, but he became someone constant in my life and I didn't have very many people like that.

Sure, family was there, but I didn't see them every other or every day. I had no friends, either. I had my employees though, and I guess that was one of the many reasons why I loved working so much. I might have been locked away in my office for the most part, but I always had people coming in, familiar faces, voices surrounded me every day. It was nice.

Over time, Harry became one of those constant people and it very much seemed like three days without him were enough to make me feel the impact of that.

I huffed as I fell face first onto the mattress. Not long after – literally about two seconds later – I turned my head to the side because I couldn't breathe. Then, I rolled onto my back and picked up my phone from beside me, the device almost fell onto my face so I quickly turned my head to the side.

When I went to click the button on the side of my phone, I also got an incoming call, so with that, I basically declined it. I groaned, especially when I realised it was from my father. I had no other choice but to call back.

"Well, hello, darling," he greeted me and I sighed. I closed my eyes and placed my arm over my eyes so I was in complete darkness.

"Hi, dad."

"How are you?"

"Good," I replied dryly. "Why did you call?"

"I was just wondering if you were still coming home?"

"Yeah... yeah, I am," I replied. "Why?"

"Well..." he spoke and he sounded like he was about to drop the biggest bomb on me. "I have talked to your brother and he tells me you might have other commitments this weekend."

"Come again?"

"It doesn't really matter if you are coming, right? I mean, you can surely reschedule whatever it is that would keep you from coming home."

"I'm not sure... I understand what you are saying, dad."

"Listen, Leigh," he sighed. God, only my parents called me Leigh. "We don't want you to feel pressured to bring anyone home just because your brother is."

"Right," I forced a chuckle. "He's bringing someone home?"

"Yes. He is," he confirmed. "But my point is that you shouldn't feel pressured to bring anyone home, alright?"

"I don't feel pressured," I argued. "Why would I feel pressured?" I laughed again, and it was just as fake as the first time. "I reckon B felt pressured after I told him that I'm bringing someone with me. That's why he must've told you I have other places to be... probably thought I was going somewhere else."

"Now, that might be true," dad laughed and I bit down on my bottom lip. Fuck. "So, who are we meeting soon, then? Is it a boyfriend? Girlfriend? Friend?"

"It's, um, complicated," I said. I am so fucking stupid. So stupid. Oh my god. "Listen, I've gotta go... if you only wanted to see if I'm coming or not – I am."

"Yes, that was pretty much it, Leigh," he replied. "We'll see you and your mysterious, complicated plus one tomorrow?"

"Yeah... yep, that's right," I laughed to ease the tension. "Bye, dad."

"Bye-bye."

As soon as the line cut and my phone locked, I grabbed a pillow and screamed into it. This was going to be such a fucking mess and I had no idea how I was going to work this out. Maybe by contacting my mysterious, complicated plus one?

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I screwed my eyes shut as I thought about it. I could take someone else. Like, I didn't say who I was going to take, so technically, I could just... get someone else, right? Like... um. I could maybe take Zayn Malik with me? I mean, yeah, he had a girlfriend but my parents didn't know that. And also, he does owe me a favour so this could be it?

Hold on. I didn't even have his number. And it would be too weird if I asked him to come home with me, wouldn't it? Like, sure, we fucked – a couple of times – but meeting the folks? Damn. I didn't even have sex with Styles. Plus, I knew Zayn for longer than him.

Shit.

I had no idea what to do. I had no other person who would have helped me. I guess that was one of the fall downs of having no mates, huh?

I really only had Styles and that kind of freaked me out. Because before him, I was truly on my own. And that was a realisation that only hit me now.

He might have needed me in those tough times that he went through, but actually, I probably needed him more. Like right now. The sudden urge to call him and tell him I was here to stay as long as he did, caused me to pick my phone up again and click onto our last text messages.

Me: I'm going to need a favour from u and it's going to be a lot to take in but u are going to have to agree to this because if u won't then I'm completely fucked and I need u right now

Send.

Before I even had the chance to reread what my thumbs typed out, I sent it. It was a now or never thing. My mind tried to tell me he wouldn't read it as fast as he did and he wouldn't reply as fast as he did, my heart dropped into my stomach when the speech bubble appeared in the corner.

Styles CEO: what is it that you need?

Me: a favour from u

Styles CEO: no shit sherlock... what exactly is it? it sounds pretty serious

Me: basically my brother played me and now I'm in shit and I told my dad I would take someone home because he thought my brother meant something else by what he actually said and I baso made it worse by saying I was the one to influence him to take someone home because I told him I would but I really wasn't going to and now my dad thinks I will take someone and I have no one but you and if you say you don't want to come that's fine but also it's not because like I said I only have you and if you pull out then I'm fucked which is actually the opposite of what happens when people have unprotected sex and I have no idea why I just said that and I'm rambling and I'm gonna hate myself for this later more than I already do now but it's like I cannot stop and I'm fucking freaking out please come to my dad's birthday with me even though I told you I'm not ready which is still true but I know my parents and I'm pretty sure everyone who's coming already knows I'm gonna take someone home and it's been so long since I have so they will look out for someone well you hopefully please I will pay you or something idk we can extend the contract I don't care whatever you want I'll give you head? idk please come with me

Oh.

My.

God.

I couldn't believe I sent him that text and I didn't want to see what he was going to say to it. It was long winded and confusing but that was what it felt like living in my head. Living with my thoughts. One thing linked to another and another until it didn't make any fucking sense and this is exactly what I told him when he offered to be there for me.

Carefully, I turned my phone over and with that, the screen lit up. And there was a notification. Off of a text. A reply to my text, to be more specific.

"Fuck, OK, here we go..." I inhaled and exhaled deeply then unlocked my phone and went onto the message.

Styles CEO: so I'm meeting the parents then, huh?

That was all he sent. It caused another round of swear words to leave my lips because I couldn't believe that was the reaction, he gave me. I thought it would be... more. I mean, I didn't exactly know what to expect but it was definitely not... that.

Styles CEO: look it'll be fine. I will go with you and we will have a blast, alright? I know this is not something you were prepared for, or comfortable with, but we will manage, yeah?

Styles CEO: we're staying with them or in a hotel? Also, how long is this going to be? What kind of clothes should I pack? And what about a birthday present? Maybe I could bring a bottle of red or two

Me: staying with rents, a few days, whatever you think is appropriate for a birthday party and you could do if you wanted, I don't mind

I took a deep breath after I sent that message. This was happening. He was in it. He would come with me. Damn. He was going to meet my parents. No one ever met my parents, probably because there was no one to introduce to them.

Styles CEO: um would you mind letting me in? I'm like almost on your floor

My eyes widened at his text and suddenly, I felt out of place. What the fuck did he mean 'almost on my floor' like when did he ask me if it was cool to come over? Could this be considered as invasion of privacy? Maybe stalking? Why was this man like this? Literally who told him he can come to mine whenever he wanted to? What if I was busy?

Then the bell rang and I groaned. He really was here, wasn't he? Fuck.

I only had a hoodie on and a pair of leggings, my hair was in the messiest whatever state it was in – I swear the bobble fell out on my way down the stairs – and I had no makeup on, whatsoever. Oh, and glasses. I looked my best, didn't I?

But it was too late to change anything about my appearance. Not that I should have. Not for Styles. Or anyone. I just didn't understand why I felt like I should have.

I held my breath as I opened the door, my eyes trailed up from his shoes, onto his legs, his middle, right until they reached his green ones.

"What brings you here?" I questioned.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's Thursday and you said it's the only day you have when we can talk. And you also told me I need to tag along this weekend, so some information would be lovely," he smiled at me once he finished his explanation. I licked my lips and nodded as I stood to the side and let him come in.

"So, what is it exactly that you want to discuss?"

"That I want to discuss?" he asked back as if he hadn't heard me right.

"Yep."

"Personally, I am just looking for some... answers, I suppose. You gave me a few in the car, when I dropped you off... about the contract. And technically, I apologised for being an idiot before we got to that conversation. So, now that I think about it, we don't really need to discuss anything. Unless, you have something to tell me."

I looked at him with a confused facial expression as the last part of what he said reached my ears. He sounded more like he had to tell me something. That made me stand a bit defensive, my arms crossed in front of my chest, legs apart and eyebrows furrowed. I tilted my head to the side as I watched him. He had a stubble. It made him look more mature. His jaw was pretty defined and his nose was structured. He had tired looking eyes and full, pink lips. I wondered if this was him unkept. I rarely ever saw him with facial hair.

Hah. Paris.

"What?" he asked and scoffed a little. I raised my eyebrows the same time I blinked and licked my lips, a long sigh right out of them.

"Nothing. I just can't believe I panicked and now you are coming to meet my family," I said the first thing that came to mind. "You always get what you want, don't you?"

"Not necessarily."

"Please," I rolled my eyes. "You so badly wanted to meet them last week and now here you are, a day away from it happening."

"I guess so," he shrugged. "But that still doesn't mean I always get what I want."

"Right. Because you don't have me, do you?" I asked as I smirked. He did the same as he nodded in agreement, his smug facial expression and the stubble... god, that was deathly. With a face like his, it was almost impossible not to get everything he wanted.

"Not yet, darling."

"Ah, the pet names," I chuckled. "It would be tough to admit I missed hearing them."

"Well, did you?" he asked. "Because I know I missed you."

"Yeah, I'm hard not to miss," I sighed dramatically. Of course, that wasn't true. No one ever missed me. Why would they miss me? Unless something goes wrong, I'm never missed.

"You are doubting me, aren't you? Of course, you are."

"You know me so well, Styles. You should be awarded with something."

"I should be, you are right," he hummed. "How about a kiss?"

"A what?" I played dumb. But just the mention of that action made my lips tingle and my heart race like I ran the marathon, when in reality, I just stood there.

"A kiss. You know... when lips attach themselves to another pair of lips? And sometimes a bit of saliva is included, too," he explained as he took a few steps towards me.

"That made it sound disgusting and also ended all your chances of getting kissed by me. It's good to know I'm not the only one sabotaging themselves on a daily basis," a smile crawled on my lips as I let my hands rest on his waist and he placed his on my cheeks.

"I guess that's why we work so well together," he muttered before he leaned closer and pressed his lips on mine.

They were warm and soft, much like I remembered them to be but somehow, still better. I sighed into the kiss as I felt one of his hands slide down to my neck and I interlocked my own fingers behind his back. Harry pulled back a little which made our lips separate for the shortest second, tilted his head to the other side and attacked my lips with his again.

I felt him smile against my mouth and it caused me to do the same. Our kiss ended in shambles due to that, especially when he began to giggle. It made my heart flutter, my eyes closed and body free of any stress as he let me hide my face in the crook of his neck. He placed one of his hands on the back of my head then I felt him press a kiss onto my hair.

Another sigh left my lips that now had the taste of his on them. I smiled as I licked my lips and cuddled more into him.

"I missed you, too."

• • •

a.n.
UWU i love when they are cute and they will be even cuter later..... if they won't fight

but anyways please comment and vote <3