June, 21st, 2015.

My 6:30 am departure from Heathrow left me in NYC at 12:30 with nothing to do but keep my mind off of the fact that I will be sitting in on my very first official business meeting in what's now twelve hours. It's 7:30 pm and nothing I do can keep my mind off of the fact that I am going absolutely bonkers. I'm not prepared for tomorrow even though Jamie continues to assure me that I am. I believe this is his way of gradually trying to kill me because my nerves are through the roof. Jamie gave me an agenda that he wrote up but let's be honest, it doesn't help me at all.

I stare up at my hotel ceiling, feeling exhausted, bored, and lonely all at once. I can't leave the hotel because Jamie strictly advised that I stay in so that I don't run into the business opponents that may attempt to pry information out of me. Apparently, I am perceived as the weakest link because I am the new guy and Jamie's opponents are like vultures. Well, at least that's how he explained it.

The walls of this hotel room are a standard white. Everything is neutral, but a bit dull, there's something that is weighing on me, making me feel even more isolated. I can't quite put my finger on things or what it is that is missing as I lie on this bed.

I have constantly thought that the second I had the chance, that I would spread my wings and fly. Whether it be with business opportunities or living arrangements; I always thought that the moment I would be in NYC for business, that my life would feel complete. It doesn't.

I feel far from complete. I feel lost and uneasy.

Maybe the concept of leaving, possibly running away from things, isn't the notion to have. While I rest here in NYC, preparing for what is probably going to make or break the start of my career, I know deep down that I don't want to live here at the moment. I don't want to pack myself up and move here permanently. I think the move would be something better suited for me when I am older and more experienced. But, the possibility of moving here is something I need to consider, if not for myself, but for my mother and sister. If I take the proposal of Jamie, and I move here to save him the trips of flying here, I will be able to pay my mother's mortgage off a lot quicker. I may be up to date on the payments but it doesn't mean I get to stop paying it.

I glance at my phone, touching the home key so my screen lights up, flashing me a picture of Elise and I. I smile to myself although I wish we were in the same time zone. It's 12:30 am for her and she went to bed an hour ago, leaving me with just my thoughts. I tried my best not to express to her that I'm a fucking nervous wreck that can't seem to calm down. She bought my constant lies of reassurance.

I tap my fingers a few times on my screen before I pick my phone up in my hand, unlock it and open my notes that are compiled of many things, from Uni reminders to business proposals to scattered song lyrics I have put together over time. I much prefer putting pen to paper when it comes to music and lyrics, but sometimes my phone is the only thing I can use where I can be assured it's safe. I have a black journal that I've possessed since I was younger, it is in a safe place in my apartment and barely sees the day of light. My mother has only observed it on a few occasions; I keep it hidden from the world. It's for my eyes only, as is the words transcribed inside it.

I take a breath and allow my inspiration to take control of my fingers that desire to convey a story; a story about a lover who gives me everything I require that isn't materialistic, a sweetheart who I'd want to spend curled up in bed with on chilly rainy days but also give her my coat when she underestimates the weather. I want to give her my jacket so when the world is cold, she'll have a hiding place she can go. I want to lend her my arms, so when she appears like she's falling she'll have a safe place to land. I want to build her a home, so when the walls are caving in and she forgets where she is, she has the home of my love to keep sheltered. I want to tell a story of the way I feel when she's around so neither of us will forget the way we feel. I want to write her a song.

I scribble down a few thoughts, perhaps a few lines that'll eventually turn into something more.

"I want to write you a song. One to make your heart remember me. So any time I'm gone, You can listen to my voice and sing along. I want to write you a song."

Elise is the kind of sweetheart that can break the gloomy, clouded skies and is the sun peeking through, she is the girl that I can't get enough of. It is like she has cast a spell on me and has me binded completed. I am wrapped around her finger— in a good way— nothing immoral about how I feel about her.

I achieve a few lines before I physically have to stop.

I can sense a density in my chest as my thoughts continue to launch me to my past and remind me of things I don't want to remember. I recollect the times I would sit and write in my room while my parents fought and the way I applied music as a safe haven that didn't always save me. I can feel the pain of the past in my chest that is progressing to my hands.

I spread my fingers through my hair before settling my phone down and doing my best to fall asleep.

Unfortunately, I spent my time tossing and turning in the comfort of the hotel bed.

❦ ❦ ❦

My morning started off with me pacing my hotel room while on the phone to Elise, she called me earlier this morning to wish me luck and when she caught on that I was far from calm. Elise stayed on the phone with me while I got dressed. Elise let me run over my notes to her and she let me release my concerns about the meeting; Elise probably has no damn clue about what I was talking about, but she listened. She calmed me down, somehow.

I sit in the meeting, seated next to Jamie while I tap my foot against the carpeted flooring.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I force myself to stop aimlessly patting my foot and I attempt to prevent my eyes from flickering all over the dull room that is complete of six other men. Five of the men don't seem like they are expressive, they are closed off and I can't figure out whether they are taking any of this seriously or not. It appears to me that they are fucking around and wasting the time of Jamie.

I can't afford for them to be fucking around with Jamie and I. I cannot afford for my very first meeting I sit in on to go downhill.

The moment the meeting grows withdrawn, I battle with myself on whether I should pipe up and express my opinion or continue to stay quiet.

This isn't my meeting by any means, but I'm sitting in for a reason and I don't want to blow it.

The man in front of me appears too concerned with expressing past performances instead of focusing on the future and what he can offer without the backing of his investments. It's not an easy market out there and anything can occur. Stocks change promptly, investments dwindle easily and within a blink of an eye, everything can be gone.

"Past performance should not be seen as a reliable indicator of future results. The value of investments may fall as well as rise," I bring my opinion to the table as I take a swift glance at the document in front of me compiled of investments and Current Asset Allocation.

Weight % Current Value Classification

Equity 36.1% £1,454,799.70

Bonds 50.3% £2,031,964.10

Property 2.9% £181,114.00

Hedge Funds 2.8% £103,238.92

Liquidity Funds 8.0% £266,222.09

Cash 2.1% £181,743.75

I forward my thoughts and reference the documents in front of me and despite the fact that Jamie appears to agree with me and continue to give me the nod to continue speaking, the men don't seem engaged in what I have to say. I can't help feeling as though they are dismissing me for my lack of experience. Quite ironic though, how they are dismissing me for my lack of experience but I am the one who has the potential to transform their business decisions for the better. Jamie has yet to conclude a diverse plan for the company and the men in front of me don't seem to be interested in also thinking of a plan.

Jamie dismisses the meeting and puts me out of my misery shortly after the men blink at me as though I've spoken a language they don't understand. I thought I was clear with my words, I guess not.

Maybe my words failed me, or maybe I failed my words. Whatever it may be, I have failed today. I might as well put in my resignation and look for a new job.

After the last man has left the room, leaving me with just Jamie, I composedly collect the documents and arrange them in the middle of the desk, "Harry," Jamie begins, taking my attention away from me destructive thoughts that are eating away at me, "I hope you take this as a learning experience. Not every meeting will go as planned no matter how thought out it is. You'll have downfalls."

I nod and swallow hard. I know not every meeting will go perfectly... but for fuck's sake... my first big meeting was meant to be a winner.

"Today's meeting was to show you what it's like to lose. Before you know the value of success you need to know what it's like to sometimes fail. Our meeting tomorrow is the most important meeting, today was more of a test."

"Today was a test?" I challenge dryly, unsure of what he means. He has been testing and promoting me since I agreed to take this position with him.

Mr Cartier nods his head and closes his laptop lid, "I knew today's meeting wasn't going to be successful, so I used it as a learning lesson. You handled it decently, tomorrow you'll do even better," Jamie notifies me, rattling my nerves a little. I don't like the fact that today was a learning lesson, I don't like the fact that he knew today would result in a fail. I don't like any of it, but that's life, I guess. "Go to the hotel, get some rest and draw up another proposal, I'll email you the info," Mr Cartier instructs as he stands to his feet and dismisses me as his assistant stands at the door waiting for his attention.

❦ ❦ ❦

I push on my hotel door and step into the cool room where I waste no time with tugging at the tie that has been around my neck; I swear the damn thing has been strangling me since this morning when I put it around my neck. I trudge closer to my bed, ready to fall into the mellowness of the sheets.

I am exhausted, there is nothing I want more than to fall asleep, but I know that I can't.

I need to prep for tomorrow's meeting. Today, was apparently a trial run and tomorrow is the BIG deal. Great.

I don't know what specifically Jamie wants me to bring to the table tomorrow, but whatever it is, I need to figure it out. I need this job and I can't afford for my ass to be on the line. I need to think of a diverse plan that will be enough for Jamie to take on the clients and to take over the portfolio.

My scintillating, loam-grey eyes grow wide the moment I notice a figure resting on my bed, her swirls of caramel-brown hair wreathe her face and fall over her shoulders. Her eyes glisten brilliantly, "well, are you going to kiss me hello or not?" Elise questions with a chuckle and I stare at her, beyond surprised to see her sitting in my hotel room.

She should be off savouring her summer break in London or off on a beach somewhere in a tropical place. She should be in Catalina Island, CA or in Turks and Caicos, somewhere amusing. Here was the last place I expected to find her.

Elise stands to her feet and I benevolently draw her closer to my body to allow my lips to taste the sugary sweetness of hers, "hi," I mumble against the mellowness of her lips, swiftly feeling at ease. I tear my lips away from hers and I shift a few strands of hair away from her face, "what are you doing here?"

Elise gives me her usual angelic smile that makes me want to buckle at my knees, "wanted to surprise you. How was your meeting? tell me all about it."

I shake my head and swallow hard; I don't want to speak about the meeting, the thought of remembering my meeting makes my skin crawl, "nothing interesting, darling. How was your flight? Have you eaten? You're probably starving by now, aircraft food is never that good," I challenge, beginning to remember that after my flight I was starving and ready for something decent to eat. I am sure all she was given on the flight was probably a bag of chips and a drink.

Elise cocks her head to the side and I can see her blissful eyes studying me carefully, "it didn't go well, did it?"

"Sweetheart, I don't want to talk about it. Did you eat?"

"Okay," Elise nods, "I haven't. I thought we could order room service? I'm jet-lagged and don't want to leave the room if that's okay," Elise informs me with the dulcimer sweet voice that I have begun to love.

I agree with Elise, nodding my head and gesturing towards the room service menu by the bed. "Fine by me. How did you get in here anyway?" I curiously question, noticing her luggage in the corner next to mine. I'm not complaining by any means, I love the fact she is here in my hotel room.

Elise grins and she kicks her shoes off before shuffling her body further back on the bed, "my uncle put me on the room to also be checked in."

"Hm," I hum, "and do your parents know you're sharing a hotel room with me?" I challenge, needing the reassurance that her parents are also aware of her being in New York with me. I don't think I would even be allowed back in their house if she jet-setted without telling them.

"It's not rocket science to figure out. What's wrong? You're pacing," Elise points out, alerting me to the fact I have nonchalantly been pacing the hotel room.

I can't help it, I pace when I have a lot on my mind, it is something I have done since I was younger. I am pretty sure I wore the flooring thin at my mother's house by all the pacing I have done over the years.

"I need to go over some business stuff. If you order room service, I'll do my work," I murmur, seizing my laptop from the side table and resting on the bed with it while Elise sits beside me and her eyes focus on the menu for room service.

I bury myself in my work in the hour it takes for room service to be ordered and delivered to the room. I have to say, Elise is presumably the worst at ordering things, she never seems to know what she desires when she stares at a new menu.

While my eyes stare at my laptop and my fingers type on the keyboard, I can hear the sound of 'friends' in the background playing. Every now and again I catch Elise chuckling to herself, a sound that flutters my heart and makes me feel things I can't describe. "What are you doing?" Elise challenges, distracting me from my work while she steals part of my food and I side eye her playfully.

"Your tactic of stealing food when you think I am not looking is horrible, should work on it, my darling," I inform Elise with a grin, "I am trying to think of a diverse plan that helps Jamie's client and us at the same time."

"How?"

I chuckle under my breath at Elise's question, and for a brief moment, she reminds me of a winsome child who is curious and envious for answers, the type of child who continues to ask 'why' until they are given a satisfactory answer. "I uh-I don't know, love. The target is to have absolute positive capital growth by investing primarily in the securities that make up the funds, but their funds don't show a positive outcome. I need to figure out how to have an outcome positive for both parties," I inform Elise and she hums.

I can only assume she has no idea what I am talking about and I can also assume she doesn't care too much. She has already expressed her distaste for her business classes.

"I have no clue what the hell any of that means. Have you asked Jamie?"

I shake my head, "Elle, he wants me to figure it out, can't just ask him, sadly. Wish I could get the answers off of him."

If I could have Jamie give me the answers, it would make things easier for me, but nothing in life is ever handed out. There would be no learning experience if Jamie told me everything. I require the push and the struggles so I can figure things out and not rely on Jamie or anyone for answers when it comes to business.

"I wish I was more help, but this isn't my area," Elise giggles, "eating your food is more up my ally."

I roll my eyes and laugh as I cock my head to the side to gaze at her. She makes my heart skip a beat. Just by sitting beside me and stealing my food, she is causing my heart to flutter and for the butterflies in the pit of my stomach to emerge into wild beasts. She gives me that feeling of a summer morning that is a sweet breath of sweet and tasteful air.

"Go ahead, my darling," I smile and I lean over and kiss her warm cheek, "I'm going to get a shower and relax."

"Can I join?" Elise questions as I hop off the bed. I turn to face her, quite astonished by her question.

I don't think I have it in me to have a shower with her and not desire to kiss her and work my hands all around her body. My self-control is high but not high enough to battle a naked girlfriend in the shower. At least, not now. "I am kidding," Elise snickers, "I am going to order dessert and find a movie, want anything?"

I shake my head; I can't afford to pay the outrageous fees of another room service delivery. I can cover dinner but I don't think I can cover dessert. I go to speak, but like she is reading my mind she talks before I can, "it is on me, Harry."

"Love—"

"No," Elise cuts me off, "the room service bill is on me, now what would you like?"

"I'd like to have my shower," I respond honestly. I need to feel the hot water on my back to relax me for at least five minutes so I can clear my head.

"With me?" Elise cheekily winks and I bite the inside of my cheek and Elise rolls her eyes. If I knew that I could shower with her without the urge of wanting to do more than just shower, I would. But I know that I would want more.

She already drives me insane just by relaxing in front of me, I've had the goring fire inside of me for a while. It's not the flame of just wanting a good shag, it's the sort of kindled fire where I want to discover the dips of her body and what she likes and dislikes, I want to explore every inch of her silky skin with my hands and lips.

I don't want a senseless moment of two people fucking. No.

Crude, I know, I hate the term of -just fucking- it's demeaning.

I much prefer to call it making love, because that's what you do. You make love to the right person. Whether it be a sweet vanilla sort of love or a hot rising passion of love. Either way, it's a making of love, not just a pass time.

"Harry, do you want the cheesecake or the red velvet doughnuts?"

I lift my shoulders into a shrug, "baby, I really don't care."

"Both it is," Elise chimes and I sigh, I should have known she'd get both just because she can't decide which one she desires more.

It's kind of charming though. I never knew indecisiveness could be charming, but it is on her.

I step into the bathroom and I turn to face her as I place my hand on the door, "feel free to join me if you wish," I comment playfully, well aware there's not a chance she'll join me.

Elise hums and smiles over at me, "to save water? Yeah?"

"If that's how you want to put it," I nod and my lips curve into a grin. She can use any justification she wants to get in the shower with me, we both know saving water isn't what's going to happen.

I close the door behind me and I turn the water on, more than eager to welcome the lukewarm water running down my back.

If only the water could wash away the pain and cleanse me of the struggles and misfortunes that have happened and that are sure to continue appearing.

As I welcome the tepid water skimming down my body, I catch the door creak open, "Harry... can I come in?" Elise's voice is fainter than usual and it has this resonance to it that sort of breaks my heart.

"Of course, just stay on that side of the bathroom," I joke and I turn my head to glance at her and observe her stepping into the bathroom.

She swiftly turns around as her eyes meet the glass and I can't help chuckling, "ouch, don't you like what you see?"

"I thought there was a curtain, I'm really sorry."

"Would you relax and turn around? It's a half glass shower panel," I inform Elise and she gradually turns around, her eyes only able to see from my hips up, thanks to the partition.

She stares at me for a moment and I can't help chewing on my bottom lip.

What have I gotten myself into?

She has witnessed me shirtless before, it's nothing unusual to her but her eyes tell me a whole other story, her thoughts are twirling with anticipation, and I know this because mine is the same way.

She shakes her thoughts away — thoughts that I wish I had access to— and as she finishes shaking her thoughts away, she leans against the wall and makes eye contact with me. For a moment, I can't help but feel awkwardness settling between us as the only sounds that can be heard is the water rushing out of the faucet. It's this long drawn out gaze between us, the only thing keeping me cool is the water dripping down my body as Elise keeps her eyes on me with her teeth sinking into her lip, chewing nervously.

I want to ask her what's on her mind and what's bothering her. I can sense just by the way she wandered in here that something is trailing through that mind and it isn't just me, sadly. She didn't walk in here to watch me shower, much to my disappointment. "Do you mind if I stay in here? Kinda lonely out there in the big bed," Elise flicks her head towards the door that leads to the bedroom.

"I don't mind at all. I got lonely too when it was just me," I assure her, her eyes once again resting on me. With the way she's peering at me, she's making it remarkably troublesome to relax and not think about asking her to join me, with a serious tone. I swallow hard, forcing down my words that are only going to express one thing— her and I getting lost in each other through the steam and tepid water around us.

Elise lures me away from my devastating thoughts and I take it as my queue to get back to showering. "I Uh– I got a text message from my sister a few moments ago... she's getting married," Elise acquaints me.

To say the least, she doesn't seem enthused within the slightest. She has a dismal appearance to her and her lips aren't even pretending to curve up into a smile.

"You don't seem too happy 'bout that, love. It's good news. If my sister told me she was getting married, after getting over my initial heart attack, I'd be happy," I comment with a bit of jocularity as I reach for the shampoo.

Honestly, I'll be amazed the day my sister brings home a guy that's worthy of marriage. She tends to attract the wrong guys and they end up leaving her high and dry when the going gets tough. If she called me and told me she was getting married, I'd probably stop breathing for two reasons, 1) nobody can put up with my sister long enough to want to marry her, and that's not a bad thing. 2) The thought of my sister getting married scares me because I don't want her to get hurt.

"Well, you and your sister get along and have a tight relationship, me and mine... well, we don't," Elise sighs. I can feel the melancholy in her voice, and the taste of jealousy that laces her words.

If only she knew just how many times my sister, and I have bickered over the years. My sister tells me she hates me on a weekly basis at this point. We may be tight and remarkably close, but we still have our problems.

"My sister is a pain in my ass, trust me, we have our downfalls," I answer, and I discern Elise shrug in the corner of my eye before I close my eyes to run the shampoo through my hair.

"Yeah, but her and I are a constant, we've never gotten along."

"Is that why all your family photos you guys are separated?" I challenge, recognising the distinct fact that there wasn't a photo of Elise and her sister where they were close together, no.

They were always far apart.

It makes me wonder if the morning she was helping my sister has anything to do with the fact that she hasn't had a sister to care for or to have care for her.

Elise nods, "Pretty much. We used to fight all the bloody time, it never really stopped. We just stopped being physical with each other once our parents kept us separated at all costs. Now we just barely talk," Elise begins, "and I was the last one to be told about the engagement and I'm not even in the bridal party."

Ouch, not being in the bridal party must sting like putting salt in the wound. I'd be annoyed if I was one of the last people to find out about my sister getting married.

"Have you tried reaching out to her? Maybe resolve things?" I ask, already knowing the answer.

"She dismisses me. The only time we see each other is at holidays and special events that Dad forces her to attend to. Sometimes I just wish we had a good relationship, ya know?" Elise questions and I nod and give her a hummed response as I reach for the conditioner. "Makes me feel like she doesn't give a damn by not telling me in person that she's getting married or by leaving me to be the last to know... the only reason she told me is that she wants me to convince Dad to let her get into her trust funds for the wedding."

"What's her name again?" I challenge, having an impromptu flashback moment that may or may not be beneficial.

"Elouisa, my parents went mainstream and kept our names similar," Elise murmurs, "And obviously it's fucking stupid for her to be digging into the trust fund and her investments just for the bloody thing. She's just being greedy because she was given a set amount our parent would pay and she wants more, like always," Elise goes on a bit of a tangent and informs me on a few things that appear to have her considerably unsettled.

I'm not sure whether it's a helpful idea for me to tell her that I overheard her sister on the phone to Jamie and he refuses to hand her the funds. I'm only assuming Jamie manages their assets. It's a good intention for him to have them safe and not for the father. If their father has them it's a much easier access for all siblings to get ahold of them and take them as they please. I have this gut feeling the devised plan of Jamie having the access is essential because of Elouisa.

"While my Dad is on my ass about a well-devised plan for my investments and constantly telling me I need to invest in the stock more, she's out here trying to fucking spend whatever she has on a wedding that shouldn't even be happening... she gets away with it though because she's Elouisa—the golden child— god forbid she makes good decisions and has consequences for the bad ones." ... "literally the last text from my Dad was about making another investment on my own meanwhile she's blowing money. I don't know what to even do with an investment on my own, am I meant to just pick something at random and hope for the damn best?"

I take a moment to reflect as the water streams over me and I glance over at Elise. For a brief moment, I sense as though maybe, just maybe, her life isn't as perfect as I presumed. To be quite honest, I had assumed the only thing she had on her plate was getting through school. She doesn't really have to pay for anything and she doesn't have loans to pay off, her parents pay it because they can. She's lacking something that can't be purchased. She's requiring that longing relationship with her sister that isn't compromised because of money and jealousy.

Something tells me that the reason Elise and her sister don't get along is not just because they appear as polar opposites, but because Elise has the potential to do things without the backing of her parents. I sense this only because her sister is making a split decision to take over a trust fund just for a wedding... my guess is, there's more to it. Perhaps she's more materialistic or her future husband can't give her the material items she desires.

"If you want, I can help you with your investment search," I inform Elise. I'd be more than delighted to offer her some direction, only if she's okay with it. "Elle, have you thought that maybe you two fight because she is jealous?"

"She has nothing to be jealous of," Elise replies.

I'm not sure what it is but Elise appears to be blinded by the kind of person she is. It baffles me how Elise doesn't recognise what her sister could be envious of.

"I wouldn't be so sure. Think about it, love. She wants you to talk to your Dad because she knows he will listen to you, more than likely. I can only assume you're the favourite; you're Daddy's little girl," I begin, touching base on the reasonable elements her sister might be jealous of.

"There is no reason to be jealous though," Elise shakes her head.

"Oh, darling, but there is. You don't see how you have this infectious personality, you don't see how you light up the room you're in every time you enter. You don't see how sweet, caring and humble you are. You're a breath of fresh air. I could stand here and go on for hours about you, love. You are an astonishing woman and you never fail to amaze me. You are breathtaking in every damn way possible," I inform Elise, managing to catch a glimpse of her before she wanders closer to the glass. Elise doesn't say a word and it causes me to glance over my shoulder as the water catches my chest, "Elle, what are you—" I trail off and my eyes settle on her fingers curling under the fabric of her shirt before she draws it over her head. My heart rate stimulates and I swear for a moment I forget how to fucking breathe.

Elise's eyes lock with mine and I swallow hard, the anticipation of her undressing and joining me is killing me. The moment Elise's shirt hits the tiled floor, her eyes move away from my gaze and her head flicks towards the open door. Then I hear it, the most irritating and inconvenient sound. The fucking door for the damn room service.

Elise clears her throat and grabs her shirt and stretches it over her before she shuffles out of the bathroom nonchalantly.

"Fucking hell," I mutter to myself, shaking my head as my teeth chew on the side of my mouth. I heavily huff and I turn the water to a cooler temperature, needing to ease the tension in me and cool me down, literally. She has me hot and bothered and it's driving me fucking nuts. I'm glad we were interrupted, purely because I don't want to act on an impulse and I don't want her acting on impulse, not for our first time.

"Harry, dinner," Elise calls from the bedroom and I can't help but bite my lip. The sound of her voice isn't fucking helping my current problem and predicament.

"Okay, give me a few minutes and I'll be out," I respond, hoping she doesn't ask any more questions. I have something I need to take care of...

I turn the cold water off and I seize my towel and wrap it around my waist. As I gaze up, I have a clear view of the bed where Elise is assembling with her hair falling over her shoulders and her eyes staring down at her phone.

She takes a glimpse of me and grins to herself before she peels her eyes off of my body and glances back down at her phone.

I wander out of the bathroom once I have a pair of shorts on and Elise quickly takes my attention.

"I'm sorry about bothering you in the shower."

I shake my head, "Come here."

"Why?"

"Jus' want you to come here fo' a minute, sweetheart," I extend my arm out and she complies with my instructions.

I benevolently take Elise's hand and I gingerly draw her into me and I wrap my arms around her. "I want you to know that you can come to me, I don't care if I'm in the shower or if I'm having the time of my life in the Bahamas, You can come and talk to me any time, okay? I don't care if I'm asleep, you wake me and we can talk. Don't apologise for wanting me to listen to you and help."

"I don't like putting that weight on you."

"I don't care. If you ever need me, don't hesitate. You coming in and talking to me wasn't a bother."

"Are you sure?"

"Mhm," I hum as she rests her head on my chest for a moment, "promise you'll come to me, okay?"

"Okay," Elise whispers and she lifts her head off my chest to peer up at me with her blissful eyes that I get lost in every time. I swear, I can see the entire universe in her eyes and it's a pleasure to be able to get lost in them. It's like staring into an abyss of fascinating constellations and milky ways, beautiful, captivating and breathtaking.

I lean down and I kiss her lips tenderly, making sure not to make anything out the kiss. I can't let myself get too deep again into a moment.

❦ ❦ ❦

I bustle around the hotel room, struggling to keep myself together, I have another meeting and I don't think I'm going to get through it. I feel as though I'm going to be eaten alive. I'm beginning to regret my decision of taking this job with Jamie. There's a lot of pressure on me. If I fuck up, I'm not just letting down my boss, I'm letting down my girlfriend's uncle. Fuck.

"Harry–"

"Elle, I'm not trying to be a dick but I really need to find my tie," I cut Elise off promptly, needing all my focus to be on discovering my tie and getting through the next few hours. I know she presumably needs attention too and is probably just wanting to know if I want breakfast but I can't give her my time right now. I have precisely ten minutes to get out the door otherwise I'll be late.

"Fucking hell, where the fuck is the damn thing?" I mutter to myself as I continue to rush around the hotel room in search of the tie that I need. I have everything else ready but the tie.

In the midst of my nerves and my anxiousness, out of nowhere, I welcome a body press to mine and Elise's arms wrap around me. I take a breath and grasp a sense of clarity wash over me. I kiss the top of her head before I wrap my arms around her, "hi, sweetheart," I whisper, savouring the warmth of her body caressed to mine. For a moment, my apprehensions turn to grey and I feel a little bit better about myself. I don't feel as lost and on edge.

"Hi," Elise lifts her head off my chest and glances up at me with her alluring eyes, "you need to calm down, you'll do great," Elise informs me with her dulcimer sweet voice that I swear has the power to bring me to my knees.

"You have to say that."

"Harry, you're going to kick ass. Have faith in yourself."

"My ass is going to be kicked if I don't find my tie," I mutter before I lean down and kiss her lips and unwrap my arms from her. Our bodies separate and I go back to tearing up the room to locate the tie. This surely has to be my karma for something. I must have done something in my life to assert me bad luck at this very moment.

"Harry," Elise distracts me from rummaging through my suitcase and I look over my shoulder. A sigh of relief falls from my lips and we both move to meet each other in the middle, "you have five minutes, breathe, okay?" Elise whispers as her hands reach up and adjust my collar before she places the tight around my neck.

"I need this, Elle. I can't fuck it up. I can't go back to working at Burberry and pulling every shift possible to pay for everything. I can't. I just can't."

Elise nods while her hands continue to tug at the tie and wrap the edges around each other, "you can do this. It's going to be okay. You spent most the night preparing, you know what you're doing. As long as you remember to breathe, you'll be fine, I promise," Elise assures me with that angelic smile of hers.

"Bit tight," I chuckle as she tightens my to and my hands gently take over, "you trying to take my breath away?" I joke as I loosen the tie around my neck.

"I'm sorry, I—"

"It's okay, I was only joking," I cut her off and swiftly kiss her lips, "promise I'm fine," I assure her through a mumble before I can't help but kiss her further. One, two, three. I don't want to pull away, but I have to, four, five, six, I want her.

Elise gingerly pulls away, saving me from having to fight myself with whether to pull away or continue to kiss her. I swear she is like quicksand, the more I move away from the desires the more she draws me in, I'm stuck but in the most wonderful way.

❦ ❦ ❦

Jamie pulls me aside and lures me into his office. "Harry, how would you feel about a permanent position at my headquarters in New York? You'd be reporting back to me daily and working with one of my best managing team to construct the new launch of a pair of new global equity funds even further," Jamie notifies me and I stand stiffly in his office, bewildered and stunned.

He just took me on this month to work under him, I didn't expect for him to offer me a further job, here in New York, 5,567 km away from everyone and everything.

"You don't need to answer straight away, you can have some time to think."

I shake my head, "I don't think I can accept and move," I inform him politely.

"If you change your mind, you have the week. You'd do well here in New York, you'd be getting paid more than what you earn in London."

"I understand," I nod, "I just don't think I can leave right now."

"Before you leave, I want you to take this file, read through it and come up with a solution to fix the figures," Jamie hands me a file and I take it in my hand, my eyes looking down to see it's unmarked.

"It has no name," I inform him and Jamie just nods without saying a word. I don't question him or the unnamed file, instead, I take it to my temporary office.

I sit at my desk and I waste no time with opening the file. A portfolio is can consist of various financial assets such as stocks, bonds, commodities, currencies and cash equivalents, as well as fund counterparts, including mutual, exchange-traded and closed funds. And as I sit here with the papers staring at me, I can't see very many useful investments, there isn't anything truly useful. A portfolio can also consist of non publicly tradable securities, like real estate, art, and private investments— this portfolio has next to nothing. Whoever's portfolio this is, they need to work on their financial decisions and backing. There are very little stock investment and funds. I'd have to say this file may as well be burned and restarted.

It kills me how people can allow their financial decisions to get them to the point of having a horrible portfolio outcome. I just don't see how people wait until it's too late to ask for help from professionals or a company. I'll be damned if I ever let my own portfolio fail to this extent.

I heavily sigh and stand to my feet to exit the office and make my way to Jamie.

"You," a woman points to me and gestures with her fingers for me to walk over. At first, I'm apprehensive, but I obey anyway. "I haven't seen you before, you must be new?" Her eyes look me up and down, and I can't help but feel a bit uncomfortable with her eyes scanning every inch of me. I don't find it endearing or to be an ego booster, like some guys might, instead, I perceive it to be bothersome.

I nod my head politely and her lips curve into a smile, "a man of few words, I see," she comments with a tone that seems to be laced with a lot of dominance and sarcasm. She doesn't have a honey-sweet voice or something soothing, it's more of that voice of a sexual tone. I'm not saying she's attempting to seduce me, but her tone of voice is far from innocent.

I again nod my head, not having much to say to this woman. I'm not sure who she is, Jamie has never introduced me to her, in fact, I haven't seen her a day in my life. The woman hums with her eyes still piercing into me, making me feel uncomfortable and uneasy. She almost makes me feel as though my tie is too tight around my neck.

"What's your name? Or do you not talk?" She trails off with a chuckle and shifts her coils of leaf-brown hair over her shoulder.

"Harry."

"Nice name, suits you well," she comments, "are you the new assistant? We need a good one around here."

I shake my head, "no, I am not. All due respect, but I have work I need to do," I inform the woman whom I swear is batting her eyes at me and giving me that seductive smirk that we all know only means one thing.

"I wouldn't want to hold you up," she shakes her head, "oh, wait, your suit isn't lined correctly," she reaches her hands in front of her and presses them to my suit jacket, adjusting it for me with a smile and bright eyes. "Can't have you walking around here looking unprofessional. Who did your tie? It's not straight enough," she shakes her head and I swallow hard as she manoeuvres my tie.

"My girlfriend did," I bluntly state before I carefully press my hands to her wrists and gently move her hands away from my chest and towards her own body, "please, I need to get to work."

"I can see that," she nods, "I really admire a man who has determination."

Is she hitting on me?

I stare at her for a moment, unsure of what I'm meant to say. I can't be rude and just walk away but I also don't want to entertain a woman who may or may not be hitting on me. I can't figure out if it's her personality or not. She leans on the desk and flashes me her eyes and I can't help but notice the way her hand seems to be inching closer to the file.

"I'm not quite sure what you're getting at, but I really need to get back to work."

"Are you insinuating something, Harry?" She raises a brow at me and my breath hitches in my throat.

Fuck. I wasn't striving to insinuate anything at all!

I shake my head, "no, ma'am, I just–" I begin but she cuts me off with her laughter and she presses her hand to my arm.

"You're such a sweetheart, it's okay, Harry. I won't tell anyone."

I don't know if she's attempting to philander with me for me or for the file. But either way, I'm not comfortable with it.

"Thank you, now I'm stepping away," I bluntly state before I step around her with the file in my hand and I walk straight to Jamie's office. I'm hoping his office proves as a safe haven for a moment.

I step through the doorframe and I go to open my mouth but I stop when I observe her.

I can't help but feel a calmness wash over me and a smile dangle in the corner of my lips when I notice Elise. She grins over at me and I step closer to her, unsure of whether I'm allowed to greet her as my girlfriend or not.

Elise takes the lead and kisses my cheek with a muffled, 'hello' and I perceive Jamie roll his eyes, "Elise, did you come just to see your boyfriend?"

"No, I came to see my favourite uncle," she chimes as she glances towards him.

"Mhm," he hums, "I just added you to the guest list for tonight, and your father has instructed me to tell you that you are not to be unattended at any point."

"I know," Elise sighs.

Jamie diverts his attention to me, "what do you need?"

I hold up the file and I settle it down on his desk, "it's a really bad compilation," I inform Jamie and he nods in agreement.

"Which is why I gave it to you, you need to fix it," Mr Cartier informs me, not offering me a chuckle to show he's kidding... because he isn't... he's serious. He wants me to fix this hell hole of a portfolio. Damnit.

"Sir, this May as well be burned and turned to ashes, it'll be more useful that way because this-this is tragic," I gesture towards the file, "it screams poor decisions," I continue, making sure to make it known that this portfolio is utter crap. Crap is an understatement, to be honest.

"Bad decisions are my middle name," a woman's voice takes my awareness and I turn on my heel to face the same woman that had her hands on me, the one that I'm pretty sure was hitting on me. Either way, she made me uncomfortable, "and although I find your words flattering, that's definitely no way to speak of your new client," the woman extends me a smile, but it's a smile that is laced with sexual desires, she just has this sex appeal to her and I'm not a fan of it. I'd much prefer if she would have the tone of voice that didn't sound like she was initiating anything. I know she's using her voice to get what she wants— attention, desires, and god knows what else.

I gulp and bite my lip, my eyes immediately flicking towards Elise who rolls her eyes and side-eyes her uncle while the unnamed woman strolls closer with her long legs that are showing off a pair of expensive heels and what I presume is an expensive dress. The only way I know her shoes are expensive is because I know that red leather sole anywhere.

We all know that red leather sole when we see it paired with an Italian-made iteration that is crafted from glossy patent-leather. They're no other than Louboutin's, my sister has been wanting a pair for years, and I've seen Elise wear the exact same style that this unnamed woman is wearing, the only difference is that Elise's are in black and this woman's is in a nude tone.

"Well, if you're going to stare, at least tell me good news, darling," the lady snickers as she saunters closer and takes the portfolio off of Jamie's desk and handles it in her hand in a way to show off her Aphrodite-red fingernails and the two diamond rings she has on.

"You're the anonymous client?" I question, dumbfounded and entirely shocked.

At least now she knows her file is horrible and she makes poor decisions that I now have to fix... apparently.

"I'll meet you at the hotel," Elise clears her throat, her eyes managing to meet mine. As I take notice of her glance, I can sense she's not too pleased. I have this urge to want to comfort her and ask her what is wrong, but I can't.

I'm working, therefore, I can't be the boyfriend she needs at the moment.

I give her a nod and before I can speak, I discover myself raising a brow at the lady with the file, "aw, going so soon?"

Elise doesn't respond to the woman, instead, Elise steps closer and kisses my cheek before exiting the office without a word.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say there's tension between Elise and this lady, tension that I'm sure I'm going to unravel at some point. I'm not sure what Elise and this woman could have between them, unless, of course, Elise noticed the woman's tone of voice with me and also thinks she's hitting on me.

Or maybe Elise saw the woman placing her hands on my chest? Whatever it may be, I plan to find out.

"What's her problem?" The woman asks, her eyes looking towards Jamie who rolls his eyes and heavily sighs. This doesn't seem like a very professional meeting.

Mr Cartier leans back in his chair and glances directly at the lady with an unamused expression spread across his lips, "she's clearly upset with you. I'm giving Harry control of your portfolio, you better hope he can fix them, otherwise you will start owing everybody else money. I suggest you take whatever advice he gives you."

"Is he qualified?"

"Take it or leave it, I'm trying to help you and I trust Harry. You need to start making better decisions."

The woman nods, "I'm trying."

"Mhm, batting your eyes at your sister's boyfriend isn't a good decision, Elouisa," Jamie mutters and my eyes grow wide as I process what has just been said.

I just allowed Elise's sister to hit on me. Fuck.

No wonder she's not happy. One thing for sure is that Elouisa does not have the same sweetness and grace as Elise.

Now I can see why they clash a lot.

"Congratulations on the engagement, I'll take it as you won't be hitting on me again," I cockily smile towards her.

She wasn't expecting my remark, and I don't care how impolite it may appear.