Adèle Kelly

This now familiar lift opens its door on the hallway of the fifty-fifth floor. I have fifteen minutes left and I can't arrive late at dad's office two days in a row. Dad could start suspecting things and doubts me. I walk down the long corridor, which is unusually quite bustling. I cross paths with some businessmen in suit and well-dressed women. But no one here seems to be as young as Harry. I hope nobody won't see me enter his office, otherwise it might be no mean feat.

As I'm walking to Harry's office, I bump into a young woman. She must be the exception to the rule, she's certainly even younger than Harry. She stops when she sees me and even turns around to face me, and calls for me.

"Excuse me, miss, are you looking for something? Or maybe for someone?" she asks in a very professional tone which, I have to admit, intimidates me. I blush.

Shit. I don't know who she is, but it doesn't look good to me. How will I even reach Mr. Styles' office, now? I don't have much time left and she is already wasting it. I bite my lip, not sure about what the right thing to say is, and take some time to reply.

"Erm... well, I-I-," I stammer but I am cut off by a familiar deep voice.

"Elena!" he calls and I immediately know he is calling for her. We both turn around to see Mr. Styles' head through the opening of his heavy double door. He literally saves my life and I let out a sigh of relief. His piercing green eyes immediately spotted me in the corridor.

There's a hint of a frown on Elena's face as she starts walking towards Harry with confidence, making her high heels slam loudly on the polished floor. I follow her hesitantly down the corridor without saying anything else. Her long brown hair is shiny and blow-dried, and her manicured hands show how much she attaches importance to her appearance. I don't know what's her job here, but she seems rather close to Harry.

Mr. Styles stands now in front of his door, only a few meters away from us, his hands in his black dress pants pockets.

"This girl is with me, she's my niece," he informs her when we approach him.

He literally catches me off-guard with his idea. He remains calm, as if he was a natural at lying, as if that was the easiest thing to do in the world. Elena opens her mouth to speak but only a little oh comes out. She seems surprised, maybe because she isn't used to see Mr. Styles having a guest here. I don't know.

"You can go and attend to your business, Elena. She's coming with me," he tells her and she nods. She then walks back to the hall, leaving us alone. Harry invites me in and I follow him into his office. I wanted to be discreet when I arrived but well, we're not quite there yet.

Harry holds the door open for me to walk in. When I did, he closes it and ensures that it is locked. When we find ourselves alone, I can't help but smile.

"Your niece, then?" I say playfully when he turns around to face me. The situation took a ridiculous turn and I didn't expect that when I came here. I knew there was no use to try to imagine what would happen because Harry would always surprise me.

He walks towards his desk and leans against it. He then adjusts his suit jacket without breaking eye contact with me and crosses his arms over his chest. I can see from where I stand the tip of his tongue slips out of his mouth to humidify his lips. He's breathtaking, as everyday.

"What else could I say? She's exasperating, lying was necessary there," he says and rolls his eyes which makes me smile lightly.

"Who is she?" I asks hesitantly. I fear he might mind me asking this, but at the end, he just doesn't seem to.

"My secretary," he replies and I slowly nod. So this incredibly beautiful young woman is Harry's secretary. He hired her himself and he sees her every day. Now I really don't understand why he is wasting his time with me. What do I have that she doesn't? But from what he said, she is exasperating. I smile inside. Maybe Harry is one of those guys who doesn't look at the shape first but at the content. Well, there's no doubt he must like looking at beautiful women, which is absolutely normal, but he just doesn't focus on physique. I like it.

I let my bag slide down my arm and put it on one of the armchairs in front of his desk. I then walks closer to him, never breaking eye contact. His forest green eyes are of a mind-blowing shade and I feel like I could look at them forever. When I'm only a meter away from him, he reaches out his hands for me, taking my little ones in his and pulling me closer to him.

"I think that's out for today," I whisper shyly with a little smile.

"What do you mean?" he asks in confusion, his eyebrows knitting together.

"Well, I don't have much time left and there are a lot of people out there who have seen us," I explain to him but he remains silent, still frowning. Apparently, he doesn't get what I mean.

"What are you talking about, Adele?" he asks me now more seriously this time, almost irritated, and I blush. He won't force me to say it, will he? I don't know if he does it on purpose because it's really not difficult to understand what I mean, is it?

"Well, you know..." I start and his eyes widen when he finally understand. I feel myself turning as red as a beet and suddenly feel ashamed and embarrassed. Please, do not tell me I misunderstood him?

"You didn't seriously believe that I'd do things to you, did you?" he asks, hesitation is clear in his voice.

Goddamn it, he wasn't joking. I feel totally humiliated because that was exactly what I thought. For me it was clear as day and I had to take a decision as to how far I was ready to go with him. I pull my hands away from his to bury my face in them. I feel so stupid now.

"Hey, don't hide, please," he says in a very sweet tone as he gently pulls on my wrists to put them down.

"I feel so humiliated, so stupid. I thought that was what you wanted. Oh, forgive me..." I say, looking up at him to read his face. He doesn't seem angry at all, it is actually quite the opposite, he grins down at me. He's always so warmhearted with me and is always trying to make me feel comfortable. He knows I'm only seventeen and I think he's really trying to be understanding.

He has taken my hands in his again and his long fingers rub their backs in a reassuring way. I no longer dare to look at him in the eyes. Did I really misunderstand? It was clear this man wanted to start an affair with me but I may have got carried away and misunderstood things. I'm completely off beam.

"Believe me, Adele, that's all I yearn for. But not for your first time, not here, not in those circumstances nor those conditions," he reassures me and it's my turn to be surprised. I widen my eyes.

"W-what? How do you know that I've never..." I start but I'm so disconcerted that I don't finish my sentence.

"... had sex? Well, I've been watching you and it's easy to guess," he says with a little smile and I blush slightly. But most of all, I feel relieved and even happy. Not only because he doesn't reject me as I thought he could have by learning that I am still a virgin, but also because he cares for my first time. He wants to do things right and that touches me in a way. But I still can't believe I ended up talking about my first time with this man I barely know.

"Are you okay, now?" he asks me softly. I nod and finally build up the courage to look at him in the eyes, those eyes he has kept on me all this time. "And I wouldn't do that to my niece."

I briefly wonder what he is talking about until he leans his head forward to place a small kiss on my lips. His pink heart-shaped ones are full and warm just as I remembered. They softly brush mines as he is trying to be more comforting and emotional than passionate. Now I am, comforted.

"How long can you stay here for?" he asks me and now he changed the subject for good. I pull my phone out of my jeans pocket to tell time.

"I have to go in five minutes," I tell him and he purses his lips together.

"We can't see each other here anymore. Things could quickly turn wrong. I'll try to find other means to see you."

I nod, I agree with him. This place is full of nosy people who can't seem to mind their own business. He then offers me to send me a text to inform me about the next time we'll meet. So he pulls out his phone of his pocket and hands it to me so I can enter my name and my phone number in it. He does exactly the same with mine and this makes me think of something...

"You know, today my sister asked me to find her your number," I say without looking up at him, letting out a small chuckle at the end. At my words, he laughs loudly and hands me back my cellular.

"Please, tell me you won't give it to her," he says, narrowing his eyes.

"I won't! Never," I counter with a grin.

"I'm delighted to hear it," his raspy voice whispers and he still has his little smirk on his face. "I don't want her to have it."

"I don't want her to have it either," I agree and that's when I realise that it's true. I don't want Samantha to have Harry's number because, for once, a man is interested in me and not her. And it's not just any man, it's Harry Styles. But it's nothing about his job or his money, it's all about his kindness, his politeness and the way he is so understanding with me. I have never met anyone as polite and respectful as he is. And there is no way Samantha is going to come in between us.

"It's time, you should go. I don't want you to be told off because of me," he whispers after a few seconds of silence.

"It'd be worth it."

"Stop talking nonsense." He pulls me closer to him and holds me a bit tighter. It's nothing really romantic but it's more natural and I like that because otherwise, it could easily become embarrassing. Harry always manage to make me feel comfortable.

He eventually walks me to the door and before he opens it, I can feel his sweet lips on my temple. I briefly close my eyes at this warm contact and it makes me notice for the first time that Harry is a very touchy-feely person. When he seems to be very comfortable with that, I am quite the opposite. I have trouble finding the right things to do or the right words to say, but when I am with him, I feel like I couldn't make any faux pas. Everything would be understood, my clumsiness as well.

I smile at him one last time before slipping under his outstretched arm that is holding the door for me.

"I keep you in the loop by text," he mouths when our eyes meet again and I nod. I'm so disappointed I have to leave him that soon because I would have liked staying longer. I just can't wait to receive a text from him now.

The door closes eventually and I sigh. As I walk back to the lifts, I cast a glance at my watch to tell time; it's 5.07pm, I'm on schedule. As I call the lift, I feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket. It must be my dad who texts me to know when I'll be there. I pull my phone out and the thing I read on the small screen brings a big smile to my face.

'I really liked those ten minutes we just spent together. H.xx''

'H'. It can only be one person. I smile as I get in the lift. I smile because I really liked it too and because he immediately texted me. But most of all, I smile because of the name of the contact he gave himself in my phone. As I only wrote 'Adele' in his, he didn't hesitate to put something else than his actual name. Something like a secret code so nobody except us would know who this person is. Actually, something that makes me smile. Sir.

*

Harry Styles

For the first time in ages, I'm glad I can come back home early tonight. I did everything I had to do today - which is rather unusual because I generally finish the work I have the day after, thus I can't finish what I planned for that day and it's a vicious circle. But now it's 7pm and I can leave the office that early for once.

I called Andrew to be down there in five minutes, I then leave my office, close the door behind me and, as I walk towards the lift, politely say goodbye to the few people I see. Elena is already gone - thanks God she is.

When I get in the lift, I allow myself for the first time since Adele has left, to think about what we had today. It wasn't a big deal, we just talked. But I feel like I would like to get to know her. I would like to know what she thinks of when she raise those big green eyes at me. I'm intrigued and I don't even know why, I feel like I'm attracted, not only by her, but also by the danger she is related to. For me, it's not like I want to cheat on Josephine, but rather know Adele better. The thing is other people might not understand this point and would see this as betrayal towards Josephine. I can't deny that, I can't say otherwise because it's true objectively. What I'm trying to say is that I don't do that to hurt her, I just met a girl who's been diverted me lately from my long and boring days.

Andrew is waiting for me near the black Audi parked in front of the entrance of the building. He opens the door for me and nods politely his head as I get inside the car. Andrew has the keys of all my cars and he can choose each day which one he wants to use. It is a quiet ride as most of the time.

When we get home, it's night already and I can see from the outside through the big windows that the light is on in the living room. Josephine is always home before me. I pass the front door and close it behind me. I am immediately welcomed by the warm atmosphere of the house as I walk towards the living room where Josephine is. I find her standing near the fireplace, gorgeous in her grey pencil skirt and white satin blouse.

Josephine stopped modeling when she met me. She couldn't bare the pressure they were putting on her and started to get tired of it. So I helped her to find a job in the business, something not to difficult to do and as I have quite a huge range of contacts, it wasn't that hard. She now works for MalikWay Magazine and I think she likes it, it remains something in the mode, she knows what it is all about.

I walk to her and place a kiss on her lips. She wraps her arms around my waist, giving me chills down my spin when I feel her warm touch in my lower back. Adele's face coms up in mind. No, it's not Adele, it's Josephine. Josephine. I frown, frustrated. Josephine.

She eventually lets go of me and turns her back to me. Suddenly, her blonde hair turns to brown. I am horrified by how my thoughts are turning, but before I can think about it, I already grabbed her by the hips and my lips are in her neck. She gasps in surprise and lets out a giggle. I feel a urge to press her against the wall and kiss her with passion. But that's when my lips connects with hers that everything fades.

It's not the same mouth neither the same lips. Her blond hair has reappeared, her eyes are not green and I am furious with myself because I let that happen. I am furious for not being able to control myself. Since when do I behave like a horny teenager?

I stand in front of Josephine completely speechless in front of my Josephine who's looking at me confused. I never felt such an emotional rollercoaster. Guilt is now taking over me. How could I let that happen? I feel a nervous knot in my stomach getting tighter each second that passes and that's hurt. I can't do that to Josephine, I can't leave her for that girl, I can't drop two years of relationship and a wedding to come for a fling. But on the other hand, I feel like I just can't stop to see Adele for now, it is too tempting. Yet, it would be the wisest decision.

As I pull away from Josephine, I can feel her eyes charged with questions and confusions on me constantly. I  walk to the minibar and open a bottle of a brown liquor to pour me a drink. I need it.

"It was a rough day, wasn't it?" she tries.

"In a way. It's just that... I wonder a lot," I tell her without looking at her, though I know she has her eyes on me.

I drink from my glass and the liquor burns my throat as it gets down. I wince but I need to feel this feeling of relief and numbness getting over my body.

"You want to talk about it?" she asks, worry is clear in her voice. I shake my head no. There's no way I'm going to talk about that with her.

She takes care of setting the table as I finish my drink and I pour myself another one. I feel my whole body getting numb as the minutes pass.

"You're doing it again, Harry. You drink to run away from your problems but you know it doesn't solve them. It's only temporary. You need to talk and I am here for you, you know that," she says both worried and strict.

Damn, she sounds like my mother.

She stands now in front of me, her arms crossed over her chest and she seems rather upset.

"I don't have any problem, Josephine," I hiss, annoyed. "I simply ask myself questions. And I can drink one glass or two if I want to."

"Alright," she spits, exasperated. "Then don't say I haven't tried to help."

She walks out the living room and makes her heels slam on the wooden floor to show how upset she is. I sigh, taking a seat around the long table. I hate it when she screams, it means she really is angry because she isn't the type of girl to get mad for a trifle. I guess she's right to be upset for that.

She then comes back with a dish that she puts on the table in a theatrical way to show her discontentment. I watch her sit on the chair opposite me and I start serving us in silence. It is a silent dinner and the soft melody of Chopin that is playing in the background is the only sound we can heard along with the sound of the cutlery. None of us say anything. She doesn't because she is angry with me and I don't because I am furious with me. I'm ashamed and I feel guilty.

That's how the whole evening goes. We clean the table in silence and then go to bed early. Her back remains turned to me the whole night as I stare at the ceiling in the dark, and this bed usually so comfortable have never been that cold.

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Hi everyone! I hope you liked this chapter! Please leave feedbacks and tell me what you think, it would mean so much for me. I also apologise for the mistakes, English isn't my mother tongue. Much love. x