okay I need to start off by apologising for being passive aggressive during that author's note in the previous chapter and not considering how the reader must've been feeling through the mature content scenes like the rape scene.

Thank you for all who commented! I understand better now (:

I APOLOGIZE for being so late with this update. Had a lil writer's block but now I'm back! Please do excuse this chapter because it's shit and I was half asleep while posting so ignore the errors ❤️❤️❤️

ENJOY

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I got lifetimes worth of love hidden beneath my tongue

Written on my skin, tells me you're the one

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"Hi! I'm Harry!"

  Harry reached out to shake Iris' and Hadiya's hands one after the other with a bright smile on his face. He was having lunch with them today because he wanted to discuss with them the birthday plans he had in store for Adriana. He picked a day where Adriana was feeling a little better so that he didn't have to worry about leaving her without any support, and with Mateo.

  He felt like he was babying her to a certain extent, but he often told himself that he just worried about her a lot. There were times he'd leave her to get groceries or for meetings with his record deal team, and would return to find her with chills all over, shutting herself off from everything and everyone because of her anxiety and depression, while Mateo would sob because his mother wasn't there for him.

   "I'm Iris," Iris grinned widely, thrusting her hand out for Harry to shake. He smiled kindly at her, before turning to shake Hadiya's hand.

   "Hadiya," she introduced herself with a bright smile.

   "Hello, hello, it's lovely to meet the two of you, I've heard so much about you guys from Adriana!" Harry rambled excitedly and adorably. "Please sit! Let's order!"

  Harry was sweet and charismatic like Adriana had described to Iris and Hadiya, and they were therefore happy that Adriana had found a man so perfect like Harry. They had expected the conversation to be all about Adriana, her birthday and how she was doing. But Harry made an effort to get to know Iris and Hadiya better after they discussed what was happening for Adriana's birthday tomorrow. They talked about their jobs at the New York Ballet company, and Adriana came up in the conversation once again.

   "Adriana was the best dancer in the company," Iris exaggerated while Harry listened with a smile. "She's insanely talented. Like yeah she's an amazing pole dancer, but her ballet dancing is breathtaking."

   "It's true," Hadiya nodded in agreement, sipping on her drink before she spoke again. "It's a shame she doesn't do it anymore."

   "She still practices," Harry told them. "I've seen her practice ballet as well as her pole dancing."

   "I wish she'd come back to the company, but they probably wouldn't let her unless she goes to rehab and proves that she doesn't do cocaine anymore."

   "Well she hasn't done any for a month now," Harry informed them, but his voice didn't hold as much pride as he expected it to. "But I don't think I'm doing that great of a job helping her manage her withdrawal symptoms."

   "That's alright, Harry, you've already done so much for her," Iris told him firmly. "Perhaps it's time she goes to rehab."

   "She freaks out whenever I bring up the option," Harry mumbled with a sigh, leaning back against his seat. His blood-red shirt ruffled under skin as he folded his arms over his chest. "But I'll bring it up again and be more firm about it soon after her birthday."

   "Yeah, you should," Iris agreed before a look of guilt flashed across her features. "Let us know if you need help, we need to make amends for abandoning Adriana the way we did."

   "You abandoned her?" Harry frowned deeply.

   "We're not exactly the most amazing, supporting friends as you've probably noticed," Hadiya said sheepishly, making Harry swallow thickly, because it was an observation he had made. He had always wondered why Adriana's friends nor Jazmín didn't help her out with her addiction.

   "There's a reason for that right?" Harry murmured, making them both nod in response.

   "Hunter," Iris uttered in slight anger. "He was the drug dealer Adriana bought from before Donnie replaced him."

   "Hunter was very strict with his deadlines, but Adriana never followed them because she literally didn't have the money to pay him back on time," Hadiya began to explain. "It got to a point where Hunter began looking for ways to force her to pay, and that's when he found out about us."

   "He knew about Mateo, but didn't want to hurt the kid so he decided to harass us and Jazmín," Iris continued. "I-I mean Hadiya still wanted to help despite it, but we-we couldn't. We'd get death threats by email, text message, and much more, a gang of guys always followed me around and that freaked me out. It came to a point where it was too much for us, we came home one day and found our entire place trashed with all our valuables stolen. Money, jewelry, precious items, everything!"

   "Oh god," Harry whispered in shock, lips turning downwards. He didn't know if he should mention that he was beaten up because Adriana didn't pay her debts.

   "Jazmín on the other hand, supported Adriana so much but Hunter actually kidnapped one of her kids and that caused havoc. Her husband, Marco, was furious at Adriana for being the cause of it all," Hadiya explained, making Harry's eyes widen in shock.

   "What happened then? Was the kid okay?"

   "Yeah Adriana scraped up every little bit of money she had left and paid Hunter, and got Jazmín's kid in return, safe and sound," Iris said with a sigh. "So, you see, we've all helped her and wanted to continue helping her fight the addiction, but it all got so fucked up we just couldn't."

   "I understand," Harry nodded in response, leaning back in his chair.

   "But Iris and I are prepared to help now, since Adriana isn't doing cocaine anymore, that means she's not buying from Donnie. So we don't have to worry about threats due  to unpaid debts or anything," Iris rambled, making Harry nod and smile.

   "If you could help me keep her happy and sane until I figure out the whole rehab situation that'd be great," Harry told them, making them both nod in agreement.

  They finished off with lunch on a happy note, excited for the next day, for Adriana's birthday. Harry ran some errands before heading back to Adriana's, buying groceries and picking up a new suit to wear for the event he planned to take her to for her birthday. By the time he reached home it was evening, and he had everything prepared and organized for her birthday, despite Adriana saying that she was perfectly happy with just doing nothing and staying at home with dinner and a cake.

But he had a few special things planned, which he knew for sure she would enjoy, and he couldn't wait to finally treat his princess.

∙❧∙

  Adriana to odd sounds in the living room. A soft groan escaped her lips as she squeezed her eyes shut, stretching her arms over her head, body arching. She slumped back down on the bed and rolled over to cuddle with Harry, frowning with a pout when she felt nothing but air.

  Her eyes flew open again, and her jaw slackened when she saw that Harry's side of the bed was empty except for a huge circular box of gorgeous red roses popping out of it, surrounded by more rose petals scattered on the white bed. Adriana lifted her body up with her arm, sitting up and shifting towards the roses with a giddy smile growing on her lips. Her eyes spotted the black card next to it, hand reaching out to grab it and read it.

   Happy Birthday baby girl. I hope you enjoy your favorite flowers, and the rest of the surprises Mateo and I have in store for you today. Get dressed and come to the living room for more ;)

Love your sun and star ♡

  Adriana grinned widely to herself, heart filling with warmth and love as she read over the lines for the second time, unable to control her smiling every time she read the last line. She set the card down and rolled out of bed, trudging over to the bathroom to clean her face and teeth.

  She then changed into a t-shirt and leggings before heading over to her mirror to brush her hair out. As she brushed her long dark locks slowly, she prayed that her withdrawal symptoms wouldn't torture her today. She had already had an unpleasant dream last night. It wasn't exactly a nightmare because she was used to some of them now and they were just ugly dreams now. She felt a little fatigued, and hoped that it'd pass by later because she wanted to enjoy whatever Harry had planned.

   "Don't fuck up today," she told herself while looking at the mirror. She then headed out to meet Harry and Mateo in the living room.

  However, she didn't expect to walk into a room filled with a huge bunch of red and gold balloons, with a huge load of gifts sitting on the sofa with a huge 24 balloon floating up to the ceiling. Adriana gasped quietly, hands cupping her mouth when Harry and Mateo jumped out and surprised her. Mateo rushed over and hugged her legs tightly, making her duck down and pick him up and pepper his face with kisses. Harry walked over to them, making Adriana reach forwards and pecked him quickly on his lips before he hugged the both of them.

   "You two are so sweet!" Adriana exclaimed with a bright grin, heart so full of love it could almost explode. "I love you both so much!"

   "We love you too, Mamá," Mateo returned adorably, hugging her firmly with his cheek pressing against her.

   "Very much," Harry added to Mateo's words, pecking Adriana's other cheek, making her pucker her lips at him to kiss.

   "Thank you for the flowers, baby, they're so beautiful," Adriana told him with a warm smile, making him grin with his dimple popping out. "I love them so so much."

   "I'm glad, my love," Harry told her, resting his hand on her lower back and kissing her temple lovingly.

    "We also made breakfast for you!" Mateo exclaimed with a big grin, making Adriana set him down. He grabbed Adriana's hand and tugging her towards the dining table.

  Adriana's jaw dropped when she saw the lavish breakfast that was beautifully laid out for her, containing all her favorite foods. There were crêpes served with Nutella, fresh fruit, syrup and whipped cream; as well as omelets, toast, sausages and bacon. Harry and Mateo woke up an hour early and got Jazmín to come in and help cook the food as Mateo and her kids set up the living room. Adriana was surprised as to how she managed to sleep throughout it all.

  She sat down in front of the plate that had a cheesy birthday tiara sitting on it, grinning widely as she put it on her head. The three sat down and had breakfast like a family, chatting happily. Harry shared a few funny stories relating to his birthday experiences, telling them about how once Niall popped out of the birthday case dressed in a stripper outfit. Adriana couldn't stop laughing whereas Mateo was confused thinking Harry was talking about his pet rabbit named Niall.

   "Mamá got me Simba for my number 1 birthday," Mateo said with a grin, picking up his Simba toy that sat on his lap and hugging it tightly.

   "Your first birthday, baby," Adriana corrected with a smile, pinching his cheek.

   "Phirst birthday," Mateo pronounced funnily, making Harry smile, munching on a strawberry.

   "First," Adriana said again, making him pout with a frown and repeat, but correctly this time. "Good boy."

   "Do you like the crêpes, Mamá?" Mateo asked, poking a strawberry on his plate with a fork while his small legs swung back and forth under the chair.

   "Yes I do, baby. Did you make them?" Adriana questioned with a smile, making Mateo bob his head with a toothy grin. "Aw my baby boy is such a good chef, come here!"

  Mateo climbed off the chair and rushed over to his mother, throwing his hands up for her to pick him up. She sat him on her lap, cuddling and kissing him until he was caught in a fit of giggles. Harry smiled softly to himself as he watched the cute moment occur, finding the love between Adriana and Mateo the most beautiful and pure thing he had ever seen. He was momentarily reminded of how heartbreaking it would be for the two of them if they were separated if Adriana were to go to rehab. He pushed the thoughts away quickly and cleared his throat to gain their attention.

   "Babes, let's clean up because it's presents time!"

  Harry and Mateo forced Adriana to sit down and wait without helping as they cleared the kitchen, even though it was mostly Harry doing so since Mateo was a little clumsy with the plates. Once they were done, they gathered together in the living room and began giving presents.

   "Here Mamá I made you a card!" Mateo said, crawling onto her lap while Adriana took it and held it in front of her, one arm wound around her baby.

   "Aw cariño this is a very beautiful card," Adriana cooed with a warm heart, loving the messy drawing of her Mateo had scribbled on the front.

  The words were in Spanish on the inside but she read it out in English for Harry to understand.

  "Mi Luna, you are very pretty, strong and nice. You make me happy Mamá and you take care of me and you are the bestest Mamá in the whole wide world. I love you Mamá and happy birthday."

   "Aw Mateo," Adriana felt herself actually reared up, so touched by Mateo's words.

   "Mamá don't cry," Mateo pouted, wondering if he upset her.

   "No it's okay, cariño. I love the card so much baby," she told him, kissing his cheek and hugging him firmly. "Te amo mi Estrella."

   "Te amo, mi luna," Mateo returned sweetly, before they moved on with the presents.

   "So this one is from Mateo," Harry handed her a tiny blue bag. "He picked it out himself, and I bought it."

  Adriana dug into the bag and pulled out a fairly-sized square, black velvet box. She opened it, and felt her jaw slacken at the sight. Inside laid a very simple gold necklace, but with a crescent moon and star pendent.

   "See Mamá, it has una luna y una estrella," Mateo explained adorably. "La luna," he pointed at her. "Y la estrella," he pointed at himself and smiled. "Do you like it Mamá?"

   "Oh baby I love it so much," Adriana sniffled a little, feeling emotional already while she touched the gold necklace. "Thank you so much, mi estrella."

  Mateo and Adriana embraced again before Harry helped Adriana with putting the necklace on. Harry then moved on with his gift, which was actually a bunch of expensive gifts with a main, big one. The first one was a huge Sephora bag filled with make up products. Adriana let out a tiny scream when Harry brought it out from its hiding place, because he knew the bag would've spoiled the surprise if she saw it. He knew she couldn't afford to buy a lot of new make up, or great make up so he got Iris and Hadiya to send him a list of make up Adriana would love to have so he could get the right ones.

   "I think I'm gonna cry," Adriana whispered in awe as she rummaged through the bag, finding different palettes, foundations, brushes, and so much more.

   "Aw baby, I just thought you'd like some new make up since the stuff you've got is pretty old," Harry mumbled with a smile, before Adriana grabbed his cheeks and kissed his lips.

   "This is more than I could've ever asked for," she told with, thumbs stroking his cheeks. "I-I'm shocked, this-this is a lot of presents-"

   "There's still more, love," Harry told her with a chuckle, handing her another small bag.

  She frowned at him before looking into it, jaw dropping in shock when she reached in and pulled out a pure whit box containing a gold iPhone 8.

   "Harry you got me an iPhone?" She shrieked in shock, not used to getting anything like this at all. "Are you crazy?"

   "A little," Harry giggled, holding his fingers up and showing how little his craziness was. "Now you have a new phone to send me better quality, naughty pictures-"

   "Harry!" Adriana gasped with wide eyes, looking for Mateo to see if he heard, but he had quickly gotten board and was lying on the carpet with Harry's headphones on his tiny head and phone in his tiny hands.

   "But honestly, after I heard you've had that iPhone 4 for about 5 years, it took everything in me to not buy you a phone then and there," Harry told her, making her roll her eyes playfully.

   "I can't thank you enough, Harry," Adriana murmured as she gazed at the box on her phone, hands feeling odd having something new and expensive in them. "This is all too much, I've never gotten-"

   "I know," Harry uttered, taking the phone out her grip and setting it by the side, holding her hands in his. "I wanted to treat you well for your birthday, my love. This may be...a lot but I swear you deserve it all, for everything you've gone through and all the effort you've put in during this last month. It's stupefying how fucking strong you are, and every time I realize it, it just makes me fall in love with you all over again."

   "Oh Harry," Adriana whispered with teary eyes. "I dunno why but it's so hard to believe this is."

   "Believe what?" Harry questioned, hand moving up to touch her cheek.

   "Believe that I have you."

  Harry felt his heart tighten with emotions, arms reaching out to pull her in for a hug. Adriana threw her arms around his neck and hugged him firmly, biting her lower lip to stop herself from crying. She couldn't believe how lucky she had been to find such an amazing, loving and caring boyfriend like Harry. It made her more paranoid of losing him because all the good things get taken out of her life.

  Nonetheless, she pushed any dark thoughts out of her head and pulled back to gaze at her sun, whose rays of light were bright enough to scare away her darkness-loving demons. Harry whispered into her ear that he had two more presents left for her, cupping her mouth with his hand with a cheeky smile to stop her from starting to protest in shock.

   "Baby! If you keep crying I'm gonna cry too," Harry pouted when he saw her teary eyes. "No tears! Just that pretty smile of yours!"

  During the rest of the day, Adriana, Harry and Mateo just spent some quality time together, since that was what Adriana really asked for her birthday. She just wanted her son and boyfriend with her and that itself would make her day. Jazmín and Adriana's friends, Iris and Hadiya, visited her as well.

  Jazmín made Adriana red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, which were her favorite, since she couldn't afford to spend money on lavish gifts. Adriana was extremely grateful, since Jazmín babysitting Mateo for her all the time was all Adriana could really ask for from Jazmín.

   "So Hadiya and I got you something special to wear for tonight's event," Iris said with a smirk, holding a white rectangular box with Hadiya by her side.

   "Will someone please tell me what's happening tonight?" Adriana questioned with a chuckle and arched brows.

   "No can do, but it's gonna be magical," Hadiya promised with a giddy smile. "We took upon the job of getting you an outfit for the event!"

    "Aw you guys, you really didn't have to-"

   "Uh yes we do because we love you and want to show you that," Iris responded quickly to stop her protests. "Open up, chica."

  Adriana shuffled towards the box they set down on the bed, pulling off the lid slowly and feeling her heart jump out of her chest for the millionth time today. Inside laid a gorgeous plum colored, velvet dress with black lace detailing. Simple and elegant with a thick, black lace choker to match. Under the dress was a faux leather coat with black fur lining, and it looked ravishing with the dress. Adriana started tearing up again, thinking to herself what did she do to deserve such amazing friends.

   "Aw babe don't cry," Iris crawled onto the bed and hugged her from the side, while Hadiya did the same on the other side.

   "I-I just feel so loved and appreciated today and-and I've never felt that in my life, not-not as much as today," she rambles emotionally, hugging her two girls while sniffling.

  "Today's just a reminder that you'll always be loved, Adriana, and that no matter how alone you'll feel you're not. You have us, you have Harry, Jazmín and that little baby boy of yours," Iris told her, rubbing her back soothingly. "We love you, girl."

   "God I love you guys too," Adriana sniffled hugging them both firmly and kissing their cheeks.

   "Now wipe those tears away! I wanna see how this'll look on your gorgeous body!" Iris told her with a grin, climbing off the bed and reaching for Adriana's hand, tugging her.

  Adriana choked out a laugh, wiping her cheeks and climbing off the bed to change into the dress. It fit her like a glove, and she couldn't be happier with the way it looked on her. She took it off later on and planned out what jewelry to wear with it, along with heels and make up. She was excited for what Harry had planned for the evening, wondering to herself what exactly it could be because he was doing amazing with getting gifts that she needed and made her happy. She stopped thinking about it eventually, wanting it to be a complete surprise for when it happens.

  Iris and Hadiya had to leave eventually to go for ballet practice. They bid Adriana goodbye, wishing her a happy birthday and a good night, suggestively. Adriana, Harry and Mateo went out together for a birthday lunch at a cute restaurant, and then went to Central Park for a bit because Mateo wanted to feed ducks and play around. Harry.

  After they spent some time feeding the ducks, Mateo getting all giggly and happy while tossing breadcrumbs to the feathery animals with Harry helping him, they walked around for some time. They walked down a path lined with American elms, the entire area incredibly picturesque especially with the ever-changing leaves. Mateo sat on Harry's shoulders, holding him firmly while Mateo enjoyed the view from up top.

   "How are you enjoying your birthday baby?" Harry asked her as Mateo toyed with Harry's short curls.

   "Utterly incredible. I have never been so happy in my entire life," Adriana sighed with a happy grin, as Harry helped Mateo down, settling for carrying him in his arms instead.

   "Aw I'm glad, my love," Harry smiled warmly, reaching over to peck her cheek. "I've always wanted to treat my princess."

   "You sweet baby," Adriana murmured lovingly, pinching his cheek.

  They found a spot under a willow tree to sit and watch the sunset. Mateo fell asleep in Adriana's arms because he was so tired, and Adriana laid him down on the grass with his head resting on her lap. The watched the giant, golden ball sink in the sky, turning into a tangerine color as it began to sleep. The sky was like a kaleidoscope, shifting colors that went from gorgeous peach, pomegranate pink, and scarlet.

   "I wonder if it has dawned on you yet," Harry spoke up after some time, smirking cheekily at the pun he made. "But I still have a present to give you."

   "Was the present the pun?" Adriana asked with a roll of her eyes.

   "My puns are great okay," Harry told her with a huff, before he reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny blue box. The sight of it made Adriana's heart drop to her stomach, and Harry noticed her facial expression.

   "Don't worry, darling. It's not a proposal," Harry assured her, making her sigh a little in relief. "At yeast not yet," Harry slipped in, hoping no one would hear.

    "Anyways, I wanted to get you a little something that'll remind you of our tiny, cute family," Harry told her with a smile, before he opened the box. 

  Adriana gasped quietly at the sight of the ring that sat inside of it. It was gold, with a glittering opal in the center and diamond accents. The design was the opal in the middle with the gold around it, shaping it to come out like a sun with two crescent moons on each side with the diamonds acting as starts on the top and bottom. Harry chuckled lightly at her speechless, overwhelmed reaction. He took it out and asked for Adriana's hand, slipping it up Adriana's right hand, ring finger.

   "Harry, I-I"

   "There's no need to thank me, love," Harry told her. "Now when you look down at the ring, you'll remember us "I just wanted to show you how much I love you, even though it seems a little materialistic-"

   "No it doesn't I love it," Adriana said to him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. He told her he loved her dearly and she returned it sweetly.

   "I love you mi sol."

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∙ ahHhHhh that chapter was shite but oh well I was determined to finish it and update (: what did you guys think?

∙ I put this book on slow updates because I'm still gonna be stuck with a ton of school work so it might be hard to update soon again ):

∙ now for some GOOD NEWS! Heavy Crown chapter up tomorrow around this time (which I updated TC at) (:

Until we meet again...

thiora <3