How It's Going To Be [h.s.]

Chapter 40

The first week of work was like a run-on sentence not even punctuated by sleep. By night, I was haunted by phantom feelings of having Harry in bed beside me, which only hindered my ability to fall asleep. By day, I immersed myself in work in an attempt to fight thoughts of Harry. Fortunately, being at work became easier. As the tour fell into a steady routine, tasks at the office simplified and the intensity of work subsided. I was beginning to familiarize myself with people at the office and the digital strategy for the tour that everyone assumed I knew. Working with friends and having something to focus on helped numb the pain I still felt from being alone.

"Good morning," Ruby called to me as I walked in the doors to the office.

"Hi," I waved back.

"Oh, you're here," Natalia smiled.

"Yeah," I shrugged in confusion.

"Hello, babe!" Alessandra grinned from across the office with an armful of file folders.

"Hi!" Everyone was acting strangely, but I dismissed it as excitement for it being Friday.

When I got to my desk, I immediately understood why the girls had been giving me looks and watching me. They were waiting to see my reaction to what was placed proudly on my desk: a bouquet of tulips.

The tulips balanced on their precisely cut stems bound together with a thick green ribbon. The bouquet was impressive with dozens of sumptuous tulips in fantastic hues of blood red and deep violet. The arrangement was fragrant and handsome. It was a breed of extravagance with Harry written all over it.

I sat down in front of the flowers at the desk. There was a small envelope with my name printed neatly on the back in unfamiliar handwriting. I was very much aware of the eyes glued to me as I opened the envelope. There was a small message typed by the florist:

Congratulations on your first week back at work. H.

A smile commandeered my face as I leaned forward to take in the smell of the fresh flowers. I recognized the name of the florist shop printed on the stationary Harry's note had been typed on. It was one of the best florists in London and known for its quality and price. I felt my face heat up as I thought of how much Harry had spent on the flowers simply to congratulate me on surviving five days of work.

"Lovely flowers, babe," Alessandra sat down at her desk beside mine and Ruby sat down on the edge of my desk.

"Aren't they?" I gazed at the arrangement.

"From Mr. Styles?" Ruby teased.

"Yes," I giggled at the name she gave him.

"It's so unfair!" Alessandra pouted. "Not that I want Harry! I just want a guy to think of me the way he thinks of you."

"You haven't the slightest idea how lucky you are," Ruby agreed with Alessandra.

"Believe me, I'm finding new qualities to love about Harry all the time." I held back a giggle neither girl would have understood.

Ruby and Alessandra patted my back lightly and stood up to return to whatever tasks they were working on before. I pulled out my phone and typed a quick message to Harry knowing he wouldn't be able to answer the phone.

Me: Thank you for the beautiful flowers. I can't believe I have made it a whole week back at work. Thanks for thinking of me xx

I tucked my phone away in the drawer of my desk only to have it vibrate a moment later.

Harry: You are welcome. I know peonies are you favorite, but I only like to give you peonies when I'm there to see your reaction .x

Me: Tulips were perfect, Harry.