50 Shades Darker

Chapter 2

Once I returned home from my first day at work Liam was filled with nothing but questions. "Liam it was my first day, I don't have that much to tell you." I smile knowing better then to tell him about the flowers that Harry sent me. I don't need him trying to convince me I should at least patch things up with Harry and see where it goes. I don't want to fall back under his spell. I want to be my own person without having to worried about being punished. The mere thought makes me shudder.

"Fine if you insist on being that way. How about we watch a movie? Something with just you and me before I leave?" Hearing about his leaving soon weakens me more than I already am. Without Liam here, who will keep me sane since I obviously can't do it myself?

"I would like that." He smiles and takes my hand in his leading me down to his room. I give his hand a firm squeeze as we enter his room and prepare to get lost in the world of whatever movie Liam chooses.

~*~

When the third movie is over it's about 2 am. With Liam asleep next to me somehow I am still wide awake. I should be sleeping for work tomorrow but I'm not. Another sleepless night for me it seems. I run my hands over my face and slip out of Liam's bed. I creep out of the room and shut the door behind me careful not to wake Liam.

I go down to my room and sit in front of my lap top. I can see the LED light flashing and I tilt my head to the side like some confused puppy. I slide my finger along the mouse pad and see that I have an email. An email from him.

My heart nearly leaps through my chest as my eyes scan over his name for the thousandth time. He's emailed me. What could he have to say to me now. Now of all times. Maybe I should delete it and not give him the satisfaction of reading the damned email. I am not that cruel though. My heart yearns to read what he's written to me but I look down at the time it was sent.

11:43

My word, that was hours ago! What if he's having trouble sleeping? What if he needs me? I shake my head knowing that I couldn't open the email. Not now. I would reply in the morning. I shut my lap top without reading the email and set it down on the floor. Suddenly fatigue washes over me and I lay myself down in my bed closing my eyes.

The next morning the first thing I do is grab my lap top. I push the lap top open seeing that there are no more emails from the man in question. I click the email and let my eyes scan over the words.

_____

To: Niall Horan
From: Harry Styles
Subject: Gallery Crawl

It has been brought to my attention that the photographer's gallery is slowly approaching us. I do believe I was meant to accompany you to the event. I was curious to know if I was still needed for the occasion.

_____

Zayn's gallery opening! How could I forget? I quickly start to panic knowing that my car will not make it to Portland on it's own. I push my fingers through my hair thinking about how to respond to his email. Do I take his offer? Or quickly decline it and continue ignoring my intensity beating from my chest every time I think of him? I shake my head and click the reply button.

_____

To: Harry Styles
From: Niall Horan
Subject: Unsure

I am unable to answer you question at the moment. The gallery crawl is this Saturday and it's only Tuesday. I can try to give you an answer before then. Thank you.

_____

There. Simple enough. Now that can be the end of it. I shut my lap top and push myself out of bed. I should get ready for work. That should clear my mind of all things Harry. The less I think about him the less I have to think about where all these emails could lead us. I feel like a fly stuck in his sticky web that continues to spiral my life out of control.