Harry's POV
I woke up Saturday morning to a lot of noise and movement coming from outside the room. I rubbed my face stretching before getting up and making my way out. I could hear laughs coming from Townes and what sounded like Macy.
I turned the corner and they both were moving around the kitchen, a wonderful smell filling the air, "Good morning ladies."
They peeked up and smiled, "Morning Harry." They both said as I walked over, wrapping my arms tightly around Townes waist kissing her cheek all over. She laughed and Macy smiled over at both of us, serving a cup of coffee which I hoped was for me.
"Here you go Haz. Also, your mum says hi. I grabbed lunch with her before coming down." She smiled as she slid the coffee over to me.
"But yet she won't call me." I said rolling my eyes playfully and Macy shrugged. Between Macy and I, we both knew my mum was still upset that I had almost ruined things with Townes. I just preferred Townes didn't know.
"So, Macy and I are making a little breakfast bowl station. We made, eggs, bacon, your fake meat, avocado, diced tomato and onion, some breakfast potatoes." Townes smiled, licking her lips. It was one of the things that I loved about her, her love and enjoyment of food.
"So you mean to tell me, I gotta serve myself?" I said sipping my coffee, peering over at them, both of them glaring causing me to laugh.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Everything smells great, so I'm excited. Also Townes, I went ahead and ordered a dress for you. It should be getting here around one today in case they need to make adjustments." I smiled as she grabbed bowls.
"Mmm, what color?" She said, handing out the bowls, a small eyebrow raised.
"You'll have to wait and see." I smiled, knowing she was going to be so excited by what I chose.
"I'm too damn impatient for that." She laughed and I nodded.
"I know, it adds to the entertainment for me." I chuckled, and reached over to start serving myself food.
She glared up at me and I couldn't help but laughed, "So how proper do I need to be tonight? Just want to make sure I blend in with the elite." She said, her eyes rolling sarcastically as she served herself and Macy food. Macy of course protesting.
"Well, I'm sorry have to inform you that you will be surrounded with a bunch of stiffs babe. All quite posh and full of cash."
"Fuuuun." She said giggling.
"I'm sure you'll make the best of it, Townes. And like I promised I'll do your hair, you'll fit right in." Macy smiled at her.
"I mean, I grew up in that. I can fake it, until I make it. All I ask is we go out dancing afterwards to a real party." She smiled at me and I shrugged.
"Maybe. We will meet up with Sarah and Mitch. Maybe." I poked her nose walking past her to the table with my food.
—
Townes' POV
I was sitting like a child in the living room waiting for the dress to come, chewing on my lip softly. The knock finally came and I quickly got up running to answer the door.
"Wait, wait." Harry said catching up to me, wrapping his arm around my waist, spinning me around.
"Harry!" I giggled and he laughed placing me down away from the door. I crossed my arms at him as he shook his head, opening the door.
"Hi Harry," he said to the man that walked through the door carrying a garment bag with Carolina Herrra written all over it.
"Townes, this is Harry Lambert, my stylist, he's going to help make sure the dress fits right." He smiled and I walked over holding out my hand to him.
"Hi Harry, nice to meet you." I smiled and he took my hand and then spun me around.
"Call me Lambert, please. You are a literal dream and that dress is going to be a dream on you." He smiled, "Alright, let's get you in it! You haven't seen it right? No idea what it is?"
I shook my head, looking over at Harry, "No, this was all his doing." I bit my lip and chuckled turning back to Lambert.
"Okay then, let's see." He looked around until he spotted the hall closet, opening it a bit to hang the dress from the top, "Okay, open it up."
I looked over at Harry, smiling big then walked over and reached for the zipper, undoing it all the way. Immediately the pretty yellow satin peeked through and when I opened the bag all the way I felt myself internally gasp, though no actual sound came out of me. I pulled the dress further out of the bag running my fingers gently on it.
I peeked over at Harry, my mouth opening but no words came out. I closed it and just shook my head looking back at the dress.
"I found out who designed the dress for the movie, it took a miracle, stealing the Prada dress you wore on Valentine's Day, for the sizing, and praying but, they managed to make it for you." He said as I just stared at the dress, my hands over my cheeks.
It was the exact yellow dress Andie wore in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. I turned to Harry and walked into him, resting my forehead on his chest, my hands still on my face and he chuckled.
"I think I broke her Lambert." He said and they both laughed. He grabbed my arms softly pushing me away from him enough so I could peek up and our eyes could line up, "You okay?"
I nodded and moved my hands down, "Thank you." I managed to squeak out and he laughed kissing my forehead.
"You are very welcome, now, I need you to come out of your state of shock and try on the dress okay? We are on short time schedule."
"Okay, I'm. I'm ready." I giggled and he laughed.
—
Macy finished up my hair as I applied a soft highlight to my nose. I was still in complete awe that Harry was able to pull this off. The dress felt amazing on me, and I didn't think I would ever take it off.
I looked up at Macy and she smiled at me. She had smoothed a beautiful updo on me, small loose pieces framing my face. So much better than I would have ever been able to do.
"Thank you, Macy."
She nodded and smiled, "Of course Townes. You look unbelievable. Yellow, that's your color. I thought it was that green dress, but this one, it steals the whole show."
I giggled and nodded, taking a deep breath, "I feel like it calls for my classic scent." I smiled reaching over for my Amber scent. I stood up and took one final look in the mirror before heading out.
Harry's POV
She walked out of our room that night, looking like an angel. The yellow made her glow. Everything from her hair to her make up was pure elegance. The dress had been made perfect, Lambert only taking it to adjust the length.
"Wow, Townes. You look beautiful baby." I smiled and she did a small twirl, before closing the distance between us.
"Harry, I'm Kate Hudson." She said, her eyes glistening and I laughed. She smelled like the moment I first met her, the sweet, rich caramel scent taking over my senses.
"Baby, you're better than Kate Hudson." I said slipping my hand around her waist. She shook her head and looked down bashfully, "I'm going to have wealthy older men looking for a sugar baby coming up to you left and right."
She burst into laughter, "Stop!"
"I'm serious. I'm going to have to fight them off." I laughed with her and she shrugged.
"I mean, money is money baby. Plot twist is, I'll use it to spoil you." She raised her eyebrows matter of factly and I placed my free hand on my heart.
"That means the world, Townes." I smiled, shaking my head and kissing her nose softly, "Come on, let's head out. The car is waiting for us downstairs."
—
We arrived at the gala and checked in, Townes grip on my hand kept tightening and loosening. She was obviously stressed out and I turned and kissed her forehead softly, "Hey, you okay?"
"Everyone is taking pictures of us." She whispered and I nodded.
Jeff and I had gone back and forth on this earlier. Though we both earlier in the week wanted to keep things under wraps, we decided that we couldn't avoid it tonight. He would try and control what made the press, and I wouldn't walk the gala carpet to avoid additional photos.
"Don't worry about that okay? Jeff and I will keep that handled. Let's head this way, we are going to skip all that media." I said pointing to a different entrance and she nodded, gripping my hand as we made our way over.
Once we were inside, we were led to our table, joined by Jeff his wife and father, and others I didn't recognize but seemed to be good friends of Jeff. I pulled out the chair for Townes, pushing it in before taking my seat. Champagne, salad and bread were brought out shortly and I couldn't help but laugh at Townes quickly downing half of the flute.
"Townes, pace yourself."
"Iron clad liver, remember? Plus," she stopped a waiter as he was passing by with a tray of flutes, taking another, "It's never ending." She said placing it on the table and I laughed.
"I feel like I'm poking at past traumas here." I said, leaning my face in my hand. She mimicked me and nodded.
"Basically my Sunday country club nightmares." She scrunched her nose at me.
"Well I promise we will drink enough to make those memories nice and fuzzy, and....I already called Sarah and Mitch, we will meet up with them at eleven to finish off the night dancing."
He face instantly lit up and she leaned forward kissing me quickly, "Thank you!"
I chuckled and nodded, "Mhm."
Townes' POV
We worked through the three course meal, and I did my best to make conversation with everyone at our table. Jeff was so nice to me, instantly thanking me for the change in Harry.
"I don't know what you did Townes, but I like it. Now if only you can get him writing music." He said and I turned to Harry.
"I thought you had been? I see you on your notes apps typing stuff all the time." I said, tilting my head at him.
"Yeah, but it's literally just words or phrases, and none of it makes sense." He shrugged eating a carrot, I could tell he was frustrated with Jeff bringing it up.
I turned to Jeff and smiled, "It'll come to him. With that talent, you just gotta be patient. You can't rush an award winning album." I shrugged and when I peeked over at Harry he was smiling. He mouthed "thank you" at me and I nodded.
"I guess you are right with that statement." Jeff smiled at me, and his wife reached over touching his arm softly.
"We said no business tonight, Jeff. Let them enjoy their night out." She smiled over at me winking and I smiled.
"You are right, I'm sorry. No more business talk." He said holding up his champagne flute and we all cheersed.
When our dessert was taken away, I turned to Harry, "I'm going to go to the bathroom really quick, I'll be right back."
"Meet me at the bar by the stairs actually. I need something stronger than this." He said and I chuckled.
"Okay, get me something too." I smiled before getting up and heading over.
I went to the bathroom quickly, coming out and checking myself in the mirror. I pulled out my lip gloss, reapplying it on my lips when I heard a voice that sent chills down my spine.
"Carolina, is that you?"
I turned to the voice and there she was, Abigail Bedford, my mothers best friend.
"Mrs. Bedford. What are you doing here?" I smiled softly, slipping my gloss into my purse.
"Dear we come to this every year. Your mother and father are big contributors. They didn't mention you came with them. Why are you not at our table?" She raised an eyebrow, pursing her lips.
"Oh, they...wait every year? My parents donate to music for schools? So they are here?" I said and she nodded.
"Yes dear. Do they not know you are here?" She said, a small smile on her lips. I could already hear her gossiping to the entire town.
"No, they, they do. Sorry I just, probably need to slow down on the champagne. Excuse me, I don't want to keep my date waiting. It was lovely seeing you, please say hi to your husband for me." I smiled, quickly making my way out of the bathroom.
I felt on high alert now, knowing they could literally be at any corner. I pushed my way to the bar at the bottom of the stairs, a giant crowd flooding it. I looked around, trying to spot Harry but I couldn't see past the people. I walked up the steps a bit, trying to get a higher view. In the same instant Harry and I made eye contact, I heard my father's voice.
"Carolina?" He said and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I turned to face him and smiled small, biting my lip. Nerves taking over every bit of me.
"Hey, dad."
"What are you doing here? And without advising us that you would be here? Your mother was so embarrassed when Abigail announced to the whole table you were here. You just never learn, or you do it on purpose. Never once can you bring respect to this family." He said, his voice sharp.
"Well it's too bad no one taught Mrs. Bedford manners." I said, smiling smugly.
"I see you are still a smart ass. So how did you even get into this event?" He said, as I felt someone next to me, and the smell of tobacco and vanilla bringing peace to my soul. He handed me my drink and smiled over at my father.
He held out his hand, "Harry Styles, sir." My dad looked down at Harry's ring clad hand, small tattoos engraving it, judgement on his face as he took it and shook it reluctantly.
"Charles Townes....and I'm guessing my daughter came here with you?"
"Yes sir," he said, taking his hand back and slipping it around my waist, holding me tightly next to him, "My manager's father is actually the head of the gala. Throws it every year."
"You are a personal guest of the Azoffs?" He raised an eyebrow and Harry nodded.
"Interesting." My dad said.
"What I think is really interesting is you and mom donating to music programs in schools, which you think is such a waste." I said sarcastically, shrugging.
"Carolina, these children's are developing skills for life, playing classical music will only invigorate their brains. Plus a career as a musician of that nature is extremely rewarding." He said, playing with his cuff links.
I turned to Harry, "Sorry love, all those millions you make, playing your loud rock star music is such a waste and not rewarding at all." I shrugged and Harry gave me a bit of a warning look.
"Carolina Anne, stop while you're ahead. You think you will have a life of value playing background to someone else for the rest of your life?" He said sharply, looking around, suddenly worried if we were earning attention from others.
I opened my mouth to speak only to have Harry interrupt me before I could get a word out, "I'm sorry sir, but she is far from just the background. She has already produced two songs, with musical writing credit on both. Who knows how many more she will contribute to. Producing music for artist is essential to the success of a song. The way the musical elements are placed together in a song determine whether or not it entices the mind before the words begin to take shape in their senses."
I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face as he spoke, and I had to bite my lip to hold back exactly how big it wanted to get. My father looked at Harry dumbfounded, unsure of what to say. As we stood in the awkward silence that had ensued, my mother appeared at my father's side.
"I bet you got a laugh out of this didn't you?" She hissed at me, somehow maintaining a smile on her face.
"Mother, I had no idea you would be here. Please, enough. Dad already gave me the disappointment talk and how I embarrassed the family yet again. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to down this drink, get another, and then get really drunk. Maybe even write a check to this foundation, so they know all the Townes really care."
My mother laughed, "With what money?"
"Money mom, that I make from my job, that I have, almost everyday. Not just from my husbands bank account." I said, raising both my eyebrows before breaking away from Harry and walking down the stairs.
I heard Harry excuse himself and follow me down the stairs, "Townes. Townes wait please." He called out as I walked. I downed the rest of my drink quickly, handing it to a waiter as I went. I found the hall that lead to the bathroom and stopped when I reached the back that was thankfully empty.
"Hey, hey." He said, quickly walking around so he was in front of me, his hands landing softly on my waist, "I'm so sorry, when Jeff said the big south, I just didn't think that would mean them."
I shook my head biting my lip, taking a deep breath to stop my tears, "It's fine. It's not your fault." I looked away, biting my lip and shaking my head again, "Where do they get off? Thinking everything is solely about them? That I'm just always out to get them? They are my parents. I just...why can't they at least pretend like they love me."
The tears came and I closed my eyes, covering my face. Harry softly removed my hands from my face, and lifted my chin up to face him, "Hey, you don't deserve that, Townes. You deserve all the love, okay? If they don't see that, that's their loss. The good thing is, you have your grandparents, and Benny, Tasha. Who all love you so much. Who have given you the only family you need baby. Okay?"
I searched his eyes and nodded, as he carefully wiped my tears away, "I know we barely spent any time here, but, I just want to go."
"That's fine. I'll tell Mitch and Sarah to meet us earlier, plus, more people have to see you in this dress. It'd be a shame to not show New York City what a babe your are."
I smiled and pulled him to me by his tie, kissing him deeply. My hands wrapped tightly around his neck, as his hands slipped around my waist tightly. I broke the kiss and looked over at the bathroom door. I let go of him and walked over pushing it open and walking in, I checked the stalls quickly, all open before coming back out and pulling him in with me. I locked the door and pulled him to me, kissing him deeply.
He broke the kiss, his breath heavy, "Townes, what are you doing?"
"Fuck me, Harry. Please."
"Townes, bab—Harry, please." I looked at him, searching his eyes, until I saw what I needed. That bit of darkness that spilled over, and I quickly moved in to kiss him deeply. I reached my hand down, palming over his cock, already getting hard.
I knew we only had moments before we got caught, but I needed him. He quickly broke the kiss and turned me around, walking me over to the sink, pushing me against it, I tossed my purse, my hands holding me up. He kissed along my neck, finding my butterfly tattoo, the sensation so strong like my tattoo also missed it.
I heard him begin to undo his pants and I started gathering up my dress, hiking it up around my waist, "I don't have a condom, Townes."
"I don't care." I said, looking at him through the mirror in front of me, "Harry we don't have much time."
He nodded, and he reached down, pushing my underwear to the side and rubbing me with his fingers, pushing them in quickly before replacing them with his cock. I felt so tight around him, but he moved quickly while I tried to adjust. We both locked eyes in the mirror, his lips trailing kisses on me. I bit my lips to stifle my moans as he wasted no time with his movements.
"Oh go...Town...fuuuck." He breathed into my neck, small whimpers being heard from both of us as he kept his pace. He reached around and began rubbing my clit, my head falling back on his shoulder.
"Harry...oh baby, fuck." I began pushing myself back against him as he moved on me, the knots starting to form.
"Oh god, keep moving like that Townes." I nodded and a moan escaped me, his hand quickly moving to my mouth, covering it tightly so I could moan into his hand.
We both kept our movements and soon I came undone, legs giving out under me, the only thing holding me up was his movements until he came too. He quickly grabbed me, holding me up as I bit my lip. Our breaths were both heavy and he kissed my neck and jaw line softly, reaching up and turning my face to kiss my lips gently.
"I'm crazy about you, you know that?" He whispered softly, his breath still evening out and I nodded.
"I understand, I'm amazing." I laughed a bit and he chuckled.
"There she is, that's my girl." He smiled, kissing me again gently.
My girl.
The idea sending chills through me. He removed himself from me, and we both quickly went into the stalls, cleaning ourselves off. As we came out someone tried to open the door, quickly knocking on it. We both looked at each other and I covered my mouth trying not to laugh.
He quickly ran into a stall, and I gave myself a once over before unlocking the door, "I'm so sorry! Force of habit, forgot it wasn't my bathroom at home." I smiled at the lady as she entered and she waved me off. Once she was in a stall I quickly knocked on the stall Harry entered and when he came out I grabbed his hand and my purse and we ran out towards the exit.
When we were outside, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me deeply. He pulled away, and placed his hand on my neck, "Your parents have showed me one thing, and that's that I'm happy I stopped being an idiot for long enough to not lose you. They have no idea what an amazing person they are missing out on."