This week's update is a little bit longer than usual for a reason. Sadly, I won't be able to write anything until the first or second week of May because of the finals coming and school projects that I have to deal with. But if I finish the projects ahead of time, I might be able to post a chapter or two.
And for the summer, I'm going to be busy as well. I'm taking 4 courses (10 credit hours) in twelve weeks so I might or might not be able to write anything as well. Sorry guys... Maybe I'll be back by mid-August but I'm still going to be reading books here in Wattpad so feel free to send me messages.
*****
By the time they arrived at Holmes Chapel, it was almost one in the morning. Both of them were exhausted, eyelids drooping, and aching muscles. Even with physical exhaustion, excitement filled Harry because it was quite a while since he has been home. He loved his job but not all the time but he loved his family as well.
"So here we are..." Harry turned off the ignition of the vehicle, leaning forward to see a medium-sized brick wall. Lush green lawn on the front of the house as a cemented pathway leading to the front door. There were also different kinds of flowers that gave colors on the grass. A rusty mailbox stood next at the front door with a metallic blue bird sat on top of it. "Home sweet home."
"Hey, your lights are still open," Niall said, seeing the lights originating from inside the house. "Don't tell me your folks are still awake."
"Mom, probably is, but my sister—eh, not so much," Harry waved his hand, showing unsureness gesture. "I'm sure that they'll be delighted to see you."
"I feel like I'm imposing..."
"Don't be ridiculous, Niall," Harry smiled, elbowing the blonde. "My family loves you."
"Oh okay..."
Minutes later, Harry pressed the doorbell. Within seconds, they heard footsteps getting near and as soon as the door opened, a slightly thin woman with black hair came out, grinning widely at Harry—it was his mother, Anne. Harry was the exact replica of his mother except that he was a male.
"Welcome home, Harry!" Anne showered his youngest son with kisses to show how she missed him. It has been months since the last time they saw one another. They talked on the phone from time to time, but still, seeing your only son in person was much different.
"Mum..." Harry whined but it was pointless so he just let his mother do whatever she wanted.
After giving the introductory motherly hugs and kisses she gave to her son, Anne noticed a familiar face standing behind Harry.
"Niall, is that you?"
"Uh, hi, Anne..." Niall waved awkwardly, nervously smiling at the woman.
"Oh my God! Niall, it is you." Before Niall could respond, he got pulled by Anne, hugging him as well. He couldn't help but to get emotional too. It reminded him of his own mother back in Ireland.
After that hugging, Anne pulled away, her eyes studying the blonde carefully. It has been two years since Harry brought Niall home, both of the boys were too young and now, she noticed that Niall has grown into a good looking man. Although, she has seen his picture on the Internet because of the public announcement of Niall and Zayn's relationship recently. But still, it was still different to see someone from a computer screen to a real life presence.
"Come on, get inside," Anne signaled the lads to get inside.
Niall was still mesmerized at how luxurious Harry's home was. It shouldn't be a surprise since Harry was a multi-billionaire popstar. The ten-seater leather sofa placed in one corner of the living room. There was also an exquisite collection of flowers, giving the room a much homier ambience. A lampshade sat next to the sofa, and next, to that was an antique coffee table.
"You have a lovely home, Anne."
"Ah, thank you," Anne replied. "All the things that you can see here, Harry bought them all."
"Mum, stop..." Harry whined, his cheeks were slowly getting a reddish pigment to indicate his embarrassment.
"Oh, come on. I'm just telling the truth," Anne smiled, ran her hands towards the brown, slightly curly of her youngest son. "I'm really lucky to have you as my son."
"Mum, you're embarrassing me..." Harry whimpered, pulling his gaze away. Suddenly, the floor became more interesting to him than talking to his mother.
"Okay, okay, fine. I'll stop," Anne held her hands in the air. Babying her son was one of the ways to show her affection.
"Is that who I think it is..." Voice interrupted, and all three of them (Anne, Harry, and Niall) located where the voice coming from. "It is you, curly fries!"
"Ugh! I told you never call me that," Harry complained, seeing his older sister, Gemma, coming into the living room.
"Don't be such a wimp," Gemma teased, running her hands through Harry's head, messing up Harry's hair.
"Hey, stop that!" Harry whined, pulling away from his sister. "I mean it."
"Sure, whatever you say, curly fries," Gemma mocked her brother, teasing him a little bit. But once she noticed that there was someone other than them, she couldn't help but smile because she recognized the smiling face looking back at her.
"Niall... Come on, give me a hug..." Gemma grinned, opening her arms wide open. It didn't take that much time until they both hug one another. For her, Niall was kind of his younger brother as well, other than Harry, of course. Remembering the last time Niall visited them, they bonded like siblings. Everything seems so easy to the three of them.
"I always see your picture in the tabloids," she continued.
"Oh dear, I hope it's not that bad," Niall was worried that the tabloids were bashing him left and right. Although, he doesn't care but still, the opinions of those close to him mattered to him.
"It's nothing bad, really..." Gemma waved her hand nonchalantly. "How are you and Zayn?"
And at that moment, Niall felt like his tongue slid into his esophagus, unable to speak. His icy, blue eyes stared at from Gemma to Anne and to Harry. Somehow, time stood still.
"Gemma, that's private!" Harry reprimanded his older sister.
"Why, what happened?" Gemma pushed further. It felt like she has the right to know.
"Gemma—"
"It's alright, Harry," Niall said, gently staring at those emerald eyes. The Styles family was like his extended family so he shouldn't feel ashamed of what happened. "I... uh... Zayn and myself are not together anymore."
The Styles women gasped at what they heard. The couple seemed like a strong one, based on what they saw and listened to the news.
"What happened?"
"Well... things happen..." Niall chuckled, trying to avoid this weird, awkward moment behind all of them. He decided to face the embarrassment but it was still overwhelming him.
"Gemma, don't badger Niall," Anne scolded her daughter. She sensed that the blonde doesn't want to talk about the issue.
"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to," Gemma laughed awkwardly.
"How about something to eat?" Anne asked, breaking away the awkwardness in the living room. "I'm sure you boys were starving."
"Sure am."
*****
After devouring the big snack, Niall found himself full and happy. But then, a thought came to him. He slid next to Harry, whispering something.
"What, can't hear you, Niall," Harry asked, unable to listen the blonde clearly.
"I said, is there any hotel nearby?"
"Huh, why?" Harry questioned, putting down the sugar cookie in his hand.
"I kinda forgot to make a hotel reservation ahead of time."
"You're staying here."
"Wha—No, I couldn't, Harry," Niall shook his head, not wanting to abuse the warm hospitality of the Styles family.
"I couldn't help but overhear, Niall, but I think you should really stay here," Anne said. "Besides, the house is big enough for all of us. And Harry's bed is wide enough for both of you."
As much as he wanted to disagree with Anne, he couldn't so he just followed Harry to his room. The room hasn't changed a bit since the last time he was here. The comfy bed placed nearby the window, letting the moonlight peeking through the window. Niall saw the lined-up rewards Harry received over the years, such as People's Choice Award and Teen's Choice Award. Now, he wondered what Harry thought about possessing this kind of recognition.
Niall turned around when he heard Harry chuckling that made him blushed. "Don't get too many ideas in your head, Harry. I'm just looking at them."
"Hey, I didn't say anything," Harry was still chuckling, holding his hands in the air. "Anyways, the bathroom is two doors down the hallway. There are some towels in there too."
"Okay thanks," Niall smiled, finding his way to the bathroom to freshen up a little bit before calling it a night.
As soon as Niall left, Harry instantly turned on Niall's cell phone and there it was, 73 unread text messages and 52 unopened voicemails. Harry knew where those came from, there was only one person who would leave that kind of massive amount of messages to Niall. It was the ex-boyfriend, Zayn Malik.
"Well, I'm sorry to say, Zayn. I'm taking Niall..." Harry grinned, deleting the messages one by one. "I will make sure that Niall is taken care of. You don't have to worry about a thing."
Minutes later, Niall entered Harry's room. Once he got inside, he quickly looked for his phone. He turned upside his bag and yet he still couldn't find his phone.
"What are you doing?" Niall turned around, seeing Harry with a puzzled look.
"Uh... I'm looking for my phone. Have you seen it?"
"Niall... I told you, this is a vacation. You don't need your phone."
"But—"
"Listen to me, okay..." Harry started; he couldn't risk Niall communicating with Zayn. It would ruin his plan. "If you find your phone, what will you do?"
"I need to check my messages."
Harry feigned a disappointing sigh, trying to act the part, and said, "So Zayn can feed you more lies? Haven't you had enough?"
"What if..."
"I'm sure he and Louis are doing God knows what right now..." Harry dared to provoke the wild, paranoid imagination of the blonde and within seconds, he liked what he saw on Niall. There were pain and betrayal etched on Niall's face. Harry sat next to Niall, sliding his arm over to Niall's other shoulder and said in the sincerest voice he could ever have, "Niall, you deserve someone better, someone who will treat you as a priority, not an option, you know..."
The thought of Zayn in bed with someone else was unbearable for him, but the hurt was ten times worse, knowing that the person being intimate with his boyfriend was his best friend. That's a whole another world of pain. Even if the words hurt him, Niall still managed to feel some kind of relief from Harry. He does deserve someone better, who will treat him adoringly. Naturally, that person doesn't describe Zayn at all. He lived in pain for three years, loving someone who can't return the same feelings, and when he did, Niall still got hurt in the end. The blonde was starting to wonder if this was really worth it—living through pain? At some point, he has to let go of that notion that Zayn will be his. Apparently, his boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend, belonged to someone else.
"I guess, you're right," he sighed, slumping his shoulders back. "I just need some time, you know."
"That's why I'm telling you that you shouldn't have your phone right now."
"So you have my phone?" Harry stared intently as the question pierced through him. He does have Niall's cell phone with him but there's no way in hell that he would give it to Niall, spoiling his revengeful plans.
"What did I just tell you?" Harry decided to stall the blonde as much as he can. His plans right now were more important than anything else.
"You're right. I shouldn't have my phone right now with me..."
"That's right, Nialler. Let your heart start with the healing process," Harry grinned, seeing his first phase of the plan was working. It shouldn't take that much time until he could have the blonde wrapped around his finger and by the week was over, he should have Niall under his control.
It was futile to argue any further so he just let Harry decided for him. Besides, it was the whole point of the trip—to get away from Zayn and all the drama that came along with it.
*****
It was almost three in the morning when they both decided to hit the bed, and Niall was anxious and uncomfortable sharing a bed with someone other than Zayn. For him, it doesn't feel right. It felt like he was cheating on Zayn.
"Are you alright?" Niall snapped away from his thoughts as he heard Harry asked the question. "Don't worry about a thing, okay? The bed was quite sturdy enough for us two." The blonde couldn't help but snicker, hearing an innocent joke from Harry.
But before he could say something, Niall felt his throat closed up as he saw Harry lifting his shirt up, exposing the toned abdomen, as if Harry was daring him to touch it. The movement was so slow like those in movies that were leading into having sex. Niall couldn't help but force swallow as the pleasant sight unfolding right before his very eyes. It doesn't end there, the arousal torture continued as his icy, blue eyes noticed the happy trail from the navel and down to the glorious land...
(Author's Note: I hope you get what I'm trying to say. If you didn't understand that, I can't help you LOL.)
I am so going to hell, Niall thought to himself. He shouldn't be feeling this urges and yet there it was, being turned on with Harry undressing right before him. It took him a couple of seconds to pull his ass away from his head and distract himself with something.
Harry internally grinned as his seduction worked its magic. He did that intentionally to tease the blonde on what was to come. Harry definitely know how to use his lean, slightly muscular body to his advantage. People always saw him as the goofy, comical one of the group, but what they don't know was that he was cunning, not afraid of getting what he wanted through deception.
"Yeah, I'm alright," Niall replied after clearing his throat, avoiding looking directly at the delicious torso staring back at him. "Just tired, I guess." He faked a yawn, wanting to get out of this uncomfortable situation as fast as he can.
"Okay then, come to the bed with me."
Those words made the blonde even more uncomfortable. He never shared a bed with any of the lads. (Even if he stayed here years ago, he occupied a guest room but now it was unavailable.) It was only him and Zayn—even in touring around the world.
"Something wrong?" Harry questioned when Niall didn't respond to him. At that point, Harry felt a little upset that his plan might not go smoothly. And with that, he remedied the situation and walked around on the opposite side of the bed where Niall was currently standing. He held Niall gently on the wrist but the reaction startled both of them that made both of them lost their balance and ending up on the bed with Niall underneath Harry. Both of their faces were mere inches away from another.
Needless to say, Harry was beyond mesmerized to see the greenish hue in those blue eyes that captivated him. He could feel his heartbeat speeding up as the blonde's breath grazing against his warm cheeks.
"What are you doing?" Niall asked, pushing the curly-haired lad gently off of him. In all of his life, he never felt something like this—something unfamiliar to him. He even questioned himself what was happening to him. Niall thought that maybe when he returned to London, he might get a brain scan to check if his brain was functioning properly because obviously something was definitely wrong.
"Sorry..." Harry apologized, rolling over to the side. The warmth spreading across his cheek and with his quick heartbeat were the only things that Harry felt. There was an awkward silence between them that bugged him. "I didn't mean it."
"It's alright, I guess..." Niall said, taking the left side of the bed while Harry took the opposite side. The blonde felt his body went stiff when he noticed that shirtless Harry was only a few inches away from him.
"I definitely need sleep. My mind was playing tricks on me. Harry is just being nice and everything. Don't misunderstand it, Niall," Niall kept saying those words in his head, forcing himself to sleep but no matter what he does, sleep was not creeping up on him.
Even after two hours, the sleep was not knocking on Niall's doorstep, making him grumpier. His body tensed up when he heard that low, soothing voice from Harry.
"Can't sleep?"
Niall slowly glanced sideways to see Harry staring back at him. Those succulent, emerald eyes looked at him with sincerity that made him feel lots of unfamiliar feelings. It was as if Harry was smiling through his eyes.
"I... uh..." And once again, words failed Niall. Even voicing out his jumbled words in his head, no sound was coming out of his mouth as if his body betrayed him altogether.
"Come here..." Harry smiled, pulling the blonde closer to him. The gesture took the blonde by surprise and the next thing he knew was Harry enclosing him in a big, warm hug. The masculine scent crept through his nose, tickling his entire being to just surrender.
"Har—"
"Don't you worry a thing, Niall," Harry hushed in a low tone, kissing the blonde on the forehead. "I will take care of you. No one can hurt you again. I promise you that..."
The warmth from Harry made Niall feel safe and secure, and it didn't take too long until his eyelids became heavier and droopy, enabling him to fall into a deep slumber under the protection of one Harry Styles.
*****
So, that happens LOL. Anything you want to say about this inevitable Narry romance. I already have some plots in my head... so let me know what you think.