-Ava's POV-
@AvaMcCain: One $12 shirt = $12 donated to Animal Charity Network. Buy one if you'd like #cat-ears-not-included
I quickly snap a picture of myself in the shirt and post the tweet before leaning back in my desk chair. I cringe as I look over the picture once again, wishing I had taken a second look before tweeting it. I've become a bit more picky about what pics I post, now that I have over 8 million followers. All due to you know who of course.
Within minutes I get a notification that Harry reposted my tweet, soon followed by Niall and Louie doing the same. Most likely those three tweets alone will raise the money the charity needs to keep going. It's not one I normally have a hand in, but when I recieved an email asking for any help I could give, I couldn't say no.
"Told you those cat ears would be adorable!" Jenna laughs, coming into my office with her phone in hand. "You about to head home?"
"Nah." I shake my head, "Nothing to go home to so figured I would work late. But you go on."
"I have two more applying for the assistant job tomorrow."
"Let's hope they're better then the three who showed up today."
"I'll find the perfect one, don't you worry. With a little more help around here, I can manage while you jet off across the world with lover boy." Jenna giggles before biding me goodbye.
I chuckle at her nickname for Harry, one of many she uses to reference him. Its one of the little things about her that remind me of Poppy, who I miss dearly. I glance at the clock as I contemplate calling her. It's almost 6pm here so that means it's about 12am in London. A little to late to call her on a week day.
I decide to just try her in the morning, and focus back on my work. I have three meetings tomorrow, none of which I'm looking forward to. The thought of having to fight with Margaret once again about me wanting to take a step back makes me want to hide under my desk. Intolerable woman, I really don't know how my grandmother dealt with her all those years. Probably by keeping a glass of wine in her hand at all times.
A few more hours go by, and before I realize it, it's almost nine. As I pack up for the day, I dial Harry's number, wanting to hear his voice.
It rings three times before I hear shuffling on the other line.
"Incontinence helpline, can you hold please?"
"You've been waiting all day for that haven't you?" I ask.
"Since last night actually." He chuckles, "Thought of it on the plane. Went right in the book."
"And here I was expecting some sexual innuendo. I'm so disappointed."
"Been trying to give those up love. But it's hard..... Soooooo hard. How 'bout you?"
"I myself rarely use sexual innuendo in conversation, however I do occasionally like to slip one in."
"I like where this is going, however I think I need to be alone to continue it." He laughs, "Miss you Ava."
"Miss you. Good day?"
"Interviews went well. Niall and Zayn got in a scrap over the buffet table. Niall won of course. Fancy those cat ears by the way... you keeping them?"
"Now what would I need those for?"
"I would tell you, but I happen to be sitting in a room with about ten other people. A small room at that. Just hold on to them yeah?"
"We'll see. You still coming home tomorrow night?"
"Course. Have a book signing early evening, flight is right after. Miss you."
"You've already said that." I smile at his cheesiness.
"Must mean it then. You still at the office?"
"Just leaving now." I grab my bag and head for the door, locking it behind me.
"You work to much love."
"Aren't you gone over half the year for work?"
"Yeah, but we just muck about mostly. You know the drill... Show here, food fight there, a proper scrap now and then. Fun and games mostly."
"Sure." I laugh, admiring how positive he always is about what he does.
"You however, pour over paperwork all day... saving animals and fighting off wild beasts. Quite the job, I'd say."
"Funny, don't remember fighting any wild beasts."
"You forget... I've seen dearest Margaret when she's angry. Scary one, she is."
"Right, I do think I've seen fangs once or twice before."
"A fan gave me something to give to you today."
"Oh yeah?"
"Shirt... Says hello, I'm Mrs. Styles. Very intuitive I thought." He says quietly.
I smile. I can tell by his voice he's doing the same. "I guess so. Can't wait to wear it."
"Can't wait for it to be true. How's your finger, weighted down currently?"
"That it is. Getting all muscly."
"Miss you."
I chuckle, my heart warming up, "So I've heard."
"Can't say it enough really."
"Can't agree enough." I sigh as silence overtakes us.
"Tired love?"
"Yeah. A bit."
"Take a long hot bath, will help you sleep better."
"Mmmm." I contemplate his suggestion.
"Take a picture of you in it.. Will help me sleep better."
"How did I know where that was going?"
"Tends to be where everything ends up I reckon. Can't help it.... Bloody hell. They're calling for me love, I've got to go."
"Alright, I miss you."
"So I've heard." He chuckles, "Ring me in the morning yeah? And send me that pic."
"Done and done. Love you."
"Love you Av. Sleep well. Hug my pillow a bit."
"Will do. Bye." I grin as I get off the phone and pull into our driveway. God I miss him. One day and I feel empty without him near me.
I pull my things out of the backseat and head inside, looking over the mail as I do so. Another stack of fan letters, some making me smile as I can barely read the writing on the envelope. Those will most likely end up in his desk drawer, along with his other favorites. He's read them to me before, a huge grin covering his face as he shares them with me. That one thing alone makes all the rumors and long days and hateful gossip worth it.
My bath was long.. and hot. So long I got through six chapters of my book, my 'relaxing' playlist on my ipod twice, and had to add hot water three times. But it was just what I needed. I ended it by taking a picture and sending it to Harry as promised. I laughed when I received his whiny response to the up close pic of my toes sticking up out of the bubbles. I called it a Harry Styles selfie, he called it rubbish.
I slide my silk babydoll pajama dress on as I drain the tub, it feeling wonderful against my newly cleaned skin. I turn down the bed quickly, overly eagerly to drift off to sleep. Determined to assure myself of a good night's sleep, I decide a warm cup of milk is in order.
My small feet pad their way into the kitchen, and I grab a mug out of the cabinet. I bypass mine and pull out Harry's favorite, a large white one with the words 'I LIKE BIG CUPS & I CANNOT LIE' sprawled across the side. I still have yet to hear the story behind it. Don't know if I want to actually.
I chuckle to myself as I fill it with milk and place it in the microwave. I watch it spin round and round till it beeps, pulling it out slowly and sticking the tip of my finger in it to check the temp. Perfect.
Blowing on the hot milk as I head into the dark hallway, I freeze.
I try to scream, but no sound leaves my throat.
The coffee mug hits the floor, shattering around my feet. I don't even feel the hot liquid splash against my legs, burning my skin.
The sound of my heartbeat is deafening in my ears, time standing still as I stare ahead of me.
My body has gone numb, my breathing has stopped. I feel nothing.
Nothing but panic as the dark figure at the end of the hallway heads towards me.
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