Hate That I Love You

Chapter 20

Harry continued to observe the old man dressed in an elegant suit, complete with a bow tie, sitting on any chair with his head thrown back and his eyes closed. He narrowed his eyes, trying to notice his every little movement, and continued to sip his glass of champagne he had early from the buffet.

"Do you think he's dead?" a voice, light and thin, came from behind him, directly in his ear and someone placed their hands lightly on his hips.

Harry jumped immediately, turning and watching Louis staring at him in amusement. With coloured cheeks, he swallowed a lump of saliva to find him so close again. "That's what I was afraid of," he managed to say, after several seconds of silence, trying not to point out his nervousness.

Louis smiled faintly. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked. "I've found you strange for days."

"Very well," he hastened to reply. "Never been better," he said, before finishing the contents of his glass with a single long sip.

"Go easy on that," Louis warned him, shaking his head. "We both know you can't handle alcohol."

"I can handle alcohol!" he protested indignantly.

"Oh yes?" he asked, amused. Louis took a step closer to his ear. Harry looked around nervously, while still that uncomfortable feeling in his stomach didn't want to leave. "That's how I made you want to sleep with me the first time, remember?" he whispered. "That's how your addiction started for me," he teased, placing a hand on his hip. "Do you really want to risk making another mistake like that?" he grinned.

Harry, cheeks flushed, stepped back so he could enter some distance. "Y-you didn't get me to do a damn thing," he stammered. "From what I remember, it was I who practically jumped on you. It was I who seduced you."

"Seduced" Louis rolled his eyes. "How exaggerated you are."

"Oh, do me the favour," Harry chuckled. "You were also afraid to get too close."

"I wasn't afraid," he defended himself immediately. "I don't know if you remember, but you were completely drunk and high on who knows what and I didn't want you to report me for rape the next morning," he muttered. "Not to mention the fact that I saved from the clutches of a sleazy Big Belly Man, no pot I must be a hero and then take advantage of it "he specified." I saved you, Harold, you know? "he admonished him, with a wink.

Harry smiled. "I know," he nodded.

"Good," he winked. "And don't forget it."

"I won't," he said, still smiling.

Louis continued to smile at him, while Harry slowly began to become more serious, troubled, when he realized that, damn it, he wanted to see Louis smile forever. His hands began to sweat and a sense of danger made him realize that maybe he was going too far. The images of their video came back to his mind and, suddenly, a desire to make those cute photomontages of the two of them strolling along the street hand in hand welcomed him.

His breathing became heavy and he seized with fear, he grabbed Louis' glass of champagne and, again, drank it all in one gulp, squinting at the strong taste of alcohol.

Louis frowned, confused and perplexed by Harry's strange attitude but didn't have time to ask him any questions as they were both interrupted by a third person.

"Finally I have the pleasure of meeting you, Harry Styles" a voice unknown to him made him turn suddenly, revealing a figure behind him never seen before.

Harry stared at him puzzled. "Nice to meet you," he began, holding out his hand. "And you are?" he asked politely, not even noticing the total stiffness that had hit Louis in front of him.