Poppy/H.S

Chapter 7

"Here is your cake, sir," Rose says, laying the huge paper box containing the entire New York cheesecake in front of Harry. "Can I get you anything else?"

"Just the cheque, please," Harry smiles gracefully, opening the paper box to have a peek of the deliciously smelling cheesecake. While he holds the top of the box open, Poppy scoots over to him to have a peek herself. She almost sticks her entire head into the box, making both Harry and I laugh.

"Hey! What is it? What's so funny?" Poppy wonders, irritated by our amusement. "I was trying to smell it! It smells so yummy. You should smell it too, Valentine," Poppy urges me to get closer to the box.

Harry understands what Poppy's intention is and moves the box closer to me, so that I won't have to lean across the table. "Here, have a sniff," he chuckles.

I oblige, sticking my nose into the box, taking in the smell of the cake. "It indeed does smell lovely," I state.

"Told you!" Poppy exclaims, making the corners of my mouth turn into an adoring smile.

"Yeah, you were right, Pops. I'm sorry for making fun of you," I sincerely apologise, trying hard not to laugh again when I see Harry's amused expression. He's biting his lip, fighting a smile.

"Do you like cheesecake?" Harry asks me, closing the lid of the paper box.

"I don't like cheesecake."

"Oh," Harry sighs, his expression worried and his eyebrows furrowed. "I've never met anyone who didn't like cheesecake. I shouldn't have assumed."

"You didn't let me finish," I let out an awkward giggle. "I don't like cheesecake, I love it" I emphasise my strong emotions about cheesecake.

"Thank god," he chuckles, twisting some of his rings. "It's all yours," he states seriously, passing the paper box to me.

"What? What do you mean?" My eyebrows furrow.

"It's all yours, consider it as a thank you for taking care of Poppy."

"No, I can't accept that." I shake my head.

"Don't be silly, Valentine. Take the cake."

"No, you're the one being silly, Harry. I could never accept that."

"You babysat Poppy and saved her from whatever could have happened to her. Either you take my money or you accept that cake," he argues.

"Harry, that's so generous of you, but one slice would completely suffice. I can't accept the entire cake."

He glares at me, reaching into his pocket to take out his wallet.

"No, I don't want your money. I had fun babysitting Poppy for you, I would never accept that."

"That leaves us with the only option left," he says, pointing at the cake.

"I really appreciate it, Harry. But there's no way I'll be able to eat the whole cake by myself, no matter how much I love it."

"You can share with your boyfriend or girlfriend. Tell them I said hi," he smiles.

"I actually meant it when I said I couldn't physically eat the entire cake by myself. It's just me," I admit, ashamed to let him know he was wrong about assuming I was taken.

"Well, how about Poppy and I help you out with the cake misery? We could have a slice now and you can take the rest of the cake home."

"It's a deal," I smile, extending my hand out for him to shake to seal our deal. He lifts his hand that was resting on the table to shake mine. Our eyes meet, and I'm yet met with his caring gaze.