Lockdown | Harry Styles | AU

Chapter 21

3 Years Later...

"Just please don't be late, okay?" Sofia's voice practically begged, her tone a little whiney. "I'm really fucking into this girl and I'm excited for you to finally meet her."

"I promise I won't be late, I just have one little meeting with Tim and then I'm gonna come meet you guys straight after." Aubrey explained, using her chin to rest her phone against her shoulder so she could use her hands to rummage through her handbag.

"Oh c'mon you say that, but Tim's meetings are never that little, are they?" Sofia said dryly down the phone as Aubrey finally managed to find her purse amongst all of the crap in her handbag, her hand quickly pulling it out.

"No, you're right, the guy can talk." She agreed, as she fished through her purse to check she had a few notes of money on her. "But I'll wrap it up quick. Promise."

"Y'know, it was much easier keeping track of you when we lived together." Sofia told her in an amused yet deadpanned tone.

Aubrey let out a little laugh, her purse now sitting open on her lap as she gripped the phone properly while using her other hand to tuck some of her hair behind her ear. Her body rattling around in the back of the black cab she sat in as they went over a few bumps.

"I know. But sadly we decided to grow up and get our own places." She told Sofia, her lips curling with a smile.

"Don't remind me. Worse mistake ever. I have to do my own washing now." Aubrey could practically hear Sofia's smirk.

"Well if things keep going well with Cleo, then she can move in and do your washing for you." Aubrey suggested with an amused grin.

"That's the plan." Sofia said with a rather high sarcastic tone, "she's got some game with fabric softener, I'll tell you that."

Aubrey let a genuine laugh tumble from her just as the taxi pulled up outside her destination, her eyes falling to look at the window as she gazed over the building. "Sof, I've just pulled up outside Tim's. I've gotta go. I'll call you when I get out, okay?"

"You better." Sofia warned warmheartedly. "And tell Tim I said hi."

"I will, bye." Aubrey rushed out before ending her call and throwing her phone in her bag.

"That's £18.75." The cab driver said, his eyes locking with Aubrey's in the small windshield mirror before he turned in his seat.

"Here, keep the change." Aubrey smiled at him as she leaned over and slipped a twenty through the small hole in the plastic covering that rested between the back and front seats.

"Thanks, love. 'Ave a good'n." He beamed at her.

"You too!" Aubrey called out once she had gathered up her handbag and jacket and stepped out of the black cab, the engine roaring as the driver sped off and left her alone. She then looked up at the tall beautifully kept apartment building that sat in front of her. Her feet unable to move for a moment as she contemplated retreating and just forgetting the whole thing.

But a light breeze broke her from her thoughts as it gathered up a few fallen leaves and brushed passed her, the sensation making her instantly shiver. Her skin prickling with goosebumps as she shifted her handbag from one hand to the other so she could slip her jacket on.

She then huffed out a sigh, facing forward and seeing the two doormen standing by the entrance of the building. Her green eyes flickering between them as her dainty fingers gripped harder on to her bag.

The slight cold in the air made her cheeks already become a little pink as she tried to tame her slightly windswept hair. The street in the very upper class part of London she was standing in littered with colour from the autumn fall.