Us Against the World (Dark Harry)

Chapter 21

An immense awkwardness occurred at the dining table, where four men sat facing each other while taking their morning breakfast. Harry and Zayn are sitting beside each other while Liam and Louis are on the other side of the table. Especially when Harry started feeding Zayn right in front of them.

Both eyes are giving him a death stare every time Harry spoon feed him. Harry had mentioned to him last night that they would be visiting so he can tell them about their upcoming wedding, but he never expected that they would arrive at this early hour. He casts a quick glance at the man he believes to be Louis. But immediately averted his gaze when he felt his eyes like a burning dagger with matching clenched jaw staring back at him. However, it is the opposite when he glances at the other guy. The one who shot him is a bit calm and hard to read. Harry recently informed him that these two guys are his right hand. And Liam is the second in command and the one who handles the group when he's not around. Suddenly, their gazes collided across the table when Zayn didn't notice that Liam had already caught him staring. Even from the start, he knew that this is the guy that he needs to keep an eye out for. Based on his judgment, Liam is the high-caliber in Harry's group.

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After their intense breakfast, the two men went to the lobby. While Harry and Zayn went into their room. He plans to have a moment alone with Louis and Liam before his going to tell them about their nuptials. Where and when it will be held. But he needs to talk to them alone first since he is not that confident if he will receive a positive response, before he goes to let Zayn face and discuss it with them.
Even if everything has already been revealed, he is still aware of the huge gap between the three men.

"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you?" Zayn asked.

"No. Let me talk to them first.." He gives him a quick kiss before he opens the door. He gave him a final look. "Call me if you need something.."

He smiled and nodded. "Good luck."

Louis is having a smoke while Liam is sitting beside him. " Thank you for coming over, guys; I know you don't want to be here.." He gave them a weak smile.

"It's not like we have a choice; you're irresistible, Hazz," Louis smiled as he tossed his cigarettes. " So what's this that you wanted to talk to us about?"

He took a deep breath and paused. "Before I'll start, please promise me.. That you're not going to hurt Zayn again.."

"That depends on the situation. We can't promise you just like that after everything—" Louis stopped when he saw Harry's sudden change of expression.

"Regardless of the situation, no one is allowed to hurt him.." His face went red trying to control his anger not to burst. But his clenched jaw become evident that Louis decided to pipe down. "That's my order. If any of you will hurt or try to harm him again.. I swear.." He decisively clasped his hands and was about to strike Louis when Liam placed himself in between, gently pushes Louis behind. As if he's trying to shield him from any sudden attack in case he'll lost his temper.

"Harry, relax. We've already talked about this and we give you our word.." Liam said, raising his guard at him.

Harry realizes his action. He immediately ceased and took a deep breath. And run a hand to his hair.

"The reason why I want you to come, is that I never got a chance to tell you this.. Zayn and I are planning to get married at the end of this month.."

The silence is getting awkward and it lasted for a few minutes. So Harry broke it. "Everything is already been arranged. Zayn did all of it.. And I want you both to be there as my witness.."

Finally, Liam speaks up. "Wait— Harry.. do you think this is too soon? You've just met a month ago.."

Both of their faces say it all. They show disagreement. He sighs, he already got the feeling that they don't want to be a part of it. "I won't force you if you don't want to join. But I'm still hoping you both will be there when we tie the knot. Z wanted you there as well."

He waited for a while to hear another word from them. But they avoided their gaze and didn't make any comments.

"That's all I have to say.." He said putting an end to their conversation before he turns around. He couldn't help but felt sad about the result. What makes him more depressed is how he's going to tell Zayn.

"Hazz wait.."

He turned around and saw Louis. He reached out and squeezed his hand. There's a second of silence before Louis speaks.

"Look.. This thing that is happening with you is still hard for us to digest; I mean, we never thought that you were capable of doing something drastic like this.."

Harry cut him off. "I know, neither do I.. It's okay Lou; you don't have to be there if you don't want to."

"We didn't say we wouldn't go; of course, we'll be there; it'll be your special day." Louis smiled widely when he saw Harry's face beaming with happiness. He hugged him.

"Thank you, Lou.. You have no idea how much this means to us.."

He saw Liam approaching with a smile on his face.

"So, when is the wedding going to happen?" Liam asked.

The unpleasant atmosphere they had earlier already disappeared and Harry can't hide his contentment.

"I'll let Zayn explain everything so you can also have a moment with him. If that's okay?"

"Sure." Liam nodded.

They moved into the living area while waiting for Harry and Zayn to come out into the room.

When Zayn went out, a smile formed on his face. Implying that Harry had already told him. He sat in front of Liam and Louis while Harry held his arms to assist him on the couch. There's a brief moment of silence before Zayn starts to talk.

"This is our first proper conversation with one another and our first meeting was awful. But I'm not one to hold grudges so..." Zayn paused and smiled as he took two white invitation cards from his pocket. He tries to hand it over to Liam by extending his arms, but all he gets are two pairs of glaring, angry eyes staring at the cards in his hand. He slowly place the cards on the table. Based on their faces, they still hold an outrage, an expression of a person who detests his whole existence but unable to express it since Harry is just sitting next to him. He sigh. This whole conflict between them is getting on his nerves now, when all he wants is peace and acceptance. He turns his gaze to Harry and murmured.

"Babe, could you give us a minute, please?" He said as he asks some short privacy for the three of them.

Harry was dubious at first to leave. But he agreed when he saw his eagerness in his face. Zayn smiled at him while Harry stood up and went to his room. From the moment the door closed, his face hardened, flashing his tight-lipped at them.

"I do not hold a grudge, but I sure have limited patience that I've been holding for quite a while now, and you did nothing but test it.."

Liam challenge him with sarcastic smile. "How about you show us how far that patience of yours can go, Mr. Malik.."