VICE [H.S]

Chapter 4

Aurelia Price

"Harry," I let out a breath of confusion, my mind whirling as to why this frustrating man I was with only two hours ago is standing at my door, better yet how does he know where I live, although before I can even imagine the possibilities the last person I could've thought of jumps from behind the doorframe, beating any shock I had from Harry's presence.

"Honey!" My mother squeals from behind Harry, I take my eyes up and down her presence making sure that she's not another of my crazed illusions and she is here in her glory. She's still thin and dainty, her blue eyes still holding that loving gaze and her face still carrying a bright expensive glow. Her neck was adorned with delicate pearls that I would only begin to estimate heavy price though I know were probably my grandmothers, a rose-coloured sundress on her thin frame flushed with a floral pattern. Her cheeks tightening with an excited grin, I immediately launch myself toward her burying my head into her motherly hold, her rose scent filling my nose, and a sense of home overcomes me. We squeeze each other till both of us break apart with an exhausted breath and a chuckle. Just as I reach for her hold again a cough comes from now behind her, I flick my eyes up seeing a now very awkward dazed Harry.

A redness slowly covers his neck either in anger of being stuck in this situation though his cheeks are flushed, I mean it's his fault for being at my place at this time, but I presume the first, he tips his head tipped back so that the curls that once were messily pushed back now fell to either side of his face in a sort of middle part as he brought his head back down making me stifle a laugh, he kind of looks like one of those 60s hippies.

He squints at me more than usual more like he's trying to focus on something that stares me down as he seems to catch on pushing it back to its normal messy quiff, clenching his jaw. I hastily bring my head back to my mom standing right in front of me watching our awkward Interaction,

"What umm-" My head flicks back to Harry's annoyed stance then back to my mom, "What are you doing here?? How are you?" I chuckle making her shake her head,

"Aurelia!! Never mind that, we have all night to talk, who's this charming man I have caught him standing outside of your door?" She gives Harry a one-over, her kind eyes trying not to give out too much judgement for my sake though she looks alike the wife of a businessman from her attire, I'm pretty sure that small look holds a lot of opinions, good or bad.

It was then as I took him in, I realised Harry's glossy red eyes looked more dopy and tired than usual, his figure needing assistance by the doorway as he partially sways, I clench my jaw trying not to grind my teeth together in frustration. He's drunk, I wouldn't put past high too. I give Harry a small questioning look trying not to aggravate him. I nervously chuckle reaching out to hold her arm so I can bring her through to my lounge, once again a cough rattles through the hallway.

"He's..." I struggle to put into words what Harry is to me, I can't tell my mom he's one of my professor's patients whilst he's standing a meter away from me. Plus the term patient seems as though he should be in a hospital bed or even batshit crazy in our case, I mean he somewhat is crazy. He did kill his girlfriend and he's walking freely, of course, he's crazy. Harry's not my friend, he hates my guts for what I know and I can't deny I have a strong dislike for him too. Although I've only known him personally for a total of 3 days legally I can't say I hate my 'patient'. But at the same time, he's also got to be my favourite... Because I have no others of course.

And well he's not my-

"Your boyfriend?? Oh, Aurelia!" My eyes go wide and snap to Harry's now deathly dazed gaze, "Mom!!" I go to grab her shoulder but she just grabs my hand and looks at me with the recipe for disaster in her eyes, "It's okay!! I'm so happy for you, I am nothing like your father I will show my full support, I mean,"