Lawless [h.s.] AU

Chapter Five

October 2313:
Harry Styles:

The hours pass far too slowly for my taste. I knew I was pushing it with Zayn but the moment Charlotte touched me this morning in the bed, something awakened inside me. I haven't been able to get the feeling of her delicate skin on mine off my mind. 

I have no idea what proposal Niall's been giving for the past ten minutes, but I think I've agreed to fund whatever it is he has requested. The Horan family always hosted the Starry Night Ball, so it's probably something to do with it since it's in a few months. 

It's all a waste of my time.

"Sounds great Niall. Anyone have the time?" I ask, annoyed that this day is continuing to drag on.

"4." Madison says, knowingly, a smirk plastered to her face. 

She knows me too well, in general I don't like having anyone know me, but also she is acutely aware of the effect Charlotte has had on me. It's turned Madison into a pain in the ass today. 

"Why? Any pressing matters Styles?" She continues, laughing. She's pushing her luck, we changed the outdated rule about women being allowed in these meetings when I took on more responsibility but if she keeps this up, I might have the time to change it back. 

"This meeting is boring me. Anyone have anything real to bring to the table?"

I look around at the men in front of me, all with the same blank, somewhat surprised look on their faces. Usually I make use of every moment we allot on a daily basis for progress, but I have other plans for my evening tonight. They don't need to know that though. I mean, technically I can kill two birds with one stone when it comes to Charlotte. 

First, I can satisfy my own personal curiosity, but everything I find out about her I can also use against Zayn. We need to figure out if there's anything special about this girl in particular. Honestly, Zayn pulls plenty of Lawless women, it's not like he really is in need of one, so I don't understand why he took her in the first place. I really hate that I can't figure out what Zayn's motive is in all of this. 

Why was he even of the grounds that day in the first place. I don't remember seeing his name on the list of us exiting that day. We keep track of these things for a good reason.

He's been sitting stoic the entire meeting, sniffing that damn ribbon he took from her this whole time. I want to rip it from his hands and strangle him with it. 

I eye him down before Niall hits my leg with his below the table.

"Oy, fucker, either fuck him or kill him but you're being a bit obvious right now." He whispers to me, making it look like he's just filling his water glass.

"Just go, all of you." I wave them off. "Come next week, more prepared than this or there will be consequences."

The entire room clears out aside from Louis, Liam, Madison, Niall, Chase, and of course, Zayn.

"Oy mate, that ribbon getting you off well? That all it takes these days, you're so lonely?" Niall starts, ready to cause another fight. He sits casually on the boardroom table as Chase, a lower ranking member cleans up what he can from the table; organizing files, requests, and the like. 

"Chase, we can manage without you today. If you will, go check on the young woman in Mr. Malik's apartment for me. Report back." I instruct him. Chase is a bit young to be involved in all this at such a level, but he means well and wants to learn fast. His father is gone, killed a few years ago, so I needs the guidance. 

"Yes, sir, Mr. Styles."

Now that we're down to the core young leaders of the gang we can really talk.