For Your Eyes Only [h.s.]

Ch. 59 - The Present

FTA: Sorry for the delay, all - but we're back... there's over 300+ of you now and over 12 thousand reads - my mind is blown. 
Thank you thank you - just insane to me. Enjoy XO.

PS: We're staying in the Present from now on... or jumping forward... The beginning of the end I think they say. Thanks for going on the journey thus far. 

_____

Harry Styles
Feb 26, 2022

"It's not as bad as you think." I tell her, "but you're... well, you're not going to like it."

Adelaide, still watching me closely, falls into her nervous ticks. Before I can really stop her though, she's saved by the bell when I feel my phone ring in my pocket. I've set it so only certain contacts can break through the setting. So, I give her a kiss on the cheek in apology and go ahead to check it. 

"Here, how about you see for yourself." I tell her, handing the envelope to her as I see that it's Macey's call coming through. I kiss her on the nose; hoping that somehow it could pre-mend what I know will be immense fear when she opens the envelope. It kills me that this is all happening when we should only be celebrating this weekend. I indulge in the moment for as long as I can before I know I'll miss the call completely. 

I reluctantly step away from our secluded booth, knowing that Macey is calling to know that things went over well, and that Adelaide said yes. She won't stop until she gets an answer.

"Hi buddy!" I hear her surprisingly highly pitched voice over the speaker. 

"Hi to you too Mace."

"Well? You know why-"

"She said yes." I tell her, cutting her off before she can finish; knowing already what the call is about. I hear her shriek over the line, having to pull the phone away from my ear before she quiets enough for me to continue. "She said yes, and we're at the hotel now for the trip. Thank you, again, for packing things for her.

"Oh Hazz. I'm so happy for you both." I can hear the emotion breaking through her voice. "I'll lock up then for the night here, Cleo says hi!" I hear the clinking of dishes in the background.

"Thanks for tending to her. We needed to bring so much of the security here and it just-"

"You don't need to explain yourself. Plus, I'm happy to stay for a few days, I love the guest room..."

"It is your room Macey, we both know this."

"Haha, well, then I'll gladly make myself more at home this weekend. Listen, I don't want to keep you, go enjoy, just tell Adelaide that I expect all the details from her when you both return. Tell her not to worry about her girl; Cleo and I will keep this place running for you both."

"Thanks. We love you."

"And I love you both too. Congrats Harry, g'night."

I let Macey hang up the phone before I stop at the bar, grabbing both Adelaide and I our preferred drinks in addition to the celebratory champagne we've got at the table. When I return to our spot Adelaide has spread out the photos that were all in the envelope moments ago. 

"Well?" I ask, sitting down next to her and giving her another kiss on the cheek. 

"Babe, these are all photos of me... I mean, they go back all the way to Philadelphia when I was still working at The Creative, who would do-"

"I don't know, but the good news is that some of them might help us find out who is doing this."

"How is that even possible-"