apologies for the short chapter!
andrea
"Look, Niall. I don't know what you think of our little relationship but I'm telling you to decide. I can't keep doing this every single time, just because you don't realise your actions weren't right!" I demanded as soon as I stormed into his office, without bothering to knock. I definitely caught him off-guard, as his head shot up with a jerk. "Drea, I-I... can't explain," He admits, getting up from his seat.
"You can't always kiss me and make me leave right afterwards," I said, glaring at him. His cheeks burned with embarrassment, hands digging into his pockets. He inches closer to where I was standing, before finally speaking. "What am I supposed to do then, Miss Byrne?"
"Well, you talk to the girl and maybe have supper. Maybe she'll stay the night and you guys would cuddle over some footie. Sorry, I just narrated my perfect night-in, but-" He cuts me off mid-sentence with a boyish grin. "Andrea. I'm asking if we could restart, pretend nothing happened and hang out tonight? Just you and me. Regine can stay in her room just fine."
I laughed at his attempt to make things more romantic by driving Regine into her room. Regine was an adorable kid and I didn't mind having to share the night with her too. "Sure."
* * *
It was a sweater with tights. Perfect for a night not quite in the Spring nor Summer in front of a television screen watching a movie. To be honest, I was excited for what he had planned. It was a chance to delve into the mystery world of Mr. Niall Horan, renowned CEO and billionaire. He welcomed me with a hug, sitting me down at the dining table.
"I actually took the time to whip something up in the kitchen, be thankful," He joked, placing the plates on the table. "This is horribly corny, I know."
"It's alright. It's cute, really," I smiled, taking a sip of the drinks he had on the table. White wine. "I appreciate your efforts, Sir Horan." He shakes his head with a chuckle, inviting me to dig in.
"Tell me more about you," He asks, placing his cutlery down. "For starters, my favourite band is Fall Out Boy, and my all-time favourite musician is James Bay. Die-hard concert junkie. Lover of dogs and unicorns. I shop a little too much for my own good, too. That's about it," I explained, and joy was written all over his face. He seemed intrigued, which was good, for me at least. Didn't want to seem boring. "So, for me, it's a funny story actually. I was in a business meeting with your father when he told me you were jobless after graduating. I told him to bring you over to H&Co. and I'd 'show you the ways of business', but really, I just wanted to see you more often. Saw you on magazines a lot, a little rebel aren't you?"
I rolled my eyes, thinking back on the numerous lectures my father would give me after those articles were published. "I just can't follow the rules and bite my tongue. Not sorry about it though," I winked, and he simply nods as Regine comes running into the dining room, waving excitedly once she saw me. "Andrea!"
"Manners, Regine," Niall scolded, but his voice couldn't raise a hair. She only giggled, hugging my leg. Hoisting her up onto my lap, I pecked her cheek. "How are you, peach?" She giggles yet again with that childish innocence at the nickname used for her. "I'm okay, peachie!"
Niall calls her over, and gives her another peck on her forehead, before asking her to go back to her room. She obeys quietly, and I couldn't help but shake my head at his actions. "We would be just fine with little peach joining us."
"I think she'd rather play with her dollhouse, it's alright," He waves me off, and our dinner continues with laughter and wine.
* * *
"And I miss you, Jenny," Forrest would say, tears pricking at his eyes.
Here came the waterworks. I was practically sobbing over a scene that I'd watched only one too many times, it felt so incredibly foolish, especially when my boss was sat right next to me. But it was nice that he pulled me closer to him, holding up a box of tissues.
"I'm sorry, it's just that Forrest Gump is probably the best movie of all time. Stupid, I know," I smiled sheepishly, and he seems to mirror my expression. "It's alright. It's a beautiful movie. Just like you," Niall lowers his voice to a whisper, and my cheeks burn in a mix of emotions. How I wanted to connect our lips then and there, it was so inviting, as soon as you looked into his eyes it was like you could see the horizon. He was a work of art.
He smelled like spice, woody cedar, a hint of green apple... His calloused fingers on the back of my neck, so close I could feel the few bits of dried skin on his bottom lip. Without much hesitation, that little space between us was closed all I could taste was peppermint and white wine.
"Not so bad for starting over, huh," He jokes, tucking a stray hair behind my ear, sending chills down my spine. He was mesmerising in so many ways, behind the outer surface of ice was a scaffold of warmth and a fiery heart. I hummed in response, eyes drifting everywhere but his own.
It felt right.
