Undercover

Chapter 12

(Song: Matilda– Harry Styles)

Enjoy <3

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Blue. The color of freedom. When you feel light, like you're floating in the air. The color of the sky. The color of the ocean. Blue. The feeling of receiving a hug. When you feel safe. When you feel home. Blue. The color of your eyes.

The moment we landed in Ireland and we were met by Niall's parents, the atmosphere got extremely tense. His parents hugged and welcomed Hazel and moved toward us. His mother hugged Niall but he didn't hug her back. His father just nodded at him and said welcome, which Niall nodded back in response. A very stiff nod.

"This is Riley." Niall introduced me to his parents. Mainly his mother.
"Hi. I'm Layla, Niall and Hazel's mother."
"Hi." I shook her head.
"Dominik their father." He smiled warmly at me.
"Nice to meet you." I said.
"Please follow us." Layla said walking ahead of us holding Hazel's hand. It was obvious they had missed each other.

We sat in a black limo. Me and Niall next to each other facing his parents with Hazel sitting in between them.

"So Riley, is this your first time visiting the country?" Layla asked.
"It is." I nodded. I haven't been to Ireland before.
"What do you think so far?" she asked.
"Well all I've seen is the clouds and the airport, but so far it's lovely." I said earning a chuckle from Dominik and a light laugh from Layla. Hazel giggled too.

"So chipmunk, I know we've missed your actual birthday, but we did not forget to get you a present." Dominik said passing a present to Hazel. Niall scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Thank you." She said happily, her eyes sparkling in happiness.
She opened the present and it was a ukulele.
"We know music is your hobby and since you know how to play the piano, we thought maybe you'd love to learn how to play a new instrument."

"Yeah, music is my hobby." Hazel said smiling thanking her parents. I heard Niall sighing beside me. I dug into my purse and took the box out and handed it to his parents.

"I didn't know when to give you this, but happy anniversary." I said.
Niall did try to stop me from getting them a present, but I had to. It was their wedding anniversary after all. And I needed to earn their trust as well.

"Oh dear you didn't have to." Layla said taking the box.
"Thank you so much Riley." Dominik said.
"Hope you like it." I said smiling.
It was a his and her perfume set.
"It's a wonderful gift dear. Thank you." Layla said.
I nodded smiling in response.

We finally arrived at our destination. My God! Is that a mansion?! Keep. Your. Cool.
"Lovely house." I said politely.
"Thank you dear. Maddie will show you to your room." She said.
"No need, she'll stay in my room." Niall said.
"Oh? My apologies, I didn't know you two were a thing." Layla said.
Um...

"We're not, but she'll stay in my room. It's safer." He said the last word so harshly facing his father. Layla gave a stern look to his son.

I smiled awkwardly. I am not very good with these awkward situations, I was sweating and I'm sure my face was turning red.

"How about you show Riley you room Niall?" Hazel saved me.
"Come on." He tilted his head toward the stairs.
I went to pick my bag but Niall picked it up for me and walked toward the stairs. I gave his parents an awkward smile and followed Niall.

"I'll sleep on the floor." Niall said once I closed the door.
"I don't mind sharing the bed."
He looked at me.
"I mean we did sleep together, so I assume it's okay to share the bed for the weekend." I said.
"True." He nodded.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yup."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm great." He said sarcastically.
He sighed heavily.

"I'm only doing this for Hazel." He muttered to himself.
His parents didn't look bad, they were nice. So I wonder why Niall despise them so much.

"Well, do you mind, if I shower?" I asked.
"Of course not, go ahead." He said pointing to the bathroom.
He did not smirk or made any dirty comment. He didn't try to seduce me at all. This is not Niall.

"Do you wanna join me?" I asked.
He shrugged and walked toward his bag to pick his stuff up.
"Only if you want to." I said feeling like he's forcing himself to.
"I need to relax. Taking a shower relaxes me." He said and walked in the bathroom. Shortly after, I joined him.

We started showering in silence. I was behind him and his back was facing me.
"Are you sure, you're okay?" I asked not liking this version of him.
He hummed not facing me.
"You're not." I muttered. He didn't say anything. After a couple of seconds, I couldn't take it anymore. I spun him around.

"Talk to me Niall." I said. The water was pouring on both of us. I looked at him. His eyes. It was different. His eyes were showing pain, anger, and betrayal.
"Niall." I whispered holding his cheeks.
"Why do you care?" he whisper-asked.
"Because we're friends Niall. Talk to me."
He stared at me in silence. He took my hands and brought it to his mouth.

"I'm glad you're here." He whispered and kissed my hands. He then grabbed his towel and left me alone in the shower.

"The dinner was delicious." I said.
"I'm glad you liked it dear." Layla said smiling at me.
"Honey, you've barely eaten. Are you alright?" Layla asked Niall.
He stared at his mom. Intensely.
"I'm fine." He mumbled not so convincing.
"Look at you being all grown up." Dominik told Hazel.

"Yeah I can't believe my baby is a pre-teen." Layla said
"Looks like it was yesterday I held you in my arms for the first time." Dominik said.
Hazel smiled at her parents.
"I'm very proud of you." Layla said.
"Thank you mom."
"Yeah. We did a good job raising her, didn't we?" Dominik asked Layla.

"Yes we-"
"Excuse me?" Niall cut his mom off.
I looked at him. He was fuming.
"What?" Dominik asked.
"What did you just say?" Niall asked.
"Niall honey." Layla warned.
"No I really want him to repeat his words." Niall said his nostrils flaring.
"I said, we did a good job raising her." Dominik said.

"Oh you raised her?" Niall asked.

"Niall how about we talk about this later." Layla said tilting her head toward me.
"Riley is not a stranger." Niall raised his voice.
"Keep your voice down Niall." Dominik said.
"This is bullshit!" Niall snapped.
"Niall." Layla said sternly.
"Pretending that we are the perfect family is bullshit." Niall said standing up.

"You didn't raise Hazel. I did. Me. I was barely 18 that you handed her to me."
"Niall please." Layla tried to place her hand on his but Niall pulled his hand away.

"I changed her diapers. I calmed her down when she was crying. I fed her when she was hungry. Me. Not You. Me. And this is why you're wrong to think her hobby is music. Because it's not!" He walked toward the stairs.
"Her Hobby Is DRAWING." He yelled storming upstairs to his room and slammed the door.

Hazel looked down. I have seen her work and they're truly amazing. It's sad that her parents were unaware of her wonderful talent. Layla sighed slumping in her seat.

"Excuse me." I said going upstairs.
"Be civil you said." I heard Dominik saying to his wife.
I knocked and opened the door.

"Nia- What are you doing?" I asked seeing him packing.
"We're leaving. Pack."
"But the party."
"I Don't Care." He said with frustration.
"Niall you promised Hazel." I said.
"I said pack Riley." He said shoving his stuff into his bag with aggression.

I held his hand stopping him. His eyes were red and a bit teary. He swallowed down. I was genuinely feeling sad for him.
"I was barely 18." He whispered with his tear rolling down.
"I know." I couldn't help but to shed a tear as well. I've never seen Niall being fragile and weak. Let alone seeing him tear up. I held his face.

"We were kids. We were only one when they abandoned us."
"I know." I said my tear dropping down.
"I know." I nodded and kissed him.
This kiss was different from all the other times. It was not aggressive or full of lust. This kiss was tons of unspoken words and every single hidden scar.

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A/N
Hit me with your theories😁