Hunger [H.S]

March (part 4)

Frankie stood in front of the bathroom mirror after a nice shower, where she spent extra time going over her body with a scrub to exfoliate her skin. She put a hair mask in her hair to make it soft and silky. Harry had texted her, and asked if she wanted to come over, and see where he lived. She had accepted, her heart beating a little faster. She went shopping and found some nice lingerie, which he would probably never see, but she felt good knowing it was there under her outfit. If she suddenly changed her mind, she would be ready to be sexy for him. 

Frankie laughed at herself in the mirror. "Sexy... Yeah right, Frankie," she mouthed at her reflection and brushed her hair. She gave herself the elevator look in the mirror, and wished she was happy with what she saw. Maybe if she wasn't so insecure, she could blow Harry's mind, and give him a night he would never forget. But all her insecurities kept her locked up inside a shell, where she hid away and hoped that people wouldn't notice her. She let her fingers run over the stretchmarks on her sides, and tried to remember a time when they weren't there. They were an example of something, she didn't want Harry to see. She thought it looked horrible, and she was sure it would turn him off completely. 

When she put mascara on, she thought she looked kind of pretty. Her skin was nice, she didn't have many blemishes or spots, and she rarely used foundation to cover her skin. Her hair looked really good, especially after Abi cut it. It lifted her face and she felt it made her look a little edgy and cool. 

She wore a pair of jeans and a cute top, making sure the straps of her newly acquired bra were visible. No matter how she dressed, she couldn't style her way out of being curvy. Her hips were round, her stomach was round and her arms were round. She had spent most of her life covering everything up, but that didn't make her happy either. 

***

Harry sent a car to pick her up and drive her to his place in Hampstead Heath. He had bought a couple of adjoining properties and was in the middle of merging them into one home. It was an impressive building, almost like a mansion. It seemed like an awfully big place for a guy to live on his own. She walked up the stairs to the main entrance, and rang his doorbell. He lived in a gated area, so it was only announced guests, who were able to come close enough to show up at his door.

Her stomach was turning with butterflies, and now that she was there outside his door, it suddenly dawned on her, that she didn't know how to greet him. Hug or kiss? Or maybe just a 'hi' or 'hey'. Definitely not 'hello', that was too formal. She was frantically trying to decide what would be the most sensible way to greet him, when he opened the door, his face lighting up in a big smile. Frankie froze on the spot, awkward as a fish on a bicycle. Harry opened the door fully, and held out his arm to invite her in. She stepped inside and as soon as he had closed the door behind her, he stepped close to her, and kissed her cheek. He lingered for a moment, close to her face, and she drew in her breath, automatically holding it to calm her nerves. The butterflies in her stomach were fluttering frantically, as if preparing for a grand performance. Harry's eyes held her gaze, a small smirk on his lips, as he leaned forward and softly kissed her lips. She dropped her handbag on the floor, right down on his foot. 

"Ow!" He exclaimed and started laughing. 

Frankie was mortified and apologised, feeling so clumsy and ridiculous. Harry cupped her face with his hands, still laughing. 

"Frankie, it's okay. Don't worry about it. You don't have to be nervous with me," he kissed her once more and took her hand, leading her around his home, showing her what he had done, and what needed to be done. 

The house was spectacular. Everything was modern and new, but there were definitely signs of original features. Harry's sense for interior decoration was obviously very refined. Every detail in his home seemed to be carefully chosen, from the color palette to the placement of furniture. It exuded a sense of elegance and sophistication that was truly impressive.