Hoax

Chapter forty-four

Harry Styles 

I feel asleep on my couch last night, alone and drunk.

I've not fallen asleep like that in a long time.

It's fair to say that my drastic alcohol consumption was only a temporary solution to forgetting about my argument with Estelle. I hoped it would serve a more permanent cause, but the effects seem to have worn off, leaving me with nothing but a sore head, this morning.

Having only just woke up, I rub my tired eyes and force myself up, to head to the kitchen.

I drag myself through my house, into the hallway, where I notice a smashed decanter, strewed across my parquet floor. I pause, still rubbing my eyes, and taking in the sight, until realisation hits me.

I remember getting in last night, from Estelle's place, anger surging through me and when I discovered there was no whiskey in the decanter, I threw it across the floor, with a grunt of annoyance.

Luckily for me, however, I remember marching straight to my kitchen and flinging open my cupboard, to find I had a tonne of left over alcohol from Richie and Xavier's birthday party, last month. So, I downed all that instead; hoping all the while, that it would help me to forget.

Fair to say, it didn't.

Looking back, smashing my glass decanter in my hallway, probably wasn't the best decision.

I sigh, looking at the mess I made, before turning my back on it, and heading for the kitchen.

I cannot be sweeping up glass this morning – I'll sort it later.

As for now, all my attention is on locating some aspirin that I can take for this awful headache. Once I've knocked back a couple of them, I pray that they work their magic.

I grab a coffee from my machine, and head back into the living room, where I seat myself in the same spot I slept in last night.

I put the coffee on the table in front of me, before checking my phone – no missed texts and no missed calls.

Ouch.

I let my back fall against the sofa as I start to piece together the events of last night.

My night started off badly ever since Ana showed up at my house unannounced.

When I saw her Porche sitting on my driveway, I was confused and unsettled.

I had no idea why she was at my place, what she wanted with me, or that she was even back from her family trip to France; I'm almost ashamed to admit that I had forgotten about her completely.

Then, seeing her sat at my kitchen island, having let herself in with a key that I forgot she had, I felt like throwing up right there and then.

I felt like I had betrayed her.

I was so caught up with Estelle; sleeping with her, going to New York with her, and generally enjoying her company, that I had forgotten that my real allegiance lay with Ana...or it should do.

I didn't know how she was going to be with me, but upon my arrival, she greeted me with a kiss, as though we'd never been apart.

I must admit, I was taken-a-back by this welcome. Part of me was expecting her to push me, slap me, or throw things at me, since I'd been on a trip with Estelle and didn't so much as tell her...but no.

She was happy to see me.

She said she'd missed me while she was in France and that nothing was the same being away from me. She didn't once mention Estelle or the New York trip or ask if I'd slept with her – she acted like nothing was different between us...like the days before Estelle and I first met.