PULSE [H.S]

023

"Temptation is the devil looking through the keyhole. Yielding is opening the door and inviting him in." — Billy Sunday

Clove helps me do my hair and makeup.

She came over earlier to help me get ready, and I'm so thankful because I'm just a big bundle of nerves right now. She's putting eyeliner on me, so I keep my eyes closed.

She asks, "So what's it like living with Harry? Is he insufferable as a roommate?"

I shrug. "He's fine. I try to avoid him when he has that scary look on his face."

"He does have a scary angry face, doesn't he? I can't believe he let you bring a cat here," Clove laughs.

She finishes up my hair and makeup, and I put the dress on, looking at it in the mirror. I haven't looked at it since we bought it, and I forgot how nice it was. This is the most expensive piece of clothing I've ever owned. I feel like a fraud wearing it.

Harry yells, "You two have five minutes before I throw you in the car, naked or not."

Clove yells back, "Go fuck yourself, Styles!"

We walk downstairs seven minutes later, and Harry's waiting for us in an all black-suit. Shit, I didn't think he could manage to look any hotter. I'd swoon over him more, but he's glaring at us, and it makes it hard to look at him.

He says, "It's about fucking time."

Zayn picks up Clover, so Harry and I drive there alone. I'm feeling extremely anxious about this night, and it doesn't help that I'm alone in a car with someone I haven't spoken to since his fingers were inside of me on the kitchen counter this morning.

The drive goes by fast, regardless of how nervous or awkward I feel. I doubt he is even thinking about what happened, so I push it out of my mind as well. We pull up to a beautiful mansion, and I can't help but gawk at the size of it.

"Does Elias live here?" I ask.

Harry says, "No, but by throwing these parties here, he makes everyone think he does. I don't know where he actually lives."

There's valet service, so we don't even have to park the car anywhere. I walk with Harry up these elaborate stairs leading to the main entrance of the place. The stairs seem to go on forever, but a knot forms in my stomach as every step brings me closer to the entrance.

As we are walking, Harry quietly says to me, "It'll be okay, Kiz."

I nod, giving him a tight smile.

The inside of the mansion is just as incredible as the outside, and I follow Harry into a huge ballroom. There are circular tables placed throughout it, and I swear it's like I'm at a royal wedding. Everyone is dressed in the most exquisite clothes, and the place is decorated beautifully.

I say, "This is amazing."

"I find it hard to see the beauty in these things anymore," Harry says, making me frown.

I ask, "So what do we do now?"

"Now we show you off," he says, and my stomach knots.

When I look around the room, I just see a lot of people in fancy clothes at a party. It's hard to believe that everyone here has ties to the cartel. I never imagined that criminals would gather in a place like this.

Before we start talking to people, Harry gets me a drink to help calm my nerves. Now that I'm here, it's not as scary as I was imagining, but I am still on edge. It's a little nerve wracking that a lot of these people are dangerous, and I have no idea what any of them are capable of.