Empire // h.s. au

Bittersweet Endings

Harry Styles

The smell of warm croissants filled Sam's hotel room. This was the Paris I enjoyed and wanted. The sun was shining through the French doors that led to a balcony. Paris was sunny for the first time since we got here. 

Light music played from the other room too, a light melody with easy going guitar. Acoustic, I presumed. Acoustic guitar was one musical instrument I thoroughly enjoyed. I know Sam enjoys it just the same. Another thing we have in common. 

I realized the song was the acoustic version of "Why Georgia." 

Sam was standing at the kitchen, moving her hips to the beat and chomping on a croissant. 

The picture couldn't be more perfect. 

She had grown on me immensely. At this point I was smitten. She was beautiful and intelligent and sweet and just about everything I could ever want in someone. She was a kind person with a sarcastic and witty sense of humor. The more I was around her, the more infectious her smile was. It was like coming up for fresh air with her.

And now that the boyfriend was gone, I was able to imagine a possible future for us. Not marriage or anything crazy. But having her around. Even introducing her to my family. Something I didn't do. 

"Nice music," I muttered, reaching her and grabbing her by the waist. She was in my work shirt and underwear. She was quite the sight.

"Well good morning, Mr. Styles," she said to me, licking her lips. I opened my mouth, gesturing for a bite of the warm pastry. She conceded and gave me a bite. Her eyes holding my gaze the entire time. "I love this." 

"Love what?"

"Just this moment," she admitted. "Being in Paris, eating delicacies. Even being with you." 

"Never thought you'd say that," I chuckled, tightening my grip on her waist. It was amazing how far we'd come. When we'd met, everything about her that annoyed me, was incredible to me now. Her intensity with work and her deep seeded respect for honesty and integrity, even her slight sass when it came to her opinion. They were what made her one of the most amazing woman I had met.

"Seriously," she said, nodding her head. "Can we just stay here forever?"

"I'd move the company here," I added.

"We could live in the hills, but come down on weekends," she daydreamed, her eyes going glazed.

"You could shop couture all day," I said to her, kissing her neck and cheek. A smile rose on her face, making this dream something I actually wanted to do. Living with her here  would be amazing. We could be the ultimate power and business couple. 

But a relationship was hard for me. But maybe she was worth it? 

She bit her lip as I slightly grinded against her backside, she then quietly muttered to me, "You really know how to get a girl going, huh?"

"It's a talent," I smirked, kissing her temple. "But seriously, do you really like it here?"

"Like? More like love," she responded, bopping her head along to the sweet melody that played in the background. "If Louis decided to move everything, I'd follow in a heartbeat. It's not like I have much keeping me in New York, now."

"You mean Luke?" I asked, we had avoided the subject for nearly a week. But it had appeared. In my book, she should never look back for Luke. He was stupid and incredibly beneath her. But that was just the opinion of me. 

"Yeah, he hasn't even tried to talk to me since we broke up. Which is okay, but if he really had loved me don't you think he'd make an attempt to fix stuff?" Sam said, her eyes darkening slightly. "It just kind of hurts." 

"I see what you're saying," I told her. "But maybe it's for the best. You're here, aren't you?" 

"Ah, Harry Styles, how you always speak such wisdom," she grinnned, kissing my lips softly. The music floated into a different song, this time a Fray song that Sam was constantly blasting. 

We were interrupted by a knock. Sam moved away from me to go answer the door, she nearly yelped when she saw who it was. At the door stood Luke. 

I ran out of sight, knowing my presence would make things much worse. I heard her gasp as he began to speak.

"I'm so sorry," he said, his voice dripped with sadness and his tone extremely honest. I felt anger arise in me. He was supposed to be gone. Out of the picture. 

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice lacking all emotion. No anger. No sadness. Nothing. Whether that was a good sign, I was unsure. 

"I was an ass. A straight ass. And I can't believe I said any of those things to you. Of course you wouldn't cheat on me. I'm a jealous, insecure man who is madly in love with you. I'm so, so sorry, Sammy. I love you more than words can express and I just need you to be mine," he rambled, sounding like he had been practicing the speech since he stepped on the plane to come to Paris. 

The way he spoke to her was honest and loving and I knew she should be with him. The man willing to share with her his feelings and be completely himself and whole with her. Not myself. Who can barely admit liking someone. Let alone loving them. 

"I don't know what to say," she responded, biting her lip. "Can I meet you in the lobby in 20 minutes? I need to get dressed and I need time to think."

"Of course, Sammy, of course," he said, his voice sounding longing. I heard an awkward shuffle and I peaked my head out to see them embracing. His arms held her.

Like I had just moment ago. 

What the actual fuck was going on. 

The door shut within a moment and Sam turned around, her eyes wide and her mouth slightly agape. 

"Can we pretend that never happened?" she asked, scrunching her eyebrows. 

"You should be with him," I spit out, already regretting the words, but knowing this was what she needed to do. I was the opposite of what she should have and deserve. She deserved the world and more. Things I couldn't give to her easily or at all. 

"What?" she said, confusement filling her voice. "But...?"

"No, you love him. He loves you. Congratulations," I said. I went into the bedroom and put on the clothes that I had. After slipping them on, I was confronted by an angry and confused Sam. 

"What the fuck? I thought maybe..."

"I'll see you later, Samantha," I said to her, before shutting the door behind myself. 

I immediately missed her.

She was beautiful and I had given her up. Because she deserved more than a bitter asshole. 

Author's Note:

WOW-- i love you all a lot and i really hope you enjoy this chapter...don't hate me plz.

Question: Favorite music at the moment and favorite artist/band/whatever.

Answer: Okay, I primarily listen to alt, indie, and like super chill music. So I'm really into like John Mayer (shocking) and then like Sara Bareilles and stuff like that. But then I also really like the Fray, Snow Patrol, etc. BUT OF COURSE I LOVE ME SOME ONE DIRECTION and bands like that...so yeah. fab. 

xx. love ya my lil ducklings.