08. I WANT TO GO HOME
EMBER
Of course, Michael was smirking when Kevin and I returned to our seats in the conference room.
"After a thorough discussion among Ember, I, and an important third party," Kevin spoke after he'd sat down, "Ember has decided to take your offer."
Michael gave me a wolfish grin. "Well, that's wonderful to hear, Ms Rohn"- he extended his hand to me -" I look forward to working with you."
When I took it, I internally stopped myself from shuddering in my seat from how cold his hand was, and braved a weak smile. "Likewise."
He then leaned back in his chair, still grinning like he'd won a triathlon. Did I mention his smile creeped me out? I did. Well, I will say it over and over again until all the creepiness has faded. (Even then, I don't believe that many times will have done it justice.)
"Well, I believe our other party will be joining us shortly, so let's discuss the specifics," Michael cleared his throat, "First and foremost, do you have any concerns regarding what you both already know?"
My brows furrowed together. "There's no contract?"
"Contracts will be presented after you are acquainted with your coworkers," Michael said curtly, adding a patient smile at the end. "We value comfort among employees and trust, of course, Ember."
His smile, for some reason, didn't feel forced or quite that cold anymore. In fact, it was more - if I had to put it - fatherly now.
Kevin spoke up again, "this Harry Styles - how much contact with Ember will he be permitted?"
"That's for the two of them to discuss among themselves, though contact numbers will be of utmost importance for them both. Outside of what is asked from them, it is favored that they still bond with each other but keep it quiet."
"Okay," I quickly answered after. "But what about-"
Then, the door had suddenly opened and there stood coffee man in his curly-haired and plain-white shirt glory, his face stoic and breathing heavy. The words died in my mouth and left a slight tingling on my lips when his breath hitched, his eyes trailing to mine.
"Sorry I'm late."
HARRY
I tried not to stare at Ember. I tried - I really did. But her dark eyes were darting around the room, refusing to meet mine. I should have known Michael was referring to this by getting a girlfriend. But how could I have known it would be Ember.
Everything was laid out already - formal introductions, contact numbers, meeting places - and I was not in the least happy with what was going on. The only upside was that Ember seemed cooperative and down-to-earth enough to have a proper conversation with, unlike the other actresses Michael had interviewed. Still, the idea of pretending something that's ought not to be pretended left a bitter taste in my mouth. Michael and Mr Stradmore had left us to get acquainted while they discussed schedules and confidentiality, but all Ember and I had done was stare at the table between us with the occasional drifting of our eyes to each other's.
For the past ten minutes I'd been trying to form a proper sentence that would not sound too awkward, but all my attempts never made it off my tongue.
Ember shifted around uncomfortably under my gaze, across me, and accidentally kicked my shin. "Sorry," she said quickly.
I smirked, kicking her back lightly. Her face contorted into annoyance - her left brow quirked up and her lips pulled into a tight line - and she kicked me again. A laugh started bubbling in my throat, but I forced it down while I adjusted myself in my chair, kicking her again in the process.
"Stop it," she hissed through the obvious grin she was trying to hide.
"Ms Rohn, any concerns?" Michael asked suddenly, tearing his attention away from Mr Stradmore. Ember was quick to shake her head, but I raised my hand. Michael sighed. "Yes, Harry?"
"Well, when do we start?" I asked. "Surely there'll be some sort of debut thing, yeah?"
Mr Stradmore nodded, flicking his gaze over to Michael.
"Supposedly, you two start your outings tomorrow," Michael said, raising his eyebrows at the two of us. "Today, you're to be properly acquainted. Though, I'm sure by now you already know each other, feel free to spend time together after this," he paused. "Mr Stradmore?"
Mr Stradmore nodded again, standing from his seat. "Meeting adjourned."
Already?
Michael was the first out of the room (most probably to avoid Ember's change of mind), leaving the three of us together. It took me a moment to realize that, and when I did, Mr Stradmore was already gone and Ember was halfway out the door. I hastily dusted my hands on the back of my jeans, jogging over to the door as well.
"So where are we going?" I asked, closing the door behind us. She kept walking ahead of me, giving me a full insight of how small she was.
"We?" Ember she snorted, throwing me a look over her shoulder and slowing her pace. I shrugged, and she stopped altogether.
"Well, yeah -" I started. Did she not want to hang out? Fuck - then I just totally messed this up. I awkwardly scratched my jaw. So, I guess I have to go back and cook dinner for Niall, then. The hum of the air conditioning was quiet, yet still the loudest thing between us while faced each other, waiting on something more. "I mean, that's what Michael had said, right?"
"Guess he did, huh?" She let out a shaky laugh, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I, uh, I actually have some stuff to take care of right now, so -"
I stopped listening after that. I mean, everything pretty much goes downhill from someone's first excuse, so why not just cut it off before the tumbling begins? I nodded, feigning attentiveness and simply studied the pretty girl that was actually very promising until seven seconds ago. I could still see her lips moving and forming words - words that I couldn't really understand anymore. And I kept on nodding.
"I actually don't think it'll take that long, then," she concluded her rambling as she swept another stray hair away from her face. She toyed with her laced fingers, glancing behind her at the snack bar now and again.
I raised my brows when she faced me again. "I'm sorry - what?"
"I'll just tell my ride we're getting ice cream or something," she shrugged then cocked her own eyebrow at me. "Do you still wanna go?"
I felt my head tilt sideways. She didn't seem as uncomfortable as earlier and she could actually hold my gaze now. "Yeah," I said, feeling my lips stretch into a smile.
She offered a small smile of her own, walking to the snack bar again. I fell into step with her after she glanced back, nodding at me to follow. Next to her, the top of her head barely brushed my shoulder. It would would be very easy for me to just plop my arm on her own shoulder. I took note of that and looked ahead.
"Eric!" Ember yelled next to me, waving a small hand.
A man leaning by the snack bar looked over and nodded. He slipped some car keys from his pocket but then jerked to a stop, eyeing me. I stopped in my tracks, leaving Ember to continue alone to the man.
"Harry!" She called, waving a hand at me,"get over here."
I hesitantly kept walking, and I swore, the guy's scowl deepened with each step I took towards them. After around two minutes of walking - contemplating on whether or not to make a run for it - I stood next to Ember, in front of the man with a seemingly dark aura.
"I'm Eric," he stuck out a hand and I stiffly took it. His grip was crushing, and I was sure he had smushed all my knuckles into one. "Ember's older brother."
"Harry Styles. Your sister's coworker," I said back then retracted my hand in a way I hoped did not look too quick.
Ember raised a brow at me in concern and I flashed her a small smile before she proceeded to speak with her brother, Eric. I had to give Eric some credit - he was very thorough with his interrogation, practically assaulting Ember with every known question known to man. Ember simply nodded along, hummed in response, and occasionally raised her brows or rolled her eyes in indifference. I squirmed next to Ember every time Eric glance at me. I shuffled my feet against the maroon carpeted floor, trying to distract myself. I studied Ember again in that timespan, and I noticed a small line of paler skin on her palm near her thumb.
"Harry," Eric pulled me out of my own thoughts. "Can I get your number?" I blinked at him, he sighed impatiently. "I need it in case Ember's phone dies - and also for future reference."
The way he said the latter of the sentence made the hairs on my arm stand pin straight into the air. I typed in my number and returned it to Eric as nonchalantly as possible. But my jaw was set in a way that probably made it look like I was constipated. Ember nodded at me in reassurance (which actually didn't make me feel any better). She seemed very eager for Eric to leave as well, prodding and urging him steps closer to the door.
He waved at us dismissively, sauntering away to the parking lot. "Pick you up here at five-thirty. If I'm not here by then, call."
"Alright." She waved back in a very fake cheery way - her lips were stretched across her face in a smile, brows raised, eyes wide, and cute small hand waving so rapidly I was afraid it'd come off.
Still, it was cute.
Eric pulled out of the parking lot, flashing his car's headlights in our direction.
Ember turned to me, a wary smile on her face.
I mirrored it. "So~ Where to?"
AUTHOR'S NOTE
*wipes sweat off forehead* phew -
Okay - yes - this is way later than I promised. (almost a month later) but, hey, who's counting? I'm taking really slow bc writer's block is hell for me and I've dropped 3 points in 2 of my classes so~
*dies*
z
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The Pretenders
Fanfiction{Harry Styles fanfiction} "Ember," his warm, minty breath fanned onto my face, making me close my eyes. The January air was cold against my arms; I shivered, but still backed away from the warmth of his body. I felt his index finger sweep across my...
