Masked Hearts // harry styles au

E i g h t

"...he is doing pretty well. Actually he is upstairs resting his muscles in bed. I'd go and say 'hi' if I were you," she smiled

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding in.

"Oh my god, yes!"

Before I knew it, I was up and already running to my parent's room. I stopped right in front of the door.

What was I going to say?

My nails were already bitten down to the quick. I nibbled at their frayed, form edges like a famished mouse. I've been so lost in constructing scenarios for the conversation, that I didn't notice his voice ringing through the door.

"Love, Sierra?" his husky voice coughed out those words like his body had not an ounce of energy left.

I pushed against the door that, all of a sudden, felt heavier than an iron gate. It squeaked like the house had been haunted for centuries. When I was in, I scanned the room, looking for my father. I spotted him lying on the bed, his head tilted backwards and his eyes squinting from the light I had brought in with me when I opened the door.

The curtains were thick, red and velvet, hanging in generous folds around the mullioned windows and were lined with thick cotton of deepest plum. When they were closed the room was instantly cast into blackness, even on the brightest of days. In winter they stood guard against the biting cold, making even the deepest of winter nights cozy and warm.

I walked towards them to bring some life back into the room. A small chair hid in the corner of the room. I grabbed it and gently placed it next to the bed so I could be near him.

Silence gnawed at her insides. Silence hung in the air like the suspended moment before a falling glass shatters on the ground. The silence was like a gaping void, needing to be filled with sounds, words, anything. The silence was poisonous in its nothingness, cruelly underscoring how vapid their conversation had become. The silence was eerily unnatural, like a dawn devoid of birdsong. Silence clung to them like a poisonous cloud that at any moment could choke the life from them. Silence seeped into their every pore, like a poison slowly paralyzing them from either speech or movement.

Gently, my dad held my hand in his, exhaling deeply, before letting out what seemed like he'd been holding forever.

"Sierra, I'm sorry, I am so sorry." The last part came out as nothing more than a choke before he broke down in front of me.

I had never seen my dad cry, so, out of habit, I engulfed him in a deep hug.

"Hey," I tried to ease him, "it's okay; we all make mistakes."

"To attack your mother like that, that was unacceptable," he stated, obviously shocked at the memory of his actions," I will make it up to you, both of you."

His words were like a sting to my heart. I could feel the hurt in his voice.

"How about the three of us go out for dinner, as a family," he recommended, unsure of his decision.

It took everything in me not to jump and do a rain-dance right at that moment. I was so aroused; I could barely keep my body still.

"For real dad?"

I embraced him in the tightest hug ever. All he had done was forgiven and forgotten, but the past was still something that would haunt us. I would have to ask him about his hidden secrets at some point but now, I just wanted to be happy.

*****

"Mooooom," I yelled at the top of my lungs.

She entered the room, adjusting her earing while laughing at my pouted face. She looked beautiful as per usual while I was still stuck looking for a dress. I motioned at the closet.

"I have nothing to put on!"

She seemed deep in thought for a moment before she clicked her fingers together.

"I've got it," she spoke before walking away.

I sat on the bed waiting for her. When she was taking too long, I shuffled to her room. The exact moment I went in, she was pulling a big red box from under her bed.

"There it is," she whispered to herself still unaware of my presence.

"Uhm, mom?"

"Oh, yes sweetheart," she answered, coughing from the dust she had wiped off of it.

Out of the box, a beautiful, knee-length, blue dress was pulled out. It was gorgeous.

My mom finally broke the silence, "I wore this on my first date with your father. I kept it for you and I'm pleased I did."

"Oh, mom, it's stunning."

"Well what are you waiting for," she spoke excitedly, "go on."

I swiftly headed to my room and shut the door behind me.

*****

I was finally dressed with nothing left but my hair to do. I was not the type to put on makeup, so I just applied some eyeliner and mascara to freshen my eyes.

There was a knock at the door while I was sitting on my chair, observing my appearance.

"Come in," I called out.

It was my mother. She approached me, looking in admiration.

"You look beautiful honey," she said in a soothing tone.

She gently grabbed my hair brush, grooming my hair while humming to me. It was a gesture I had relished from when I was younger.

When she was finished she made me put on one of her earrings. Like coruscating diamonds, they clung to my ears, glistening in the dim, fluorescent lighting.

"There, you're all done," she clapped her hands together. "Now let's go show your father, he's been waiting forever."

She escorted me downstairs where my father stood dumbfounded in his place. He was not the type to compliment so I wasn't expecting any nice words.

"Where's the rest of the dress," he coughed, clearly not too pleased with all the exposed skin. His cheeks however, flushed red from my appearance.

"Hayden," my mother warned, sending him a glare.

"Right, uhm, you look lovely," he finally confessed.

"Thank you," I answered as I placed a kiss on his cheeks.

I signaled to the door as in saying 'let's go'

Behind me I heard him whisper, "and you look beautiful too my love."

Hey guys. I'm so sorry. I know I'm late but I haven't opened Wattpad for about 3 weeks now and I have a 100+ notifications. I had exams and shit but that's over and I have two weeks vacation. I'll try to update as much as possible. Also I need to catch up with reading all the books that have been updated so if I don't vote and comment on your book's chapter straight away, know that this is the reason.

I want to say I'm so grateful for the people who have been dedicating their books to me, thank you so much. So, if you want me to dedicate a chapter to you, just request it.

OMG, I'm so happy you guys went waaay past the goal I set. Thank you so much. I asked for 600 reads and I got 777 reads. I asked for 150 votes and I got 192. 587 comments, WOW!

Finally, Happy Birthday to my favourite boy who has turned 22 today. I love you so much Harold Edward Milward Styles. You are my idol, my inspiration, my everything. I look up to you so much. Have a great on bud. *basically saying that for the heck of it. Not like he will see it or something*

After that has been said, here's a chapter my hungry wolves. I love you!

-Rokaya