Empire of Deception (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 30

It is day three in Atrani, Italy, and the smooth sound of the sea lapping against the sides of the boat stirs me awake. The scent of eggs, bacon, and other breakfast foods is faint in the air. The idea of me getting up to make sure I get food passes through my head, but then I figure it doesn't matter what time I get there because there probably won't be any shortage problems. Pretty much everyone except me and the crew were high off their minds and so drunk they could barely stand, so I don't think eating is what they are planning on doing this morning. I suspect half of them won't even wake up before noon.

I push the white sheets aside and the air outside of the fabric feels cool against my exposed skin. The actual action of getting ready is minimal. I merely roll out of bed, brush my teeth while pulling on an obnoxiously bright yellow and turquoise shirt I eventually gave up on buttoning. Khaki colored shorts cloth my lower body and for the first time in a really long time, my legs are actually seeing the sun.

As suspected, the dining room is still, filled with low murmurs and people moving in slow motion as they try not to shatter their brain particles even more. Tired eyes don't bother to glance up at me as walk towards the food.

The energy inside is dead and hungover and instead I opt for eating outside under the Italian sun which is bright and warm in the morning sky. As I sit down, a cool breeze whips through my bedhead curls, probably making me look like even more of a dope than I already do.

The sensations around me are still, save for the sounds coming from nature itself. The first bite of egg is followed by the beep of my cell phone which buzzes in my shorts pocket. I pull it out and see Madison's name followed by the notification of three unseen text messages. My mood drops as I vaguely recall telling her that I would tell her when I landed... That was two days ago. I read her messages which seem straightforward and not in the least way upset, she simply asks how I am enjoying the trip and if I made if here safely. My fingers hit keys that make a smiley face and my finger hovers over the send button, knowing that I should say something more. Guilt weighs me. Guilt that I hadn't thought about her once since I had been here, guilt that I hadn't called her or texted her when I said I would, and guilt that I have utterly no desire to contact her. In a weird way it's as if she is completely out of the picture. I hit send. I'll call her later tonight if she is still awake.

Turns out Madison isn't the only person I seem to have neglected. I have two text messages from Zayn (the first one talking about reruns of Doctor Who, and the second one talking about how Mia hit a bird whilst driving Louis' Mini), and three from Mia (confirming what Zayn said about her hitting a bird followed by two pictures of her brother, Jeremy, and her nursing said bird back to life), and finally, a missed call from my father. This struck me as odd. My father rarely ever calls me. If he ever tries to reach me through my cell it's usually Janice Clark calling, the only time he ever actually calls me is through the work line. Irritation bites as I stare at the missed call followed by the lack of voicemail. Janice probably relayed the message to April, meaning it'll be waiting for me when I return to Bolton Inc., so I shan't worry about it now.

"Pardon." The voice is foreign to my ears as my eyes are focused on the lit screen of my phone. I can recognize her British vocal mannerisms when it comes to the English language, however there is a second variable thrown in that my ears can't seem to draw out and isolate. "Would you mind if I joined you?" she asks and when I look up I am staring into the dark eyes of Mrs. Jarwin.

She is slender, much like her two children, but more frail than her daughter. Her face is worn but warm, and I can definitely imagine how much of a beauty she was when she was younger. Her pure Japanese heritage can be seen clearly from her facial features, and for a moment I am taken by surprise at how utterly beautiful diversity is. From her black stained hair to her high cheekbones, round face, and almond eyes, she is everything mysterious and beautiful about cultures different from my own.