One More Day (H.S.) #wattys2016

Fifteenth Night

Harry

   
"What's this? I thought you never wanted to settle down?"

"We're just together. But... who knows?"

"Just?" Gemma rounds the table and settles herself on the sofa next to the window. "So she's just another one of those..." She tilts her head from side to side, and I know she means to say, "another flings."

I just huff and smirked at her.

"Then, where is she? I need to meet your new toy."

"It's still early for you to see her." I grunt. "And she's not my new toy. She's my most priced possession." I said, making her look a little perplexed but she didn't let it show.

Dolly is my fifteen-million pound thoroughfare to the success of my plans. Essentially, my last sentence is true.

Having my life inquisitively pried on by many is just as sickening as having a very talkative sister.

"Ah. But I heard a lot about her." Gemma utters, looking at her fingernails.

"Sure you did."

She then redirects her eyes at me. "From what I gather, she's a commoner and a really, really lowly living person."

"I think I have an idea who your informer is. Nevertheless, I don't think you should care." I gave a sly smile, willing my temper not to rise. I know for sure that we are just waiting for each other's outburst. I can feel it. She's losing control of her temper too.

"The Styles descend from a historic, royalty lineage. This is what they always say." She recites as if she's reading a poem. "Even though you carry the name, I don't feel like you are acting as one of us."

That does it.

"Is that the reason why you came all the way here from another continent? To lecture me and intrude upon everything I do." I mutter, rolling my eyes just to avoid her gaze. I hate to admit, but even her stare does enough to aggravate me.

"Ooh. Did I struck a nerve?" She laughed, cleverly avoiding my question and cooed this last part, "I'm sorry little brother."

"I give it to you this time."

"That's new." She frowns, blinking at me with astonishment.

"Hmph. This feels a little nostalgic." I drawl, calming my rage. My relationship with Edward isn't as bad as what I have with this woman before me. For her, everything is always a competition. "Why have you come here?"

Especially because we're only related by my old man's blood.

"You must know that it will take more than just a wealthy woman to satisfy the head of our house, how much more when it comes to the director." She says just as loud, ignoring my dispute again.

I remain calm, but my insides are already burning with anger.

"You're saying father was just following orders?"

"That Lockhart girl was just an option for Edward." Gemma said, totally ignoring my question again. "But seeing as he is better in handling businesses unlike someone I know, the director presumes an insurance isn't necessary for him."

An insurance huh.

"Hah! Like I'll be needing one." So, that's all there really is to that arranged marriage? And to think that it wasn't deliberated by my father alone. "This sounds interesting. Old Lucile is in it too huh?"