"Pray you catch me"
~ Beyoncé
Nothing else ever seems to hurt
Like the smile on your face
When it's only in my memory
It don't hit me quite the same
Maybe it's a cause for concern
"We except the love we think we deserve"
~ Stephen Chbosky "Perks of Being A Wallflower"
*****************
Her.
After my encounter with Harry I bolted, not even saying goodbye to Matty. I'd probably see him tomorrow.
It had been a while since I'd been attracted or even flustered by a man other than Marcus. The man who broke my heart is pieces without a blink of an eye. My trust level was nonexistent and I promised myself I wouldn't fall for anyone again.
I would never try to make a home out of a man again. The stairway leads to nothing and the doors that scream a life beyond are just trap doors. Played again and again like a broken record.
But this was Harry.
How could I ignore a man who had the eyes the color of the beginning of spring, and beautiful chestnut curls. Lips full and pink, and dimples deep enough for them to appear on my face as well when I saw them. He was beautiful. Absolutely gorgeous. But my mind screamed no and my heart wasn't strong enough to protest.
I woke with a heavy heart and cluttered mind. I often did. My day to day process continued on as it usually does and I was on my way to the office.
As I walked in the office in all pink, I got multiple hellos and comments on my attire to which I replied with the general thank yous and good mornings before hiding in my office and overworking myself as I usually do.
I sit and look at my itinerary for the day when I hear the intercom ring from the desk on the ground floor. Quickly I answer it.
"Hello, Ms. Lincoln there's a man here for you. A Mr.Styles" I hear and my chest tightens. My eyes shut and I'm caught between desire and common sense.
"I'm very busy right now send him away please Lilian" I reply going back to my work. Shuffling my papers I try to complete the task I started when I arrived.
"Ms. Lincoln he insists. He says he will not leave until you agree to see him. He has something for you he says." I sigh before shaking my head, knowing I won't agree with this decision.
"Send him up" I reply before shutting it off and putting on my glasses. I continue my work as I hear someone stroll into my office. I'm jerked out of thought when I hear someone clear their throat, and stop breathing for a second when I see Harry.
He looks dashing in YSL, silk see through shirt with only a few button clasped. Hair in a bun with a few strands falling out.
"Odessa" he says and I just look at him before looking back down at my work.
"Mr. Styles" I reply while sighing. I have a lot of work to do and meetings to attend tomorrow and I don't need Harry distracting me.
"I've come to take you out again, and I won't leave with no for an answer" he says and he walks toward my desk. He doesn't stop where I think he would, but continues to walk until he is I front of me when I turn my chair. He towers over me, my usual competing height gone as I sit in the chair.
"Mr. Styles like I said I like to be alone" I say sternly. I move my glasses to my desk and grab my finished papers moving them into an envelope.
As I shuffle around my hair falls into my face but is soon moved.
When his hand moves to put my hair behind my ear again I flinch, making his hand shoot back as if I gave him pain.
"Who hurt you so badly that you won't go out to eat with me... that you flinch at my touch" he asks and I feel myself thrown into the past.
The day after I had found out Marcus cheated on me I went back alone while Matty was at work to collect the rest of my things. Sadly Marcus was there asking me questions about why and claiming he did nothing wrong.
My anger had gotten the best of me and I slapped him straight across the face. Marcus was boiling with anger and even though he was at fault for all of this, that didn't stop him from putting his hands on me multiple times.
I had left with a bruised face, stomach, back, and a broken mind. Shattered heart. Marcus had never been rough with me, had never hurt me so badly. I'd never told anyone, not seeing Matty until everything had healed. But Harry's statement had me flashing back to that awful time and I could feel my eyes watering.
Tears fell down my cheeks as I looked down at my hands, desperate to try and calm myself. Harry must have noticed because he was soon on his knees which shocked me.
"Odessa." He grabbed my chin to tilt my face up, wiping my tears of my cheeks. My tears were pouring and I just wanted to be alone. My chest was tightening and waves of sadness washed over me.
"Odessa love calm down please" Harry begged eyes wide with worry. My hands were shaking and my mind was a wreck. I was having a panic attack. My throat was closing up and my breathing was getting shorter.
I was lifted up and placed on my desk, with Harry staring deep into my eyes. His hands rubbed up and down my thighs making me shiver.
"Take a deep breath with me ok love. I need you to be ok, please please please relax." Harry says and I listen. Closing my eyes I think of simpler times, when I didn't struggle so much.
After I had finally calmed down, I was extremely angry at myself. I was one to never lose control and I did it with a stranger. Someone who I barely know.
"Thank you" I muttered quietly and was immediately answered with "multiple its not a big deals" before he stopped. I sighed and finished packing up my work, putting it in the complete pile. Work distracted me from other things.
As I worked I could feel Harry's eye burning into me as he watched.
I turned back to him before speaking. "I'm sorry I acted like this, it was unprofessional. Childish." His eyes furrowed in confusion.
"Love you had a panic attack, that's not unprofessional. You're human it happens" he replies and his hand reaches out before he changes his mind a takes it back.
"No it was...." I sigh before grabbing the papers I need to take downstairs to be mailed out.
"I think you should leave Harry. I'm very behind in work. I apologize for wasting your time" I say sternly making my way out the door. Before he can saw anything else I walk out, leaving him alone in my office.
************
Odessa has some sad secrets :(((
I really love this story, I'm gonna try and get a set schedule for updating :P
Also I wrote a new story called "Famous" 😊 check it out
I love this cover of Beyoncé's "Pray You Catch Me" it's so good 😍 ignore the ending though lol
YOU ARE READING
Barrier // H.S.
Random"I want to break through this barrier" he said as he slowly dragged a finger down my arm. I was shaking and goosebumps trailed my arms following his touch. He leaned in, lips grazing my neck. "I want you and intend to have you"
