Empire of Deception (Harry Styles AU)

Chapter 34

The air is cold and the sky is grey. Thunder rumbles in the distance as I stuff my hands deeper into my pockets in attempt to keep them warm. I keep my head low and lean against the corner of the building, making sure to stay under the awning just in case it starts to rain. I glance at my watch, acknowledging the fact that the day has come and gone, and I spent most of it catching up on sleep.

My phone feels heavy in my pants from the weight of Madison's messages. I glanced at them but couldn't get myself to fully open and read them. Most of them were apologies, others seemed angry. I am mentally and emotionally drained and I can't deal with her right now, and I hate myself for it. She deserves better than I can give her.

When I look up I can see Victoria crossing the street. Like me, her hands are in her coat which is tied and buttoned across her body tightly. The bottom flares out a little, giving the illusion of a more curvy figure than her obviously slender one. I wonder if under her clothes there some hips and a backside like Madison. I wonder if Jackson knows. For some reason the thought of Jackson's hands on her and exploring her closed off body annoys me. I decide to stop thinking about it.

Her cheeks are red and so is the tip of her nose. Her eyes are slightly puffy like she had been crying, but I don't ask her about it.

"Is this it?" she asks, nodding towards the pub across the street.

I nod.

"Let's go then."

To my surprise, it smells heavily of apple pie when we enter St. Michael's Brewery. Clive is in his usual spot behind the bar, and every single seat has been taken.

"I had no idea this place would be so popular," Victoria mumbles to me. Her breath grazes my neck, sending tingles down my back.

"A lot of uni students come here, but I didn't think it would be this crowded at this time," I reply. My eyes search for a familiar face, and I spot her soon enough, sitting in the exact same spot as last time. "There she is, over by the window. That's Miriam Wesley. She's in our system but no other information about her is mentioned. She's met with Collings and I am sure they are acquainted. Come on, let's see if she wants a drink."

My adrenaline is coursing through my veins at a steady pace, making my heart beat slightly faster. Circles hang under her eyes but her fingers are constantly moving.

She catches me walking towards her and one look and I know she recognizes me. I sense a hint of panic but she doesn't move from her chair.

"Hey there," I say, putting on my best smile despite knowing that she will see right through it.

"Hi... Can I help you?" she questions, eyeing me and eyeing Victoria.

"I was just wondering if I could buy you a drink," I offer but she narrows her eyes with suspicion.

"Yeah, not with a girl like that with you. What do you want with me."

I open my mouth to speak but I feel Victoria's hand touch me lightly, warning me not to speak.

"Collings wanted us to come by and tell you that he won't be back in London for a day or two."

Miriam scoffs, shaking her head. "Son-of-a-bitch. Didn't even tell me he was going to be out of town. I would have asked for an advance." She scoffs again, "So you two work for Collings?"

"I guess you could say that," replies Victoria. "Can I have a seat? My feet are killing me."

"Sure, go ahead," offers Miriam, moving her stool slightly so Victoria could have some more room. I am left awkwardly standing, but I try not to show it.