Ruffled ~ H.S

Six

Anne

"What do you mean you're not coming?!"

"Exactly what I said. I'm not coming," my son replied matter-of-factly, "I checked my schedule like I promised, and I have a meeting. Sorry, mum."

"So you just coincidentally had a meeting the same night as my dinner party?" I narrowed my eyes, "When you already made it clear to me you didn't want to come?"

"If you don't like it, blame dad for handing down the stupid fucking company," Harry snapped.

"Language, darling. Why don't you postpone it?"

"It's already been postponed before. I don't want to mess these guys around - they're not very patient people."

I wasn't believing him for a second.

"What's this meeting about, then?" I asked him.

"That's confidential."

"Even from your own mother?"

"Even so. It's just business," I could almost imagine him shrugging, "tell everyone I'm very sorry."

"What about Vanessa?" I snapped at him, "She dropped all of her plans to come to the party with you tonight!"

"If she's as irresistible as she claims, she'll have no trouble finding another date," he replied curtly, "this conversation is over. I can't come to your stupid dinner party, and I have to get back to work. Bye."

"Har-" I was cut off by the sound of the dial tone, and I huffed, "why, the nerve..."

I don't know what it could've possibly been, but something inside me was telling me that my son was up to something.

He can't possibly be having a meeting so conveniently...

"Derek!" I began rushing around the house trying to find the old butler, "Derek, where are you?"

"Yes, Mrs Styles?" He poked his head around the drawing room door.

"Ah. There you are," I nodded at him, "now, listen carefully. Are you up for a little spy work?"

Derek look confused. "Pardon me, madam?"

"My son isn't coming to my dinner party. I want to know why. Would you head on over to the office building for me? And if he ever leaves the premises, I want to you to find out where he's going. Follow him wherever he goes. Keep out of his sight - but don't ever let him leave yours. And if he's up to anything, you must let me know straight away. Understood?"

"Er...yes madam, but isn't that invading his priv-"

"He is my son. And if he's sneaking around, I want to know why!"

Derek gulped. "Y-Yes, Mrs Styles. I understand."

"Good," I nodded at him, "use that phone my husband bought you for Christmas. Take photos of anything you'd consider significant. Got it?"

"Yes madam," he nodded shakily.

"Off you go, then," I ushered him to the front door, "go, go!"

***

Deidre

Oh, God. What the fuck am I doing?

I am going on a coffee break with the one guy I promised myself I'd just be civil to. I promised myself I wouldn't flirt, but I flirted anyway.

I just can't help it. He's so gorgeous.

I've only met him twice, and I'm already head over heels.