Through the Dark

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

"How about dinner tonight?" Harry asked for what felt like the hundredth time. He'd been trying to convince me to go on a date with him. He claimed it was part of his "master plan" to make me fall in love with him—which I thought was completely ridiculous.

But... since I'd promised Stacy I'd give him a chance, I reluctantly said yes.

"Good. I'll pick you up around 07:00pm. Is that okay?" he asked, grinning.

"Yeah, that's fine. But... where are you taking me anyway?"

"That's for me to know and for you to find out," he said, winking. "Oh, and wear something fancy."

Ring. Ring. Ring.

I jumped slightly as my office phone rang.

"Wait, I have to answer that," I said, frowning.

Harry nodded, sinking into the chair in front of my desk, his gaze playful as ever.

"Hello, Samantha Jameson speaking," I said, trying to sound professional.

"Sammy, dear," a familiar female voice cooed on the other end.

That voice.

Aunt Martha.

How could I ever forget?

The person who practically ruined my life. She made me cry for years. She was the one I thought would help me after my parents' accident. The one person I wished would vanish from the world.

Hearing her voice made me sick. I could feel myself going pale. My palms were sweating, my whole body shaking.

"H-how did you get m-my number?" I stammered, my voice tight.

Harry shifted slightly, his eyes filled with concern. It was as if he wanted to pull me into a hug, to comfort me.

"I have my ways, dear. It's not easy, but I did," she said, laughing coldly.

I froze, the phone trembling in my hand. My chest tightened, and a cold wave of anger and fear washed over me.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice sharper than intended, trying to keep control.

"Oh, Sammy, don't be like that," she cooed. "I just wanted to know how you're doing... and maybe talk about a little business we need to settle."

My hands clenched around the receiver. Business? After all these years? My stomach twisted.

She continued, her tone venomous. "I heard you're earning a lot of money, bought yourself a house and a car. That's wonderful, though. I was just wondering... how did you get to work in that company? Did you sleep with your boss to get it? Is he paying you for sleeping with him? What a whore!" She laughed cruelly.

I was about to respond, but she didn't stop. "You, young lady, are one hell of a bitch! You keep whoring around to get what you want, you dirty little slut!"

"Shut the fuck up!" I shouted, my voice tight, fighting to keep control. "I don't have time for this!"

Harry's eyes were on me. I hadn't realized how closely he'd been watching. His brow furrowed, and he leaned forward, concern etched across his face.

"You fucking slu—" she started, but I slammed the phone down and burst into tears.

"Sammy... what's wrong?" Harry asked gently, his usual teasing tone replaced by genuine worry.

I bit my lip, trying to suppress the storm of emotions threatening to spill out. "It's... it's nothing. Just someone from my past," I murmured, forcing a shaky laugh.

Harry didn't let it go. He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. "Hey... nothing doesn't make your hands shake or your face go pale. I can see it, Sammy. You don't have to hide it from me."

I swallowed hard, my pulse racing. How could he see through me so easily? My walls felt thinner than ever. For the first time, I didn't want to lie.

"It's... complicated," I admitted softly, my eyes flicking down to the desk.

Harry's hand brushed mine, warm and grounding. "Complicated or not, I'm here. You don't have to face it alone," he said, his green eyes calm but intense.

I wanted to argue, to tell him this was none of his business. But instead, I just nodded, letting a fraction of trust slip through.

"So... are you still in for tonight?" Harry asked carefully. His usual grin softened with genuine concern. "I mean, if you're not in the mood, we can reschedule anytime you want. I won't pressure you."

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "It's okay. I'd love to go tonight. Maybe... maybe you can help me get distracted and forget what just happened."

His lips curved into a teasing smirk. "Ooh. I like the sound of that."

I swatted his arm lightly. "You pervert! Not like that! I mean, you can take me to the movies, or we could walk in the park."

"I know," he chuckled, hands raised in mock innocence. "I was just teasing you."

I couldn't help but smile at him. "Thank you, Harry."

He tilted his head, pretending not to understand. "For what?"

"For being here with me. For comforting me. And... for making me smile, even when I feel like I can't."

His grin softened into something warm, almost vulnerable. "It's my pleasure, Sweet Cheeks. Always." Then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he added, "By the way... you sound really sexy when you curse."

Before I could even roll my eyes at him, he leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to my cheek.

My stomach did a complete somersault, the kind that made my heart race and my breath catch all at once.

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