Substance over Styles | H.S.

XLIV. Little Baby Arms

So this is it.

It all ends here with an extra long chapter (apart from the epilogue). First of all thank you so much for your support, I'm not going to dwell on it because I will write a separate author's note. But of course it's still worth the mention.

Secondly, don't forget the Q&A at the end. So if you still have questions for me, feel free to DM me about it! Please do!!

Thirdly...some more shameless self promotion. If you liked this story and you like my imagination (lol) than I invite you to read my new book , Concupiscence, coming up next.

For the very last time...

...Enjoy!

~*~

One year later

The sun was shining brightly onto my already tan skin. I loved the feeling of the sand beneath my hands and the burning heat brought me to a never fading state of serenity. Chattering could be heard all around me, but I zoned out and entered my own little safe haven. My mouth stretched into a smile when I felt his hands running along my thigh. I turned my head around and lifted up my sunglasses before opening my eyes.

The brown eyes stared back at me with a mischievous glint sparkling in them. I shook my head no which made him pout and pull his tongue out. I tilted my head back and laughed at his childish behaviour. He then blew me a quick kiss and winked at me before walking to the sea and taking a dip. I lifted myself up and leaned back on my elbows just enough to watch the blond Italian fella splash around in the water with some of his friends.

"Look at you, being all flirty and free."

I turned my head to see Ryan laying on his side, facing me. Marie ran a hand over his back and kissed it quickly before joining the others in their fun. I smiled at my mate who had followed me all the way from England to the coast of Bari in Italy. It was partly his idea to start a new life, away from gloomy England, but after all this time, he was still by my side.

As my friend.

"Where's the time you spared yourself for Mr Perfect Player?" He continued with a big smile. I laughed at his words and knew exactly who he was referring to. I looked down and crunched up my nose.

"I'm afraid that girl is long gone."

I laid back down and closed my eyes again after putting my Fendi sunglasses back on. I continued to suck the Sunday afternoon sun up, without a care in the world. I was so thankful my parents had let me do this. I didn't break contact with them, far from it. They came over at least once a month and I would never forget everything they did for me. But I could imagine it must be terribly hard to let you're early twenty-something year old daughter, who had always been impressively over-protected, leave to a foreign country after she suffered a massive heartbreak.

"I'm glad," Ryan said. "You're far too bright to be that naive." I smiled at what he had said.

But it was a fact, I had changed a great deal. My break up with Harry was honestly the best thing I had ever done. Just as he had made his choice, I had made mine. I had chosen my own sake above his. I had chosen to love myself first. But right after I had ended my contract with Styles Corporations for good, I was a complete mess. Looking back at it now, I was at such a low point in my life. The two months before my newest contract had started, I had convinced myself I had sort of moved on. I was still madly in love with him, but I truly believed I had put most of what happened behind me.

How wrong I was.

Now, a year later, I finally knew what it meant to get over someone. It felt good. I felt free and young and ready to take over the world. But to get to this point, I had to make several hard choices. I chose to leave England behind for the time being and temporarily give up on my dream.