The Nanny (Harry Styles)

Chapter 3

I was a bit shocked at my own stupidity.

Why I didn't make the connection to the story of Louis' struggling friend and automatically think of Harry Styles was beyond me.

Everyone knew what happened.

Long story short, and I say short because I am extremely hazy on the details, despite what seemed like 24 hour news coverage. He met a girl in the states and fell for her quickly and they were married within three months. She got pregnant about a month after that, and as soon as who I now know as Noelle was born, the woman, Harper, filed for divorce. That was almost three years ago.

I had been lost on the names until now, when it all started to click.

"Why was she calling him Edward?" I blurted out after the awkward silence that was hanging over us became too unbearable.

"Harry sounds immature." Harry responded gravelly. "And who are you?" He clipped and I realized I had yet to be introduced and was some random girl standing in his foyer. I automatically noticed that when he registered I wasn't one of his friends, his grip on Noelle's shoulders strained.

"I'm Laney Bennett. I'm a friend of Emma's." I gestured to her behind me and she gave Harry a tight smile.

"I know the last girl I brought was total fail and I should've known with her criminal record that she was going to go a bit kleptomaniac on you, but I swear Laney has a clean criminal record and is desperate for a job!" Emma said stepping in front of me, and giving Harry what I could only imagine were puppy dog eyes.

I had no idea what she was referring to, but I had never been arrested and I was desperate for a job so I let it slide.

Harry looked flustered and confused and began rubbing at his hair, which only made it more disheveled and he barely glanced at Noelle as she sped out of the room at Louis' promise of cookies in the kitchen.

"Em, I said I wasn't looking for another nanny." Harry said, his hands rubbing at his face. His whole body language changed. He was already slumped when he first walked in the room, but now he was curled even further into himself, his arms now across his chest protectively.

"And what do you reckon you're doing with Noelle next week when you have to go to Tokyo?" Emma said, following Harry as he stalked out of the room to the kitchen. I was even more lost than when I was in Louis and Emma's home, no idea if I was meant to follow. Emma paused for a moment, beckoning me to come with her. I jogged to catch up with her, nearly slipping on the nice marble floor. I was met in the kitchen with Noelle sitting on the counter with a cookie in her mouth as Louis and Harry murmured to themselves, and Emma stood watching them. I was forced to just fold my hands and wait.

Harry glanced at me with his eyebrows set in a firm line, licking his lips quickly, "Laney, right?" He questioned.

I simply nodded, noting that Louis had grabbed Noelle and was heading into a door and down the stairs, out of sight. Emma looked at Harry quickly and he flickered his eyes to the door, and she followed down. And now it was just me and him, standing in his kitchen.

"Uh, follow me." Harry said and started across the kitchen, back towards the foyer. He turned to the staircase on the right, taking the stairs two at a time, using his long legs to his advantage. I tried to keep up with him as best as I could, but he disappeared around the corner as came to the top of the stairs.

I followed him into a door that was painted black, and I realized that it was chalkboard paint, and had many drawings scribbled by Noelle. I pursed my lips with a small smile and realized we were in his office.

The walls were lined with various awards of his career, VMA's, Brits and other music awards sat on the shelfs. He had quite a few photos of the band at Large events, dressed to the nines. I was studying them all and I came to a photograph that had been flipped over, the picture hidden. I didn't want to be too nosy, but I had a sinking feeling it was a wedding photo. He had another award that looked a bit cheaper than the rest and as I honed in on the words, it was a small plastic trophy that read 'Best Dad In The World'.