Teach me, Daddy. |hs|

TWENTY ONE

I sprawled across the satin sheets, the strange tingle of the fabric against my bare body slowly woke me up. As I reluctantly opened my eyes, leaving my unusually peaceful sleep, I realised I was alone. I sat up in the bed, clutching the sheets to my chest. I ran my fingers through my hair, deeply exhaled, and looked at the impressive vintage clock hanging on the wall facing me. Seven o'clock.

"I'm awake...at seven." I whispered to myself, followed by a slight giggle, I was amused at the rarity of me being awake so early without the aid of many many, many alarm clocks.

"Yes you are." A voice beamed from the doorway. I sharply inhaled, but once the initial shock of hearing that voice dimmed, I could appreciate who that voice belonged to. Harry was standing in the doorway, a towel clutching onto his hips, his damp hair was wavy and a strand or two hung delicately in front of his face.

"You're glowing." He complimented, a slight smirk developed on his lips, he folded his arms and leaned against the frame of the door. He would not take his eyes off me and I began to feel uneasy and self conscious, the blood rushed straight to my cheeks and I began to turn bright red. I averted my eyes from his gaze and pretended to stare out the window at the glorious view that Harry's penthouse had to offer.

"Hmm... it's peaceful here, we're so high up, I feel like we're in the clouds." I mumbled gently.

Silence filled the air as I continued to stare at the concrete jungle that lay slightly beneath us, Harry's penthouse reached such an incredible height that I could shamelessly strut around naked without fear of a fellow skyscraper-neighbour peering in, but that's not to say I would do such a thing.

It was slightly awkward as I couldn't bring myself to look at Harry, because I could still feel him staring. And since the events of last night it was only a matter of time until he'd suggest discussing that dammed contract again. My lack of eye contact and quiet demeanour suggested I wasn't in the mood of discussing such things right now and Harry finally released me from his gaze when I heard his footsteps trekking down the hall; and when I turned around, sure enough, he was gone.

I breathed a sigh of relief. But that relief didn't last very long, my mind began to think irrationally again and suddenly I was flooded with worry and guilt; I had left Dani alone in the apartment last night - what if someone broke in and she was held at gunpoint while the place was robbed..... I hadn't called Mom in a couple of days either - what if her or Dad are ill and I'm the terrible daughter that didn't check up on them. The intrusive thoughts and 'what ifs' seeped into my skull like a burning liquid metal...and it stuck. I could not shake the worst case scenarios my deviant brain had conjured up. A sudden heavy blanket of self hatred was weighing me down, I wanted to go home.

"Jamie." I heard Harry call me from a far away room.

I swept the silk cover around my body and used it as a temporary robe, I walked through the halls of his luxurious penthouse. I wasn't in the mood of talking but I decided if I was going to find him I better make a move.

"Where are you hiding?" I breathed, I felt tired and not really up to games.

I heard running water, it sounded like it was coming from a room to the right, so I let myself in through the White vintage door. In the centre of the room there was a peculiar shaped couch, it was grey and soft and on it was a note, beside said note lay some very expensive women's clothing. I noticed steam emitting through the cracks of a door behind the couch. I picked up the note and began to read it while still clutching the satin sheet to my body; it read

Jamie,
I wanted a shower to clear my head, if you read this on time you're welcome to join me. If not, you can choose when you'd like to change into your new attire.
Afterwards join me for breakfast, we can cook it together and discuss matters that were left as loose ends last night.

I placed the note back where I had found it, I felt so much pressure and knew I couldn't bare to have a proper conversation with anyone right now. I slipped into the tight fitted black jeans, the grey boots and grey jumper. I admired his choice, it was an outfit I'd usually wear just without the fancy labels. I made my way to the elevator, the doors closed. I glanced at my appearance in the mirror that was fixed into the back wall of the elevator and desperately tried to tame my hair, after a few strokes it looked much more presentable and I felt better about being seen in public.

I was about to leave the elevator, thinking I made it, without getting caught. I had reached the ground floor, as the doors binged open I charged out to make my last few steps of escape - only to bump into a figure. I smacked into the person with such a force, it resulted in me falling to the ground. I gathered my bearings quickly as the embarrassment set in. I peered up at a hand that was outstretched, waiting for me to accept.

It was a beautiful lady, she was older in age, with golden locks of hair - I would say early fifties perhaps? Her eyes caught my attention immediately - forest green. I took her hand.

"I'm so sorry sweetie, I wasn't expecting to see a tiny thing like you when I pressed the elevator button, you just .." She didn't finish her sentence as she focused on helping me up. She was quite nurturing and motherly like.

What happened next almost convinced me that I was concussed. I saw Niall appear beside the mystery woman who he called Mom. He then noticed my presence and smiled at me.

"Hey Jamie, how's it going?" He beamed, polite as ever.

"Umm, I'm ok I'm.... a little dazed... I'm sorry... " I muttered staring doe- eyed at the woman that raised Harry.

The familiar 'bing' sounded from the elevator behind us. All three of us turned to see Harry himself walk out of the elevator to a sight he probably least expected. He looked deeply unsettled.

Boundaries had been crossed.

Albeit accidental.