Darling Harbor (Niall Horan)

Chapter 23: New Start with a Bang

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2013

One year and seven months later…

July, 2014

(A/N: Take note of the dates from VALERIE’s epilogue (April, 2014) and in this chapter.)

Bree’s POV

Pans, treys, ceramic plates and utensils—I’ve been double-checking all the things that I have put in the shopping cart while perusing to various products organized into classified racks. Moving from one place to another never really was a bother to me, except when I have to go to supermarkets to buy new supplies for my new apartment.

I have thought of career change because of the demanding nature of my current job, but each time I attempt to turn down any project, the project turns out to be good for my portfolio and I just can’t let it go. So, here I am from Australia, to LA, and from LA to-

“There you are. I’ve been looking all around for you.” I say to myself when my eyes dart to the wallpaper section. I have been thinking of redecorating my room in the apartment. I felt so blank when I saw the apartment three days ago and it looks dreary and old, so it’s one of my goals to bring life to it.

Stopping at the centre aisle, my hand stretches forth to the second shelf from the top, deciding to go on for baby blue wallpaper with pink floral prints on its edges. I gasp and retract when another hand holds on to the roll that I was aiming to get.

“Oh sorry, are you going to get this?” I turn my head to the source of the gruff voice asking me and I widen my eyes when I finally match my gaze on his. I notice him gulp as the neutral expression on his face changes into a startled one. I, too, am surprised to see him here in the supermarket. Of all places.

“Bree? God, what are you doing here?” He cracks the silence and tension between our surprised state and I blink a couple of times, adjusting my vision from his green eyes down to the tiled floor before I look at him again.

He looks different now—good different—from when I last saw him in Australia less than two years ago. He looks so mature now. His face is already framed with light stubbles around his jaw, the crinkles at the corners of his eyes is a little prominent—I’d like to think it’s from too much smiling—and the dark bags under them tells me he hasn’t got enough sleep lately.  Other than that, his smile is still cheeky making the dimple on his cheek prominent.

“Hi, Harry. Long time no see.” I manage to say casually. It’s typical for a friend to jump for joy and hug a friend whom she didn’t see for quite a long time, but with the way I pull off an exit from their lives on December 2012 does not allow me to do that. I don’t even know how to react at such a wrong timing.

I have prepared myself about the fact—not a possibility—that I am going to see all of them one of these days, but I wasn’t expecting to see Harry today. That’s why I am taken off-guard.

“What are you doing here in London?” He lightly shakes his head as he smiles at me, his breathing is heavy. I can sense disbelief in his tone about me being here of all places.

“Job,” I say simply, nodding at him before holding on to my cart before glancing to his cart as well. I notice few crib bedding and mattresses, burp cloths, feeding bottles, packs of pacifier, baby duffle bag, lotion, shampoo, powders, everything with a picture of a baby on it—everything in shades of light blue—stuffed on his cart. Tearing my eyes from the cute sight, I continue, “I have few projects set here so I had to move for starters.”

“Oh, you’re still doing photography?” His brows are scrunched up in curiosity but the smile is still plastered on his face. He shifts on his feet and rolls his grip at the handle of his cart.