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Chapter 18: Love is a painful pleasure

Mia's POV

"I'm so full I don't think I could move." Lydia says as we all lay in the living room all suffering from a food coma.

"I've never fit that much stuffing in my stomach before." Harry adds. Dad gets up and stretches.

"Well I think before we all knock out how about those presents?" Dad walks over to the tree and hands us all of our gifts and once we are all sorted out dad lets us get to tearing.

Paper flies through the air and Lydia squealing every so often when something pink and shinny flashes in her eyes. I see Ann every so often look out the window, at her watch, and her phone. I distract myself opening another box.

Santa has gotten me a watch and a matching bracelet. I tap on my shoulder by Ann pulls me away from another box and she hands me a DVD. "Why don't you play this now?" She whispers as everyone else continues with their gifts. I head to the TV and slip the disk in. The door bell rings and Ann says she'll get it.

I look up to the TV and it's dad and Harry going into Ann's old garage. Harry walk towards his bikes and sits on a silver counter. "Harry!" I pause the video and turn around and my heart drops.

Harry's POV

My breath disappears and I feel like I've been punched in the stomach. "Baby I've missed you." The blond jumps into my arms and I feel her cold lips on mine. Gasps are heard and I see my mum sitting on the couch just looking at me.

"Cass," I whisper as I don't believe my eyes.

"... I could help you out with that."

"What's the catch?" I hear my voice and I turn around. Mia is standing in front of the TV and it's the day the Timids came over.

"My daughter, she's a bit of demure girl and could get out of the house for a while."

"Lydia seems to be doing just fine." No no this can't be happening. I look at George and he watches Mia.

"Yes Lydia, she's a striving young girl but I'm not talking about Lydia. I'm talking about Mia ... Mr. Styles I'll get you your parts and more," I see Mia's mom cover her mouth.

"But?"

"Mia." I try to grab her but I'm pulled back with Cassidy holding my hands and she looks at the video.

"In exchange you take my daughter out, Mia. Show her a nice time and for every date you'll be rewarded. If you can get her to come out of her shell by our Christmas dinner I'll make sure to send a blank check with my signature on it your way."

"You're doing a great deal for this family. Especially little o' Mia, pleasure doing business Mr. Styles hope to see you soon." The video stops and the room is silent with the exceptions of Kristin cries.

"What have you done?" Lydia says and Mia drops to her knees. Kristin rushes to Mia and wraps her arm around her.

I turn and see mum standing, looking down at Mia. "Why? Why did you do this?" Yell at her. Cassidy turns my face to her and looks me in the eyes.

"I knew it." she says.

"Get off me!" I turn and Mia pushes Kristin away and stands. When she turns her eyes are blue and red with tears. Blue. She has them.

"Mia-" George takes a step near her but she turns and slaps him. Everyone gasp and she turns to me.

"You played me, you used me!" Her voice booms through the living room. Her breathing picks up and her chest heaves. "All this time I was falling for a fraud, a money hungry asshole."