If It's What You Want A Harry Styles Fanfiction || h. s.

Chapter 54

The day had mercilessly crept by for Harry. His mind was spinning with the revelation about Ashley. Her life was far more complicated than he could ever have imagined. Can I really afford to have that kind of complication in my life? How might this complicate my career? I've spent years building up a strong reputation. Would her identity take over if it became common knowledge? Did he care? Wasn't she special? I'm 27. Do I . . . he wondered.

He'd felt compelled to look up the value of the Erickson Corporation hoping to ease his mind. The information served only to boost his anxiety to new levels. He'd had his phone out several times prepared to call any number of individuals but quickly decided against it.

"Harry?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Can we talk?"

"You are supposed to be resting."

"What time is it?"

"About 11:30."

"I need to sit up. My back is hurting."

Harry helped her raise the bed and adjust the pillows. He massaged her back until the coughing subsided.

"Here, have some water."

"Thank you. Every time I move around the coughing starts."

"The doctor says that's a good thing," he said.

"It doesn't feel like it."

"Sorry, sweetheart."

"I need to talk."

"Alright, I'm listening," he said.

"Now would be the time for you to run."

The statement caught him completely off guard. "I'm not sure what you mean."

"I have no doubt you and my aunt have talked by now."

"We have."

"I'm guessing she told you everything," she said.

"She explained your parentage."

"Harry, you understand that at some point this whole ugly business will be public knowledge. Someone, somewhere will dig it all up. You have a reputation to protect. There will likely be lots of drama and speculation. People are vicious. Ugly secrets will surface. My aunt and uncle and anyone I'm close to could be hurt in the process."

"What about your close friends?"

"I tried to isolate myself initially, but I came to realize that I wouldn't survive without a network of friends. I've wanted to tell Kristen, Steve, and several others, but I just can't bring myself to do it."

"They love you, Ashley. You do not become someone else just because you are richer than someone thought you were."

"They don't see me as rich. Lots of people have trust funds, live comfortably, have more opportunities than others, but they also work and are productive people."

"Like you?"

"I work because I need to stay ground and because I love the business. If I woke up tomorrow and the trust fund and the inheritance were gone, I would still have everything I need in my life."

When he didn't speak, Ashley continued.

"Harry, I was planning on telling you about all this. I can't say when, but I would not have allowed this relationship to go too far without letting you know what you were getting into."

"Did you tell Derek? The two of you dated for 4 months."

"I did not. You should understand that he and I often argued. It was not a healthy relationship."

"Ashley, this is just a lot to take in. Not only that, I wonder what else you might not be telling me."

"I can appreciate that. I did try to warn you off at first."

"True," he said smiling for the first time that day.

"You have an incredibly amazing smile. I'm not sure I've laughed with anyone as much as I've laughed with you. That's how I'll always remember you," she said softly.

"Remember? Sounds rather final."

"I'm trying to make it easy for you. I think I like you more than I've ever liked anyone. I want my memories to be good ones. I prefer not to allow this to continue until something bad happens."

"So, I have no say?"

"Wouldn't it just be simpler for you to wish me well and accept that I'm breaking things off with you?"

"What if I don't want to break things off with you?"

"I'm pretty sure you're already leaning in that direction," she said. "You may think you like complicated, but I believe that deep down you prefer something less problematic. My life will become nothing less than a total distraction, and that is not what celebrities need or want."

"I am, first and foremost, a person and not a celebrity."

"It's a little more complex than that and you know it. Look, this is so much better for you. You can do the movie with Nadia and . . ."

"How can you sound so damned reasonable?"

"I told you, I am trying to make this easy for you."

"Don't you feel anything?" He pushed his hands through his hair and stood from the chair he'd placed next to the bed. "Jesus, Ashley."

"What would you like? I could cry or get angry or . . ."

"I'd like to know that this is more difficult for you than you're making it out to be. My heart is breaking here, sweetheart."

The term of endearment penetrated the composure with which Ashley had attempted to approach the situation. She looked away as the gathering tears burned in her eyes. Harry walked back to the side of the bed, put down the railing, and sat next to her.

"I'm very sorry."

"Me too."