Tongue Tied - Harry Styles AU (on hold)

chapter 6

The cab driver pulls up right in front of the venue; but I’m too mesmerized by all the flashing lights to notice the cab driver trying to snap me out of my trance state.  I quickly pay the driver, get out of the cab and gracefully make my way into the building.

As I make my way inside I notice the infinite number of people here, most of them being celebrities, fashion designers and members of Manhattan’s elite. Leah was kind of right about it being dreary if I were to go alone, but I guess being in one of the world’s most famous fashion shows of the year will make up for the tediousness of being alone.

Just as I’m about to make my way to my seat a man, probably the same age as Papa and Dad, makes his way to me smiling kindly causing me to return the gesture.

“Hello there.” He says confidently with a small smile. “Who might you be?”

“Uh, Alexandria Hill, but you can call me Alexa.” I manage to say boldly and stretch my hand out for him to shake. “And you are?”

“What a beautiful name, for a beautiful young lady. I’m Arthur Styles; I run one of big companies that sponsor such events.” He says gesturing to the inside of the venue with his hand. “Are you here alone?”

“Yes. My friend couldn’t make it, so I came instead.” I reply with a small smile.

“Well that’s perfect!” he exclaims enthusiastically. “You can keep my son company, since I practically dragged him here. He was actually standing right—”

“Dad? I’ve been looking all over—” a rather familiar voice interrupts the man, Arthur, causing my head to whip in his direction. “Alex?”

So he’s adamant about calling me Alex? I think the name's genuinely growing on me, but I'll never it admit it aloud.

“Harold.” I smile.

“What are you doing—” he turns his head towards his dad, “talking to my father?”

“Well, I approached her. I saw a beautiful young lady, standing all alone, it’s only right that I talked to her.” He answers for me. “Plus, I was just going to get you so I can introduce you two— but it seems you two already know it each other, so I’ll just leave you  be. Cheers.” He says lifting his glass of champagne slightly then walking away.

It takes me a few minutes to register what just happened, Harry’s dad is one of the sponsors? He does look like a member of Manhattan’s elite; the customized Givenchy tuxedo and his firm posture are enough to prove it. Hot damn, he really is loaded.

I notice Harry’s eyes raking my body from head to toe, causing him to suck in a sharp breath.

“Which row are you sitting in?” he asks rather urgently.

“Second.” I narrow my eyes at him. “Why?”

“Cool, same. Let’s go.” He says and snatches my hand pulling us towards my— our row.

A few, rather important looking, people gape in our direction with complete bewilderment apparent on their swanky faces while Harry was practically dragging me towards our seats. Just as we sit down, someone announces on the speakers that the fashion show’s going to be starting in 5 minutes.

I notice a chic old woman sitting to my left, she notices my staring so I offer her a small smile she returns the gesture rather curtly. Why are rich people so rude? Harry interrupts my thoughts when he leans into my side causing the proximity between my ear and his lips to be practically nonexistent.

“She looks like a hedgehog that fell into a bag of makeup.” He whispers referring to the crude old lady.

I cover my mouth trying to stifle my obnoxious laughs, which causes the lady to snap her head towards us and explicitly gawk at us, huffing and turning her head to the opposite direction; giving us her back.