tentative // styles [au]

Two.

The thing about breakfast is that it is the most important meal of the day. You've got the whole day ahead of you; so you have to be strong and healthy enough to face it.

So, despite the fact that I was running a bit late today, I decided to shove even the last bit of the pancake into my mouth; the chocolate pancakes that took a little too long to make. And the ones that I finally googled last night.

And yes, I didn't know how to make chocolate pancakes before.

I get in my car at eight o'clock sharp. I'm not usually late. But when I am, it is for the same damn reason: I get up late because my alarm's shit(okay, that's a half-lie because I'm a sort of heavy sleeper.But hey, sleeping is important), and I must have my breakfast despite that. And also, I'm a lazyass.

My excuse for Mr Deng is always : traffic, or that I had a mini asthma attack in the morning when I woke up. That is like a total lie, because I don't suffer from asthma at all.

But today, there actually was traffic. Yep, karma's a total bitch.

...

I step out of the elevator and walk towards the apartment a.k.a our office.

The door is already open, which doesn't surprise me. It is usually open just like that. I asked Mr Deng about it, and he just simply shrugged. It's a Chinese-thing I guess.

The office looks a little different today. There are three tables, and Mr Deng's is not one of them. The tables are now arranged in a shape that I would call a triangle or semi-circle probably.

I have always failed Geometry. Blame the teacher.

Lina sits in the middle one, I recognise mine on the left. And the right one is empty.

'Joyce! The new guy who's working with us is so very attractive, he's got these mesmerising green eyes and he's American!' Lina says excitedly in her chirpy Chinese accent, pointing at his empty table.

'May I remind you Lina, that you already have a boyfriend, whom you are very serious with,' I chuckle.

She rolls her eyes at me. 'I know, but I was telling you', she points a finger at me, giving me a look.

'O-okaaaay,' I say.

'But he's American for god's sake!', she throws her hands in the air.

I roll my eyes at her and look at my phone and see that it's eight-thirty now. Gosh, traffic these days.

I didn't realise I was still standing in the doorway until somebody crashes into me, causing the mobile to slip from my hands. But before it could fall, a hand catches it.

A sigh of relief escapes my lips before I look at the person who saved my poor mobile's life.

I did not expect to see the familiar green-eyed asshole from last night.

'You?', we both say at the same time.

He's looking at me like he's wondering why the hell I'm even here. I bet my face holds the same expression.

That British assh-

'Joyce, that's our new colleague, Harry Styles. And Harry, that's Joyce Wright,' Lina interrupts my thoughts.

What the fuck?

Harry huffs and walks past me towards my table. After almost literally slamming my phone on my table, he walks towards his own and gets to work.

I stare after him in disbelief for five seconds before walking towards my own table and sitting down.

Lina gives me told-you-so look before smirking in Harry's direction.

'He's not American,' I blurt out. I did not intend to say that out loud.

Harry and Lina both turn to me with confused expressions.

'You said that the new colleague is an oh - so - very - attractive - American,' I turn to Lina, finger quoting the last five words, ' So I'm telling you that he's not American', I say in a flat tone.

Lina's cheeks turn crimson and she quickly looks at the file in front of her.

I almost feel bad for embarrassing her like that.

Harry, on the other hand, smirks at Lina. That little shit.

'Oh don't flatter yourself Styles, she already has a boyfriend. Plus, she's way too old for you', I remark sarcastically.

'Why?Are you jealous?' He smirks even wider now, focusing his green eyes at me.

I burst out laughing at that and say, 'Like I said, don't flatter yourself Styles.'

That seemed to wipe the stupid smirk off his damn face.

I mentally pat myself on the back.

.....

Mr Deng emerges from his room at lunchtime. Lina told me that he moved in another room and that's apparently his office now. He said that the living room would appear crowded or something like that.

'Lunchtime,' he announces. He then looks at Harry and smiles at him, 'Harry, I hope you're liking it here at IPC Qingdao.'

Harry simply nods at him

Mr Deng then goes to the kitchen and comes back with a sprite in his hand. Giving all of us a wave, he goes back inside.

I get up and start towards the door when I hear Lina asking me to wait for her. I turn towards her.

'Harry, would you like to go to lunch with us?', she asks him with a smile.

Whattttt.

Always so polite. Even to those who sure as hell don't deserve it.

I look at my phone, but I feel him looking at me.

No. Please say no. Harry, I beg you.

'Alright', I hear him say. Of course.

We go to a diner whose name I don't know. I don't care, because the food is delicious.

Lina is chatting with Harry this whole time; telling him about different places that we pass. Just like a tour guide or something. He listens, and I notice that he is nice with her. Of course he is, it is quite impossible to not like Lina.

'I like him', Lina says later that day.

Harry left. About twenty minutes ago, to be precise. I don't want another elevator encounter with him, so I'm waiting till another ten minutes, and then I'm leaving.

I raise an eyebrow at her.

'Of course not in that way. Harry is way too younger than me,' she says seriously.

'I know, I was just kidding,' I roll my eyes.

'I wonder why you don't like him', she mutters.

I don't know. Maybe because he's the biggest dipshit I've ever met.

I simply shrug in reply.

Hi. Sorry for not updating soon. I was thinking. I know that's a terrible excuse but that's all I have. So yeah.

Hope you guys liked it.

Ps I love you guys and getting your feedback .

-Sara.xx