PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

viii. clueless

Copyright © zylgnagnaba

Same tasks, same scenario, same environment. All day of Harry Styles' life in the past two years in the business world falls into a routine to the extent that it has become so boring for him.

He may be the boss of himself -- following his own schedule, ordering the people around him on what to do while he just sits on his chair in his own office --, has the life that every other guy in the world is craving for, he may not admit it, but it sickens him already.

Although against his will and in no way in his consideration, he needs a change of scenery, a fresh restart.

He was only sixteen when he was shoved to the industry where his father and older brothers are highly involved in, skipping the teenage phase where having fun with your peers is conventional; sleepovers, drunken nights, frat parties, flings. He was never even given the chance to be a boy in the first place. At age sixteen, he had already become a man and he embraced it.

Now, he regrets it... like few other times when his mind drifts off of the archives in his MacBook and just allow his thoughts to float back to those times when it was only him and his mom.

He would remember when nightmares attacked him at night, he'd run to his mom's room. She couldn't speak but the soothing effect of her secure hold on him was always enough to calm the frazzled way his mind wandered around.

Her muted words were always sufficed by the tender way she casted all Harry's fears away, cradling him while humming to the tune of a lullaby Harry loved so much until he fell asleep.

Those times when his cousin, Liam, would sleepover to help minimize the bad dreams creeping at the back of his head.

When his mom's simple mac 'n cheese was more than enough for him to relax after a stressful day at school, from his bullies.

Those days when everything was just simple, but was extremely happy...with his mom...and his closest cousin.

If he was even being honest, he'd say that Liam was way more a brother to him compared to his two half-brothers. He was just always there and Harry feels sorry that their relationship has had a gap, even just the slightest. They were each other's best friend.

But just like all those other times that he ruminated on these thoughts, he shakes them off and focus on his work once again this time.

He chose this life, so he better suck it up.

Harry flips through papers -- project resolutions, bank statements, and the like --, reading through them, nodding affirmatively and signs them. However, setting aside those questionable papers for further scrutiny.

"Sir?" Harry was interrupted from the robotic task at the sound of the door being opened, followed by Betty's voice. She sounded weary and anxious, to say the least.

Harry looks at her with mere curiosity as she stands a few feet away from his office desk. He had asked her yesterday to find another prospect property for his brother, Derek, after this certain Miss Baker apparently turned down his offer. He couldn't just force her to sell her property, it's futile, he realised. He was certain there are other better options around Spellborough anyway.

He wonders what got his secretary to be looking so worked up like this; her face scrunched up, brows pulled low and lips squeezing firmly together. His eyes trails her frame until they land on the newspaper dangling within her fidgety fingers.

"What's wrong, Betty?"

"Sir, you need to read this." She says as she walks towards her boss' desk in a haste and easily places the newspaper in front of him.

Harry stares at her incredulously and the look on her face says read it already.

He casually places his sign pen on its holder along with few pencils before grabbing the newspaper from his desk. He leans back on his seat, melting into the feeling of its softness cushioning his tense muscles. He idly scans the writing on the paper, clearing his throat as he does so.

"Did Terrence get in trouble again this time?" Harry asks nonchalantly. It's not like it'd be the first time his brother would be featured in a newspaper after a wild night out with hounds of girls practically dry-humping him.

He is taken aback by Betty's silence and he eases the newspaper down for a brief moment to check on her. His brows pull together in curiosity when Betty cringes at him.

"It's worse than that, Sir."

Harry quickly returns on the paper, skimming it again until his eyes bulge from his sockets as he takes in the words written in bold fonts, finely printed on the piece of paper.

British business tycon, Harry Styles, in town to visit her model girlfriend, Carlotta Anne Baker.

The newspaper is crumpled within Harry's grasp, eyes widening as he feels his gut twisting, swallowing the lump in his throat before screaming a lungful of curse words.

"Who the hell is Carlotta Anne Baker?!!!"

Fortunately for Betty, she had already covered her ears, saving her ears from bleeding.

---

Short update but...

Hahaha! I'm excited for the next chapter. Omg

Vote and comment, please?

-- Glyz xx

PS: Dedicated to @miles_xox bc she's so sweet.