PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

ix. ray of sunshine

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

Harry shakes his legs absent-mindedly as he took the backseat of his car next to his secretary. He watch as the view of Chicago outside the vehicle blur by, anxious and apprehensive about going back to Spellborough to confront this certain Carlotta Anne Baker, his supposed girlfriend.

Harry rolls his eyes at the thought. He never had a proper girlfriend in his entire life, much less settle with one...yet. Being in a serious relationship is the last thing to occur in his mind. He thinks it's just a waste of his precious time.

It had been three days and this rumour about him dating this girl still hasn't died down. Speculations had been circulating around to the point that it become irritating to him. He told himself to just ignore it because it'd eventually pass, but apparently, it become much worse as the days passed, seeing as this certain Miss Baker has been feeding off lies to the media about their hoax relationship.

Harry Styles treats his girlfriend to a private fine dining.

Carlotta Anne Baker says business tycon boyfriend, Harry Styles, is romantic.

So, Harry took it upon himself to put the rumours into a stop by confronting her.

This girl has some guts, he snorts at the thought. Does she realize what my family would think if they-

As if on cue, the phone in his pocket buzz against his lap and he tentatively fish it out to see who is calling. Harry groans, reading the name of the caller.

Harry rolls his eyes at Betty. She gulps and looks away, knowing it wasn't actually directed to her.

"Derek. Something wrong?"

"You tell me, Harry. What is wrong...with you?"

Harry swallows hard upon hearing the harsh tone of his eldest brother's word. He couldn't bear Derek thinking that he came to Chicago for some sick yearning to visit a very nonexistent girlfriend. If anything, he thinks going the extra mile for a girl is such a lame and stupid excuse. It's just not Harry. He wouldn't...

"Listen, Derek, what you saw isn't-"

"No, you listen to me, Harry. From the looks of the second property you e-mailed me, you need to improve from your poor judgment. I don't like it even just a bit. What are you thinking? What happened to that first property you sent me... the Gilbertson's?"

Relief washes over Harry's entirety, realizing that his brother haven't heard about the rumours. However, he is equally on edge at the reminder of how those rumour started. He blames his self from the very moment he laid his eyes on that rustic Victorian house.

Out of all the beautiful houses on sale on Spellborough, why does he have to fancy on the one that's owned by that fake model? And why does Derek have to like it too?

"Harry, please tell me you're still there." Annoyance underlies Derek's words, pulling Harry out of his trance.

"The Gilbertson's property isn't for sale. I did everything I could to make a deal with the property's heiress, but she wouldn't meet me halfway." In addition to that, she even created a false story that we are a thing, Harry adds mentally, rolling his eyes. "I'm sorry if I disappointed you-"

"You did." Derek cuts him off mid-sentence. "If things can't be arranged with the Gilbertson's, I'm sure you can do better. Hoping to hear from you pretty soon, little brother."