PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

xvii. a walk to remember?

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

There's a different perspective of Chicago City provided when you walk along its winding streets and boulevards, rather than being at the comfort of the backseat of your car; scrolling through your phone, your mind some place else, or your eyes are trying to decide whether they're going to shut close or stay open. Hence, Harry was a sucker for valuing everything that surrounds him, because he just simply ignores them over things that matter more to him, at least. That is, until Charlie squeeze through her place in the picture.

Realization hits Harry hard across the face as he walks along side the blonde girl, his eyes marvelling at the different establishments guarded by walls with Machiavellian details, some with shoddy exterior. His eyes cast to the moderate traffic jam in his left side, some impatient drivers blowing their horns incessantly; the smell of rubber scratching against the pre-heated tarmac and belches filling up his nostrils. After that, his eyes dart to the few people rushing in and out of the buildings across the street and the other side.

It feels odd for him to be one of the many pedestrians rushing through their paths in opposite directions, racing with others and trying to make it to their intended locations in time. Nevertheless, it feels emancipating. There's a sense of freedom in knowing that you're not the only person in the world, when you're outside your comfort zone, breathing in the same air (polluted or not) as others, keeping up with them. It makes Harry feel human and a whole lot of other emotions he couldn't explain; those things not bought with his acquired opulence.

Never would have Harry guessed that contentment could come only by simple things. Time and time again, he'd remind himself that he has to be a better version of himself everyday -- profession wise; that he needs to work harder and harder so his smug and self-centered older half-brothers could see him as a successful businessman, rather than the dodgy label they put on him. He'd always strive for their approval, whether he admits it or not. He wanted them to swallow up their words whenever they talk about him behind his back or upfront. He wanted to prove them wrong. He desired to show them that he's more than the illegitimate child who suddenly appeared out of nowhere in front of their doorstep with his speech-impaired of a mother. He ached to prove to them that he's passed that.

Little does he know that he already accomplished everything on his list within the few years he's worked in the company. Not only that he wronged their bets of him failing, he also exceeded their father's expectations. Only his brothers fail to recognize that due to the fear of bruising their egos. Unfortunately, Harry wouldn't be able to learn that...not just yet.

Pride is a man's most valued possession -- even Harry himself knows that.

"I reckon it's your first time coming here?" The girl walking next to him asks him, breaking the silence between the two behind the cacophony of horns and mixed music, adding to the rush Harry is feeling inside.

It's not Harry's first time in the city. He's come here more times than he can count his fingers, reason why he's beating himself for not discovering the beauty that lies in the city that's been under his nose all along.

Harry couldn't hide the buzzing of his head in the stupid grin on his face as he answers Charlie partly the truth. "Yes."

Technically, it's his first time walking through the streets of the city, experiencing the rush first hand...right?

Charlie nods at him as she takes in the beautiful smile on his face, the indents on his cheeks making her heart beat faster than it usually does.

"If things end well with Greggy or not, I'm going to show you around the city. That all right to you?" She suggests and Harry nods like an excited child on Christmas morning.