I Wish I Could Say It Was a Mistake

Chapter 7: This is not an illusion

"I can't believe you're actually asking me this."

I can't deduct if she's happy for me or really pissed off. After Harry asked me on that "date" (I'm really fighting myself not to call it that way but it just really seems like a date), I decided I needed Emma's opinion. I've just told her what's happened today between us but judging by her look, I did everything wrong.

"I really, really want to go with him...", I say.

"Look, I gave you this job because I thought you were going to take it seriously. But I guess I was wrong. You've got to send me that..."

"Yes. I'm on it. You'll have it first thing tomorrow."

"It's against the contract. If you go, I'll have to fire you, you know that."

I open my mouth in surprise. Would she really do something like that to me? She crosses her arms and shakes her head.

"Does that mean you don't approve of Harry and me?", I whisper, feeling betrayed.

"No, it's not that. It means that you'd better not go or I'll make sure someone else takes up your place as my assistant."

She turns around and walks back to her desk. I feel a sudden burst of anger inside me. I know she's right, but I never expected her to react in this way. She doesn't sound like the Emma I've been friends with for over ten years. Would she really fire me for something like this? She's the only person in the Universe who knows how much I've struggled when it comes to love, and for once I actually think someone is interested in me. And it's not just someone, it's Harry Styles, for f*ck's sake!

Harry's still waiting for me where I last talked to him. As he sees me, his face brightens up, "Well?"

"I'm sorry. I've got a lot of work to do. And... you know, it's against the rules."

Harry nods, "Oh, yes. Don't worry. That bloody contract."

He looks down and I feel a thousand emotions bursting inside me. Why the hell is Emma so b*tchy? I know I signed that bloody contract, but Harry Styles, HARRY F*CKING STYLES, just asked me on a date and I said no. What's wrong with me? I already kicked him out of my house once, and regretted it for days. I can't push him away again.

"Fine.", I say, impulsively. I shut my eyes and let the words come out of my mouth, "Let's do it anyway, but please keep it between us."

"Really?", Harry smiles, and I realise I don't regret having accepted. I really, really want to spend some time with him. He seems such a genuine person, and it looks like he actually enjoys being with me. He's definitely an upgrade from my last boyfriend - Freddy, whose hobby was to collect chopsticks and who only went outside on odd days because he thought even numbers gave him bad luck.

"Yes. But please, don't tell anyone. We'll say it's... a professional meeting outside work. That means, you know, no contact between us.", I blush, suddenly realising what I've just said, "I mean, no kissing, and obviously, no sleeping together.". God,  I'm just making it worse. I really need to shut up now. "Promise?"

"I promise.", he whispers and laughs gently while shaking his head. He looks me in the eye and I feel my face go from red to purple. "I'll go now, but I'll send you the address. It's better if they don't see us come out together from here."

He's right. I nod and turn around. I've really got to finish my work as quickly as I can.

*****

I shut the taxi door and walk towards the gate. I check once more the address he sent me on my phone, just in case I got it wrong. It's a very large, white house, and I can't help imagining what he must have thought of my house when I brought him there. I press the intercom button and wait. I look up and notice there are a few cameras, one of them pointing directly at me. Suddenly, there's a buzz and the door opens.

I walk inside and cannot believe my eyes. It looks like an actual dream home. The door shuts behind me and I'm left in that stone patio, looking around in amazement. Harry opens the front door and smiles at me.

"Come on.", Harry laughs, and I realise I've been standing still for a while. I run towards him awkwardly and he moves so I can get inside.

Oh

my

God.

I walk straight into what looks like a dining room, very wide and with a very tall ceiling. It is decorated in a way I actually feel like I've just entered a palace. There's a grand piano on the right and a spiral staircase on the left.

"Glass of wine? Beer?", Harry asks, waking me from my amazement.

"Sure."

"Is that sure, I'll have a glass of wine?"

"Yeah, I'll have whatever you're having".

He smiles politely and gestures with his hand so that I walk towards another room. We enter a living room, which looks much more cozy and homely than the entrance. There are two big leather sofas aimed towards the window, and I'm surprised by the fact that there's no TV.

"Make yourself comfortable."

I nod and he runs out of the room. I sit on the sofa and feel myself get sucked by it. Christ, it actually feels like sitting on a cloud, just more leathery. 

Harry walks in again, holding a tray in his hands.

"In case we get hungry.", he grins.

I look at the tray. He's brought buiscuits, crisps, chopped carrots and a few other snacks. He puts it on the table in front of me, looks at me briefely, and runs off for the second time. He comes back a few moments later holding two glasses and a bottle of wine. I get the impression he's nervous, or not exactly comfortable with me being here. Is he not used to having people over?

He leaves both cups on the tray and lets himself fall on the sofa next to me. I look at him expectantly, and suddenly realise the surrealist situation I'm in. A  month ago I would have never dreamt of being alone in Harry Styles's house, but here I am. Who would have told me?