Oscillation | [H.S]

Chapter 26

After I had taken a shower and scrubbed my skin red to get rid of his touch, dressed myself in a pair of jeans and a black knitted sweater that was probably Harry's and brushed my teeth, we went out. The car ride was silent, not a word uttered about what had happened a mere hour before. I had no idea where we were going.

We drove up to a free standing house which was also located in the woods and was about a fifteen-minute drive away. The place seemed luxury and I could feel my stomach turn at another event with businessmen, the scenario from last time still fresh in my head. I had been obeying him now, so he shouldn't break his promise. It was a bit naive to think though, as I only had his word and nothing else. Knowing how cruel he could be, it was probably bullshit in his eyes.

Harry opened the door for me as always, the child's lock still on there. While we walked up to the house, his hand grabbed mine again. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever may come. I didn't expect a red-haired girl to open the door with a bright smile on her face and flour all over her shirt.

"Emma!" Nova beamed at me, totally ignoring Harry who walked passed her into the house. My mouth hung open. This must mean it was Niall's house and that the boys didn't truly live at the mansion as I had thought. Was it only Harry's house then? Or some sort of headquarters?

Nova embraced me in a long hug while I still couldn't utter a word. She left a bit of flour on me as well.

"Sorry I was baking."

Why wasn't she angry with me after I had insulted her so rudely and unfairly? She was acting as if nothing had happened.

"Aren't you mad at me?" I questioned her in a small voice, not leaving the embrace. She felt safe and warm; the sincere kind of comfort I needed. Harry had been around me for so long, enclosing me with his presence, that I had needed to get the much-needed comfort from him. I realised now, while hugging someone I trusted, how desperate a human could be for a caring touch. They would even go to their abuser for it.

"Of course not." She spoke to me, pushing me back and looking me into my eyes deeply. "Your outburst was totally valid and I don't understand why you aren't still angry with me."

I simply smiled at her and thanked her softly. It was okay. It was terribly hard to place yourself in the others' situation with this case, so all I could do was just enjoy any time I could have with her. She was nice and caring and fun. I could even imagine us being friends if we had met in different circumstances.

She gave me a quick tour of the ground floor of the house, showing me the beautiful kitchen, bathroom and small gym. I noticed there was a lounge terrace in the garden that was situated right next to a pool. Photos of Nova and Niall stood in some places of the house and it looked cosy; normal almost.

We ended in the living room were everyone was hanging on the couch with soccer playing on a large plasma screen. The sound was off and they weren't specifically watching, simply turning their heads occasionally. Again, they almost looked like a normal group of friends.

When you listened to the conversation though, it was loaded. Business was discussed intensively. I was always shocked at the numbers and the names thrown around, as well as the ruthless stories about killings. We sat down with them on the couch, Nova next to Niall and I next to Harry, waiting for them to finish like the good girls we were. I grimaced at my own thoughts.

"Noov, get us some beers will ya?" Niall spoke softly to Nova, placing a hand on her leg and shooting her a smile. It seemed like a private interaction and I felt like I wasn't supposed to see such a soft side of Niall.

"Jeffey keeps fucking with us mate. Ain't paying his debts and I swear he keeps hiring people to avoid Liam." Louis spoke to Harry, rolling his eyes and flicking his cigarette above an ashtray.