Color Me (H.S)

CHAPTER 8

We walked out of the law firm hours later, Zayn smiling big to himself. Mr. Styles had taken a fancy to Zayn, which Zayn made very clear that he was proud. As for me, I questioned the reason I came with Zayn. It was fun for the first fifteen minutes but when they started talking about Law things, my mind went else where. I couldn't get over the fact that I was sitting in the office of Harry's father, the fact that I was seeing someone that was so close to Harry. I wanted to ask him about Harry's weird behavior, to see if it was a normal thing for him. But I decided against it. 

To my utter surprise, Mr. Styles asked if I wanted a job. Before I could even think, I said yes. 

"I can't believe that you're his assistant!" Zayn said as we made our way to La Columbe. "He seemed to really like you."

"I don't know what made him offer the job to me, but I'm glad I get to work with a friend." I smiled at Zayn, noticing that he was blushing. I grabbed his hand and gave it a light squeeze. "It's just.. I hated the way that he looked at me sometimes. Like I was.. I don't know.."

"A piece of meat? Yeah, he has that reputation." Zayn chuckled and opened the door for me. I thanked him and went inside, my smile growing bigger at the sweet smell of coffee. We ordered and found a space in the back corner of the shop. It was far enough away from the other tables that it felt like we were alone, letting us talk about anything that we wanted. 

"Reputation?" I asked as we sat down with our drinks.

"Yeah, Mr. Styles loves when he gets a new woman to work with him. He hates being with one girl at a time if you catch my drift."

I nodded, my finger tracing the top of the cup. Zayn took a sip of his drink and leaned back in his chair. Comfortable silence fell upon us, my mind slowly going to Liam. He hasn't called me back or made any attempt in talking to me. At this moment I was fed up with trying and getting nowhere, but that little part of me was holding onto that last shred of helpless hope. Hope that Liam would somehow fly down here so we can mend our relationship. But that other side of me realized that Liam and I would never be close again. It was hard for me to say it, but it was true. The last time I saw him was in the taxi, leaving for the unknown place he would call home. 

I cried for hours after he left, begging to the empty air to bring back my brother. But to my broken heart, he didn't come back. Even for the holidays, he didn't. I remember sitting at the window by my front door, watching the cars pass, hoping again that he would come home and make everything better. As the years went by and there was no sign of Liam anywhere, I waited less and hoped never.

"Are you okay?" Zayn said, pulling me out of my own thoughts. I looked up from my cup and sent him a smile. Which was fake, and Zayn probably knew it but he didn't press on. "I don't really want to be at school anymore. At least we're getting on winter break tomorrow."

"What?" I said, shock evident in my voice. Winter break had never crossed my weary and upset mind before.

"Don't tell me you forgot!" Zayn said laughing. Heat colored my cheeks, making me turn my head. My eyes watched as a family ordered, handing the cashier their money. I watched as the father smiled big, handing a little cup to his daughter. She giggled and took a sip.

"Yummy!" I heard her say. A smile crossed my lips as I looked at her, my eyes going back to Zayn. "Sadly yeah, the break never crossed my mind. What are you doing for the holidays?"

Zayn shrugged, his eyes casting downwards. "Nothing. My family is too poor to send me home and I have no money."

"Well, to make you feel better I'm not going anywhere. I mean I don't think I am.. My mom hasn't called me yet to tell me what's going on." I haven't even decorated for Christmas yet and it was right around the corner. I couldn't believe that something like that would never cross my mind. "Have you decorated yet?"

Zayn shook his head, "Not yet. Have you? We could go together after coffee and get stuff, if you'd like to." 

I smiled at Zayn's offer and nodded. "I'd like that."

Christmas time was my favorite time of the year. It seemed when it got closer to the day everyone has been waiting for, people smile more, laugh often and make yummy smelling things in the oven. As for at my childhood home, it was nothing special. My father thought that everything was a waste of money and my mother didn't object. We merely got things for Christmas but Liam and I always hid presents for each other that we bought ahead of time. Every present that I treasure had indeed came from him. Art supplies, a Polaroid camera and an art satchel were many things that I still cherished even though the years seemed to forget those good memories. It was going to be different this year, since my mom called me and told me that there would be no Christmas get together this year. I told her that was fine, but deep down inside I was breaking. The only thing that I wanted was to get away and maybe think of something else for a change. But it seemed like my family didn't want to be around me but it was the other way around. I didn't want to be around them.

The month wore on slowly, even though I was working hard at Mr. Styles office. I'm being paid great money for little work I do. I felt bad the first few paychecks I received when I noticed how much he was paying me.

"Don't fight me on this, please." He had told me. "You're a very hard worker and I think you should be treated like such."

Other girl workers thought it was some kind of fancy, but it seemed to me like the gesture was not in fact flirting. In a way it seemed like it was fatherly. He never looked at me with eyes of want, just with eyes of understanding and knowing. Over the weeks Zayn and I flourished in our friendship and now I had no guilt in calling him my best friend. Niall and I had also gotten close, I loved his sense of humor and how big his appetite was. Since it was the week of Christmas, I had decorated my little apartment in Christmas cheer, not forgetting any space. I was thankful that I had a cute little fireplace to complete the holiday look. 

Zayn and I had become close to Mr. Styles as we worked for him. He no longer treated me like a whore, and showed us respect. Over coffee Zayn told me that he slowly saw Mr. Styles as a father figure. Not a sleep around man that fathered a brat called Harry. 

Harry.

Harry barely even talked to me, well in that case he didn't even act like I existed. He would ignore me as I walked by, talk to his friends or smoke his cigarette as if it was his duty. It hurt that he was acting this way, since we shared a kiss. But to be honest, I wanted to forget the whole thing.

Today was the first day of the week, which meant I needed to go to work. I got up a little earlier, since I had to swing by Zayn's apartment so we could walk to work together. I slipped on my favorite black tulle skirt and matched with a light dull pink mid-sleeve shirt that had a bow on the front. I tucked my shirt into my skirt as I looked through my shoes. It was policy that i had to dress classy and nice while I worked at the Law Firm. I didn't mind, for it was a time to dress up and use my expensive clothes that I rarely bought. Since I was getting money weekly, I was no longer guilty if I went out shopping to buy myself clothes. I grabbed my light sparkling Christian Louboutin flats and slipped them on. Walking to my bathroom, I quickly dried my hair and lightly curled it. 

"There." I whispered to myself as I finished with myself. I grabbed my work bag, checked myself once more and walked out of my apartment. Walking back, I realized that I forgot my winter jacket. I giggled at myself and put it on, re-fixing my hair. Once again, I walked out of my apartment and started my journey to Zayn's apartment.

"Carli!" I heard a voice call. I looked behind me, noticing that it was Louis who called me. He ran up to me with my IPhone in hand. 

"Oh, hi Louis." I said, sending him a smile. I felt bad knowing that it was my fault we haven't talked since the kiss. 

"You forgot this." Louis smiled, handing me my phone. "You dropped it as you raced out."

"Thanks! I didn't even notice it was gone." I slipped it back into my work bag.

"You look nice. Where are you going?"