the ceo - h.s. [au]

chapter 54

— harry's point of view —

it has been exactly a month since i last saw scarlette's face. i still remember that day crysthal clear and still feel it like a nightmare that's been hunting me. i keep blaming myself for all the mess i have made and how i broke her heart into so many pieces and left her alone without helping her to glue it back myself. she just stood there in front of me with tears brimming her eyes and as much as i wanted to wipe the tears away, i couldn't. because i know i was the one who caused it and how terrible it would be to be hugged by the one who stabbed you so fucking deep.

the history repeats itself, but this time, it is so much worse. i took two weeks of days off and drank all by myself until i could fall asleep. the boys have helped a lot, but i swear all i need until now is her to come to me. i don't have the fucking balls to come to her apartment because cole said it is best for me to give her some space. cole knows i've been trying to reach scarlette again and he supports me because he knows my good intention.

she doesn't quit the job. she tried talking to niall about how she would still finish all the tasks without really coming to the hotel but would still always be there for him. of course that couldn't work so niall talked her out about a couple of things that need to be sort out. i heard people talked a couple of times about scarlette showing up at the hotel lobby to go to a meeting with niall outside the hotel. i want to fire all the people who talked about her right in front of me, but i couldn't because that's unprofessional.

it fucking breaks my heart knowing how much she doesn't want to see me, but i can't blame her for that.

"good morning, mr. styles," the driver salutes.

i nod at him, "grab a coffee first and then the hotel," i tell him, adjusting my sleeves as i walk to the car.

"got that, mr. styles," he bows a bit and opens a door for me.

the car ride is silence as usual. i relax my muscles a little bit without doing any works. my mind is calm right now as i look at the road until this idiot driver decides to open his mouth.

"i'm sorry, sir, but are we going to the one near mrs. silverstone's apartment or another place?" he asks.

"did i tell you about another place?" i spit, feeling angry.

"no, sir. i'm sorry," he says. "i thought if you want, i can recommend you a good coffee from somewhere else."

"please, shut the fuck up," i sigh. he gulps, shaking his head quickly and continue driving.

what angers me is how he had the balls to mention scarlette's name in front of me when no friends of mine have the balls to do so, except for cole. i have tried coming to the coffee shop near her apartment since the past two weeks because i want to see how she has been doing, but still she is nowhere to be found.

entering the coffee shop, everyone quickly lands their eyes on me, but i just carelessly walk in. the barista has already known what i always want and although the queue was long, i'd still get my coffee first.

i hold my coffee on my left hand while trying to call niall after reading his message asking me to call him right away. as i was about to enter the call button, i bump into someone's shoulder, making the coffee slips out of my hand and spilled everywhere.

my blood boils inside as i'm about to combust in anger while looking up, but my eyes softened the moment i see those pair of brown eyes. she looks like she almost had an heart attack once our eyes met as i stare at her deeply all the way up and down.

she looks skinnier -- way too skinny than before -- her eyes are dark and looks so heavy and she doesn't even try to hide it with make up. it almost looks like she wants the world to see how shitty i have treated her. she doesn't do her hair like she used to, it falls like the way it is. she looks so tired with her sad eyes and frowned lips. i can see her cheek and collar bones popping out of her skin, making my heart aches and winces. we stare at each other for a moment until kenzo barks from her hand, looking like he's about to jump at me, but scarlette holds him down firm in her arms.