PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

xxxiv. charlie happened

Copyright © zylgnagnaba

"I'll take it from here. Thanks." Harry says as he stops his chauffeur from grabbing his luggage for him after the man opened the trunk of the car -- the very car that fetched him from the London airport which is also owned by his father.

The old man, probably in his early 50s, stares at Harry in a strange fashion, disbelieving and intrigued at the sudden change. He was used to the old oblivious and insensitive Harry -- the one who was always focused on his phone or laptop until the chauffeur opens the car door for him, and not caring if the old man was doing the laborious task of dragging his heavy suitcase(s) around.

Today, the young man opened the door for himself, got off and even rounded the car to get his own things from the compartment. He attempted to open the trunk himself but the chauffeur beat him to it. So now he tries to compromise by taking his own luggage.

If someone had been able to foresee this situation would be occuring today, the old man would have laughed dismissively at the idea. He has been working for the Styles family for almost half of his life. He has been given the opportunity to watch Harry grow from a young, innocent boy to a brooding, I-hate-the-world, I-don't-give-a-fuck young man that he is now -- at least that's what he assumes until now. But never did he witness Harry look at him directly in the eyes, volunteer to do the task himself and say 'thanks' to him before like he did just recently.

The chauffeur had always regarded him as arrogant -- but it's not like he's keeping grudge against Harry. He had just accepted the simple fact that he's just a mere driver, a menial worker to his employees and he has no relationship with them but professional. To be able to reach this harsh judgment -- that Harry was in fact an arrogant bastard --, he goes back to the many times when Harry's father and siblings would thank or smile at him as they enter and exit the car. Harry, on the other hand, had always been scowling, wearing a serious and irritated look on his face...one which no one would dare to crack nor tick off.

Needless to say, the man is dumbfounded when Harry did what he does not expect. His mouth is agape, shaping into an 'O' as he stands back and allows Harry to hoist his suitcase. Harry's muscles flex at the weight as he carefully places it to the ground and smiles at the driver, nodding to permit the driver's departure.

Harry doesn't get to see the small smirk and the raised brows he is receiving from the old man as he already turns his back from him, hauling the big suitcase behind him.

If the driver isn't scared of being caught releasing a few 'tsk' sound coming from him, he would've done so. Instead, he just shakes his head quietly as he marches back to the driver's seat of the car.

Chicago did Sir Harry well, he thinks to himself. Little does he know, it is more than that.

Harry hears the sound of the wheel scratching against the tarmac as the car left. He turns just in time to see small dust particles fly in the air, a simple sign that the vehicle was there before it left. He breathes deeply, releasing it through his nostrils as he sets foot in front of the familiar white door. He looks at his feet where a doormat is placed beneath them. He lifts one foot after the other just to read the typical 'Welcome!' scribed on the rubber object.

He smiles to himself before his fist makes contact with the hardwood, uncertain if his mom would come to the door to welcome him -- considering she has no hearing. But if she does, that only means either Liam is not home or is busy doing something so he'd just tell his Aunt Anne that someone's knocking and ask to answer it for him. But there's a huge possibility that he'd be met with his cousin's condescending, somewhat displeased facial expression as well. Harry wouldn't be surprised, though he wishes for the former because he doesn't want another childish fight with Liam...not when he just got back. All he really wants is to have his mom captured in a sweet embrace as soon as the door opens.