PARKER | Dark H.S. AU

xl. oops

~ i updated for the sake of the people who are waiting for this chapter. I decided not to allow the silent readers get to me. :/

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

The next afternoon, Harry walks in to Lisa's diner -- his and Charlie's agreed venue for their rendezvous that will determine the two's fate (marriage or no marriage) -- with an air of anxiety and hopefulness ridden in his entirety that shows by the way he takes a nervous blow of breath in and out.

He knew the moment he had spoken about his desire to marry Charlie, to make him his wife, that he's going to be in deep shit...yet it's going to be a deep shit worth taking a risk for. If she says yes, then he will be prepared to bear the consequence of disclosing the truth to her -- that the name Charlie had spent months using to put a name to her bogus of a lover truly belongs to him, her Aiden. If she denies him the previlege to be her future husband, then he's going back to London for good and will never show his face again without telling her his real identity. That way Charlie will always remember him as her good and constant friend by the name of Aiden, instead of Harry Styles...not the lying cheat who took her for granted. A bit selfish, it may seem, but Harry prefers to not hurt Charlie even more by the appaling truth in addition to his sudden disappearance.

He is bundle of nerves as he makes his way to a red leather booth at the corner, his steps casually quick yet calculated. Pocketing his car key, Harry takes a seat on the chair at the back so that he can see who's coming in and out of the diner. Now that Harry has all the time in the world to observe things while waiting for Charlie's arrival, he takes notice of the scene going on around him. It is already afternoon but different pairs and groups are still huddled in the small place. Three men, probably on their fifties, deem the small bar as their small space to chat with one another while they alternately take swigs from their beers. A couple is tossing fries to each other's mouth, making a fool out of each other. His sight idly scans over the scene behind the long panel that separates the customers from the workers who fix the orders. He watches as the quiet commotion between taking and giving orders take place just a few feet away from him. A smile makes its way upon his pair of chapped lips, adoring how a little blonde girl with messy pigtails fumbles on her small fork across his booth, opening her mouth as her mother feeds her a spoonful of  mushed potatoe.

He smiles down at himself as a fond thought of a distant future creeps inside his head. Charlie would be a great mother to a number of their kids, no matter how stressful and full-time the job is...she will tell them a number of beautiful tales before they fall asleep, wake them up early for school, cook them a good meal; and...he will be there to assist her.

"May I fix you a drink, lover boy?" Harry looks up to see a familiar friendly face. Lisa gives him an endearing smile as she stands towering above his sitting position.

He reciprocates the smile, placing one of his hand over his table while leaning his back to his seat. After an intake of sharp breath, he sighs and denies the kind lady's offer.

"Actually, I need someone to give me a peep talk right now. I'm really nervous. I- do you have a minute?" He asks and Lisa could've sworn she caught the desperateness underlying in his tone. His face is scrunched up in a slight grimace, his bottom lip pulled between his teeth to contain his nerves.

"Are you alright, sweetie?" A concerned look traces over the older woman's features. She peers down at Harry, abandoning her work for the meantime as she slides herself into the leather seat across him. Her attention is completely trained on him now.

He feels his heart pick up on its normal rate when another thought comes to mind. He shakes his head a little despondently, finding the shiny table better to look at than Lisa's piercing brown eyes. The motherly look on her face only doubles the anxiety he feels inside him.