Styles Games {h.s} |Editing soon|

Chapter Sixteen

Are office "friends" considered friends or family?

I would consider mine family, Theresa for sure.

Jonah, Theresa, and I were rounded around my desk making party invitations for my Halloween party. It was two weeks away but I had to plan ahead to make sure everything goes well.

"Are you inviting Harry?" Jonah questions me. The charity ball pictures went up earlier this morning. They picked a perfect picture of me and Harry. It was one of us dancing in the middle of the ballroom.

My dress matched his vest so well.

He was a very sensuous man.

I got the pleasure to be with him all night, as well as under him... both equally amazing.

To quote a book I once read, 

"I cannot let you burn me up, nor can I resist you. No mere human can stand in a fire and not be consumed."-Possession by A.S. Byatt

It so beautifully reminds me of Harry.

"Did you see the pictures?" I question him and he nods.

The gossip sites did one thing right this time. It had a cute caption and they didn't bash harry or I. I also saw one of Elena as well and she looked upset. She was sitting at a booth by herself with a glass of wine in her right hand. 

Harry was cold towards her. I wonder what happened?

"I'm not going to make him. I'll bring it up to him if he calls and I guess go from there." I admit. 

I didn't want Harry to attend things like this if he didn't want to. It was only considered a business party because it was at my office. It wasn't for business though.. just for fun and it wasn't one of the things that we talked about in the arrangement.

That is stuff that couples do and I don't want to rush or assume a title.

I know where harry stands and he knows where I stand... as much as I allow him.

I can't tell him how I feel. The fear of rejection is scary.

I know I feel something but it is too soon to know what that is.

This party gives me and my workers a night off and I can show them how much I appreciate them.

"Abigail was talking about the pictures this morning. Said he must be real good at faking love because he looked like he was in love." I rolled my eyes.

"Love is a very strong word to use right now don't you think? It isn't like that anyways. We are friends." I didn't even sound sure with my response.

"Please. He takes you well in those sheets, don't lie to us." I smack Theresa's arm playfully.

"It is complicated. Besides you two and carny, nobody knows it is like that. People just assume we are friends and I like it that away." I know I'll never escape the sites nor harry. The less people know, the better for us right now.

"I don't know. Everybody seems to think you two are hitting it off and are in a secret relationship. Gossip sites go crazy as usual with conspiracy theories. I wouldn't worry though. They could strain a new relationship and if you both keep your mouths shut, they have nothing."

We could crash and burn before we start. 

It could take one little thing and that would be it.

"But it isn't a relationship. That is why it is complicated. I don't even know what to call it. I enjoy being around him and want to be around him and he feels the same." The subject was changed. I'm glad they could tell how off I was about it. 

I was telling the truth though. I would tell them if I were in a relationship with harry. 

"Do you have a costume?" My eyes light up at Jonah's question.

"I have an idea. I want to be belle, she is my favorite princess. I think I could pull it off really well." I smile.

"You seem different. I like it. No offense but you were a Prune" I put a hand on my heart at Jonah's response.

"You haven't worked with her as long as I have. You have no idea."

"Hey! Not true!" I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms.

"If everybody got to see this side to you, they'd love you. They couldn't stay away from you." My heart felt better now.

"I guess that makes you two extremely lucky then" I take a bite of my lemon cake.

"How can someone not like lemon? I'm picking lemon and red velvet for desserts. I don't care." I sent in a text to the local bakery shop. I might over plan something as simple as a Halloween party but it was one of the funniest holiday and the best.

I never celebrated it growing up and now I can.

Maggie would rent us scary movies and we would make brownies and then pass out together on the sofa while my mother was either working or sleeping with a married man.

She was never a good mother nor wife.

My phone started buzzing and Harry's name appeared, making my stomach flutter and skin crawl.

"Thinking of you, like always." I look up to see Jonah and Theresa staring at me. I put my phone away, not bothering to reply back to harry. I could after work.

"Weren't you supposed to have today off Theresa?" I was wanting to know how her weekend was with her husband. How do they keep the spark alive after all these years?

"William got sick so we didn't get to go but I made us his favorite meal and forced him to watch 'Pretty in Pink'. The kids came to visit and it was nice. He somehow managed to get 12 white chocolate strawberries in the fridge without me having any clue."

"Sounds fun and cute! White chocolate is gross though." I scrunch my nose in disgust.

"Dark chocolate is the best" I nod my head, agreeing with Jonah.

"I think I need to get out there more. I haven't been on a date in nearly two years. I miss getting surprises." He frowns.

"Dating is so flipping complicated!" they all agreed.

"Is it better to love or to hate? Both make you crazy."

"That is a good way to put it Theresa but you have a man, you don't get to be in this conversation." She darts her eyes at me.

"Seems like you have one too"

"Not officially or if ever. One day at a time. Now, both of you get out of my office." I rush them out before putting away all my invites. I invited everybody on the floors below us and some of the models that I've worked with.

I'm sure over 600 people would be attending.

I was already excited just thinking about it.