salvia. [h.s. AU]

Chapter Sixteen

Maria Eduarda

It was Monday, almost nighttime, and I had just got home from the Styles' house with the exciting news of my new job position. Dani didn't have to go to work, the Club Liquid doesn't open on Mondays, so she had the night off, which was super convenient for me, considering I had my adrenaline going over the roof, happiness bubbling in the pit of my stomach, too excited to just go home and be quiet.

I wanted to be loud, to shout out loud and clear for everyone to hear me - I was going to work as a cook, and I was going to study gastronomy. I felt like the luckiest person in the world for having such a wonderful opportunity like that, and deep down it was all thanks to Dani, who helped me find the cleaning job in the first place. If it wasn't for her, I would never work for Housekeeping Inc., therefore I would never be signed to the Styles' house.

And God, I was so fucking thankful for having them in my life. Probably without realizing it, they just changed everything for me. They've fulfilled a dream without even knowing, something it would take me years to accomplish by myself - to have enough money to actually study gastronomy. To be honest, I'd given up that dream a long time ago, settling myself to just focus on my brother's future while striving to secure a living of my own.

To top all that, there was Harry's request for me to model for him. Frankly, I think I'm more nervous about that than the whole becoming a professional chef deed. Because at least cooking is something I've always loved to do, but modeling? I have no fucking clue of how am I supposed to do that. I'm sure there's many better options for him to choose from, but for some reason he wants me to do it.

He said I inspired him.

My heart skips a beat merely by remembering his words. His constant, flattering words, always telling me I'm pretty, always making me feel so good about myself. It's also impossible to believe a guy like him would appreciate something on a girl like me, but the fact is, he did.

I was apprehensive about telling Dani about that part of the deal. For a moment I even considered not telling her at all, but I felt like I would explode if I kept it to myself. I needed to tell someone, not only about modeling for Harry but also all the things he has been saying to me. I know I'd already tell her about him wanting to kiss me and the crazy attraction I felt for him, but never mentioned how worried I am - because the issue is, I don't know for how long I'm going to resist. He is not only good-looking and charming as fuck, but I also care so much about him.... He has such a beautiful smile which I almost never get to witness, and I can't even begin to explain - or to understand, frankly - the strange connection I feel with him ever since day one.

Dani wasn't surprised, at all. She said that after everything I told her the other night, about his attempts to kiss me and the connection we seem to have, it was only a matter of time until something like that happened. She said it's obvious I don't belong in the cleaning staff when I'm so skilled in the kitchen, and anyone who got to know me well would recognize it right away.

Her excitement about everything was what convinced me to tell her about the modeling part of the deal.

"So..." I started, suddenly feeling nervous. "There's another thing."

"Go on!" Dani's eyes shone brightly with clear enthusiasm. "Did they also offer you a room in their house?"

"What? No, of course not." I rolled my eyes, huffing. "Remember when we were at the beach yesterday, and I went to that natural pool with Harry?" Dani nodded obsessively, a smirk curling her lips up. "Apparently he took a picture of me while we were there, I didn't notice it, but then he proceeded to paint the picture and it was... Brilliant, Dani. He showed me today, it's not finished yet but it's obviously going to be a masterpiece."