The Encounter |H.S|

22

Harry and I enter a fancy looking restaurant with our cheeks still slightly rosy which honestly made me want to laugh, but I quickly push the thought of embarrassing myself away.

The restaurant doesn't seem the kind of place you get a table on impulse, large mullioned windows, long embroidered curtains, dark walnut tables, flowers on each table, delicate live piano music, flagstone tile floor, lounge area with embroidered couches, oval coffee tables with splendidly proportioned cabriole legs, tea served from silver trays in white teapots. It was full. I looked around at the busy tables. An old couple eating side by side, one glass of wine each, studiously bent over their meals. A group of young women in their thirties collapsing with helpless giggles as a stern woman dining alone nearby looked on and frowned. Businessmen in their grey suits lighting up cigars. Tourists trying to decipher the menu. A family and their teenage children.

I follow Harry as he walks around the place as if he came here daily and watch as he sits down by a round table, looking up at me as I stay standing and raising his eyebrows amusingly. Before he could say anything, I take a seat next to him and glance at him as a smirk forms on his heart shaped lips.

We wait a few more minutes, Harry asks for a bottle of wine and looks intently at me as I fill a glass of wine for me and once I'm finished doing it I glance at him with a frown. "Tell me Evelyn," He speaks up, the smirk never leaving his lips, "have any plans for tonight?"

"If eating ice cream while watching a movie is a plan, then yes." I mutter, bringing the glass to my lips and taking a minor sip while hearing his deep chuckle.

"Well, maybe before you do that you should knock on my door, might as well do something enjoyable." He suggests and I almost choke on my wine before glaring at him with furrowed eyebrows.

"I–"

"I'm not referring to sex Evelyn, you and your perverted mind." He shakes his head disapprovingly before raising his glass of wine to his cherry lips and side glancing at me with raised eyebrows.

"I know that! I'll see if I have time to." I mumble with a faint smile on my lips before we both frown as a crowd forms at the entrance of the restaurant. I widen my eyes as Zayn walks through the mob of people, watching as Harry stands up to shake hands with him. 

"Harry Styles, it's a delight to finally meet you." Harry says confidently while they shake hands, nodding slightly before sending me a side glance.

I follow Harry's actions and stand up, extending my hand with a polite smile over my lips and widening my eyes as he grabs my hand and brings it to his lips before we all sit down. I nervously bring my glass of wine to my lips and take a large gulp to clear my mind in some sort of way, watching as Harry glances at me amusingly before shifting his attention to the man in front of us. 

We don't speak for a while, but after we order the food for us Harry decides that it is the best moment to speak up. "You do know that your salary will be much higher if you work with us." Harry suddenly states and I roll my eyes at his choice of words.

Way to go, Harry.

Zayn notices my actions and smiles lightly before turning his attention once again to Harry. "With all due respect, I don't do this for the money Mr.Styles, I do this job because I enjoy it and it is one of my many passions, working for you would throw all of that away you know? In your business all that matters is money, but what matters to me is the passion of doing something."

I raise my eyebrows at his speech, I admire him for his honesty because I am sure that Harry did not appreciate those words. "I don't do what I do only for the money, I love fashion and it is my passion, the money is just a bonus. Please help me understand why you suddenly changed your mind about working with me."

I shake my head at Harry's harsh tone, it is not the best way to get someone to work with you but alright, I guess. I felt a bit left out of the conversation, as if  I was an old lady listening to the latest tea, but either way, I don't have anything to do with this… right?

"My agent thought it would be a good idea to do this, but it really isn't. Working for you would indicate that I have to leave this place and this is quite my comfort zone, if I left I would have to spend a few days by myself so I can get used to everything an–"

"I'll give you plenty of time."    

"I apologise for interrupting but it is quite confusing to us why you don't wish to come with us, we can assure you that it will be very welcoming." I try to assure him, Harry turning his head to look at me with a frown. 

Zayn stays silent for a while, before pressing his lips and sighs. "We'll do this, I'll try one photoshoot for your company but it will take place here and it will be with a photographer of my choice, if I enjoy it then I'll work with you guys."

Before Harry could reply, I speak up. "That's a great deal," Harry glares at me and I roll my eyes, "it is!"

Zayn lets out a laugh, shaking his head lightly. "I want this young lady to be there as well, she's lovely."

I raise my eyebrows at him before turning my head to look at Harry, who only nods with furrowed eyebrows and brings his glass of wine to his lips.

Take that, bitch.

Little side note, I don't know how the real work world is so I apologise if this isn't accurate, let's just pretend it is haha. I hope you're enjoying the story nonetheless!♡