Chapter ut
The night feels strange Aty world’s been turned upside down in ways I never could have imagined, and now, I’m standing outside Harry’s apartment, uncertain of what to do next.
My house, my safe place, is gone, burnt to the ground. Every possession, every memory, is a pile of ash. Thad nowhere else to turn, so here I am, knocking on Harry’s door at near malight.
tte opens it almost instantly, his usual calm smile replaced by a look of concern when he sees me standing there, my face pale and eyes wide.
“Aria.” His voice softens “You okay?
I nod, but the truth is, I feel far from okay “1. I don’t know where else to go,” I admit, swallowing hard.
Without hesitation, he steps aside, opening the door wider.
“Come in. You can stay as long as you need to.”
His voice is gentle, comforting, and I feel the weight of the past few hours start to slide off my shoulders, just a little.
I walk in, still feeling like I’m in a daze. Harry leads me to the couch, offering me a blanket..
“I’ll grab us something to drink,” he says, disappearing into the kitchen for a moment.
I sit down, taking a deep breath, trying to settle my racing thoughts. Everything happened so quickly, and I feel… lost.
Harry comes back with two glasses of water, handing one to me. He sits down beside me, placing the other glass on the coffee table. “You sure you’re okay?”
I take the glass, swirling the water around in my hands.
“I don’t know what to feel anymore,” I contess. “It’s like everything’s falling apart, and I don’t know how to fix it.”
He looks at me seriously, his expression softening. “You don’t have to fix anything right now, Arla. Just breathe. Take things one step at a time.”
I lean back into the couch, closing my eyes for a second. The sound of the TV in the background is the only thing filling the silence between us.
Harry flips through the movie options, and eventually we settle on something light–hearted, something that doesn’t require too much attention.
As the movie plays, I find myself slowly relaxing. Harry’s presence is calming, like a warm hug. I can feel my stress melting away, even if just for a little while.
He glances over at me, his expression unreadable.
“Hey, if you want to talk about anything, I’m here. But if not, that’s fine too.”
I smile faintly, appreciating the offer. “I think I’m okay for now.”
The movie continues, but my mind starts to wander again. I’m still reeling from the fire, from the call I got about my house. And then there’s Brandon, who I haven’t even thought about in hours.
A few scenes later, the movie reaches a quiet moment. Harry looks at me, his eyes locking with mine.
“Aria,” he says softly, his voice a little more serious now. “You know, I care about you, right?”
I tilt my head, studying him. “You’ve been really kind to me,” I reply, almost in a whisper. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you tonight.”
He smiles, but there’s a subtle shift in the atmosphere between us. I can feel the passion building, the air around us thickening.
Harry reaches out and gently takes my hand in his, his thumb brushing over my skin in a way that sends a shiver down my spine.
“I don’t just mean tonight, Aria,” he says, his voice low and steady. “I care about you more than you think. I’ve felt it for a while now.”
I swallow, unsure of what to say.
My heart’s pounding in my chest, and part of me wants to pull away from the intensity of this moment, but I can’t. “Harry…” I start, but he cuts me off.
Before I can process it, he leans in, his lips brushing against mine. It’s soft at first, cautious, like he’s waiting for me to pull away. But I don’t. The kiss deepens, and all I can feel right now is something other than pain and confusion.
When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine, and he breathes out. “Aria, be with me. I want you. I want to take care of you.”
I close my eyes, my heart racing. Part of me wants to say yes, to give in to the pull I feel toward him. But I know I need more time.
“Harry… I like you, I really do. But… I need time to think about all of this. I don’t want to rush into anything.”
He pulls back a little bit, his expression understanding, but there’s disappointment in his eyes. I can see the pretty well.
“Take all the time you need, Aria. But just know, I’m here. Whenever you’re ready.”
I nod, grateful for his patience. “Thank you.”
The moment feels heavy, but somehow it’s also comforting. Harry’s here for me, and that’s all I need right now.
The next morning, the weight of everything settles back in. My house, the fire, and now… the awards. It’s hard to focus on anything when it feels like my life is in pieces. But I can’t back out now. I promised Harry I’d go.
I stand in front of the mirror, staring at the dress I’ve picked out. It’s simple but elegant, a deep red that contrasts with my pale skin. I pull my hair into an updo and add a little makeup. I don’t feel like myself, not at all, but I force myself to at least look the part.
As I get ready to leave, Harry calls.
“Hey, you ready?” His voice is upbeat, like he’s trying to lift my spirits.
I take a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m on my way. I just… I don’t know if I can do this, Harry.”
“You can. You’ve got this. Just remember, you’re amazing. You’re going to walk in there like you own the place.”
I smile, even if it’s a little forced. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“I’m serious, Aria. You’re going to shine tonight.”
Chapter 13
272
I nod, grateful, and hang up. I grab my bag and head out.
The drive to the venue is a blur. My mind keeps wandering to everything that’s happened, to the people I’ve lost and the ones who’ve stuck by me. When I pull up to the awards venue, I take a deep breath.
Stepping out of the car, I adjust my dress and head inside. The place is buzzing with excitement, the air thick with the anticipation of the night. I spot Harry almost immediately, standing near the entrance looking like he belongs on the red carpet. He smiles when he sees me.
But then, as if fate has a sick sense of humor, I spot him.
Brandon.
He’s standing across the room, his sharp suit making him look every bit the part of a man who’s got it all together. But when his eyes meet mine, everything inside me tightens His face softens, a small, almost hesitant smile tugging at his lips.
Harry notices immediately and steps in between us, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t even look at him,” he says quietly, his voice full of authority.
I nod, grateful for his presence, but my gaze lingers on Brandon for just a moment longer before I turn away, focusing on Harry.
“Let’s just have a good time,” Harry says, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “This night is about you, Aria.”
