Chapter 10










I sat crossed legged on the couch in Harry’s living room. A cup of tea that I had brewed when rummaging through his cabinets, and ‘Sex and the City’ running on his abnormally large TV. I was watching “An American Girl in Paris (Part Une)”, where Carrie gets surprised with news of moving to Paris. Petrovsky her mature yet beautiful boyfriend offers her to come with him to Paris for his art exhibit. Whilst talking over it, he tells her that he was ‘finished with New York, and that Paris was where he would be at’ and she responded with ‘what if she wasn’t finished with it?’.

It triggered something, and I couldn’t place a finger on it . . . but it was something. I didn’t want to live here. I wanted to be far, far away. A quaint place where my surroundings eased me. I just knew it wasn’t here. I couldn’t stay in this sane draining house, where I was afraid of what might have lurked outside. What was the purpose of life if I spent it not living it to the fullest? I sprung up from the couch, and scrambled for the bag of clothes and necessities Harry had brought for me.

Tossing my car keys, and wallet into my bag, I grabbed the duffel and sprinted out the door. I didn’t know why I was doing this, but I knew that it was an impulse almost. Yes, I had enjoyed spending time with Harry at his apartment . . . ironically. But, I couldn’t take being there any longer. I just wanted to be free and careless for once in my goddamn life. Free.

I had stopped in a nearby food station off the highway, and picked up a burger and a shake. The burger was delicious, and I wasn’t sure how long it had been since I’ve had one but boy did I enjoy it. As I took another, the sauce dripped all over my hand. Simultaneously my phone blared beside me, and I struggled to reach for napkins before picking up the call.

“Hello,” I answer quickly not bothering to check the caller I.D.

“You left,” His raspy voice spoke through the line, and I gasped dropping the phone onto the passenger seat.

“Shit.” I muttered to myself before picking the phone back up. “I can’t. I have to go, bye.”

Jesus. I thought to myself. How could I be finished with California if my past was still following me. I need to leave. Quickly. Knowing Harry, he was on his way, and I couldn’t risk being sucked back into a town I was finished with. Shifting to drive, I sped towards the nearest airport, and was prepared to buy the earliest ticket to NYC as soon as possible.

I neverously smoothed out the wrinkles in my blouse, and glanced around the semi-filled waiting area. Chills ran down my spine, and I rummaged through my duffle next to me for some sort of sweater before I froze to death. My hands scanned the duffle to find that the duffle was filled with everything but my clothes. “Great,” I groaned. “I have no clothes,” I huffed setting the bag back down beside me.

“Don’t you look comfortable,” I jumped at the sound of an all too familiar voice.

“Harry, what are you doing here!” I spoke through gritted teeth.

“Are you shitting me? What am I doing here? Did you think I would let you frolick off to New York and not come after you?” He sounded shocked, and his eyebrows furrowed together into this adorable pout slash angry face. But regardless of how cute his face may have been he still acted like an ass.

“Yes! Normal people know how to piss off when asked to,” I crossed my arms over my chest, and huffed.

“Well I’m not any normal person. You’re my damn wife.” He retaliated.

“You did not just pull the wife card on me!” I gasped. “You of all people know we can barely stay in the same room with each other. The wife card won’t work Harry,” I rolled my eyes, and grabbed the duffel bag as I trotted towards the entrance to the plane.

I wanted to scratch his eyes out. Or maybe it was just the fact that we always pissed each other off to the point of no return. It was like polar opposites with a twist. The twist was when we would actually get along. Which I also must add is NEVER. Feeling his breath hovering over me like a dark ominous cloud didn’t help either.

“Do you not know what personal space is?” I groan, and the lady in front of me shoots me a quizzical look, and I quietly apologize before turning back to him.

A smug look on his face, I groaned before strutting onto the plane. That was it. He just knew what buttons to press. Or maybe it was because I was so easily angered by him. That had to be the answer. I mean what else was? That had to be it. Finding my seat I pulled the duffel over my head, and jumped a bit to stick the duffel into the compartment above my seat.

Two large hands grabbed the bag, and pushed it in swiftly. “You’re welcome, Bambi.” Harry smiled widely, and for a moment I had to convince myself he was the bad guy. His wide smile, and deep dimple was different. He seemed, for just those few seconds, carefree, and young.

“Yeah,” I smiled back before sitting down by the window.

“Yeah,” He cheekily replied, taking a seat next to me. Grinning slightly, I was happy that I left, but happier that I wasn’t alone.

“So where are you going?” I questioned Harry.

He turned and gave me a puzzled look, before stuffing his hands in his pocket. “What do you mean where am I going?”

“I-I just thought you were going to head off and do whatever,”

“No. We’re staying at a The London until I can find a proper place for us to stay at,” He answers back waving down a cab.

“What do you mean ‘we’,” I air quoted as he tossed the bag into the car.

“I’m not letting you wander around NYC,” he scoffed.

“What do you mean you’re not letting me? I’m doing whatever I please.” I held my head high, and strutted off to the next cab. But his hand quickly laced around my forearm.

“Get in the damn car. I am not up for another Tom and Jerry chase around the city,” He growled, before opening the car door, and releasing my hand. “Would you like for me to assist you or are you capable of stepping into a car on your own?” He teased before settling down beside me.

“You are controlling,” I added to the silence.

Harry chuckled before rubbing the light stubble under his chin. “Runs in the family,” He adjusts himself, before looking over at me.

“And egotistical.” I kept his gaze, watching his orbs glint, and darken. His face was emotionless, but his eyes held something much more. I broke the gaze, and averted my eyes. My hands skimmed over my long summer dress, flattening out the wrinkles, and folding my hands over it.

I continued to stare out the window contemplating what I was going to do in New York City with Harry. I guess my ‘finished with California’ ordeal wasn’t fully thought through, as I didn’t exactly plan what I was going to do once I arrived. Maybe a well deserved shopping spree, a few dinners at restaurants that I’ve died to eat in, and some self-sort of preservation. I really needed self-preservation if I was going to spend my time here in NYC with Harry.

Maybe I could find a little studio, and stay there instead. I also contemplated jumping out of the moving vehicle considering I had no luggage to worry about, but scrapes would do me no good. Shit. I thought to myself. I have no clothes. How on earth was I supposed to live here if I had no clothes. Or anything for that matter.

“What are you thinking?,” Harry mumbled from beside me.

“How unprepared I am,”

“How so?”

I sighed before answering. “Well for one, I have nothing. No clothes, no toiletries. I would have to go shopping for all of that,”

“Neither do I,” He mused, almost agreeing with how unprepared we were.

“That, and I never really thought through coming to New York City. I grew up here when I was younger, but I never really explored.”

“You lived here too?”

“Until I was eight or so. I left when my nonna disappeared,” Harry seemed to acknowledge the fact to not ask anymore question after nonna was mentioned, but seemed to be curious about her disappearance nonetheless.

“Would you like to go buy some clothes with me before we head to the room?” He asked before tapping the driver, and telling him to stop at 5th Avenue.

“Sounds good to me,” I smiled widely at him, and he paused for a second before turning back towards the window.

“Here, sir.” The Indian driver quipped.

Harry handed him a few bills before looking at the duffle bag that laid on the floor. “Is this mine?” I nodded, and he looked inside of the semi-empty duffle. “I don’t think we need it. Or I, at least,” He grinned before opening the door beside him, and sliding out. Extending an arm as I proceeded to come out, he helped me up before thanking the driver.

“I was thinking Armani first, so I could buy a few tee’s, and then anywhere else is fine. I am sure to find something suitable. “ He again, grins at me before opening to door for me.

Armani had a wooden sort of scent to it, and the music blared. Not as loud as Hollister would have played music, but loud enough. Armani seemed to lean more towards menswear rather than women but regardless they had nice tees, and dresses. I picked up a few tees in my size, a blazer, and a few scarves before heading over to the cashier.

“Ma’am. Next register please,” A worker appeared next to me motioning for me to pay at the counter.

Looking up at the worker, I had to double take before placing my items on the counter. The extremely attractive cashier waved the items around the counter before looking up at me and smiling. “Is there anything else I can add onto this, beautiful?”

My mouth ran slightly dry, and I stuttered a bit before a large hand slid down the small of my back. “Yes, this too.” Harry. I mentally groaned before slapping his hand away. “What are you doing?” I whispered, narrowing my eyes at him. “Hubby over here can’t have bad publicity considering we are in NYC, and you are married to one of the top CEO’s of America.” He whispered back in an angry tone, and I groaned out loud before grabbing the shopping bag.

“Credit,” Harry swiped before grabbing the receipt, and walking behind me.

“I didn’t know this was also a publicity stunt.”

“I assume you’d like for rumors of your infidelity to swim around?” His brows furrowed as he looked down at me.

“Of course not! But do you plan on being monogamous for the next two years?” I laugh, and he furrows his brows even more.

“Yes,” I almost choke on my own spit, but regain myself before exiting the store. Harry following behind.

“So no sex for two years?”

“No,”

“Exactly. Infidelity is the ribbon that laces this marriage together. You are obviously not going to just stop sleeping with girls..”

“I never said I was. Let’s not make this an altercation. We will speak about this at the room,” He quipped walking ahead of me, and into another store.

He did not just dismiss me ! I imagined little scenarios of hitting him in my head as I browsed through the racks of clothes. I barely paid attention to the clothes in front of me let along my surroundings and absentmindedly walked into someone. “I’m sorry,” I mumbled before picking up an eye catching nude blouse.

“Tell me you aren’t interested in that,” My head snapped to the sound of the feminine voice, and she smiled at me. “I’m the girl you just bumped into,” She added.

“Sorry about that, and yeah. I think it looks all right. Do you not like it?” I frowned looking at the blouse.

“It’s great for something formal, or work related but not for everyday wear!” She giggled taking it out of my hands and putting it back on the rack.

“Oh,” Was the only thing I could manage to say before she whisked me into another direction.

“My names Alice, by the way.” She smiled, and I smiled back.

“Emilia. Mia for short,”

“Well Mia, seems you need a bit of spice in your life.” She smiles. “Do you go clubbing often?”

“Used to, not as much though.” I watched as her pale fingers grazed through the rack and pulled out clothes in my size.

“Are you with anyone?” She asks, and I groan mentally as the first person who pops into my head is Harry.

“Married, but separated.” I tell her, and she swoops around to face me.

“What does he look like? I bet with my help, and a party tonight, and you’ll be happily together again!” She joked, and I hesitantly scoped the room, spotting Harry looking through the shirt rack. My eyes scanned over the store once more to figure out what store I was in, and the rack in front of me gave me a hint. The tag on the side neatly printed Yves Saint Laurent. “Hmm..?” Alice pulled me out of my thoughts.

“He’s browsing through the shirt rack,” I nudged my chin in his direction, and she silently ‘oh’d

“He seems mature,” She awkwardly smiled at me, and I glanced at the shirt rack to find that an old man replaced Harry’s spot.

“Oh god no! He’s um..” I gasped before glancing around the store, and noticed his mop of curls. His head, as if on cue swooped up and he flashed me one of his infamous smirks before continuing to shop.

“He’s hot!” She wriggled her eyebrows, but nudged me lightly with her elbow once more. “Show me him,” She smiled warmly, and I took a deep breathe before calling Harry.

He turned his head slightly, and I smiled warmly at him before turning to Alice. “That’s him,”

I must’ve made a foul face, as Alice switched glances between the both of us. Her jaw hung slightly, and her eyes widened as she realized I was not joking. I could only assume something had clicked in her head. She winked devilishly at me before dragging me towards the fitting rooms. “You can’t dress like this,” She paused waving her hands around my attire. “with a man like that!” She tried to reason with me, as she pulled out some of the items she somehow found, and tossed me into a quite large room. “Now try these on,” She smiled before pulling the long grey drapes close. Being used to quite large fitting rooms, this one was by far the biggest. Considering that even some of the extremely expensive stores only housed small fitting rooms, I was surprised Saint Laurent had such a huge space.

Beside me was a small little cushioned chair, and I neatly laid the few items she handed me before slipping off my dress, and taking a pair of jeans off of it’s hanger. Slipping one leg in, and then the other I wiggled in the somewhat tight black jeans on. Buttoning them up, I took off my shirt, and slipped on the crop that laid beside the hangers.

“Done,” I mumbled, and the drapes swished to the side.

“Damn, didn’t expect this to be under that hideous dress,” I frowned as she twirled me around. “You’ve got a rack that girls pay to get, and an ass that looks like you could pass for a Kardashian.” She shook her head, and pushed me back in. “The clothes I picked out for you, you are getting. But try on the dress, I’ll bring Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome over here to see,” She snickered slightly, as I laid the clothes I just took off neatly on the side.

Picking up the dress she laid on top of all the rest, I gawked at it for a few seconds before wondering how on Earth I would fit in it. The dress was all leather, with a built in bra bust, and what looked like an up to the knee length. Wiggling my way into it, I found myself resembling a bunny in the wild, as I adjusted it’s sides. The drapes peeked open slightly, and Alice helped zip me up before opening the drapes once more. “I think it’s a bit tight, don’t you think?” I questioned, as a strangled cough echoed beside me.

I turned slightly to find a slightly stunned Harry, his brows furrowed slightly as his eyes raked over my apparel. Alice had a smug grin on her face, as she mentally patted herself in the back. “This dress would be great for a party tonight,” She offered, and Harry shot her a glare.

“No,”

“I never asked you. Mia would you like to go out with me tonight?” Alice’s eyes sparkled when I nodded my head slightly.

My hands held onto the wall as I slipped on my last pair of heels. Alice and I had exchanged numbers before I had finished purchasing my clothes, and Harry bickered about how he would refuse to let me out. After reaching our hotel, Harry retreated into his room, and stayed there for quite awhile. That is, until I was about to leave.

“Where are you going?” He questioned, walking out in a loose tee and slacks.

“Out with Alice,” I batted my eyes at him before grabbing my small clutch, and walking towards the door.

“I said no,” I scoffed shooting him an incredulous glare.

“You have no say in what I can or cannot do Harry,”

“Not dressed like that. Wear the dress you wore today in the car.”

“Goodbye Harry,” I shook my head, and as I closed the door shut Harry’s hand had grasped onto the door.

“You leave, and I will find you.” He warned.

“Watch me,” I bite back before disappearing into the elevator.

As I reached the entrance of the hotel I found Alice, along with a few friends. She glanced back, catching my gaze, and giddily walked over to me. “Mia! Glad you came. Harry was giving me the impression you weren’t coming,” She sighed in relief, as she walked me over to the huddle of friends. “Mia meet my friends. This is Liane, Abigail, and Nica. The boys we will meet at the Venue,” Venue?

“You look puzzled,” Abigail laughed before turning to Alice. “I thought she was going to be fun,” Abigail flipped her rouge hair behind her, switching feet as she awaited Alice’s response. All three of Alice’s friends were beautiful, each of them probably catching every guy’s interest. “I’m just glad she’s pretty,” Abigail’s eyes grimly washed over me, before she turned her attention back to something else.

“Mind her, she’s a bitch.” Liane shot Abigail a harsh glare, before turning back to me. “We’re meeting the boys at the Venue, because they play gigs around the city. We’ll listen to a few songs, and then head over to the club. It’s opens up around 12 so we have some time.” She smiled, before turning to Alice.

“We should leave now before grumpy decides to come and find me,” I laugh, and Alice nods her head as she leads us out of the hotel, and onto the one way street.

“Prepare for an awesome night Mia,” She winked before stepping into the large black tinted mini van.

Notes