Friday Evening
18 August 2017

I’ve always hated the rain. It was dreary, wet and made everything a little more miserable, so of course my logic had told me to move to London. Liz had loaned me her car for the evening after I assured her my international license was up to date. But with the pouring rain I couldn’t see a damn thing and I wasn’t entirely sure if I was on the right side of the road or not. Which is why when a dark figure jumped out into the middle of the road I did the natural thing and screamed nearly crashing the car.

“What the fucking hell!” I yelled pulling into the shoulder.

My mother had always told me I should watch my mouth when driving but I’d figured if no one could hear me then who cares. Putting the car in park I turned to see a face in my passenger window nearly causing me to scream again. My mind was in a panic convinced that I was going to get murdered on a London road on my way to a work party. The face however was just bobbing up and down as the darkly dressed individual attempted to keep warm so with caution I rolled down the window slightly.

“Hello?” I stated shakily.

“Hi do you happen to know how to fix an engine mine kind of started spouting smoke and then it died.” The accent was thick northern and distinctly male though a hood obscured most of his face.

“I’m afraid I don’t.” I offered.

The man just kind of shifted uncomfortably obviously in a bit of a bind. I felt bad for him really but I also knew that letting him into my car dressed as I was was probably a bad idea. Liz had told me that my tight red dress was probably too much for a work party but I’d wanted to make an impression.

“Any chance you could give me a lift? All the tow services are busy and I really need to get to a work event.” The man’s voice was desperate.

“How do I know you’re not a serial killer trying to lure unsuspecting blonde Americans to their deaths?” I asked before I could even consider the question.

The man just laughed before pulling back his hood to expose short dark already soaked hair and a friendly enough face. “Do I look like a serial killer?” He asked.

Something inside me told me that I could probably trust him at least a little, or so I told myself as I reached across the car and opened the passenger door. With a look of relief on his face the man slid into the passenger seat shedding his rain slicker in the process to reveal a sharp black suit. To tell the truth the suit relieved some of my worries a little bit because I couldn’t see someone up to no good nowadays wearing a suit.
As his eyes slid towards me a piercing green I was thankful for the dark coat that Liz had given me that was hiding my plunging neckline. I just gave him a smile.

“Where to?”

“The Bellagio hotel and thank you.” He said with a smile.

I raised an eyebrow at him but he didn’t seem to notice curling himself into Liz’s heated seats. The Bellagio was wear my work event was that night and the stranger had suddenly gotten a lot more interesting.

We spent most of the car ride in silence giving me a lot of time to study the man next to me. He looked vaguely familiar as he held his hands to the heating vents. His hair was short and flipped at the ends hinting at curls. He was undeniably striking with a strong jaw and straight roman nose. There was a furrow in his brow like he was lost in thought which mean he didn’t catch me staring instead of paying attention to the road. I wanted to break the silence but I really didn’t know what to say.

I almost didn’t notice as the sign for the Bellagio appeared hazy and bright through the rain. Pulling into the overhang in front of the hotel I pulled the car to a stop breaking the man from his ponderings. Opening the door the man jumped out before turning towards me. With a cross of his legs he extended his hands in a half bow.

“See not a serial killer, thank you for the ride madam.”

He flashed a smile that made my breath catch before closing the door his slicker slung over his arm. I’m sure I looked like an idiot with my mouth parted no words coming out. I should have called out after him or gotten out and tossed the keys to the valet but something stopped me. I hadn’t told him this is where I was going too. In fact, he’d never so much as asked where I was going or even my name, provided I hadn’t asked his either.

The car idled in front of the hotel for a moment longer before I got out offering the keys to the valet. Maybe he was just a guest, maybe I wouldn’t see him again and have to make awkward conversations. These were my thoughts as I strode into the lobby balancing on my strappy black stilettos. Thankfully the signs were clear as I made my way to the back and into a large ballroom.

I hardly noticed as a man helped me out of my coat as I was too busy gazing at the room. Covered into mirrors the chandeliers let off sparkles like a million stars as a string quartet played softly in the background. After attending enough functions with my parents I would have thought that I would be more used to it but the lavishness took my breath away.

“Piper you’re here!”

The greeting and smile came from Julie who headed my department. I felt suddenly underdressed her navy gown nearly brushing the ground and complimenting her snow white hair. She took me by the elbow and led down several stairs and into the room before I even had a chance to offer a greeting.

“I have some people that I’d like to introduce you to.”

As we walked through the room I just tried to keep my head up trying not to notice all the stares. I wondered if there was something on my face or if my dress really was too much but it was easier not to make eye contact. Julie must have noticed the overwhelmed look on my face because she pulled to a stop flashing me a gleaming grin.

“Confidence Piper it’s the only way that us girls make it in this business.”

With that remark she led me to the edge of a circle towards the edge of the room. It was composed of mostly middle aged men and none of the interns this party was supposedly for. I could feel my knees getting a little weak but taking Julie’s advice I just flashed them a grin.

“Gentlemen this is Piper Evans she’s one our most promising production interns.”

She started to go around the circle introducing me to the men. They seemed to be mostly heads of departments and I was feeling rather out of place when I heard a chuckle from the back of the group.

“Well if it isn’t my car savior.”

Not really wanting to look but unable not to I turned in the direction of the voice. It was a pair of now familiar green eyes that were twinkling mischievously at me. All I wanted to do was crawl in a hole and die but I managed to meet his gaze and flash him a smile.

“This is Harry Styles, he’s one of our management executives but I see you two are already acquainted.

Hearing his name, I had to fight to keep the smile on my face finally realizing why he looked so damn familiar.

Notes

Mwhahahaha part one of what is going to be a rather eventful party. I'm feeling kind of devilish about this chapter and the next. But hey the finally met even if Piper nearly killed Harry in the process. The next one is Harry's POV so stay tuned!

Let me know what you think
-A

PS This is partially based on a real experience I actually met my boyfriend after I nearly hit him with my car. (Although he's still trying to convince me he's not a serial killer ;) )