chapter fifty - i want it all
Harry Edwards
Vulnerability has never been my strong suit. It's not because I didn't want it to be, it's because I've never been exposed to it. Last night was the most I have ever felt that way. And it was all thanks to her.
I was hyperventilating on my bed, a familiar environment had quickly become a foreign atmosphere. For the first time, I felt like I had no control over what was going to happen. And on top of that, being absolutely smashed against a wall with my breathing being cut off in that diner, I was in for a long run.
We left our boarding gate and headed for the airport exit. I distinctly remember waking up wrapped up in sheets and her delicate arms. I wasn't sure what came next, but I think she had found something she wanted to tell me.
"So when you were um... talking with your mom, I went to the bathroom and I ended up finding this CD." She held up the silver disc in between us as we walked to the parking lot.
"What's on it?"
"So you remember that voice message you got ages ago from that anonymous message?" She asked and I nodded. "Well they're the same melody, I think it's a song. The pitch is slightly different but they are the same."
"And where did you find this CD?"
She goes quiet. That's normally a bad thing. I had no clue we- ...they still had CDs lying around. Then again, I don't ever visit and I don't plan on that again. I missed Gem a lot but I couldn't be in a room with my mom again.
She coughs slightly. "A room down the hallway. There was glass all over the floor, all the belongings in it wrecked in some way as well."
"And you think that room is where this voice message was recorded? What else did you see?" I asked as we got in the car. I turned on the engine and the air from the air conditioner instantly warmed my body.
"A CD player where I found this disc and a broken camera with multiple of its lenses on the floor." She seemed anxious while telling me this. Like always, our discussion was cut short by a phone ringing.
I reached into my pocket to see Samantha's name in bold. I try to maintain a normal tone in voice as I accept the call. "Hello?"
Lucy cocks her head to the side, confused as to who it is but I shake my head gently to indicate it's not someone good.
"Hi Agent Edwards. I hope you're well. How's everything been? Much easier not as a bodyguard I hope?"
Her words remind me of a thing that had rolled at the back of my mind. I forgot that I wasn't Lucy's bodyguard anymore. I still felt responsible to the role, whether I was being paid or not. I believed it was my duty since there are people still out for her and I couldn't bear to see her be hurt again. I think I was a soon to be target now that Folan knows though.
"Yeah, great. Much easier for sure." I attempted to laugh but quickly suppressed it.
"Good to hear. Anyway, as you know we have our banquet night coming up. You should have received an invite but I know you've been busy all around here in Maryland."
It seemed she didn't know I was at California with Lucy, which was a good start. But I had no idea who could have told her I was busy within Maryland's different headquarters. That was yet to be found out. As for the beloved banquet night, it's basically like an end of year work event. All formal attire and tables laid with different foods from end to end.
I can tell this mention caught Lucy's attention because she shifted over to hear better. I hoped I was allowed plus ones at this event.
"Yeah, I'll probably lay low for a while now. Seems like a better idea."
I hear voices in the background of her call before she talks again. "Sorry, I'm just outside a meeting room. But yes, that's a good idea. Make sure to accept that banquet invite and I'll see you then. Bye."
She ends the call before I can say anything in return. I look at Lucy, her blue eyes were wide with curiosity. "Banquet night?"
"It's some big event they have every year." I shrug.
"Oh, I see," she said, nodding. "Do you think they know about us?"
I shook my head. "I don't think so. She still thinks I'm released from the bodyguard position." As I say this, I open the message with the invite to the event.
"It says I can bring a plus one." I looked up from the screen with a smile widening on my face. Her face lit up with mine. I wasn't going to go there without her. To be honest, I didn't want to go anywhere without her again.
"We'll probably have to tell Zayn. He's going to want to come." She laughed.
"Most likely." I admired the adoration in her eyes as she failed to hide her excitement. "You seem to like these formal events?"
She chuckled softly, her fingers tracing the edge of the car seat. "Nothings more fun than dressing up for an event that is lingering with tables of food."
"Fair point." I nodded as we drove down the road. The roads were still wet so they must've had rain here over the last few days.
The late afternoon was approaching and we had a plan to head back to Zayn's and go out for dinner somewhere. I was happy to be home. My real home. Being in California reminded me why I chose not to move there. I wanted to be as far away as possible from that place.
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We had been at Zayn's for a while now, getting ready to get food for dinner. Louis recommended this restaurant and bar just on the city outskirts. It was quite popular and it overlooked a river with the city lights that poured over the reflection.
Lucy emerged from the hallway, wearing a black skirt and dark brown leather jacket with a white shirt underneath. She had tied her hair back and slicked it into a ponytail. It swished behind her head as she pulled on black boots which I hadn't seen before. I knew she packed a few things when we visited her house a while ago, these boots were definitely something. They looked even better on her.
"We ready to go?" She smiled.
I snapped out of wherever my thoughts were taking me and stood up from the chair. "Yeah. You ready Zayn? Louis?"
They both nodded and we headed to the front door. We all just had casual clothing on, dressy enough for a restaurant but not something like that damn FBI uniform I've had on for the past few weeks. I felt bad that Lucy only had us three guys to just go out with and not one of her friends that was a girl. As well as Liam having work and now Niall was back at his own department in Arlington, it was just three of us tonight. Niall left just after we got back to Zayn's so were able to say goodbye at least.
Louis drove us through the city to where the restaurant was. The sun was now setting and it created a view that was behind something even more pleasing to look at. Which was who was next to me in the backseat of this car. Lucy's gaze travelled from building to building, the orange sun had burned on each glass window pane on the tall structures. It wasn't long before a river came into view which was adjacent to our destination.
The restaurant wasn't too busy, just how you'd expect it to be on a Thursday evening. Louis parked the car and we made our way to the front entry. I snuck my hand into Lucy's and we held them together, Zayn and Louis oblivious to this as they were in front of us. The smile beamed on her face as we got closer into view from the sunset.
As we waited in line to be seated, I shifted my eyes to the blue ones next to me. "I never got to thank you."
She furrowed her brows at me, pink cheeks glimmering under the light. "For what?"
"For coming to California with me." I said, squeezing her hand a little.
She smiled gratefully "Even if the outcome wasn't what we hoped for." She paused and leaned her mouth next to my ear, close enough to feel her breath on my neck. "I still had a great time with you, Harry."
Jesus, way to kill a man.
My stomach did that thing again. It's indescribable but it made me want to kiss her right here, right now. Although, it probably wasn't the brightest idea as a waiter approached us with a frown on his face.
"Good evening." He greeted us.
"Table for four please." Louis walked up to him confidently.
The waiter nodded and gestured for us to follow. We walked through and around the tables of the restaurant which had a theme of beiges and soft blues. Each table was made of a light brown wicker and wood which complimented the colour scheme.
Our table was situated in the corner of the restaurant. It was against the large window pane that was the opening to the deck on the river. The sunset was a glowing pink now and it lit up the restaurant nicely.
Louis went straight to the bar to get drinks for us. He said he knew a few good ones. Zayn ducked to the bathroom as well so it was just Lucy and I.
"I think Zayn knows." Lucy nudged me.
"Knows what?"
"About us."
About us were words that caught me by surprise. She used them so naturally and it made me feel a new sense of comfort.
Louis returned with the drinks a few seconds later before I could say anything back go Lucy "So these are cocktails here, a few shots on this tray and the others are just some random beers I have no idea about." Louis loaded each glass off the round tray before he sat down.
Zayn sat down as well with a shook smile on his face. "Far out, you didn't need to get us this much, Lou."
"I couldn't let a gift card go to waste." He holds up the purple card with the restaurant's logo on the front.
"So you don't even know if this restaurant is good?" Zayn frowned.
Louis laughed at himself. "Yeah, I've got no fucken' clue mate. But hey, free drinks?"
We all laughed and took a random drink from in front of us. My eyes stayed on Lucy as she picked up her drink. Her face quickly morphed into disgust as she downed a mouthful.
"What the hell is that." She pushed her lips together. The lips were all I could watch right now. The liquor of some sort that rested on them still, staining them the pink-red colour of the drink.
Those lips were so hypnotizing. They were too delicate for anything to ever touch them, yet my lips somehow have. They weren't the only thing I wanted to have.
I wanted it all.
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End of chapter fifty!! (I can't believe we're at fifty omg)
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed! <3