"Iris," Harry called. I pretended like I wasn't hearing him. It had been two days since I had overheard his very cryptic and honestly quite scary conversation and I was reluctant to see him.

I knew it was really stupid but I had started ignoring him. It wasn't an easy feat. We lived in the same apartment complex and I was his employee. It was normal for us to spot each other.

But I had accomplished it. Two days now. I had avoided him. Every time I saw him, I pretended like I was really busy or I started walking in the opposite direction and pretending I wasn't seeing him.

It was like when we met all over again. And honestly, it pained me to ignore him. But I needed to get my feelings into place.

I had started doing a bit of research. I had tried to dig deeper into the company. And there were a lot of rumors flying around. That it was a facade and that bug criminal deals went on behind these four walls.

I frowned. There had been no–

Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted. It was Harry. He was holding my hand and my efforts to liberate it from his hold were all in vain.

He dragged me to his office and locked the door. He sat me down and stood in front of me. He was pissed off. That much was obvious. I was not scared but I knew I had to be scared. What if he sent one of his minions to finish me off as well?

He was staring at me with a piercing look in his eyes and I looked away. But he wouldn't have that.

"Look at me, Iris," he said and I winced a little. Iris, ouch. I guess I had kind of called it on myself.

I looked up at him and I felt so fucking bad. Instead of talking to him like a grown person would, I avoided him stupidly. Like I actually went out of my way to stop our eyes, ways from meeting each other.

"Talk to me. Why did you feel the need to avoid me for days now?" Harry asked and I took in a deep breath.

"Harry– I– what is this place?! Tell me. Don't lie to me please," I said, frowning. It had taken all of my courage to ask him that question.

It was obvious Harry was confused. I knew the question was ambiguous but I honestly did not know how to put it. I did not want to ask him directly like that. It felt so fucking strange.

"Iris, I don't understand a word of what you're saying," he said and I sighed. He was going to force me to say it and it was obvious.

"Harry, are you involved in criminal activity?" I finally asked. There. I had asked the dreaded question. I was kind of scared of his reaction.

But all he did was look at me with an empty look on his face. It was scary how expressionless his face was. I had never seen him like this. It frightened me, to be honest.

"Look forget I asked any–" I started and I prepared my legs to hightail it out of there. I loved my life and even if Harry and I had shared whatever over the course of weeks, I did not think it was going to save me if he wanted to hurt me. Even though I really doubted he was going to hurt me. I had some kind of stupid trust in him.

"How did you know that? What did you hear?" Harry interrupted me and I gulped. Did those questions mean he was admitting it? Oh my God. Today was the die I died.

"I... that night I was at your place, I heard what you said to that guy. And there are also a lot of rumors– I don't know Harry. I'm really confused." And confused I actually was.

Harry looked pensive. He was sitting on his desk with one leg firmly on the floor and the other dangling lightly. I could have given one million dollars in that instant to know what he was thinking. Even if it meant paying that debt for the rest of my life.

"If I told you whatever rumors you heard were true, what would you do?" he asked and I frowned. Wow, put me on the spot, fucking asshole.

I opened my mouth to speak but words failed me. My brain stopped for a while, I swear. I couldn't even think any more.

"I don't know Harry. It's not something small. It's big and I can't just say I'm going to do something on the spot like that. I need time to think," I said and I licked my lips.

I saw Harry's eyes follow the movement of my tongue and I blushed. It was not the time dammit. Could my mind stay out of the gutter for once? Was that too much to ask?

Harry stared at me with some fiery heat in his eyes and he looked like he was having some sort of inner battle. I wondered what he was going to say.

I didn't have to wonder much longer cause he opened his mouth and spoke.

"Two days, little flower," Harry said and I had to hide the smile that was about to take over my whole face. Had y'all heard that?! He had called me little flower! "You have two days. Avoid me all you want. Then you come and we will talk and we will see how things go from there."

He stopped talking and I stood up to go but he held my hand and stopped me. He had that dominant look on his face that I loved so much. I took in a sharp breath and stared at his lips before moving to his face. Harry chuckled then bent his face to my level.

"Make no mistake. This is not goodbye Iris. You managed to get under my skin and now you'll have to bear the consequences. Make the right decision. I know you know which one it is," Harry said then held my face in his left hand and placed a quick but passionate kiss on my lips. Then he let me go.

I was dazed. I went out of his office, my nerves all frazzled. My mind was everywhere. Harry had not affirmed anything to me. But I knew it. He was involved in criminal activity.

Was I ready to get into that kind of life? Was I ready to turn a blind eye to his life? Was I ready to take that risk?

So many questions. So little time. I had two days. I hoped I was going to make the right decision.

***

Word count: 1140 words

I'm so so sorry for being so late. This month has been so busy for me and I have exams next week.
I hope y'all enjoy this chapter.

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Love,
Essie 🌺