ASHLEY

Just as Shawn promised, he arrived exactly at 1pm, with Mary of course. By the looks of it, they still look slightly hungover and drowsy. Both of them give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek, before entering the lavishly decorated apartment. I stop on my track as soon as I sniff in something. Shit.

'Um, is it just me, or does it smell like Harry's cologne here? Ash?' Shawn calls me after plopping onto the couch. I shut my eyes and open them, before walking into the living room. I try my best to hide any trace of nervousness overshadowing my face.
I look up at my brother confidently, making up a somewhat acceptable excuse in my brain. More like a lie.

'Why would it smell like Harry's cologne? It was just me in this huge apartment the entire night...' I chuckle and Shawn nods his head.
I swear to God, lying to Shawn is like World World III in my mind. I don't want to dislike my favorite scent like this.

'NO it's not just you Shawn. I smell it too...' Mary speaks out of the blue, causing me to sigh under my breath while my eyes are shut. Fuck this shit, my motive is just to convince Shawn. But I guess it's not gonna happen to swiftly.

'You guys. Frankly, I don't smell anything. It's just smells like our scented candles. You can trust me on that...' I assure them and they look at each other for a while. My tone was filled with more confidence and assurance than lies.

'Ash's right, Mary. We must be hallucinating. After all, we had Harry's wild party, and then Liam's mini drinking and Netflix session. We didn't even sleep properly...' Shawn exclaims and taps his forehead with his fingers.
I smile slightly but my gaze soon travels to the place where Harry and I had a goodnight's sleep. My jaw drops. Holy cow, we forgot to arrange it back to a sofa. I turn around slightly and face-palm myself.

'Ash? Why is that sofa turned into a bed? Did you...' Shawn pauses halfway causing me to turn around. My eyes travel from him to the sofa and then back to him again. Of course, this sight wasn't gonna escape my eagle-eyed brother.

'Um, uh actually, Shawn, I slept in the living room last night. The thing is, I am not used to living all alone in a huge apartment. It was kinda scary back in my room. So I brought myself downstairs, watched one episode of Friends before dozing off. I forgot to arrange it back, I'm sorry.' I lie once again. I run my hands through my long hair before eyeing my brother again.
I don't know, how much, I need to lie you. I'm sorry, brother.

'Aw, your baby side is showing sis, and I'm living for it. Come here, will you?' He teases me, causing me to pout playfully. I approach and sit next to him, wrap my arms around his torso, while listening to slow but soothing heartbeat. He quite slowly pats my back, which slows down my adrenaline rush.

'Seriously though, Harry's cologne is just marvelous. I think it has officially become my favorite...' Shawn speaks and I smirk. Clearly it is. I am already hyped up to see him again. The fact that we're gonna see each other more often now is giving me all the chills...

-

9:00pm

'We have another party, this Thursday?' Mary asks Shawn as the 3 of us prepare some chicken roast for dinner.

'Yeah, it's Julian Bunetta's birthday as well and he's currently sending out invitations. We should go' Shawn replies her while taking out the baked salmon from the oven. As I am putting some dressing on the salad, I feel my phone vibrating inside my pocket. I put the dressing down and pull it out from my pocket. A small smile forms when I see Harry's caller ID popping on my screen.

'Um,guys, I gotta take this. I'll be right back...' I excuse myself to exit the kitchen, and run towards the flight of stairs.

'Heyyy....took you long enough...' I hear Harry speak before...I guess plopping onto a soft surface, possibly his bed.

'Yeah, I was in the kitchen, preparing dinner. What's popping for you, Mr. Styles?' I ask him in a rather facetious way.

'I'm tired...Had a long ass studio session after I left your place. Also, went to the gym and my body is fucking soar...' he grunts and I can't help but laugh like a little kid.

'It's not funny...you should be comforting me right now.' he whines.

'I know but I just find it cute when you're complaining about small things...' I tell him and lean against the staircase handle.

'I'll do the same thing when you're in my situation then...' he tells me and I pout my lips.

'What can I do to help you then?' I ask while raising my brows and smirking.

'Well, if it was up to me, I would've driven straight to your apartment and spend the night with you again. BUT, I am a considerate boyfriend, and considering the situation, I ain't doing it.' he speaks gently.

'Aww. But that's not a request babe. Place a request...' I speak in a deep tone, with a 'not-so-innocent' grin, which makes it look like I am ordering him. Damn.

'Well miss, can you fly yourself to my place and be with me? No. Can we cuddle like how we did it last night? Also no. Can you kiss me like how you did it yesterday? No as well. So, there's no point of requesting anything...' he tells me, making me flutter.

'What did I do to deserve you?' I ask and chuckle.

'Everything. Our journey's gonna be one difficult ride.' he tells and I sigh.

'It will. But let's not think about it right now..'

'Anyway, you guys coming to Julian's party this week?' he questions.

'Yes. Are you?' I ask him back.

'Yeah. I'll see you there straight away. I'm gonna go to LA tomorrow, for some...unfinished business.' he informs causing me to purse my lips.

'Bummer. I will miss you. Call me everyday okay?' I tell him and he laughs.

'No I definitely won't call you...' he teases me and I playfully roll my eyes. We'll see about that.

'Goodnight. I love you darling...' he gently says it, causing me to flutter again. If somebody told me a year ago that Harry Styles would be my love interest, I would've probably laughed it off like a well-said joke and give them an award for best comedian. Okay, why the hell am I thinking about this all of a sudden.

'Nighty night....love you too boo.' And with that, we hang up. I put my phone back in my pocket after Mary bellows from the kitchen.

-

...an unfinished business, he said. Don't brush it off too easily. You might regret it later...

A soft raspy voice sounds in her head, but as usual, she thinks of it as her unnecessary insecurities. This is what happens when your love it too blind...