Sign of the Times - Harry Styles

Sweet Rose Champagne occupied every fragile, expensive wine glass of all the posh beings at the populous event. To be quite fair, 'event' would be inaccurate, or even considered rude to call the hosting. Today was the day that sweet, little Helen was finally twenty-one, and along with that came the most well-planned party in all of London, daddy's orders. Although, Helen always dreamed of being independent, to be able to place reliance on herself and not the soft-served comfort of her family's abundance of money, but that just wasn't the case unfortunately for Helen.

Controlling was the accurate term for Helen's time consuming life. Every aspect of it was all for her image and wealth. Looking at the situation, she always imagined in this sense: Helen's just a weak puppet with strings attached, being tugged on by her fathers strict rules, regulations, and overwhelming arrangements. Helen will have to make a quick counter argument though, which is that there are some perks to coming from one of the most well-known men and women in the the vast United Kingdom. Her sleek designer clothes were always rested elegantly on her curvy body, Prada and Versace always being a personal favorite of Helen's. The men with the oddly savoring taste of scotch dripping from their lips always come and go as well, which racked her self confidence up to the moon, even though the girl knew it shouldn't have.

Helen stood to the side of the immense, packed up ballroom located in one of her fathers extravagant hotels. The poor girl, woman I should say, has already been bombarded with enough attention to last her an entire lifetime in just three hours. It's a record quite frankly for the rich mans daughter.

William, Helen's father, possessed an enormous number of lavish, highly satisfactory hotels marketing around the the U.K. It was surely no surprise that her birthday would be held in such luxury.

Without having five minutes tops of just resting in her own thoughts, they suddenly got intervened when a soft, yet firm hand grabbed on Helen's shoulder, pulling her out of her trance that she had quite obliviously fallen into. "Helen, my darling. You have got to socialize for your dear dad. We can't have me doing all the work for the business now can we?"

And even though Helen should have fought back against her dad, giving him a piece of her mind on why she wants to just be a normal woman somewhere off at university right now, it just wasn't going to happen that way. After all, the man had given her everything she asked in life since she was a little, petite girl running around in her sparkly, pink dresses. Maybe she owed him this? Maybe, just maybe.

"Anything for you, dad." Her lips collided with her fathers cheeks just to leave a soft and swift kiss. "Thank you for this party. I love it and you. I can't begin to repay you for how much you've done for me. I dreamed of this day since I was seven and I was properly able to walk into your first hotel." Helen's smile was so bright that it radiated across the room, but it was undetermined if it was the wine that made her feel so giddy or if it was how it felt for her father to have pride in his very own daughter.

"Well," Her father started, pull his not-so-little girls cheeks between the smooth tips of his pointer finger and thumb. "You can start by taking on this new career like it's the only thing you've lived your whole entire life for. Give it all you've got Helen, and nothing less. That's how you can repay me."

"You must believe that the best from me is what you will receive." When Helen announces those words out loud she can't help but let a small giggle leave her lips, being that the sentence rhymed. This appears to be a justification to the fact of the woman being compassionate, yet frilly. But none the less, Helen's father throws her a quick smile and a 'good' before gesturing his daughter to talk with one of the couples that are linked to business with him.

"So, tell me Helen. You're stepping up to the plate in William's business, am I correct?" The woman gravitates her champagne glass to her ruby, red lips as she awaits patiently for any form of answer from the young lady.

You see, most normal women would be celebrating their twenty-first birthday for the sole purpose of being able to take their first legal sip of the burning substance people like to consume for fun. Helen, on the other hand, is celebrating for contrary reasons. When she was brought into this world it was brought upon her that as soon as she strikes the legal age to consume alcohol, that's when she would step both small feet into the enormous position in her fathers hotel company.

"Yes, ma'am. I most certainly am. The induction is tonight actually. I'm overfilled with pleasure about this new beginning," Helen speaks, enthusiasm clear in the tone of her voice. She tries with all her might to fight the urge of coming off too strong, to not sound like a thirsty, naive girl only after the money the job brings.

"Hmm. I see." Something about the women's voice seems off to Helen, but she can't quite put her finger on it. But then it's projected right for her ears to obtain. "I certainly hope you do a better job than your mother did. William has high hopes for you and we wouldn't want this company to, how can I put this..."

And right before Helen could halt any source of utterance to escape from the ill-mannered woman's mouth, the ladies ignorance captivates the situation. "Let's just say, we don't want you to be of any form of duplication with your mother, besides the beauty, you've definitely conveyed her traits."

The lady was nothing but uncivilized and cold, it was practically written all over her. The giggles of alcohol were soon taken over by a strong sense of displeasure, reining all throughout Helen's body.

"I'll have you know that my mother was nothing like you portray her to be." Not wanting to cause an ruckus, Helen kept her voice down and emotions low-key, for her fathers sake. "You may be older, which by all means is completely obvious, but you most certainly are not wiser. People like you distaste me. You walk around the room as you are all high and mighty, but deep down you're nothing but a big-headed pompous who wants so badly to receive as much grace as my family. Oh, but do I have news for you. No amount of money you have can hide away your ruthless, deviant attitude and give you dignity. Stop sweeping around my father like you're his toy and actually make use of yourself, without insulting my mum."

The uneasy scowl making its way on the woman's lips made Helen even more infuriated. One thing that struck her as odd though was the fearlessness of the woman standing right in front of her. She must have known that if she spoke ever so harshly on her commanders dead wife then things wouldn't play out smoothly.

Furthermore, Helen gave the woman no room to talk, quickly gulping down the rest of her champagne and resting it down on a table to her left, leaving the couple to their own attending. They must have something better to do than scold her mums choices.

Helen found herself striding towards the bar where her best of friends sat, Justin and Kathleen who were nonchalantly sipping sparkling wine. She made her presents aware by plopping down on the high-rose seat, letting a sigh leave her honey-tasted lips.

"It's your birthday, hun. Don't look so stressed," Helen's friend, Kathleen spoke, slipping her hand to squeeze her forearm for reassurance. The action did make her ease a little, but didn't subside it fully.

"This is just a lot of pressure on me, Kathleen. Everyone wants me to be so good, to be like my dad, I'm just afraid I'm not going to be able to fulfill their needs," She breathed, motioning over the busy bartender to bring her a drink, who made exceptions for William's daughter.

"Fuck them, babe. You're brilliant and quite the charmer. Everything is up your sleeve for this career. If they can't see what's right in front of them then you don't owe them the time of day." Justin cooed, almost too calmly for her liking.

"You know, I hate to say it, but you're right Justin. I'm fucking Helen Parker. Of course I'm going to be okay." Not to sound melodramatic, but Helen had finally found the well-deserved confidence that struck deep within her, finally. "Actually, I'm going to be more than just okay. I'm going to blow everyone out of the park. They will not know what hit them."

"That's my girl," Justin smiled, in a non-flirty way. Helen and Justin would never in a million years even consider the two actually flirting. It was just too much of a gawky thing for the friendship that has been alive since practically their births.

"How does twenty-one feel, Helen? I know when I was that age it was the first time I ever felt old," Kathleen chuckles, gently nudging Helen on the arm.

"Shut the hell up, Kathleen. You're only twenty-three," Helen laughed, wondering how she even calls this girl her best friend. "I still feel like I'm eighteen. I think I look it too. Don't you think?" A smirk grows visible on all three of the friends faces.

For the thousandth time on this exhausting night, a hand falls on Helen's shoulder. She doesn't even have to look up to know who it is. Helen can tell by the rings embedding into the skin.

The dark, curly hair smoothly glides across the top of her body where is face comes centimeters from her ear. She can smell the red wine that carried from his lips, but it wasn't surprising. Helen knew it was his favorite thing to drink, in fact, when she kissed him that was all her mouth would taste of for the next hour.

"Your dad ordered me to come inform you that he will be making an all-call soon. Are you prepared?" Harry's deep, yet sweet voice was exactly what she needed to calm every last nerve running through her veins.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Helen breathed, quickly sliding out of the chair wth her wine glass gripped in her left hand, only to have Harry place his hand out for her other hand to take.

Helen motioned for her friends to follow them, walking hand in hand with Harry to the table that strategically had all of their names orderly and neatly written in cursive on a small card.

The three sat down at the medium-sized round table, Justin pulling out the seat for Kathleen while she smiled at him. But Helen wasn't one to sit down. She knew better than to take a seat, considering in less than thirty seconds she'd have to make her way up to the front for her speech. Instead, she pulled the wine glass up to her lips, figuring it would make this production easier.

"Good luck, Helen," Kathleen mouthed, smile big and bright.

Harry finally let go of the nervous girls hand as he heard the roar of her fathers voice, but didn't hesitate to squeeze her small hand gently with his large one, winking along with it.

"Everyone find your seats," William started, tapping against the wine glass with the company pen he keeps behind his ear. "I'd like to bring my daughter up here to say a few words. As you know it's her twenty-first birthday, so do her a warm favor and give her a round of applause. Yeah?"

As piercing sounds left the hands of the everyone from the front to the back of the room, Helen made her way up to the front, letting go of Harry's comforting touch.

She made eye contact with the cruel woman from earlier, making her stomach turn at the sight. She had a sinister smirk written across her face, eyes not leaving hers as she made her way down the isle.

Keeping professional, Helen ignored the woman, finally making it up to the spot next to her dad. She was shaking but it wasn't anything too noticeable. Helen knew she had everything under control.

A microphone was placed into her hands when her dad laid another soft kiss onto her cheek, then leaving her up in front of the well-packed room all alone.

Helen cleared her threat before starting, "I just want to give a huge thank you to my dad for placing this enchanting opportunity into my hands. As you all know, I will be the co-owner of the wonderful Parker's Hotels," Helen smiled, glad that she hasn't made any kind of fool of herself. "To many of you, I may just be some woman that you don't fully trust to run a company as big as my fathers. I just wanted to make this claim to you. Watching my dad as I have grown up, I've always wanted to be like him. And to go along with that, this company has been a dream of mine. The best from me is what you will receive. I may have to earn your trust, but I promise to everyone in this room that I will be the best you've seen in a while, besides my father."

Small smiles appeared in the audience, making it occur to Helen that she earned their approval, which made her smile too. "So, now that we have that out of the way. I'd like to thank every single one of you for coming and making my birthday special. How about this, cheers to new beginnings!"

Copying Helen's motion the audience raised their glasses high in the air before taking a bitter taste. As Helen turned the microphone off, she placed it on the stand and made her way back her table.

"I still think that a woman should not be able to own a company, a girl let alone."

Helen couldn't help but overhear those words leave the same conceded woman's lips. She had had enough of the constant bicker from the woman and couldn't dare be in the same room with her for another second.

She arrived at the table but slipped down to Harry's ear. "I'll be in the ladies room." He whispered a quick 'okay' as she slipped away, not trying to be spotted leaving her own party, even if it was for a few minutes.

When Helen made it to the ladies room she immediately rested her head in her hand, allowing a long exhale to release. The stress that was on her was so real and alive.

Why people think women aren't as appealing as men in the working industry, Helen would never know.

The soft clicking of her Gucci pumps were audible as she paced back and forth in front of the shiny, sparkling mirror. She cursed herself for not bringing her glass of champagne with her into the ladies room, but she knew it'd be deemed inappropriate.

When she finally calmed herself, she walked over to get a closer look at herself in the mirror. Her imperfections were starting to show through the makeup, which that's what happens when you have someone cake your face everyday and not let it get the oxygen it needs.

She ran her fingers under the eyes, wiping away stray tears she didn't even know were slipping down. She normally didn't get emotional and this confused Helen. Before she could even make another thought of it the door slowly pushed open, allowing her to get full access to who it was in the mirror.

"Harry, what the fuck are you doing in the ladies room?" Although, Helen's thoughts quickly changed, abruptly colliding her lips to his soft ones. "You know what. I don't care. Stay in here."

Helen knew what she wanted. Her body had been craving it since last week, the second they stopped really. She always needed his firm touch and mind-blowing feeling he had her under. Harry was her drug and she was dying for a hit of his love.

"Helen, that's not why I'm in here, baby," Harry breathes into the kiss, trying to find the will to disconnect their lips but can't seem to wind his hands off her cheeks where they are resting. "Your dad sent me in here." One last peck is fallen on her lips and his hands glide their way down to the curves of her hips, rubbing up her tight, red dress. Her head falls on Harry's solid chest, leaving it to rest.

"It doesn't seem like good news, Helen. He told me to get you and meet him in the meeting room upstairs. We've really got to get going, babe."

Helen knew that when her dad ordered to talk in private that it was urgent. So willingly, she intertwined their fingers, nodding before walking out into the hallway.

But what Helen and Harry both didn't know was that their whole entire lives were about to get turned completely and utterly upside down, and they couldn't do a single thing about it.

As they made their way into the small room, chairs aligned down two rows with a long rectangular table in the middle. Her dad stood up-right by the bright window, turning to look as his company arrived.

"Harry. Helen. Please, sit down. We've got a lot to discuss on your behaves." William noted, breath shaky just as Helen's was. It was almost extinct for her father to be nervous, which made Helen anxious than she already was.

"Harry, as you're my most trusted employee, I trust you with everything I have, and going with that, I would trust you with my only daughters life, which I am afraid is on the line. I'm sorry to inform you both but as of tomorrow, Helen and Harry, you both will be moving to New York City in the states."

And suddenly, the air in the compact room felt non-existent. Helen knew her dad was a wealthy man and this was always up in the air about happening, but she didn't ever think it actually would. Her brain couldn't correspond with her mouth on what to say, so nothing came out. She just sat blank-faced.

"Unfortunately for Helen, you can't back out. But, Harry you have a way out. I have a few other people in mind, but you of course were my top choice."

Harry couldn't even stand the though of letting her move to a completely different country with a guy she barely knew at all, urging him to immediately answer without a seconds thought. "Yes, sir. We leave tomorrow."

Much was awaiting in store for Harry and Helen. Stuff they couldn't even allow themselves to be prepared for.