Hiiiii, my rosy tulips 🌷
This is a fun one. Teehee. Enjoy!

♬ ✥*

Serenity.

It's been two weeks of absolute chaos.

Harry has been driving me insane.

I'm surprised I haven't gone mad and off the rails — yet.

On the upside, I'm still thankful that he hasn't written up the POA, because in a flash I could be back to having Joelle as my investor. It wasn't what I wanted — and deep down inside, I was sure that wasn't what Harry wanted either.

Or at least, I hoped so.

He's also been coming to the site more often to check on how everything has been running. There may or may not have been several visits to see Keon at his firm. Of course, Harry says that it's all about the renovations and nothing more.

Yeah, right.

Damn lies have been spilling out his mouth more than the countless times I've landed flat on my ass in my entire life.

That's other than the fact that I'm already a klutz. The irony fits very well with my job description.

I should've just been named Serenity Clumsy-Ballerina Hayes.

Putting my terrible humour aside, everyone has quietly been complaining about Harry's behaviour and attitude lately. Needless to say, it was obvious that I was also included in that mix. The only difference was that I've been completely silent about it to them — so far.

All I've done was listen to the grumbles, protests, and fussing that was passed on between the workers in whispers. It was getting beyond the point of frustrating.

But, technically it has been irritating me since the day he replied saying he would no longer be my investor.

And then, there's still more, because other than all of that, every single move that the workers make towards me, Mr Snooty takes five before them. All of the conversations have gone through him, and I've practically had no say whatsoever.

Some of the conversations were design related, and sure, Harry knew how I wanted things to look, but he'd still answer them for me. The walls were all put up, the flooring was installed, and the spaces finally started to look like rooms. I loved it. It was the small details, though, that he would take charge on replying to.

What was worse was that even if someone would ask something so simple like, "Hey, can I get you a coffee?" He'd still respond for the both of us.

It was getting on my last nerves.

However, luckily, there were so many times when I didn't let him.

And just to piss Harry off further, I'd always talk back at him, and be extremely kind with everyone else.

I'd also given that man more scowls than I could count; grins and smiles were unlimited to the rest. He hated that. Which is why I'm surprised his teeth haven't — at least, not yet — chipped from how hard he's been clenching them together.

If he did chip a tooth, well, he was going to be the one making the appointment to see the dentist, not me.

And if he wanted to go with him, which I doubt would ever happen, I wasn't a hand-holder. He was an adult and could handle some numbness and drilling. It would also be his fault.

So, until that happened, I was purposefully annoying him in all the ways I could find.

It wasn't because I wanted to be petty or be childish, but because he needed someone to put their foot down — someone that wasn't him. The world didn't revolve around Harry Styles, even if, at times, he thought it did.

But deep down inside, past all of his smug and cocky qualities, he had a kind and pure soul. I've seen it many times, but he never showed it to the public — and he was definitely not showing it recently.

Maybe I was trying to push him to reveal his true self; but in all honesty, I had no official right to do so.

I just put it in my mind that maybe I was trying to irritate him for only to prevent him from acting like a contemptible person — that's all.

Other than all of that, things were a bit rough for me at home. River moved out into his own apartment and started dancing with the BBC. He and Amara decided that they wouldn't move in together because it was still too soon, even though their relationship is growing stronger. They figured it would be better like this for now and they'd see how things go. He'd also spent several nights at her place beforehand, but that was only because no funny business was going to happen on my couch.

Not a flipping chance.

So, I've spent my days back in my old routine. Except now, I watch movies alone, I make meals for one, rarely go to the temporary studio alone, cuddle with Luna — and Emmy. The problem was that every time I looked into those green eyes, I just kept imagining Harry's true glimmering emerald gems.

He was a stranger, and I wanted my Harry back.

Even when he was never mine, at times, I still felt that he was.

"Nick, get back to work and stop ogling her like she's a piece of meat!" Harry ordered the construction manager, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

As usual, his demands weren't new.

It's just how he's been with every single man who dares to take a simple glance my way. I almost believed that those men had a death wish. No one dared to do a single thing in Harry's presence — and not even when he was around. He's terrified all of the workers and somehow made him believe that he was going to come and harass them more in the future.

He was nearly making a fool out of himself, but he couldn't care less.

Which I'd say was very unlike the CEO of Urban Corp.

"I'm not — I wasn't —" Nick stammered, unsure what to say or do.

To think about it, it really was my fault, and he was taking it out on the workers today.

I decided to go out and get Iced Capp's from the nearest Timmies for all of them since it was a brutally hot day, but they couldn't even enjoy it. The second they saw Harry take a step through the front doors where they all went straight back to work, like the worker bees they were forced to become.

Okay, maybe it wasn't my fault.

Needless to say, their drinks melted.

That was my money down the drain all because of Mr Grumpy Pants.

"It's fine, Nick. Could you just give us a minute? Mr Styles, here, clearly got up on the wrong side of the bed today..." I spoke out loud, then mumbled, "...and for the past two whole weeks."

It was the first time that I verbally called him out in front of people. I was trying to keep my cool whenever anyone was near a ten-meter range of us — or just make sure that my voice wasn't on full volume.

If the workers had a death wish by Harry if they dared to look at me — he would have a death wish because of my yelling.

I wasn't mad often, but I'd become very hostile lately, and I could only wonder what the reason could be.

Nick nodded and scurried away from us, watching as Harry was glared at him — more like shot daggers at the poor guy.

"What the heck is the matter with you?" My brows furrowed as I scolded him — it's not like that would make any difference. He hasn't cared about anything lately.

He raised a brow, then pursed his lips before shrugging. He looked completely unbothered as he spoke, "I didn't say anything."

It was incredibly unfortunate that the rest of us had to suffer because of his conflicted emotions.

"No, no. You did and said absolutely nothing during the last ten minutes you've been here..." I said sarcastically before mumbling more of my thoughts, "...which feels like a full hour."

"What did you say?" he questioned, a brow raised as he clearly knew I said something else, but that man was dreaming if he thought I'd actually tell him.

Instead, it was my turn to surprise him with something.

"What I said, Mr Styles is that you need to calm down. Whatever way you need to watch temper, do it," I seethed, "And oh, maybe you could do it outside of my studio."

Wow. Sudden and bold, Serenity Marie Hayes. A silent applaud for you.

I had no idea what came over me, but the words came out of my mouth before I could process them. Based on the look on Harry's face, I could tell that I struck a nerve, and he did not look pleased.

Somehow, I held my ground, making it seem like I planned what I'd just blurted out.

"Are you kicking me out, Sere— Miss Hayes?" He stumbled over my name, forcing himself to remain professional — or to simply push me away.

"Yes," I said firmly. "I am."

But now with his maddening self, damn straight I was kicking him out.

I didn't need negativity in my studio. Of course, construction wasn't finished, and it was still chaotic inside, but it was always my sanctuary.

I've also had enough of Harry's crap, and I couldn't take it anymore.

"Wow. All of this because I told some loathing prick from looking at you badly," he scoffed.

"No." I shook my head and narrowed my eyes at him. I decided to continue and made sure to keep my voice down. All I could think about was 'inside voices' that teachers told us when we were in elementary school. "It's because you are acting like a loathing prick who's being rude to every single person here — including me. What, do you think I can't handle myself if someone looks at me wrong?"

"I didn't say —"

Not a chance was I going to let him continue. He didn't deserve that. He's done more than enough emotional damage around here. It was his problem, not ours.

"Or did you find some sort of magical claim that you have over me? I'm sorry, my mistake, I didn't realise that you were my boyfriend that needs to protect me from the eyes of repulsive men — which, FYI, they aren't."

"That's not —"

"Actually, maybe it's just the fact that you can't handle me making the shots. I own the majority of my studio, Mr Styles, and right now, I do not want you in it."

If I didn't blink, I could have missed that tiny flash of hurt cross his face — but it did not last long at all. He quickly returned to his classic exasperated self.

"You don't know how to make the right shots, because if you did, you wouldn't need me as a fucking investor," he sneered, and my hands balled in tight fists at his cruel words.

Harry was hitting every single sensitive nerve that I had, but that was the last straw.

How dare he insult me like that?

"Get out."

"Excuse me?"

"No. Excuse yourself. You know where the door is," I said, leaving the final word to me as I turned around to walk towards the construction manager.

I knew that Harry wouldn't make a fool out of himself and call me out because it would ruin his professional status in a heartbeat. Sure, he held so much power within the city, amongst several countries, but no one would taint that image.

I wasn't afraid of Harry, even though I was still terrified he would write out that POA. Other than that, I wouldn't let his words affect me the way he expected them to.

Even though, that last bit did hurt.

Peeking over my shoulder, I found him glaring at me before turning to storm off towards the exit. Through the glass, I could see Archie waiting for him as our eyes met. He held empathy in them. I just flashed him a small, sad smile with a brief nod to tell him that I'd be okay.

Because, I was going to be okay.

♬ ✥*

Since these past two weeks of absolute chaos, there's been one thing that I haven't done in a while to release my stress — dancing.

I've done a ton for teaching, it wasn't for myself. It was the only thing that truly releases all of the negativity within me. Growing up, I tried finding other ways to help, but this was the only one that was able to succeed — of course, Ben and Jerry help, too.

As soon as I made it into the temporary studio, I stripped off my clothes down to my sports bra and dance shorts. Picking up my phone, I began to scroll through it to find the perfect songs that matched my current emotions. Add, add, add.

Then, I named the playlist to something that I felt to be quite fitting.

If Only Harry Were Here 🥺

No. That wasn't exactly it. I shook my head, thinking once more before I started to type again.

Moody Tiger 🙄

Nope. That wasn't it either. Letting out a deep puff of air, I wrote what was right for this moment.

Piss Off Harry ✨

Yep. That's it.

Without another thought, I synced the music to the speakers, and finally, let go.

Fierce. Aggression. Dominance.

I felt all of that as I pushed myself with the extreme strength of my ability to dance. This time, ballet was nonexistent. There were no elements of elegance nor grace in my moves — it was contemporary, modern, and some street.

Rarely, I released the other styles of dance that I had within me, but it crept out on its own whenever the blood in my veins rushed at a speed that wasn't my norm. The heat didn't occur from its tempo, but only remained frigid as could be. I was waiting for that moment where warmth would spread throughout, but only time would tell.

My breath was breaking, but I pushed through the exhaustion. My lungs hinted that I should stop or take a break — but I couldn't.

I needed to let out everything that I felt out. All of the irritation and bothered hatred that has built up over the past several days, it needed to disappear. I'd never gone this long without surrendering myself to open air — the air that always helped me find my true self again.

Flinging myself in the enclosed room, my arms and legs extended free, and I lengthened my neck while fisting my hands as I grasped hold of freedom in its purest form.

A black hole surrounded me, sucking up all of the negative energy emitting from the darkness that existed in my soul. Not an ounce of iniquity remained, clearing my veins from the toxicity that was flooding from within. An explosion of love and kindness finally returned to its home, back from travelling a long and gruelling journey.

Landing on my feet, I brought my arms in, and hugged them to my body. I was crouching just as Venus once did, many moons ago. Someone sculpted her in a position so that she would remain frozen in time, but I wasn't a statue — and no one could ever put me in a situation where I would exist in stone.

Not even Harry.

So I got up, twirling my body in my spot, then leapt back out into the secluded haven that is a dance studio.

But then, a familiar voice suddenly echoed in the room, startling me — his familiar voice.

And thanks to him, I stumbled with my landing.

That man has impeccable timing.

"Miss Hayes," he called out, and I looked up into the mirror, waiting to see from the place he was going to walk through.

The doors weren't loud whenever they opened, so I hadn't heard Harry enter the studio. Of course, the music was still playing when he did, so his entrance remained inaudible.

Because not five seconds after I silenced the tunes when he made his appearance known.

"Geez," I said, catching my breath. My voice returned to how it was in the past with him, bubbly with a hint of sarcasm. "Kay, dude, you don't creep up behind a person like that. Make some noise or something — maybe a greeting while you're at it. Actually, never mind. You don't know what those are."

After how furious I was with Harry yesterday, I couldn't find it in me to act the same way with him. No matter what, my heart still felt an ache when I saw him. Everything in me wanted to embrace him — but I couldn't.

I knew that Harry hasn't received many hugs in his past, and it was something he obviously craved, but he wasn't embracing his own emotions. That was the bigger issue.

He was the man I was in love with, and I was forced to keep it a secret — a secret that only belonged to me.

His brows furrowed together, nose scrunching along with them at my choice of word. "Dude?"

"It's not the first time I've called you that, Mr Styles. You're not a forgetful person, which I'm sure you already know that," I spoke while wiping my glistening forehead with a towel before raising a brow.

And until now, I still hadn't turned to properly face him. Our conversation was only through the mirrors. His eyes were narrowed at me, as if waiting to receive a proper greeting.

Ha. Like that was going to happen. Harry remained delusional on certain things — that was one of them.

"If I forgot things, I wouldn't be a multimillionaire," he scoffed.

"Don't let it get to your head, pal. You're not that kind of person." I was purposefully calling him nicknames just to piss him off further.

It was actually kind of fun — to a limit, of course.

"How the fuck do you know what kind of person I am? You don't even know me," he spat.

That's when I decided to turn off the music and turned around to face him.

Immediately, he began to fidget in his spot. The confident stance he held, faulted and his shoulders slouched slightly. I tried to meet his eyes, but now that my body stood directly in front of him, he purposefully avoided my gaze.

Emotionally, Harry wasn't okay; and only I could see it. Other than the fact he was acting so poorly, he looked absolutely exhausted. His emerald gems no longer sparkled, dark circles surrounded them, and his tie was never done up the way it should be. Loafers were still polished, and his suit only had a handful of wrinkles, but we both knew that it wasn't him that cleaned them anyway.

I just wished he would open up, instead of doing everything that he truly didn't want to do.

"You're right. I don't know you, Mr Styles," I paused, then took a deep breath. "I know Harry. I guess I just didn't realise that they weren't the same person."

He stayed silent at my words. A shocked expression flashed on his face for a split second before it disappeared. I was right, and we both knew it.

"You didn't fall," he said, completely changing the subject. "Looks like it's one person that clearly knows how to do that."

Based on his comment, he made it obvious that he was watching me earlier. If it wasn't Harry, I would've said how creepy it was, but it seemed that he just wanted to have a moment of us together, and simply to just relish a glimpse of me — even if I wasn't aware of it

"Is that so, eh?" I raised a brow, and let out a short laugh.

Deciding to surprise him, I moved quickly past him and pushed myself up with one leg and flipped by body so that I landed face-first on the ground. I left just enough space to press my hands so my head wouldn't go smush.

From the corner of my eye, I swore that I saw him take a step towards me as I was in the air — he wanted to catch me, but stopped in his spot.

I turned my face towards him, watching as his mouth was parted open in complete shock of what he'd just witnessed. Pain and worry inflicted was evident in his expression.

However, instead of focusing on his feelings, I got up and dusted myself slightly.

"Whoopsies. Looks like I fell," I deadpanned. "Looks like it's not just that one person that clearly knows how to do that."

"A-are you hur—"

He didn't have a right to ask me that. Sure, I could feel a bruise — or five — form somewhere on my body, but I did it to make a point.

"What are you doing here, Mr Styles? And don't say that it's because you want to check up on the renovations, because we're not at Starlight. So if you have a valid reason for your presence here, state it now. If not, feel free to leave."

"This studio space is rented in my name, Miss Hayes. I can come and go as I please," he replied sternly.

Mr CEO was back. Swell.

"Alright, fine." I shrugged. "Then I'm leaving. I guess I shouldn't even be authorised to be here without your permission, Mr Styles. My apologies."

"W-wait. You don't have to leave."

And now, Harry was giving me whiplash.

Just wonderful.

"No, I think I do. I'm clearly bothering you every time we're in the same room, so I'll just save you the hassle of my annoyance."

"Fuck. Serenity, just stay. I'll leave," he spoke, utterly frustrated.

This time, I didn't correct him with my name. I just decided to ignore it. I could tell that Harry had no idea what he was doing. It seemed that he just wanted me to be with him in the same room, even though we were bickering.

But I wasn't going to give him that slightest satisfaction.

"I have to leave anyway. I have dinner with someone, and I'll be late if I don't leave now."

Slowly, his eyes narrowed at me, then let out another scoff. "You just made that up. You don't have shit to go to."

Okay, yeah, I did just make that up.

"Whether I do or not, is none of your concern," I said, and went to pack up my things.

"Do you have a ride?" His question threw me off guard, but I was going to answer it in the way I knew best.

"I have a car, yes. Or didn't that cross your mind?" My question was sarcastic, and he clearly didn't appreciate that.

Harry didn't do sarcasm.

Nor did he do emotion.

"I thought it was in the shop," he pointed out, and I let out a dry laugh.

"Yeah, like three weeks ago. You're a tad late on figuring that out."

"So that's a no on the ride?"

It seemed like he was the desperate one now to spend any time he had with me.

Yippee.

"A definite no," I said simply.

And after that, he remained speechless. His mouth kept opening and closing, but there wasn't anything coming out. Not a peep escaped from him as he looked at a complete loss of words. He was struggling in his mind to come up with another excuse to get me to stay — to spend any time with me.

The way his hands were fisted tightly together at his sides. The way his brows furrowed and relaxed, repeatedly doing the same thing. The way his jaw would clench, then soften. The way he was slightly rocking back and forth on his feet. He was utterly puzzled and confused.

Harry was acting in a way that I'd never seen him before, and it was almost going to make me crack. It was nearly enough for me to pull him towards me and embrace the man I loved in the way I wanted to — in the way I desperately missed. However, I held it together and refused to give in to what my heart was craving.

So, without another word from him, I bid him a simple good night, and left without looking back.

...

A/N:

Queen Serenity has left the building.

(^wow, that gave me major Sailor Moon vibes)

Anyhoo, what was your favourite part of the chapter? I'm sure there were a few readers saying that Essie shouldn't go after Harry. A queen never chases a tiger, but a tiger just might chase a queen.

Besides all that fun stuffs, what was your favourite part about the chapter? Because, you know, I'm super curious and all that.

And pretty please press on that little star on the chapter, I mean, it only takes a millisecond. They're nice gifts and make me (and Essie) happy.

Kissy, stay golden, and TPWK my beautiful tulips 🌷

S x

P.S. I'm writing a murder/mystery short story for my class. It's due in like two weeks, but I want to see other people's reactions and thoughts about it. (Also in case I have to change anything about it based on the assignment requirements.) Anyone up for taking a read? It's only 1K words.