#soml11

[emulateharry]

Story of my life

Chapter 11

A/N  Thank you to my dear Alex (@niallandharrymakemestrong​) and Mel (@melissas173​),  I could not do this without your support and superb editing skills.  If you are reading this story–please take a moment and give me a like or a comment (all comments are welcome).  If you particularly like it, consider reblogging.  Thanks!

After a late night celebrating the end of the OTRA tour with Harry and the rest of the band and crew, Kacey was awakened on November first by Harry pressing soft kisses to her eyes, cheeks and finally her lips.  

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, his voice raspy.

“Mmmm.  Is it morning already?  What time is it?” she asked sleepily.  

“It’s time to celebrate your birthday.  Do you have anything special you’d like to do today?”  he asked, kissing her temple.

“Hmmm…I think I’d like to…do you,” she said huskily, a crooked smile on her lips.

“I think that can be arranged.  Or, perhaps I could do you, hmm?” he smiled at her, one eyebrow raised.

“Why don’t we just do each other?” she suggested diplomatically.

“Good idea,” he trailed off as his mouth found hers.

* Kacey had just finished drying her hair when the smell of coffee hit her.  She wandered back into the room to see Harry holding out a cup from Starbucks. She accepted the proffered drink and sighed with satisfaction as she took the first sip.  Harry had ordered breakfast and it was set up on the table in the corner of the room.  There was fresh fruit, muffins, Devon cream, and poached eggs with smoked salmon and hollandaise on a bed of asparagus.  Fresh flowers and several beautifully wrapped packages completed the table.  

“Wow…this is wonderful,” Kacey breathed.

“Let’s eat.  We have a lot to do today,” Harry said, smiling enigmatically and kissing her cheek.

Kacey allowed him to lead her to the table and sat as he held her chair.  He sat next to her and offered her the Devon cream for her muffin.  She spread some on and took a bite, eyes closed at the gorgeously smooth, buttery taste.

“Oh, Harry, this is heaven!” she gushed.

Harry took his napkin preparing to wipe the corner of her mouth where a drop of the cream had deposited but then thought better of it and kissed it off instead.  Kacey beamed at him and kissed him back.

“Kassidy…stop looking at me like that.  I’ve made plans for us today and if you keep that up we’ll never leave this room,” he admonished.

“You started it,” she pretended to grumble, smiling despite herself.

As they finished their breakfast Harry asked eagerly “Ready for presents?”

Kacey smiled at his excitement and placed her napkin on the table.  “I’m ready,” she replied, enthusiasm edging into her voice.  Harry bought her gifts often; he got so excited giving them to her, like a big kid, and always watched her reaction closely.  He brought her something from every city the band played in.  His gifts were never overly expensive but they were always thoughtful.  

Harry reached for a rectangular package and handed it to her.  Kacey tore into the wrapping and pulled out a box.  It was an iPhone 6 plus.  A tiny twinge of worry nibbled at the back of her neck.  This was expensive.  This newest model had only been out for about 6 weeks and there were huge waiting lists to get one.  She knew money was not an issue, Harry was seriously wealthy.  It was just…maybe a little too much?  She didn’t feel completely comfortable having him spend money on her.  She was a multi-millionaire in her own right, thanks to her books and Laura’s stock market savvy, but chose to live simply.  Her main indulgences were her homes, which also happened to be good investments.

“Oh Harry!  This is amazing but I’m afraid it’s too much…” she began, but saw his face fall. Quickly she finished “technology for me! Will you show me how to use it?”  His grin returned, this time accompanied by dimples.   Oh, thank goodness—it was a good save.  The last thing she ever wanted to do was hurt him.

“Of course, I will.  Yours hasn’t worked properly since you dropped it at the pub.  I don’t want you to be stranded with a phone that doesn’t want to work,” he explained.  Kacey kissed him.

“Thank you! It’s really cool—and you got it in red!  How did you manage that?” she asked, impressed.

“It’s a secret,” he grinned.  Leaning a bit, he grabbed another box and passed it to her.   This one was even larger than the first, but not as heavy.  Kacey, once again, tore into the paper.  Inside the box, wrapped in tissue, was a silk scarf.  She recognized it immediately.  It was a vintage Gucci floral scarf with a pink border that she had saved to her Pinterest page.  She looked up at him wide-eyed.

“How did you know?” she asked.

“I’ve seen you looking at this several times.  It wasn’t hard to guess that you really liked it,” he said with a dismissive little wave of his hand.  

“I love it.  It’s even prettier than I imagined. Thank you!” she admired, stroking his cheek.

Harry reached for the last package and a colored envelope.  Handing her the package with a grin, he said “This kind of goes with the scarf.”

Kacey tore into the last package to find a small box.  Removing the lid, she gasped.  Inside was a brooch with two large, round rubies hanging from gold stems with marquise cut emerald leaves; cherries on stems.  It was stunning.  Kacey looked up at him with tears forming.  “Oh Harry, it’s beautiful!” she whispered.

Harry’s face was joyous. “I thought you needed a symbol for your Order,” he explained.

She laughed, and sniffed.  “Thank you.  This is all so wonderful.  Best birthday ever.”

In a humorous game show host voice Harry intoned “But wait!  It isn’t over yet!” and handed her the envelope.  

With trembling fingers, she pulled the envelope open.  It was a pink card with “Happy Birthday Beautiful” on the front.  Inside was a note telling her the he had booked them a stay at Middlethorpe Hall, an 18th century manor house that had been converted into a hotel and spa.  She looked up at him, amazed.  

“We have celebrating to do:  the tour is over, our album is coming out, and you have just sent your third best seller to the publisher,” he said smiling at her.  “We could use some relaxation and I know how much you love the old homes and castles.”

“It’s all perfect.  Thank you. This has already been the bestest birthday and it isn’t even noon!” she giggled.   * They spent four days in the Garden Cottage suite at Middlethorpe Hall, most of that time snuggling next to the fire or walking the twenty acre grounds.  Harry had scheduled a full spa day for them and they indulged in massages, manicures, pedicures and facials.  Kacey laughed at Harry and tried to take a picture of him, covered in the face mask with his hair in a towel turban style, but he stared her down.  She giggled about the image for the rest of the day until he threatened to spank her.  That led to a challenge which resulted in Harry chasing her until he caught her in the sitting room of their suite.  He flipped her over his lap and whacked her bottom a few times before they found the whole situation too erotic and wound up taking care of business on the cottage floor in front of the fireplace. The end of their stay came far too soon and they reluctantly packed up to head back to London.  

Harry was starting album promo in a few days and Kacey had a meeting with her publisher to discuss timelines.  In six weeks the band’s hiatus would start and they would have more time to spend together.   Kacey could hardly wait. * Kacey sat in the corner of the room two chairs away from Julie the Modest! agent.   It was a press day and Harry had asked if she wanted to tag along.  She agreed with alacrity, always taking advantage of any opportunity to spend time with him.  The 1D guys were split up with Harry and Niall taking the first shift of reporters to be followed by Liam and Louis in the afternoon.  Kacey was impressed with their press skills, answering the same tired questions over and over but seemingly excited to do so each time.  Of course, they had thousands of interviews under their belts so it was almost automatic.  She was chatting quietly with them while the next team of cameraman and interviewer got set up.  Julie signaled that they were ready and Kacey went back to her chair.

The interviewer was a woman in her late twenties with over-processed hair and under-plucked brows wearing what appeared to be a sneer.  Her obviously expensive, yet frumpy, blouse was unbuttoned one too far, her skirt a trace too short.  Her posture was ramrod straight as she leaned forward toward the boys causing her small bosom to jut out.  Kacey could smell her cloying perfume all the way across the room leaving her to wonder how Harry and Niall weren’t choking or tearing up sitting so close to the source.  Her voice was adenoidal when she introduced herself as Arabella Braxton-Hicks, journalist from a snooty little mag that Kacey avoided.  Disguising a snicker with a cough, Kacey earned herself a stern look from Julie.  She ignored her and returned to playing Words With Friends on her phone, only half listening to the interview.  Dammit.  7 consonants, one of which was a Q.  What the hell was she going to do with that?   Sounds tickled her attention; it took a moment for Kacey to realize that the voices in the room were no longer cordial.  She heard tension in Harry’s tone and looked up, frowning.  On instinct, she tapped her phone and began recording. Ms. Braxton-Hicks was pointing her pen aggressively to punctuate her next question.  

“Harry, it has been suggested that you are bisexual with a long history of both male and female lovers.  Is this true?”

Kacey, eyes wide with disbelief, looked at Harry to see his eyes tightening before responding with a careful, measured tone “Suggested by whom?”

“Oh, loads of people.”

“How does that pertain to our album, Arabella?” he asked quietly, leaning back in his chair.

“Your fans and the public want to know.  Are you going to answer me?”  she challenged, the hostility evident.

“No.”

Kacey felt her fingernails bite into the palm of her left hand and flexed her fingers to relax it, phone still recording the scene in her right.  Her pulse was rising, heat creeping into her cheeks.  Arabella turned to Niall.

“Niall, you have a history of very short romances.  Does your inability to keep a girlfriend stem from your poor relationship with your mother?” she inquired archly.

“Oh, hell no,” Kacey sputtered, practically launching from her seat and across the room. “Excuse me!  I’m sorry for interrupting.  Really.”  

Harry and Niall were looking at her with wide eyes and Julie was alarmed, not quite sure what was happening.  Kacey smiled sweetly at all of them, but Harry could see that the smile did not reach her eyes.  They were slightly narrowed and…what was with the color?  Normally an icy blue they were now, somehow, almost yellow.  

“Two minutes, I promise.” Kacey resumed, then turned to the interviewer.  “May I speak with you in private, please?”  

When she gave Kacey a smirk and prepared to decline, Kacey added in a tone so low that only she could hear “You can walk out with me or be dragged.  By your hair.”  

The interviewer’s face flushed an angry red but she stood and walked after Kacey who held the door open for her.  Before it could close all the way, the boys heard her say “Bitch! Who do you think you are…”  Harry started to rise but Niall, still staring at the door put his hand out to stop him.  They could hear Kacey’s voice, low and deliberate, but could not make out any of the words.  They just sat and watched the door.

 “Bitch! Who do you think you are…”  She barely got the last word out when Kacey turned on her.  Her voice low with a hint of menace, anger radiating out in waves that were almost palpable.

“Oh sweetie, I am not A bitch, I am THE bitch.  And this bitch has reached her limit with your rudeness, your derision, and your extraordinarily unprofessional behavior.  Actions have consequences, did you know that?  Shhh.  That was rhetorical.  That means that you don’t talk, you just stand right there and listen.  I am going to, first, call your editor and discuss your performance here today.”  Receiving only a sneer in response, Kacey went on.  “Then I am going to contact the publisher and lodge a complaint about your unprofessionalism.”

Again, only a smirk.  “Lastly, I am going to take this little video of the way you have treated them today and upload it to twitter and tumblr with provocative tags like #protect Harry and #protect Niall.”  The smirk began to fade.  “Jonathan Heaf garnered death threats for himself and his editors at GQ for suggesting that Harry was a man whore.  What do you think the fans would do to you?  Hmmm?” Kacey could see the beginnings of fear dawning on her face.

“Everyone knows One Direction fans are rabid and crazy; this video would send them into a frenzy.  They are in every corner of the world; there is nowhere that you could hide.  Those girls hack airport security cameras for heaven’s sake, you will be easy prey.”

“You’re threatening me,” Arabella said with an audible tremor in her voice.

“Oh, no darlin’, I never make threats.  I make promises. Before you leave this building, it will have started.  Unless you march your ungrateful ass back in that room and apologize, profusely and sincerely, to those lovely men giving you their time so that you can make some money.  If I ever hear a whisper about this on any website or in any publication, I will upload.  Consequences.  My two minutes are up.  Your move, wannabe,” Kacey finished in a firm tone.

She moved to the door and opened it, holding it wide for Ms. Braxton-Hicks and following her through.  Harry, Niall, Julie and the cameraman all stared at the now chastened journalist who walked in stiffly with her shoulders tight and eyes bright.  Pausing by her chair she cleared her throat and mumbled “I am…very sorry…for my behavior.  I would be grateful if you would allow me to continue.”

All eyes but hers turned to Kacey who was moving quietly to her seat.  

“Of course,” Harry responded quietly, dimples sneaking out.

Niall was grinning at Kacey, shaking his head slightly.

The rest of the interview was unremarkable and they were all relieved when it was over.  Ms. Braxton- Hicks thanked the boys then hastily packed her things and made for the door, flinching when Kacey called out after her “It was nice to meet you, Arabella.”

Harry ambled over to her kissing her forehead and hugging her to him.  “What did you say to her?”

“Oh, we just discussed actions and consequences.  Nothing big,” she replied pleasantly.

“You can be scary sometimes, d’ya know that?” * Harry had another small break before he had to fly back to North America for some television appearances and awards shows.  He asked Kacey if she would come home with him to Cheshire to meet his mum and Robin.  The idea terrified her but, seeing how important it was to him, she agreed. She was a bit relieved to hear that Gemma would be there too.  Kacey wasn’t afraid of parents as a rule but she was worried about making a good impression on Harry’s.  He valued their opinion so much and was particularly close to his mum.  Kacey knew that if Anne Twist disapproved of her, her relationship with Harry would suffer if it survived at all.  

Kacey was trying desperately to calm herself during the three-hour drive but her anxiety increased with each mile they traveled.  Harry knew she was nervous but he was also quite sure that there was no reason for her to be.  He hadn’t brought a girl home to meet his mum and step-dad since he left for the X-Factor.  He had been talking about Kacey to his mum for months and was excited for the weekend when the three most important women in his life would all be together.  He was confident that Anne would adore Kacey as much as he did.   As they pulled up to the house, the front door opened and his mum and Robin rushed out to greet them.  Harry had just opened Kacey’s door and helped her out of the SUV then turned to hug his mum.  Anne’s smile was huge as she enveloped her son in a tight embrace.  Harry hugged Robin then turned to introduce Kacey.

“Mum, Robin, this is Kassidy Day.  Kassidy, my mum Anne and my step dad Robin,” he finished formally.  

There were smiles all around as they shook hands, ‘nice to meet yous’ floating in the air.  They had turned to go inside when Gemma came bounding out the door with a large smile and a shout for Kacey.

“Kassidy! It’s been too long!” she called, rushing up to hug her.

“What about me?” Harry asked, after being ignored.  

“Meh, I’ll get to you later little brother.  Right now, I want to see your girlfriend,” Gemma retorted.  “Kassidy, I love that scarf!”

“Harry gave it to me for my birthday,” Kacey said smiling.

“Oooh! That pin is gorgeous!” Gemma exclaimed, fingering the cherry brooch. “Don’t tell me he gave you that too!  Has my younger sibling finally gained some taste?”

Kacey laughed and replied fondly “Yes, that was another gift from Harry. I love it! Rubies and emeralds are two of my favorites.”

Gemma took Kacey’s arm and they chatted as they followed Harry and his parents into the house.  Harry was telling them about the trip to Middlethorpe and funny stories about the spa day; Anne’s smile fading a bit the more they talked.  They all gathered in the lounge, Gemma finally hugging her brother before they sat on the sofa together, Kacey on his other side.  The girls talked around Harry as he sat beaming at everyone, very happy to be at home with the people he loved most.   Only Robin Twist noticed that his wife was quieter than usual.   They went to dinner that night at their favorite local restaurant and the conversation was lively.  Harry was laughing as he got caught up on the local news, asking about friends and neighbors.  Gemma and Kacey were giggling over their wine and talking about the two People’s Choice awards that Kacey had been nominated for.   “Ugh! The day the nominations were announced, Jimmy Fallon called to remind me about a bet we made at my movie premiere.  I lost so now I have to go on his show as the musical guest.  What am I going to do?” Kacey groaned. “You could always sing that song you did for karaoke…” Gemma barely got the words out before bursting into laughter.   Kacey, a little tipsy on the wine, giggled with her.  Anne watched them all as she sipped her wine. * The next morning after breakfast, Harry went to play golf with Robin at the local club.   Kacey spent some time in their room studying a script for Mortwick Murders that was shooting the next week.  She came downstairs in the afternoon and Anne called to her as she walked into the kitchen to get a drink.   “Kassidy, would you like to join me for tea?” Anne invited from the table by the window. Kacey accepted with “That would be lovely.  Thank you.” Anne had poured and offered Kacey a biscuit from the plate.  Smiling, she chose a shortbread.  Anne’s face was serious wearing a very slight frown.

“So, Kassidy,” she said conversationally but with a firm edge to her voice.  “I notice that my son has given you a lot of gifts.”

She looked pointedly at Kacey, one eyebrow raised slightly.  Anne watched as the smile slowly melted from Kacey’s face.  Kacey set her cup down gently on the saucer, expressions flitting across her face.  At last she pursed her lips slightly and settled for resigned.  Releasing a barely audible sigh, she looked Anne in the eye.  

“I don’t care about Harry’s money,” she began.  Anne’s expression conveyed her doubt.  Kacey continued “Yes, I know that sounds disingenuous.  It would be, if I didn’t have any, but I do.  I have more than enough to live very comfortably for the rest of my life.  I don’t have many needs and even fewer wants.  I don’t want him to buy me gifts but he gets such joy from giving them to me that I don’t discourage it.  When he grows tired of me, as he surely will, I’ll return them all.” Kacey paused.  “Well, all but one.  That one I’ll keep.  It’s my favorite and it was also the most expensive.  Do you want to know what it is?” Kacey continued without waiting for a reply, “One afternoon we were in my flat and Harry sang to me for over an hour.  Can you imagine?  A private concert with Harry Styles? Astronomically expensive.  It’s a memory I will always treasure.” Her voice cracked.  “Would you excuse me?” she murmured, rising quickly.

Anne sat nonplussed watching her bolt from the room.  That had not gone as she imagined.

Kacey hurried out of the kitchen and out of the house.  She walked briskly, unseeing, her breaths coming in sharp sobs.  The voice in her head ran amok ‘Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god.  She thinks I’m a user, a gold-digger.  His mom disapproves of me!  What am I going to do?  OMG.  I knew this was too good to be true.  He’ll never stay with me if she dislikes me.  Oh no! I’m going to lose him!  I thought I’d have more time.  I’m not ready for this.  Please, oh please, no.  OMG.’  Her brain, focusing on a meltdown, failed to note her surroundings or the passage of time.

Slowly the exertion worked off the panic and she was able to calm down some.  A lump was still wedged in her throat and tears were barely at bay but she began to notice her surroundings. She didn’t recognize them.  She was unfamiliar with Holmes Chapel; this was her first visit and, she realized, it was probably her last.  STOP THAT.  Get a grip.  She had been so nervous on the trip here that she hadn’t paid attention until they had arrived.  Patting her pocket, she did not find her phone.  The image of it on the kitchen table popped into her mind.  Shit.  She tried to remember the Twist’s address but she wasn’t sure she had ever known it. Great.  She was lost, she had no money, no phone and no one in this tiny town would give a stranger the address or directions to Harry Styles’ house.   They would all assume she was a fan trying to get to him.  She thought about trying to find a police officer but she had no idea where the constabulary might be.  Looking around she saw a wooded area, a kind of park, but no houses.

It also dawned on Kacey that the weather was changing.   It had been mild for November and she was wearing a thin pink hoodie, yoga pants and trainers.  She didn’t know how long she had been gone but it must have been quite a while because it was the sky was darkening and the wind had really picked up. Correction, it hadn’t merely picked up, it was blowing hard.  The trees were whipping around violently and it became clear to her that she needed to find shelter of some sort.  She turned around and began walking the direction from which she came hoping that some details had registered subconsciously.  A sudden gust almost caused her to lose her balance.  She heard a loud crack followed by a thud behind her as a large limb broke in one of the trees and fell to the ground.  Kacey began to run; she needed to get away from the trees.   She stopped after about a mile, winded and trying to catch her breath; she had never been a runner. Looking around she was now in a field or maybe it was a park.  The wind was becoming even more fierce but she saw no place that would offer her shelter.  She’d gone maybe a quarter mile when the skies opened and the rain began.  Great sheets, whipped by the wind, pelted her; the drops stinging where they hit her skin.  Not far away she could make out a bench and she made for that.  Reaching it, she curled up on the seat trying to make as small a target as possible for the elements.  Shivering in the dropping temperatures, wind and icy rain, she began to cry again.

Behind her headlights appeared on the lane near the bench that she hadn’t been able to discern in the storm.  They slowed as they approached and a spotlight joined them, moving until it focused on her.  The constable got out of the car and walked quickly to her, touching her shoulder causing her to jump. “Miss?  You need to get out of this storm.  Come with me.”  He helped her up and to his vehicle.  Once inside he reached in the back and found an extra jacket giving it to her and then cranked up the heater tilting the vents toward her.  “Are you Kassidy Day?”

Kacey nodded, bewildered that he would know who she was.  The officer radioed a message that he had found her and was taking her to the Twists’.  He explained that they had received a call from ‘Mr. Styles’ that she was lost and without a phone.  

“Miss, I have to ask, do you want to go back there?  Did you run because you were in danger?” the constable watched her closely.

“Y-yes, please take me back.  I just got lost and then the storm…” she managed between chattering teeth. * Harry was laughing as he came in from golf with Robin.  They had enjoyed a day on the links but decided to stop after 9 holes when the weather began to deteriorate.  They had lunch at the clubhouse and then returned home to find Anne waiting for them.  Looking at her face, Harry immediately asked what was wrong.

“It’s Kassidy…” she began.  

“What’s happened to her? Is she okay?” he blurted out.

“She went out about two hours ago and she isn’t back yet,” his mum explained worriedly.

“Kassidy went out? Have you called her?” he asked, pulling his phone from the pocket of his golf pants.

“She left her phone on the table.  I’m afraid she left rather abruptly,” Anne said reluctantly.

“Annie, what’s going on?  What happened?” Robin asked his wife gently.

“I…I told her that I noticed you give her a lot of gifts…” she stammered, an embarrassed flush creeping into her face.

Harry took a moment to absorb what his mum had said and all that it implied. Quietly he said “Mum, I give her gifts because it pleases me to and she lets me.  Kassidy means so much to me, I just want to make her happy.”

Harry looked at his phone and dialed the police as a loud rumble of thunder shook the windows.   * The rain had momentarily relented as the police car pulled up outside the Twists’ home.  Harry was out the door before it came to a complete stop.  Hurrying to the vehicle, he opened Kacey’s door and gently lifted her out of the car before turning back to the house and heading upstairs.  She was burrowing into his chest, holding him as tightly as she could.  

“I’m so sorry!  I didn’t mean to cause any trouble!  I got lost and I didn’t have my phone–” she began to sob.

“Shhh, baby.  Shhh, it’s okay.  You’re safe now.  Come on, let’s get you warmed up” he said calmly.

Anne wanted to say something but Harry stopped her with a shake of his head. Gemma had run a very warm bath and left the room quietly as Harry entered with Kacey, closing the door behind her.  Kacey’s lips were blue and she was shivering as he carefully undressed her and lifted her into the tub.  He turned to get the shampoo but Kacey grabbed at his arm frantically.

“P-Please don’t leave me Harry.  Please don’t leave me…” she cried as tears began flowing again.  

“Oh, baby, no.  I’m not going anywhere,” he said as he stroked her hair.  

After he rewarmed the water several times (and finally undressed and climbed into the tub, and then shower, with her) Kacey managed to feel warm again.  Harry wrapped her in towels from the warmer and dried her softly.  He combed the tangles out of her hair, then helped her put on one of his t-shirts and got her into bed.  Climbing in next to her, he held her close until her breathing became deep and regular as she fell asleep.  Harry lay awake for hours in the dark before he finally drifted off.