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The Replacement

The First Dinner

It had been almost two months and things were already looking a lot better between Jessica and Harry. They get along, most times and Harry slowly showed signs of a better employer. He now remembers most of their names and even greets Joe, his driver, back whenever he enters the car. What Harry enjoyed the most was watching how Jessica spite Greg. He knew that Greg has always been trying to be in his good books but talk bad about him to his other employees.

"Greg, I see you have a new haircut!" Jessica teased as Greg walked out from Harry's office.

"Thank you, Jess, I thought no one would notice," he smiled as stroked the sides of his hair.

"First of all, it's Jessica. Secondly, I didn't say it looks good on you. And lastly, I think there's some dried up gel stuck on your sides," Jessica hissed. Harry was sniggering away in his office.

Greg's smile melted into embarrassment and he darted towards the washroom. Jessica took the files she was done looking through and went into Harry's office.

Harry leaned back on his chair and applauded as she walked in. "Bravo, Jess. You get better each day."

"Well," Jessica went as she handed Harry the files, "you told me yourself that you wanted to see what else I was better at."

Harry chuckled as he recounted Jessica's first day at work. "Do you have any plans tonight?" he asked.

"I rented Pride and Prejudice last night and was intending to watch with some Ben and Jerry's. You have a date tonight you need me to help you get ready for?"

"No. I've not called..."

"Miranda."

"Yes, Miranda. I've not called -"

"But she's lovely!"

"I know. I know. She is. But no, I don't think she's the right one."

"Good heavens, Harry, if you're gonna be so fickle, you are never gonna find her. So, what were your plans tonight?"

"I thought of bringing you out on a dinner but perhaps we could watch Pride and Prejudice instead."

"Ha. Ha. Ha. No."

"Why not!"

"I don't think it's your kind of movie, Harry. You'll probably fall asleep half way and I will have to call Joe to help me pick you up."

"You think so lowly of me, Jess. No, I would love to. At least, for once, I accompany you to do stuff you want to do."

"I didn't say I needed company."

"Oh. Well. Fine then."

"Aww, is Mr Styles sulking?"

"No."

"I was kidding. I'll cook something, be at my place at 8?"

"I can grab take away along the way, Jess."

"No, see you at 8. You can bring the Ben and Jerry's, though."

"Alright, Ben and Jerry's. At 8."

-
Jessica's POV
"How did you know I'd like Cookie Dough?" I wondered as I placed the two tubs of ice cream into the freezer.

"Instincts. Since you always order a cookie with your Subway," Harry smiled.

"Oh thank you, I thought no one would notice," I mocked what Greg said earlier, making Harry laugh uncontrollably.

"You know you should cut him some slack. Poor lad," Harry said as he wiped the tears that formed in his eyes from laughing so hard.

"You know you should call Mirada. Poor girl," I remarked mimicking Harry's tone of voice as I took the pan out of the oven.

"Don't force it, Jess. Whoa, is that shepherd's pie?!"

"Why yes. The only thing I know we both would eat."

"Oh come on, I'm not a picky eater. I'd eat anything."

"Right. The last time I checked, every meal you ordered comes with specific instructions."

I ignored Harry who was pouting and walked towards to the coffee table. "Come on."

-

The credits were rolling on the screen. The whole pan of shepherd's pie have been eaten up. Jessica and Harry was fast asleep on the couch. Jessica got woken up by the loud vibration of her iPhone on the side table. She groped her hand on the side table to fish for her phone, eyes still shut. She squinted her eyes and picked up the call.

Jessica's POV
"Ms Watson?"

"Oh, hello, Joe."

"Is Mr Styles with you, Ms Watson? I've been calling him but he hasn't picked up his phone for the past half an hour."

I rubbed my eyes only to realise that Harry had his head on my lap, snoring lightly.

"Yes, Joe. Harry is at my place. You can make your way, he'll be down in a few minutes."

"Thank you, Ms Watson. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Joe."

I placed my phone back on the side table, shifting my body slightly, hoping Harry would wake up on his own. But his eyes were still shut.

"Harry," I called, shaking his shoulder slightly. "Harry, wake up. Joe's on his way."

I pinched his nose and bend towards his ear. "Harry wake up!"

His head jolted upwards and our faces collided with a thud. I tilted my head backwards and grimaced in pain.

"Shit, Jess. I'm so so sorry," Harry muttered apologetically.

I felt something flowing down from my nose to my lips. I took my hand towards it and wiped it off, only to see blood on my fingers.

"Fuck. Jess, you're bleeding!" Harry rushed towards me and cupped my face in his hands. He grabbed a few pieces of tissue paper from the side table and pressed it down my nose, making me scream in pain. "Shhh...so sorry, Jess. This will stop the bleeding." I could feel his breath on my lips and his gentle strokes on my cheeks, calming me down.

"Harry. There's an ice pack in the freezer. Could you grab that?" I managed to choked out.

"You will have to press this down, Jess," Harry took my right hand and place it on my nose. He came back shortly after with the ice pack wrapped in a tea towel. He lifted my hand and wiped the blood off before putting the tissue papers away. "This will hurt a bit, Jess." And with that he pressed the ice pack down gently and held it in place. "I'm so sorry."

My eyes were shut throughout due to the pressure but the ice pack helped to numb the pain slightly. I slowly opened my eyes and met Harry's deep emerald eyes that were filled with worry. I started to feel uncomfortable when I realised how close he was with his knees on my sides and body pressed into mine.

"Um. Harry, I think you better get going. Joe must be waiting for you downstairs."

"It's okay, Joe can wait. I'll explain to him later. I need to make sure you're alright."

"I'll be fine, Harry," I placed my hand on his chest and pushed him away lightly. "Now, go."

"Okay, but you're not going to work tomorrow or until you feel better. Is that clear?"

"Yes, boss."

Harry let out a laugh and stroked my cheek again with the back of his fingers. "Don't call me that, silly. Goodnight. I'll call you tomorrow to check on you."

"Night, Harry."

-

As Harry closed the front door behind him, he looked at his hand and smiled.