The Bachelorette
Photo-shoot Fun
I like it when you smile but I love it when I’m the reason
Harry’s POV
Another date card arrived on our fourth day in the mansion, the envelope a dark red colour once again. Mark left it for one of us to open it and read it to all the other guys. I thought it was a group date because Louis had already gone on the one-on-one date for this week. I just hoped my name was the card.
Liam offered to read the card and the clue was…Let’s make the past last! He then began to read out the names of the people who would be going on the group date. Angelo, Jake, Niall and Zayn and there were two more.
“Yours truly.” Liam smiled, patting his own chest. Only one more name left. Please let it be me. Please let it be me. I crossed my fingers behind my back and waited.
“And lucky last is…Harry!”
The other boys cheered and I grinned. Maybe I could have the chance to talk to Clara again. We had hit it off really well at the cocktail party and I wanted to spend more time with her. The rest of the card told us what to do, where we were going and at what time.
At 2:30 in the afternoon, we all piled into two black cars that waited for us outside the mansion so there were three bachelors in each car. The venue for the group date was Curzon Hall in Marsfield and was about a half-an-hour drive from the mansion. All of us were intrigued as to what Clara had planned for today and if any of us would be awarded with some one-on-one time with her.
I was in the first car, along with Niall and Liam. The driver turned around the corner and all of us smiled at the hall.
It was so big and beautiful with a large water feature at the front. The cars drove in single file around the greenery surrounding the feature and standing not too far away was Mark and Clara. I hopped out of the car and I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face. Clara looked beautiful in a pair of skinny jeans and a green halter neck top that showed off her shoulders, her long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail with a few bangs framing her face.
“Hello, boys.” She smiled. I still didn’t understand how she was single. I mean, she was a gorgeous young woman with beautiful qualities that should attract any man. But in a way, I was glad because it meant that she could be mine. And like all the boys, I did want her to be mine. We stood next to each other in a single line, waiting for either Clara or Mark to speak. It was Clara again who addressed us.
“Welcome to Curzon Hall.”
It was such an extravagant place, just from its exterior. I wondered what it looked like inside.
“Now, gentlemen, today is the first group date. And Clara has planned something lively and fun. All of you will be models today, acting out scenarios that are set in the 1980s!” Mark exclaimed with a grin. Modelling? I can’t model! The only person who’s a model here is Zayn! There would be competition today. I looked at Zayn and saw the slightest smirk tugging up on the right corner of his lips. Modelling is what he did for a profession so he was fantastic at it. I got to step up my game. I told myself.
“There are six of you here so we’re going to split you up. Niall, Jake and Angelo, you’ll be posing with Clara in a beach scene.” Mark explained. The boys “ooh”ed and smiled at each other and I saw Niall rub his hands together, a wide grin on his face. They’ll be bare-chested probably and Clara will be touching their bare chests. The photo-shoot hadn’t even started yet and I was already thinking about her touching the other guys.
“Liam and Zayn, the two of you will be in the disco, trying to impress Clara with your dance moves.”
The Bachelorette bit her lip and hugged her arms with her hands, crossing her left ankle over her right, as Liam and Zayn looked at each other with smiles and raised eyebrows. I hadn’t seen either of them dance so I would see if I could sneak into their photo-shoot to see if they were shit or not.
“And lastly, Harry, it’ll just be you and Clara, outside here in the evening, and you’ll be picking her up in a bright…red…Ferrari.” Mark said slowly, gesturing to me with his left hand. I felt the other bachelors’ eyes on me and I swallowed deeply as Clara looked at me with her beautiful green eyes. She chose me to be alone with her during the photo-shoot? I was shocked and ecstatic at the same time. I had to lick my lips to stop myself from smiling like a goofy teenager who had just received his first kiss from his crush.
“So you guys ready?” Clara asked. We all responded with loud “yes”es and she and Mark led us inside the hall.
0*0
Clara’s POV
I had six gorgeous guys with me today and frankly, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. I had so much fun planning out the group date and I hoped the guys would enjoy having a good time with me and hopefully, there would a few laughs.
I slipped on my swimming costume and headed outside to where the first photo-shoot would take place.
Around the side of the large hall were long beach chairs, umbrellas, big bouncy balls, towels and inflatable clear cushions. I grinned at the sight before me and walked over to where the photographer was. We chatted for a few minutes until the first three bachelors arrived.
All of them had their shirts off. Niall, Jake and Angelo were shirtless and I felt my cheeks turn pink. I was blushing at the sight of them showing me so much skin already.
It was fortunate that the sun was shining bright today so the idea of being at the beach worked very well. The three guys approached me slowly, each with a smile on their face. I smiled back and gave each of them a hug, trying my best to cover my bright pink cheeks.
We took so many pictures and we changed positions at least ten times. At one point, I was standing in between Jake and Angelo, one of my hands on Angelo’s chest while my eyes were locked to Jake’s smiling face and Niall draped himself on the grass in front of us, looking at the camera. He had taken his glasses off today which allowed me to see more of the sparkle in his bright blue eyes. Another shot was me and Niall sitting on the beach chairs while Jake and Angelo kicked a ball to each other behind us. I was having so much fun. The guys were laughing and that’s what my goal had been. But I was most drawn to Niall out of the three of them. He just oozed joy. He was always so cheerful and that was an attractive quality to me. He smiled throughout the photo-shoot and he laughed even more when I had to smother his chest and shoulders in sunscreen for one photo.
The photographer directed me to jump on Jake’s back and I did, locking my arms and legs around him, smiling as he kept a secure hold on me.
“Clara the little spider monkey.” He murmured and I giggled just as the camera flashed, capturing the moment of me looking into his eyes and being amused by his statement.
After about an hour, the first photo-shoot was done and I thanked the three guys were all being such great sports and having some fun with everything. I received kisses on the cheek and warm hugs from each of them before I left them go to hang around the hall. I constantly had to keep in mind that the next rose ceremony was coming up tomorrow night and I would have to send home 2 more guys. It was so stressful because each bachelor was kind and sweet and gave me so much attention. I never had any guy do that to me before so I felt privileged. Even though I was no model, I loved taking pictures, especially when it was with other people. It was fun and cheeky. And the one thing I would remember about this photo-shoot was the bright shimmer in Niall’s caring eyes.
0*0
The hall was beautiful inside with various rooms on the levels. The ceilings were high and the carpets that covered the floor were lavish. It was cooler inside and the windows in the main hall were large and coloured glass. I absolutely adored this place and I hoped I could come back one day.
I changed into my costume for the second photo-shoot and I waited for Liam and Zayn to come in. The dancefloor shone with rainbow lights and there was an old-fashioned DJ player on my left. The sun had already begun to drop to the horizon so the golden light in the hall was very muted, which only made the scenario more believable.
I could hear people talking in the distance but whatever they were saying was inaudible. I felt so pampered because I had my hair and make-up done professionally and all of my outfits were provided by the show’s clothes department. While my hair had been free and flowing for the beach shoot, now it was all gathered down my right shoulder in loose curls, pinned back away from my face on the left-side of my head. I clasped my hands together as I waited for the two bachelors to come around the corner.
And a moment later, they did.
Both of them looked so gorgeous, it made my knees weak. I shuffled in my 2-inch white heels as they walked towards me down the hall. Liam took charge and walked a little faster, a sweet smile making his brown eyes glitter. I giggled when he said “You look beautiful, babe.” and I wrapped my arms around his back when he embraced me. I looked at Zayn who whispered “Hello, love.” in my ear, also giving me a hug. I had picked the two of them for this photo-shoot because I didn’t want to give Zayn the upper hand, him being a model and all and if he just posed, he’d knock the other guys out. To me, that was an unfair advantage so I set a challenge.
Can these two dance to win a woman’s heart?
It was the same photographer for all the shoots and he was a nice Australian man in his early forties. He knew exactly what he wanted and his direction was flawless. He set the camera up and I placed both of my hands on the two bachelors’ elbows.
“So, boys, show me your moves.”
The dancing was hilarious. The three of us weren’t the best dancers and I couldn’t dance to save my own life but we had a laugh about it. In one shot, Liam was hugging me around the waist from behind while I held Zayn’s hand. In another shot, Zayn twirled me, letting the skirt of my dress fly out around me while Liam pretended to be shocked by the way my dress moved when I moved. The soft 1980s music only made it more enjoyable and I was having a great time with the two of them. At times, I forget it was a photo-shoot. I was that lost in the moment, locked into two pairs of dark warm eyes. I let Zayn have a professional model shot with me for his sake and by God! The way he stared down the camera lens…it was incredible. I admired the structure of his face. The bridge of his nose, his face littered with thick stubble, his curved jawline and his olive skin glowing in the golden light. I was so caught up in the beauty of his face that I didn’t realise the photo-shoot had finished.
I removed my arm from around Zayn’s waist and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I cleared my throat and looked up into his dark brooding eyes.
“I can see why you’re a model.” I said.
“Really?” He laughed. I nodded.
“Yeah. You’ll have girls drooling over you from the way you looked at that camera.” I smiled. Any woman would be lucky to have Zayn. He was quiet and shy but he was so goddamn sweet. I was so lucky that he was here with me. Once again, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. To be surrounded by so many guys who were charming and gorgeous. And I asked myself one question.
What have I got myself into?
0*0
Harry’s POV
It was exactly 6:23pm in the evening and the sun had disappeared completely. The night sky was a dark velvet, allowing Curzon Hall to lit up like a gem.
I hadn’t seen Clara since the first beach photo-shoot. Being nosy, Liam and I had hid behind two pillars to spy on what was happening between the woman we wanted and the three guys who wanted her as well. I had felt my blood boil when Clara ran her hands all over their bare torsos. I wanted her to do that to me. The way she smiled when Niall was being silly made me so jealous. I wanted to be the one to make her smile like that.
I leaned against a bright red Ferrari, my fingers tapping my black skinny jean-covered legs. I had waited the whole date to finally have my photo-shoot with Clara. I had passed the time by talking to people who worked behind the cameras and some of the other guys but it was just a distraction because the only person I wanted to talk to was Clara. I fixed the collar of my leather jacket and then, I moved my hands down to the white dress shirt underneath, undoing another button because why not?
It had felt like a whole day before Clara walked out of the front doors. And, wow! She took my breath away. She had large black heels on and gorgeous red dress that flattered her slim figure.
Her hair was curled and draped over her right shoulder, resting just on her breast. Garnets glittered at her ears and her lips were a gentle red, matching the colour of her dress and the Ferrari I was leaning against. I had to stop my jaw from falling open as she walked towards me with that sparkling smile of hers. She’s so beautiful… I sighed myself as I held my hand out to her.
“Good evening, my Lady.” I smirked.
“Hello, Harry. You’re very chivalrous tonight.” Clara murmured, sliding her palm into mine. I felt something warm close over my heart when our fingers touched. That’s how she made me feel. She made me feel sparks.
“How could I not be when you look absolutely beautiful?”
“Thank you.” Clara blushed, her cheeks flaming with colour. The photographer came out and directed us to get into the Ferrari. I hopped into the driver’s seat while Clara sat beside me in the passenger seat. There were photos of us in the sports car, my hands on the wheel, trying my best to look cool while Clara had the softest of smiles on her face. I smirked at her without her knowing as she looked ahead to the camera. She looked like she had stepped out of the 80’s decade but to me, she would suit any era. She had the face that be in the modern times but then, be in the 1920s at a cocktail party. I had never called a girl perfect but Clara was close to it. I hadn’t found one flaw about her.
She was, dare I say it, perfect.
“OK, let’s get some shots of you two outside the car.” The photographer said and we both got out of our seats. Clara came around to my side and leaned against the bonnet while I stood next to her, my hands in the pockets of my leather jacket. There was a little breeze in the air, gently ruffling my hair around my shoulders. I had trouble taking my eyes off Clara. She was so good at this but she wasn’t a model. How is she not?
“Get closer.” The photographer demanded. How much closer? Clara looked at me and just from the look in her eyes, I knew what she wanted me to do. I stepped forward so our chests were almost touching, her legs grazing the side of the car. She placed her left hand on my chest and looked up at me, the corners of her lips tugging up. We were so close and from this proximity, I could make out the mascara clinging to her eyelashes and the sparkle of her green eyes was even brighter.
I took the opportunity and placed my right hand on her waist, my gaze locked to her red lips. I just wanted to kiss her. I struggled to hold back. Clara lowered her eyes and the photographer told us to get a little bit closer. Is he trying to make us kiss? I asked myself, still holding her waist, the fabric of her dress soft beneath my fingers. Clara leaned in so that her forehead was literally one centimetre away from mine. And for a moment, I totally forgot we were doing a photo-shoot. It felt like just me and her, being close each other with the chance of kissing extremely high.
“And…that’s it. Well done, guys.” The photographer declared. Clara moved her head back and I reluctantly removed my hand from her body, running my fingers through my long curls. She looked up at me and smiled.
“Thank you, Harry.”
For what? I wondered what she meant. Not knowing what else to do, I wrapped her in my arms, allowing her to dissolve into my embrace. She buried her face in my neck and I only held her more tightly. I kissed her cheek and she sighed when the hug ended. Clara gave me one last smile before walking past me and into the hall.
To my horror, when I watched her go inside, I saw the other five of the bachelors staring at me from over the stone railing. They watched everything?! The damn bastards! Niall and Liam winked at me while Jake shouted out that Clara and I were cutting it close in almost kissing during the shoot. They laughed as they walked back inside and I pressed my lips together in anger. They had watched an intimate moment between Clara and I. But, in reality, I had done the same with the beach shot so I couldn’t complain.
As the photographer packed up his gear, he spoke to me.
“You know, you two look good together.”
“You think so?” I raised my eyebrow.
“Yes, you’ve got a connection. I saw it.” He said to me and I felt my confidence come back. I tucked my hands into the front pockets of my jeans and nodded at the photographer before I walked inside the hall.
0*0
We were all lined up next to each other, just like we were when we arrived at the hall. Now that the group date was over, it was time for Clara to give a rose to the bachelor that made the best impression during today. Like always, I hoped it was me, considering we got so close during our shoot plus the photographer told me he could see a connection between Clara and I. I had felt it too and I hoped that she had felt it too.
Clara stood before us, clutching a single red rose in her petite hands. She had changed back into her normal clothes and her hair was back in its ponytail. She took deep breaths and I could see she was trying to make a decision. Her eyes lingered on each one of us for a few moments and I remembered the feeling of being so close to her. Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, the plumpness of her red lips, the smoothness of her flawless skin and the glitter of her smile.
I wanted Clara all to myself. I wanted to be the man who would always let her know every day and night that she was beautiful. I wanted to spend so much more time with her but for all I knew, she had her eyes on the other guys. At the moment, it was Louis who we were all trying to beat. He had all the firsts. The first to meet Clara, the first to talk to her privately, the first to receive a rose, the first to go on a one-on-one date. He was definitely competition.
I looked at Clara, her eyes gazing at all of us as a group. She licked her lips as her gaze settled on one bachelor.
“Liam.”
What? Did I hear that wrong? No, I didn’t. I placed a façade over my shock as Liam walked forward to Clara. He had a smile on his face but I noticed the surprise in his eyes.
“Liam, will you accept this rose?” She asked him and he said yes. She pinned it to the plaid shirt he wore, making sure it was secure. They shared a quick hug before Liam walked back to where he stood. Why him? I thought Clara and I had something. I thought.
Mark came into the room and addressed us, letting us know that today’s group date was over and it was time to return to the mansion. As all of us walked out, Clara and I made eye contact for the final time that day. She looked…apologetic. I wasn’t angry at her. I was just a little surprised.
The next rose ceremony was this time tomorrow night and I had my fingers crossed that I would get a rose then. If I didn’t, I would be heartbroken.
Harry’s POV
Another date card arrived on our fourth day in the mansion, the envelope a dark red colour once again. Mark left it for one of us to open it and read it to all the other guys. I thought it was a group date because Louis had already gone on the one-on-one date for this week. I just hoped my name was the card.
Liam offered to read the card and the clue was…Let’s make the past last! He then began to read out the names of the people who would be going on the group date. Angelo, Jake, Niall and Zayn and there were two more.
“Yours truly.” Liam smiled, patting his own chest. Only one more name left. Please let it be me. Please let it be me. I crossed my fingers behind my back and waited.
“And lucky last is…Harry!”
The other boys cheered and I grinned. Maybe I could have the chance to talk to Clara again. We had hit it off really well at the cocktail party and I wanted to spend more time with her. The rest of the card told us what to do, where we were going and at what time.
At 2:30 in the afternoon, we all piled into two black cars that waited for us outside the mansion so there were three bachelors in each car. The venue for the group date was Curzon Hall in Marsfield and was about a half-an-hour drive from the mansion. All of us were intrigued as to what Clara had planned for today and if any of us would be awarded with some one-on-one time with her.
I was in the first car, along with Niall and Liam. The driver turned around the corner and all of us smiled at the hall.
It was so big and beautiful with a large water feature at the front. The cars drove in single file around the greenery surrounding the feature and standing not too far away was Mark and Clara. I hopped out of the car and I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face. Clara looked beautiful in a pair of skinny jeans and a green halter neck top that showed off her shoulders, her long dark hair pulled back in a ponytail with a few bangs framing her face.
“Hello, boys.” She smiled. I still didn’t understand how she was single. I mean, she was a gorgeous young woman with beautiful qualities that should attract any man. But in a way, I was glad because it meant that she could be mine. And like all the boys, I did want her to be mine. We stood next to each other in a single line, waiting for either Clara or Mark to speak. It was Clara again who addressed us.
“Welcome to Curzon Hall.”
It was such an extravagant place, just from its exterior. I wondered what it looked like inside.
“Now, gentlemen, today is the first group date. And Clara has planned something lively and fun. All of you will be models today, acting out scenarios that are set in the 1980s!” Mark exclaimed with a grin. Modelling? I can’t model! The only person who’s a model here is Zayn! There would be competition today. I looked at Zayn and saw the slightest smirk tugging up on the right corner of his lips. Modelling is what he did for a profession so he was fantastic at it. I got to step up my game. I told myself.
“There are six of you here so we’re going to split you up. Niall, Jake and Angelo, you’ll be posing with Clara in a beach scene.” Mark explained. The boys “ooh”ed and smiled at each other and I saw Niall rub his hands together, a wide grin on his face. They’ll be bare-chested probably and Clara will be touching their bare chests. The photo-shoot hadn’t even started yet and I was already thinking about her touching the other guys.
“Liam and Zayn, the two of you will be in the disco, trying to impress Clara with your dance moves.”
The Bachelorette bit her lip and hugged her arms with her hands, crossing her left ankle over her right, as Liam and Zayn looked at each other with smiles and raised eyebrows. I hadn’t seen either of them dance so I would see if I could sneak into their photo-shoot to see if they were shit or not.
“And lastly, Harry, it’ll just be you and Clara, outside here in the evening, and you’ll be picking her up in a bright…red…Ferrari.” Mark said slowly, gesturing to me with his left hand. I felt the other bachelors’ eyes on me and I swallowed deeply as Clara looked at me with her beautiful green eyes. She chose me to be alone with her during the photo-shoot? I was shocked and ecstatic at the same time. I had to lick my lips to stop myself from smiling like a goofy teenager who had just received his first kiss from his crush.
“So you guys ready?” Clara asked. We all responded with loud “yes”es and she and Mark led us inside the hall.
0*0
Clara’s POV
I had six gorgeous guys with me today and frankly, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. I had so much fun planning out the group date and I hoped the guys would enjoy having a good time with me and hopefully, there would a few laughs.
I slipped on my swimming costume and headed outside to where the first photo-shoot would take place.
Around the side of the large hall were long beach chairs, umbrellas, big bouncy balls, towels and inflatable clear cushions. I grinned at the sight before me and walked over to where the photographer was. We chatted for a few minutes until the first three bachelors arrived.
All of them had their shirts off. Niall, Jake and Angelo were shirtless and I felt my cheeks turn pink. I was blushing at the sight of them showing me so much skin already.
It was fortunate that the sun was shining bright today so the idea of being at the beach worked very well. The three guys approached me slowly, each with a smile on their face. I smiled back and gave each of them a hug, trying my best to cover my bright pink cheeks.
We took so many pictures and we changed positions at least ten times. At one point, I was standing in between Jake and Angelo, one of my hands on Angelo’s chest while my eyes were locked to Jake’s smiling face and Niall draped himself on the grass in front of us, looking at the camera. He had taken his glasses off today which allowed me to see more of the sparkle in his bright blue eyes. Another shot was me and Niall sitting on the beach chairs while Jake and Angelo kicked a ball to each other behind us. I was having so much fun. The guys were laughing and that’s what my goal had been. But I was most drawn to Niall out of the three of them. He just oozed joy. He was always so cheerful and that was an attractive quality to me. He smiled throughout the photo-shoot and he laughed even more when I had to smother his chest and shoulders in sunscreen for one photo.
The photographer directed me to jump on Jake’s back and I did, locking my arms and legs around him, smiling as he kept a secure hold on me.
“Clara the little spider monkey.” He murmured and I giggled just as the camera flashed, capturing the moment of me looking into his eyes and being amused by his statement.
After about an hour, the first photo-shoot was done and I thanked the three guys were all being such great sports and having some fun with everything. I received kisses on the cheek and warm hugs from each of them before I left them go to hang around the hall. I constantly had to keep in mind that the next rose ceremony was coming up tomorrow night and I would have to send home 2 more guys. It was so stressful because each bachelor was kind and sweet and gave me so much attention. I never had any guy do that to me before so I felt privileged. Even though I was no model, I loved taking pictures, especially when it was with other people. It was fun and cheeky. And the one thing I would remember about this photo-shoot was the bright shimmer in Niall’s caring eyes.
0*0
The hall was beautiful inside with various rooms on the levels. The ceilings were high and the carpets that covered the floor were lavish. It was cooler inside and the windows in the main hall were large and coloured glass. I absolutely adored this place and I hoped I could come back one day.
I changed into my costume for the second photo-shoot and I waited for Liam and Zayn to come in. The dancefloor shone with rainbow lights and there was an old-fashioned DJ player on my left. The sun had already begun to drop to the horizon so the golden light in the hall was very muted, which only made the scenario more believable.
I could hear people talking in the distance but whatever they were saying was inaudible. I felt so pampered because I had my hair and make-up done professionally and all of my outfits were provided by the show’s clothes department. While my hair had been free and flowing for the beach shoot, now it was all gathered down my right shoulder in loose curls, pinned back away from my face on the left-side of my head. I clasped my hands together as I waited for the two bachelors to come around the corner.
And a moment later, they did.
Both of them looked so gorgeous, it made my knees weak. I shuffled in my 2-inch white heels as they walked towards me down the hall. Liam took charge and walked a little faster, a sweet smile making his brown eyes glitter. I giggled when he said “You look beautiful, babe.” and I wrapped my arms around his back when he embraced me. I looked at Zayn who whispered “Hello, love.” in my ear, also giving me a hug. I had picked the two of them for this photo-shoot because I didn’t want to give Zayn the upper hand, him being a model and all and if he just posed, he’d knock the other guys out. To me, that was an unfair advantage so I set a challenge.
Can these two dance to win a woman’s heart?
It was the same photographer for all the shoots and he was a nice Australian man in his early forties. He knew exactly what he wanted and his direction was flawless. He set the camera up and I placed both of my hands on the two bachelors’ elbows.
“So, boys, show me your moves.”
The dancing was hilarious. The three of us weren’t the best dancers and I couldn’t dance to save my own life but we had a laugh about it. In one shot, Liam was hugging me around the waist from behind while I held Zayn’s hand. In another shot, Zayn twirled me, letting the skirt of my dress fly out around me while Liam pretended to be shocked by the way my dress moved when I moved. The soft 1980s music only made it more enjoyable and I was having a great time with the two of them. At times, I forget it was a photo-shoot. I was that lost in the moment, locked into two pairs of dark warm eyes. I let Zayn have a professional model shot with me for his sake and by God! The way he stared down the camera lens…it was incredible. I admired the structure of his face. The bridge of his nose, his face littered with thick stubble, his curved jawline and his olive skin glowing in the golden light. I was so caught up in the beauty of his face that I didn’t realise the photo-shoot had finished.
I removed my arm from around Zayn’s waist and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I cleared my throat and looked up into his dark brooding eyes.
“I can see why you’re a model.” I said.
“Really?” He laughed. I nodded.
“Yeah. You’ll have girls drooling over you from the way you looked at that camera.” I smiled. Any woman would be lucky to have Zayn. He was quiet and shy but he was so goddamn sweet. I was so lucky that he was here with me. Once again, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. To be surrounded by so many guys who were charming and gorgeous. And I asked myself one question.
What have I got myself into?
0*0
Harry’s POV
It was exactly 6:23pm in the evening and the sun had disappeared completely. The night sky was a dark velvet, allowing Curzon Hall to lit up like a gem.
I hadn’t seen Clara since the first beach photo-shoot. Being nosy, Liam and I had hid behind two pillars to spy on what was happening between the woman we wanted and the three guys who wanted her as well. I had felt my blood boil when Clara ran her hands all over their bare torsos. I wanted her to do that to me. The way she smiled when Niall was being silly made me so jealous. I wanted to be the one to make her smile like that.
I leaned against a bright red Ferrari, my fingers tapping my black skinny jean-covered legs. I had waited the whole date to finally have my photo-shoot with Clara. I had passed the time by talking to people who worked behind the cameras and some of the other guys but it was just a distraction because the only person I wanted to talk to was Clara. I fixed the collar of my leather jacket and then, I moved my hands down to the white dress shirt underneath, undoing another button because why not?
It had felt like a whole day before Clara walked out of the front doors. And, wow! She took my breath away. She had large black heels on and gorgeous red dress that flattered her slim figure.
Her hair was curled and draped over her right shoulder, resting just on her breast. Garnets glittered at her ears and her lips were a gentle red, matching the colour of her dress and the Ferrari I was leaning against. I had to stop my jaw from falling open as she walked towards me with that sparkling smile of hers. She’s so beautiful… I sighed myself as I held my hand out to her.
“Good evening, my Lady.” I smirked.
“Hello, Harry. You’re very chivalrous tonight.” Clara murmured, sliding her palm into mine. I felt something warm close over my heart when our fingers touched. That’s how she made me feel. She made me feel sparks.
“How could I not be when you look absolutely beautiful?”
“Thank you.” Clara blushed, her cheeks flaming with colour. The photographer came out and directed us to get into the Ferrari. I hopped into the driver’s seat while Clara sat beside me in the passenger seat. There were photos of us in the sports car, my hands on the wheel, trying my best to look cool while Clara had the softest of smiles on her face. I smirked at her without her knowing as she looked ahead to the camera. She looked like she had stepped out of the 80’s decade but to me, she would suit any era. She had the face that be in the modern times but then, be in the 1920s at a cocktail party. I had never called a girl perfect but Clara was close to it. I hadn’t found one flaw about her.
She was, dare I say it, perfect.
“OK, let’s get some shots of you two outside the car.” The photographer said and we both got out of our seats. Clara came around to my side and leaned against the bonnet while I stood next to her, my hands in the pockets of my leather jacket. There was a little breeze in the air, gently ruffling my hair around my shoulders. I had trouble taking my eyes off Clara. She was so good at this but she wasn’t a model. How is she not?
“Get closer.” The photographer demanded. How much closer? Clara looked at me and just from the look in her eyes, I knew what she wanted me to do. I stepped forward so our chests were almost touching, her legs grazing the side of the car. She placed her left hand on my chest and looked up at me, the corners of her lips tugging up. We were so close and from this proximity, I could make out the mascara clinging to her eyelashes and the sparkle of her green eyes was even brighter.
I took the opportunity and placed my right hand on her waist, my gaze locked to her red lips. I just wanted to kiss her. I struggled to hold back. Clara lowered her eyes and the photographer told us to get a little bit closer. Is he trying to make us kiss? I asked myself, still holding her waist, the fabric of her dress soft beneath my fingers. Clara leaned in so that her forehead was literally one centimetre away from mine. And for a moment, I totally forgot we were doing a photo-shoot. It felt like just me and her, being close each other with the chance of kissing extremely high.
“And…that’s it. Well done, guys.” The photographer declared. Clara moved her head back and I reluctantly removed my hand from her body, running my fingers through my long curls. She looked up at me and smiled.
“Thank you, Harry.”
For what? I wondered what she meant. Not knowing what else to do, I wrapped her in my arms, allowing her to dissolve into my embrace. She buried her face in my neck and I only held her more tightly. I kissed her cheek and she sighed when the hug ended. Clara gave me one last smile before walking past me and into the hall.
To my horror, when I watched her go inside, I saw the other five of the bachelors staring at me from over the stone railing. They watched everything?! The damn bastards! Niall and Liam winked at me while Jake shouted out that Clara and I were cutting it close in almost kissing during the shoot. They laughed as they walked back inside and I pressed my lips together in anger. They had watched an intimate moment between Clara and I. But, in reality, I had done the same with the beach shot so I couldn’t complain.
As the photographer packed up his gear, he spoke to me.
“You know, you two look good together.”
“You think so?” I raised my eyebrow.
“Yes, you’ve got a connection. I saw it.” He said to me and I felt my confidence come back. I tucked my hands into the front pockets of my jeans and nodded at the photographer before I walked inside the hall.
0*0
We were all lined up next to each other, just like we were when we arrived at the hall. Now that the group date was over, it was time for Clara to give a rose to the bachelor that made the best impression during today. Like always, I hoped it was me, considering we got so close during our shoot plus the photographer told me he could see a connection between Clara and I. I had felt it too and I hoped that she had felt it too.
Clara stood before us, clutching a single red rose in her petite hands. She had changed back into her normal clothes and her hair was back in its ponytail. She took deep breaths and I could see she was trying to make a decision. Her eyes lingered on each one of us for a few moments and I remembered the feeling of being so close to her. Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, the plumpness of her red lips, the smoothness of her flawless skin and the glitter of her smile.
I wanted Clara all to myself. I wanted to be the man who would always let her know every day and night that she was beautiful. I wanted to spend so much more time with her but for all I knew, she had her eyes on the other guys. At the moment, it was Louis who we were all trying to beat. He had all the firsts. The first to meet Clara, the first to talk to her privately, the first to receive a rose, the first to go on a one-on-one date. He was definitely competition.
I looked at Clara, her eyes gazing at all of us as a group. She licked her lips as her gaze settled on one bachelor.
“Liam.”
What? Did I hear that wrong? No, I didn’t. I placed a façade over my shock as Liam walked forward to Clara. He had a smile on his face but I noticed the surprise in his eyes.
“Liam, will you accept this rose?” She asked him and he said yes. She pinned it to the plaid shirt he wore, making sure it was secure. They shared a quick hug before Liam walked back to where he stood. Why him? I thought Clara and I had something. I thought.
Mark came into the room and addressed us, letting us know that today’s group date was over and it was time to return to the mansion. As all of us walked out, Clara and I made eye contact for the final time that day. She looked…apologetic. I wasn’t angry at her. I was just a little surprised.
The next rose ceremony was this time tomorrow night and I had my fingers crossed that I would get a rose then. If I didn’t, I would be heartbroken.
Notes
Last year, I had my formal at Curzon Hall and it was such a great night! If you thought those pictures were good, to see it in reality is extraordinary!
Hmm, things going well for Harry and Clara… I love writing this story and I love teasing you guys about who she’s going to pick at the end! Thoughts on this chapter?
Also, I want to wish my best friend, Kaleigh, a very happy birthday for the 20th! I will send you a long private message on the day and be prepared, girl! Have your tissues handy! :P
blankspace1 xx
Can't wait!!
10/15/16