Notice Me

Chapter 24

Aria

"Harry no, you can't kiss your way out of this." I mutter as I break away from his lips and push him away, I didn't want to though. Not matter how mad or hurt I was my body still wanted him, my heart still wanted him.

"Ari you misunderstood love, he was pointing out the benefits of us dating IF that's what we both want. I told him I was done with publicity stunts after the last mess." Harry assures and I want to believe him, he closes the distance between us and cups my face. "This is real Aria, this isn't a stunt. I had no clue who you were when I saw you, everything that's happened between us would've happened regardless of who your parents or your brother are."

"You promise?" I ask looking up and chewing my lip nervously, Harry sighs and presses his lips against my forehead.

"I promise." He whispers looking into my eyes with his emerald greens blazing bright.

"Aria?" A voice pipes up behind Harry, Harry joins me at my side before tangling our fingers together as Jeff approaches us. "I'm sorry we got off on the wrong foot, you have to understand from a manager's perspective that you are good for Harry's image. Not only because of your family and your appearance but because of who YOU are. You may of gotten out of the game early on but the game still talks about you, you're the one that got away." Jeff says and I furrow my brows in confusion, he sighs before going on. "My father is Irving Azoff."

"What?" I ask in disbelief and he nods.

"He is Ari, Irving was head of our management early on in the 1D days." Harry informs me softly.

"Had I been involved with the deal he wouldn't of been allowed to treat you that way and I apologize for that." Jeffs adds with a sorrowful look in his eyes.

While I never blamed his father for what happened, I'd be lying if I said it didn't mess me up for a while. Like I said, I hadn't played the piano in years or sung for anyone, not that I didn't think I was good enough but because I didn't look the way I needed to in order to build a career in music. I'm happy with my bakery, I love what I do. I love having my freedom and still being able to be creative.

"It's fine Jeff, everything happens for a reason. I was meant to make cupcakes not hits." I shrug it off and Harry sighs.

"If you ever change your mind and want to get back into the game let me know ok? I'll make it happen because of who YOU are, not who you're related to or dating." Jeff assures me and I give him a soft nod knowing that's not the life I want.

"Thank you." I say softly as I touch his arm reassuringly.

"I better be off, you two have a good night and I'll see you in DC tomorrow H." Jeff says with a smile before heading out the door.

"Our lunch will be here soon, I'm going to send out for some groceries so I can make dinner later." Harry informs me as he steps in front of me and grips my hips. "My stylist has to come by later with some suits and shit for the upcoming award shows, I'm going to have him pick up some things for you for tonight." He adds with a smirk as I roll my eyes.

"Harry you don't have to."

"I know, I want to." He shrugs as an alert sounds on his phone. "The food is here, my security guard will bring it up." He says before grabbing my hand and leading me into the kitchen. "Want some wine?" He asks.

"Actually could I have some tea? I'm a bit cold." I admit rubbing my bare arms since my jacket was in the room with the piano, Harry furrows his brows before walking over to a closet and pulling out a soft grey sweater. He hands it to me and I pull it over my head sighing in the amazing feel of it against my skin as he walks to the sink and fills the kettle with water.

"Better?" He asks as he sets the kettle on the stove.

"Much, thank you." I reply softly as I sit at his bar height table.

"What kind of tea would you like?"

"Mint if you have any, it's my favorite." I say smiling remembering how my mom and I would have a cup of mint tea together.

"I keep some around, helps open the vocal chords." Harry says as he pulls out a mug.

"My mother and I would drink it together so that makes sense, it's just kind of a comfort thing for me." I inform him and he furrows his brows.

"Are you uncomfortable here Aria?" He asks regretfully and I shake my head.

"No, the opposite actually. I love it here, it feels so much like you." I explain and Harry nods smiling, he pours the hot water into the two mugs he has set out before carrying them over and sitting next to me rather than across from me. "How did you know I don't take sugar in mine?" I ask and his eyes widen.

"People put sugar in mint tea?" He asks in disbelief as I chuckle.

"It's true but I don't." I inform him as I pick up the hot mug allowing it to warm up my hands.

"You feeling alright love?" Harry asks with a worried look.

"Just still a bit chilled from last night I guess, I feel completely fine though." I answer honestly and he nods as the door opens. An older man in all black walks in with a bag.

"Thank you Ted." Harry jumps up and grabs the bag from him. "We're staying in for the night so please take tonight off." He informs him, Ted smiles and nods before heading back out the door.

"Uh oh, who's going to protect you now?" I tease and Harry chuckles as he sits down.

"As long as it's you doing the attacking I don't need nor want protection." He grins cheekily causing my heartbeat to race. Harry unwraps a large platter of sushi with all kinds of rolls from spicy tuna to shrimp tempera.

"This looks amazing Harry." I gush and he smiles.

"It's my favorite sushi place on the east coast." He informs me as he opens a container. "And they know how much I love their green tea cake." He says showing me a beautiful slice of green cake with chocolate ganache topping.

"Green tea and chocolate is one of the most underrated combinations ever, I make it a few times a year but I fill the cupcake with custard as well." I explain and Harry's lips pucker as he makes an ooooo sound. "I'll have to make it for you sometime." I smirk before grabbing a pair of chopsticks and popping a piece of the spicy tuna roll in my mouth.

"Yes you will." He winks and selects a piece of another roll before popping it into his mouth.

The conversation was light and playful as we ate, Harry insisted on feeding me a few times causing me to laugh so hard I snorted. My cheeks flush in embarrassment but Harry just pecks them and tells me how adorable I am. He finishes before me and starts on the cake moaning in admiration of the flavors.

"Here, I can't eat anymore plus I need to call Lou and Harry." Harry says as he slides the cake towards me before tapping away on his phone. I take small bites of the delicious cake as Harry talks to his stylist. "Ok 5 is fine but can you pick up a few things for a friend of mine? She's staying here overnight but doesn't have anything. Great!" Harry says before turning to me. "Aria what size are you?" He asks and I drop my fork.

Ok, wasn't expecting that.

"It depends on the designer, anywhere from 14-18." I answer honestly waiting for him to react....

But he doesn't.

"She's a 14-18 depending on the designer. Yes, that's what I said. Bra size?" He asks me completely nonchalantly.

"38D." I answer softly, Harry furrows his brows and leans over before kissing me softly. He gets off of the barstool and walks across the room where I can't hear the rest of the conversation leaving me feel a little uneasy.

What the hell have I gotten myself into?