Chapter 4: Harry Again
1263 Words
By the time I got home the next morning, my family home was already filled with early morning activity.
My mother was in the kitchen.
Leo, my brother, was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee.
Both of them looked up as I walked in.
“Mia,” my mom said warmly. “You’re home rather late.”
“Double shift yesterday,” I muttered.
Leo frowned slightly.
“You look like you haven’t slept.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly.
He studied me carefully.
“Everything okay?”
“Perfect,” I replied.
Which was technically true.
Nothing about the previous night had any long-term consequences.
It had just been one stupid, impulsive mistake.
It was amazing, but still very stupid.
A drunken hookup with a man I would never have to deal with again.
I poured myself a glass of water and leaned against the counter.
Life would go back to normal.
Work. Helping my family. Saving money.
Harry Michelson would return to his billionaire lifestyle, surrounded by people who actually belonged in his world.
And I would return to mine. Done.
Except for one tiny problem.
Ciara was still out.
Translation – I had to cater to Harry’s table for the entire time that she'd be away.
**********
Three days had passed by, and I was set to serve Harry and his friends again.
I was mostly excited about it, but a part of me wished he had shown up the next evening after our encounter.
I knew it was silly for me to want that, but I did.
Once I got home that morning after our encounter, I wanted to let Ciara know right away, but for some reason, I kept the information to myself.
It wasn’t because I was scared she’d judge me, not in a serious way, but I already judged myself, so I didn’t really know how to tell her.
The Ciara I know would have been happy for me, no matter how much initial shock she would’ve first expressed.
I guess at that time I was still trying to ride off the high of being with him and that was why I wanted to see him.
My stomach drops the moment my eyes land on his table tonight.
There he is, yet again, Harry Michelson, sitting as though he owns the place.
To be fair, I actually did recently find out that he partially owns the place.
For half a second, I considered turning around and pretending I never saw him.
Unfortunately, my manager ruined that plan immediately.“Mia, Table Ten is yours again tonight,” he calls from behind the bar.
Of course, it is.
Ciara is still out sick, so, of course, I’m stuck waiting for his table again tonight.
Something I had noticed, or at least the idea I had of Harry and his cohort in my mind, is that, considering they come here every other night, whenever they’re out for two nights in a row, then they’re away on a business trip or something.
For the three nights that they had been away, my luck was full since I did not have to deal with them, especially since Ciara still wasn’t in.
I tightened my grip on the tray in my hands as I even thought about it.
Tonight, my luck had clearly run out.
I take a slow breath, straighten my shoulders, and walk toward the table.
“Good evening. Welcome back. What can I get you, gentlemen, tonight?”
Adrian grins like he’s happy to see me again as he leans forward.
“Hi, Mia. I’m Adrian. Remember me from last time?”
“How could I forget?” I offered him a warm smile.
There was no need for me to be rude to Adrian, in particular, because the last time they were in here, he did try to defend me while
Harry barked at me like the dog he is.
“You have a nice smile,” he adds, showcasing his beautiful set of pearly white teeth.
“Thank you.”
“This,” Adrian continues, gesturing toward the quieter man beside him, “is Luca by the way.”
The man gives a small nod.
“Nice to meet you, sir.”
His voice was calm and low.
Harry still hasn’t said a word.
He just watched me.
I deliberately avoid looking directly at him.
“So, what can I get you gentlemen to start with?” I repeat.
Adrian chuckles softly, clearly enjoying the tension at the table.
“I’ll take a whiskey,” he says.
“Same,” Luca adds.
I glanced toward Harry, forcing myself to meet his eyes for exactly one second.
“Mr. Michelson?”
His gaze doesn’t move from my face.
“I’ll take a Whiskey.”
Of course.
I nod quickly and turn away before my irritation shows.
The moment I reached the bar, I exhaled.
Why did he have to come back?
Why couldn’t he have stayed wherever he was these past three days?
I mix the drinks as quickly as possible and carry them back to the table because I am not about to let Harry roar at me again today for being late with their drinks.
When I set Harry’s glass down, his fingers brush mine for a split second.
The contact sends a stupid, unwanted spark up my arm, so, I pull my hand back immediately.
Adrian notices, and he looks between both of us rather skeptically.
“So, Mia,” he says casually, leaning back in his chair. “How long have you been working here?”
“About three years.”
“Do you like it?”
“It pays my rent.”
Adrian laughs.
“I like her.”
I ignored him and took their food orders.
Harry just leans back in his chair, studying me like he’s trying to understand me.
I turned to leave.
“Your food will be out shortly.”
As I walk away, I can practically feel his eyes following me.
The rest of the evening drags.
Every time I pass their table, I can feel the tension waiting for me.
Adrian talks easily, joking with me whenever I come near. Luca barely speaks, but his sharp eyes miss nothing.
And Harry… he just watches.
When their food arrives, Adrian keeps me talking longer than necessary.
“So Mia,” he says. “Are you always this serious?”
“I’m working.”
“You say that like it’s a personality trait.”
I shrug.
“It usually keeps people from bothering me.”
Adrian laughs again.
“I definitely like her.”
Harry’s voice cuts through the conversation.
“You’re not paid to entertain my brother.”
I stiffen.
Adrian raises his eyebrows.
“Well, that was unnecessarily hostile.”
“I’m stating a fact,” Harry replies coolly.
I set the plates down harder than necessary.
“Your dinner.”
I turn to leave again, but Harry speaks once more.
“You should be careful.”
I pause.
“About what?”
“The company you keep.”
The condescension in his voice makes my blood boil.
I lean closer to the table, lowering my voice.
“Funny.”
Harry’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“What is?”
“Rich men giving life advice.”
Adrian bursts out laughing.
Luca hides a smile behind his glass.
Harry’s gaze hardens.
For a moment, neither of us says anything.
Then I straighten.
“Enjoy your meal.”
I walked away before he could respond.
- Writer
