chapter song; Angels by The XX (Huglife Remix)
After that tea incident, the first week spent here together was among the worse I have ever experienced while being relocated. Constant arguing over small things, throwing mugs into sinks, and refusing to make tea. It all sounded ridiculous, but it occurred. And it happened frequently. Harry always ended up winning against me, and I'd pay the price for firing up the argument.
I slept in one room, him in the other one across. We would try and avoid talking to each other as much as possible, but it would happen anyway. He said some things, I said some things, we end up arguing, and then again he's throwing me over his shoulder or carrying me as a way to force me into doing what he wants.
He dominates and abuses his power. And I could only helplessly lose to him every time.
As of right now I was sat at the table, legs crossed and just about to bring the fork up to my mouth when I peered up at Harry. He chewed his food slowly and tightly, green eyes narrowed in nothing in particular until he met my gaze.
It was quiet and it seemed to drag on for hours when really we sat for seconds. I stared, and he did the same. There was so much fury between us both, it was nearly a stench. Nonetheless, I continued to eat, chewing slowly as he took a fast bite out of the bread he had been eating, all while glaring into my eyes.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" I questioned lowly.
"You stared at me first, Cata."
Another thing was he began calling me 'Cata'. As soon as he said it, my arm twitched from the urge to hit him with it. The more he said it, the more hatred I'd grow for it. It wasn't just the fact that we were giving each other nicknames now. We barely had the decency to acknowledge that until we'd come out winners.
Too bad we both wanted to win.
"You're a freak," I murmured.
Harry's jaw clenched. "I have an Egyptian scroll full of things you are," he spat sarcastically, "I can name them all, but you'd probably start crying."
"Jerk," I murmured beneath my breath, flickering my eyes away from him and looking at the food on my plate. Inside, I know I'm hurt by the things he says and how he acts. By now, however, I'm beginning to become accustomed to his ways, and I rarely pay mind to it anymore.
The silence prolonged. I studied the food with little interest, too busy thinking of ways to fall asleep. Usually, falling asleep became such a hassle when I didn't know if I would wake up and be secure. I felt unsure and afraid to close my eyes whenever it came down to it. My body lacked fuel, therefore inflicting bad focus.
It began to show in our training sessions. After four days however, I had finally began to do things correctly, and Harry was beginning to move on to actual hand-to-combat that we'd start tomorrow.
I went to dig into my food again with my fork until Harry snapped, "Stop clinking your fork with your plate. That is so fucking irritating. Who taught you how to eat? A pig?"
My heart began to race with pure fury as I flickered my eyes in a glare to him. "Oh wait?" I mocked, "That's not true. You never taught me how to eat."
Harry angrily chewed, sparing my eyesight when he looked away and stood up. I thought he would do something violent, but he nearly shattered his empty plate as he put it down in the sink, and of course leaving it there as a signal that I should be the one to clean up after us both.
+
Tomorrow. It promised opportunities for things to get better. I slept through most of the morning until my bedroom door was slammed open. I could only peer an eye open at the tall, lean, male figure that had strolled inside.
"Get, up," he demanded, tossing the covers off of me. I rolled my eyes and deeply groaned, turning away from him. I tussled on the bed and hid my face into the pillow. I heard him let out a heavy sigh. "Up, now." He snarled through a clenched jaw.
Eventually, I did what I was told. I brushed my teeth, tied my hair up, and dressed for his lesson. Now that the stuff he considered a piece of cake were over, I was definitely not eager to find out how he'll teach hand-to-hand combat.
The sun was out and early, burning brightly in the sky even at seven AM. I groggily pushed myself to do what I was told. I didn't want an argument, but knowing myself, I'd argue to death around Harry. It was futile to say or even imply I wanted peace between us. Because such thing was nearly non-existent in the soil shared between us both.
I chose a casual pace to meet him outside with. Harry waited there with a pair of black basketball shorts, and a white v-neck. It was strange seeing him out of uniform, but although weird, it was refreshing.
"Alright, Cata," he began, rubbing his hands together once I stood in front of him.
"My name is Catalina. Call me that, or don't call me anything at all." I fired, growing annoyed by the nickname.
Harry chose the moment to send me a brief look before deciding that we would first stretch as usual. The common stretches that I know did "correctly." We jogged for a bit, seeing as he wanted to get me up and alert for this lesson. And when that was finished, Harry silently moved to stand behind me.
His distance wasn't very far, considering I could hear him very clear although he spoke lowly.
I visibly shuddered when he placed his hands on my sides. The warmth of his hands prolonged my silent chills while I tried to ignore the reactions he gets out of me without any effort on his part.
"Start with your hands up," he informed lowly, sliding his hands down the skin of my arms. Upon that skin, he left trails of goosebumps as his touched descended. I clenched my jaw and breathed in deeply as he brought my hands up to the position he had taught me a few days ago.
I felt a shudder spread throughout my body as he dropped his hands from my body. Suddenly, his hand slapped against my thigh in a manner that was acceptable to get me to move my feet in the right position, however the skin upon my cheeks reacted differently to this abrupt gesture.
Sighing heavily, I tried to be as cooperative as possible. My mind raced with various distractions, although my body reacted to his low demands. I tightened my fists as he walked and took a few steps in front of me.
The green of his eyes watched me attentively while he spoke. "You won't take down a man with a single punch. So aim for the throat. Always. If you get a hard enough strike there, you've got him down for at least three seconds, which is more than you need to hit another area," he explained to me.
"Cover with deception. If he's got you down, and you can still get up, don't just get up right away. Make him believe he's got you. And then make your move. Now these are just basic tips -- pretty simple."
Harry reached for my right hand, which was tightened above the left one. At his touch, I struggled to remain unfazed, his fingers trying to cease the tight clamp I formed my hand in. I released the fist and he took the moment to flatten my hand.
"Don't punch his throat. You have a chance at missing the area you want to hit and it is slower than having your hand flat, and hitting him with the side of it," he lowly instructed, his eyes watching the hand in his.
I nodded my head slowly, my eyes still gazing upon him. Harry the grasped my hand and tightened it into a fist once more. "If you can't get to his throat, don't hit the arms, the shoulders, or the legs. That won't bring him down much. You're weaker, which is really horrid but you'd be surprised how many sensitive spots the body has."
And so Harry went on to explain to me those spots. All the while he spoke, I was trapped in my own little sheltered peace. The deep, raspy tone of his voice brought my senses to lighten up, to become keen within seconds. I tried not to let his intimidation make me cower beneath any lack of focus that could possibly take over.
I released a gasp when Harry turned my body around like I was some rag doll. His arm came around my neck, my back pressed against his chest. I widened my eyes, realizing he's got me in a neck hold. I coughed and shrieked before feeling the lack of pressure he's using. He was not intending to hurt me at all.
"What if he's got you in this grip?" He whispered into my ear, his hot breath fanning against my skin. I felt chills rush up my spine. The beating of my heart raced with the cold finger tips of mine grazing against his forearm.
"Hmm?" He hummed through a clenched jaw. "What's going to happen? Are you just going to let him win?"
I winced as I tried to rip his arm off of me, but that was futile. Evidently being stronger than me, I had no choice but to stand there with slight irritation nagging behind me like a shadow.
"I don't know," I answered, blinking rapidly.
Harry's lips brushed against my ear, creating more goosebumps to rise upon the surface of my fair skin. "Use your brain. Think. You're intelligent, so tell me. What can you do to stop this?"
From the distance our bodies were, I didn't think I wanted to stop it. Yet, I kept my mouth shut. Harry will always be able to attract me. To make me feel recessive under his dominance, and somehow managing to have me like it.
"I--" I stammered, stopping myself to think. I gave it thought as he silently waited for me to come up with an answer. I glanced around, frantically looking for the words. "My legs," I began, "I can use my legs."
He paused. "Yes, but how?"
I bit the inside of my cheek. "I don't know."
I practically heard him roll his eyes. "I thought you were smart?" He mocked harshly. "What happened to the weak little thing that wanted answers? Is she still in that robe you weren't in?"
My nostrils flared. I immediately became angered and agitated with every word that structured his sentences. Without giving an answer, I dug my nails into his forearm. Harry bitterly laughed as I stopped my foot into the thick grass, just barely missing his foot.
"What's wrong, Cata? Having a little trouble there?"
Without giving it much thought, I lowered my hand and tightened it into a fist before I slammed it as hard as I could into his crotch. He would be seeing stars after this, and I was pleased with the groan that escaped his mouth. I felt his touch loosen, and his breath stop. I happily pushed him away from my body.
I turned to find him kneeling on the ground, holding his package with his hands. He was frowning, hovering over the grass, and nearly looking like he would spill his breakfast over the green grass. I tried not to smile, standing in front of his weakened body. He grunted and squeezed his eyes shut.
"I said don't call me that." I murmured, turning around and making my way towards the house. Not before glancing behind me to find him peering up at me with narrowed eyes. I shrieked just as I saw him lunge forward and by my hips, pulling me back down to the grass.
I slammed against the soft cushion the ground provided, my breath knocked from the powerless lungs inside of me. I used my hands to try and give my body leverage to stand, but he knocked me over again and took my moment of weakness to pin my hands to the ground, his body hovering over mine, and his eyes pouring deadly venom into mine with just a glare.
With my hands constricted above my head, I began to shriek like a wild animal and kick my legs up all over the place, blinded by my closed eyelids.
"Shut up!" He roughly yelled, his voice raspier than before, considering the blow his manhood received.
I let my eyes abruptly shoot open, my legs resting beneath his that straddled mine. The awkwardness of our position came to haunt us, but we strangely didn't acknowledge it. I felt rather embarrassed to be in the position. While my cheeks burned red with embarrassment, Harry showed his absolute fury through his.
"You're damn lucky I would never hurt you," he gnarled angrily, his face above mine.
"I didn't do it because I wanted to see you in pain. I did it because you deserved it," I fought back.
"You know what?" He shot at me. "You need to be taught to fucking respect me."
I scoffed. "Respect doesn't work that way. If you learn to respect me, I'd return the favor. But since you treat me like a bag of shit, I rather not, Harry."
"I don't treat you like a bag of shit. You irritate me, and anger me. So therefore I lash out." He defended himself.
"You treat everyone like one. But with me, you're much worse. For no reason, too. I've only ever wanted to get to know you and try to do my best and cooperate. I know what you do for me, don't think I don't see it," I snapped, "But you're just an awful person. So twisted."
Harry examined my face as I kept rambling. "And you have so many reflections on you. First you urge the fact you want to protect me, and then you treat me roughly, and in the end you want me to trust you. Is that how you think you earn someone's trust?"
"I am always trying to protect you."
"Besides those men after me, what are you protecting me from when you're treating me as you are right now!?"
"Me."
I peeked up into his eyes he said so, seeing him clench his jaw and remove his body from mine. I sat up just as Harry stood and stalked to the house, slamming the back door roughly behind him. With a frown, I lazily fell on my back against the grass once more.
My eyes glared up into the bright blue sky. I lied there for what seemed like half an hour. When I've finally had enough, I stood up from the ground and slowly walked inside of the house. Not a single noise was heard through the house. I was greeted with the usual silence. The uncomfortable house guest that was always cold and troubled.
I decided to take a shower. I stalked up the stairs and into my bedroom for clothes. The shower became my own empire. I stood there for such a long time, letting the warm water sooth the ache in my bones and lull me to exhaustion. I just wanted to sleep now.
When it was over, I pulled on my clothes. A pair of light wash jeans and a red v-neck t-shirt. I lazily made my way into my bedroom and fell against the soft mattress. I didn't care much for my damp hair or my skin that was in need of lotion.
Harry makes me wonder too much. I need to get him on my good side, but it is nearly impossible with the attitude he's got. I'm left defenseless in many cases. And these training sessions, they're going to be over sooner than before because I am not a fighter. I can shoot a gun, but my body wasn't made for fighting.
I was too tired to register the footsteps that came to a stop right behind me.
"What are you doing?"
Tiredly, I groaned and buried my face deeper into a pillow. "Go away. I'm sleeping. What does it look like?"
"In my bedroom?" He remarked.
I paused for a second, lifting my head up to glance around. The luggage that was open on the floor with his clothes was indeed enough evidence that this was his bedroom. With not much of a damn given, I dropped my head back into the pillow and murmured. I was too tired for anything, really.
"Oh, sorry."
Harry simply walked out after that, leaving me to fall asleep quite easily. I was surpised he wasn't screaming bloody murder at me.
-
When I woke up two hours later, I was tangled in the white sheets that smelled like much of Harry's scent. Of some soap he used and the cologne he uses daily.
I was on my back, and as I turned my head, and I was greeted by the sight of him crouched down by his luggage, looking for something to wear. That led to his half naked body, only a light green towel covering everything below the waist. His wet curls hovered over his eyes while he looked down.
I let my eyes widen and my head to snap away from him, pretending to be unaware of his presence. His half naked presence. And I dared to look again, seeing the water droplets scattered across his tanning skin. Why was this twisted man so overwhelmingly attracting to look at, I asked myself.
A phone rang in a small distance, and I closed my eyes and let my ears hear the movement around the room. I cursed when I realized the phone was literally six inches away from my head on the bed. I stiffened when I felt the bed dip, and I could feel his slight warmth radiate off his bare chest when he leaned over to grab it.
"Mr. Gates, good morning." Harry answered the phone, walking away to what seemed the other side of the bedroom.
My father was loud on the phone, so I heard much of what he said on the other line. "Harry, my boy! How is my sweet daughter?"
"She's asleep," Harry replied lowly.
"Asleep?" My father huffed. "She should be up and getting some of that training done. How is that going, anyway?"
Harry paused, trying to come up with an answer. He'd never lie to my father, so I'm not expecting him to say it's going swell. "Not very well, sir."
I heard laughter. "I figured. She's not made for fighting. At least it gave you both something to do for a bit." I nearly scoffed, in my mind wanting to say I did in fact hit Harry straight in the balls, but that wouldn't really help anything on my part. My father already takes Harry's side in everything. "On the other hand, I need you to work with Zayn and Liam. They've got leads already. So over our program, you are to communicate with them and do the research they cannot complete. Understood?"
"Of course, sir. I'll get right on that right now."
"Splendid. And make sure Catalina has something to do, as well. Poor girl must be driven to boredom." He ordered.
"Such as?"
"She likes to read a lot. Give her one of the devices you've taken with you and let her read on it. But she is only to read, nothing more. If she gets tired of that, find out what else do to. She is just not allowed to meddle with the investigation and your research. Try and steer away from those topics as much as you can with her." My father informed.
Harry sighed and replied, "Yes, sir."
He seemed to hang up and from the silence I heard afterwards, he must be starting to dress himself. I was confirmed when I heard a zipper. I then heard, "You heard your father, so don't ask me about anything."
I cursed beneath my breath before opening my eyes. He had been aware I wasn't asleep the entire time. I lifted myself from the mattress and peered up at him. He was dressed in a black t-shirt and black jeans, his hair slick back from the shower.
"Don't worry, I wasn't going to bother anymore." I muttered, beginning to toss the sheets from me.
Harry glanced at me and then lowly said, "I'll be downstairs setting up."
As I was standing to my feet, I nodded and said, "Alright, I'll be outside in the back getting some air." Just when the words left my lips, I tripped over a pair of jeans tossed on the floor. I squealed when Harry moved in front of me, grasping my hips to settle me.
"Be less clumsy, will you?"
note// i'll be updating again. this is a very long chapter compared to my others because you guys had to wait so long.
vote and comment. more will happen as the chapters go on, so be patient ;)