Honeymoon
Hadara sat in the kitchen, staring at the table full of food she made. She glanced back into the room where Tom was, unsure of her next steps. Whenever she was on holiday with her parents, her father would say what she should make, and she would potter away in the kitchen.
Tom finally walked out, and she let go of the breath she had been holding. "Wow, I thought you would have ordered room services or something" He sat down opposite her.
"Sorry, I should have just done that, my dad always likes it when I cook breakfast". She wrung her hands together like her mother.
Tom took one hand, and she flinched slightly but let him hold it. "I didn't mean anything by it. You can do whatever you want". He dropped her hand and began to make his way through the food. Hadara picked at a pancake, eating half before pushing the plate away. Tom eyed her secretly. "Is that all you're going to eat?". He finally spoke up once he realised, she was finished eating.
"Yes, um, no? I can eat more if you want" She looked at him with fear.
"Okay, this is not going to work" Her face dropped, and she started to bite her cuticles at his harsh tone.
He stood up and made his way to her side of the table before crouching low. "Hadara, I am nothing like your father, nor mine. I seem to understand that you have lived a sheltered life." she nodded " I am impatient and can be very cold. I don't have room for people who cannot use their heads to make a decision." She dropped her face and hid behind her hair. Her dad was going to kill me, she thought. "But I'm willing to try for you. You're just going to have to be patient. Look at me".
She lifted her head and smiled "I'll try and be more assertive?". She tried, but even that ended with a question. Tom chuckled before pecking her on the lips. His action was automatic, but realising what he just did he grabbed another pancake and left. Hadara stared at him in wonder. She thought that the last kiss they would ever share happened last night, especially since he had a thing on the side. Her fingers ghosted her lips as she looked to where he disappeared to.
Tom slumped onto the bed and hit his chest repeatedly. He wasn't sure what came over him at that moment, but he just had to kiss her. The problem was she would never be able to consent to anything, she would just agree with whatever he said, and he refused to let himself use that loophole. "I'm going to the gym" he poked his head through and then raced out of the suit. After 2 hours of heart-pounding work and a further 3 in the study at the other end of the suit, he returned to the kitchen, to grab some lunch. He was surprised to see that Hadara was still in the kitchen. Everything had been cleaned away, and she was staring at the hot tub on the balcony.
"Just jump in". Tom's sudden voice caused Hadara to flinch. She nodded but looked down at her clothes. "I'll see if they have anything in the store". She smiled and watched him call them. "Have you ever been in a hot tub before?".
"No". Her voice was light and sweet to his ears.
"What do you like doing?" he joined her on the couch, and she relaxed into his side. Tom couldn't deny the feeling of pleasure that arose. It was not lust or anything of that kind. More contentment.
"I like housework, reading.... horse riding.... playing the piano".
"How much of that is what your daddy likes and how much of that was you".
She let out a light laugh "You promise you won't tell him anything?" she held out a Pinky and Tom's lips twitched, linking his own with hers. "I find reading so boring, especially the books I read. Nurse once had this book about a lion and a wardrobe, and I liked it. I used to read it when she was asleep. But I never got to finish it, I think one day she realised I was reading it and never bought it back".
"I think I know what you're talking about. Narnia?"
She grinned and bounced in her seat. "Yes! That's it".
"Okay, I'll see what I can do" Without thinking he pulled her back into his side and Hadara melted instantly.
"I always thought, I would marry someone older, like my dad" he looked down at her as she played with her fingers.
"Did you want to?" Truly Tom didn't want to hear her answer.
"I did, but I've been having more fun with you. I may like this better". If making breakfast and doing nothing for 5 hours made her happy, then she was in for a ride as he didn't really have anything planned.
However, seeing her happy made him flare with pride, he wanted to see her like this more often. The doorbell rang interrupting him "Come in".
A young man came in carrying two Dior bags. "4 Swimsuits sir".
"Leave it there" he gestured to the table.
"Also, a note from you're parents. They have made dinner reservations for tonight at 7. Here is the card.". He placed it down and then left.
"See what fits, then come and join me." Hadara scurried off into the bedroom. He looked at the card and scoffed. Did they just think that he would just have dinner with them after such a shambolic night? They were lucky that he at least liked Hadara. He thought her naivety would aggravate him, but it seemed to do the opposite. When he looked at her, he saw his old self. So full of trust towards his father, listening to everything he said, determined to make the man happy. But that always came at the cost of his happiness. He ripped the offending item to bits and went to turn on the pool.
"What do you think?" Hadara was standing in a green bikini that... All Tom could think was yes. He cleared his throat, but no words came out. He was typically much more swerve than this. "You don't like this?" she frowned "I'll go and change".
"No!" he shouted louder than needed. "What do you think? Do you like it?".
She bit her lip and then nodded quickly. "Yes, I like it a lot" she grinned, and Tom felt as if she was purposely trying to blind him. "It's like wearing my underwear but stretchy".
He barked out a laugh "I mean that is one way of putting it. Are you sure you' don't feel uncomfortable?".
"No, it's just you so I feel okay" Tom smiled at that "Mother, always choose what underwear I owned, maybe one day, if you like, I could, maybe, buy my own?".
"Buy your underwear? No!" The amusement in his tone made Hadara chuckle. "If you did that, you would soon take over the world". They got in the tub and to both their disappointment they sat at either end, providing space for the other (not knowing they would rather be sat together). "Have you ever had the desire to work?" She didn't need a job, on what he had done alone, Tom had enough to provide for both of them, but seeing Hadara try on a bikini, ask for a book, and use a hot tub for the first time he wanted to elicit that excitement out of her every day.
"I would want to be a nurse of my own, like a nanny, look after children" She laid her legs on top of Toms, who playfully squeezed them together.
"Do you want kids of your own?". Hadara looked up sharply at him, her father had always taught her the answer to that question was yes, but she knew that Tom wanted her opinion, not her father's. "It's okay, tell me what you want".
She mulled it over before shaking her head "I guess maybe one day. Just not now if that is okay with you?".
Tom would've preferred if she had said no. It was not like he didn't want children, he just feared he would turn out like Albus "You'll understand one day". That sounded like a threat. "I'm okay with whatever you want".
"I always wanted a sibling, it was lonely growing up sometimes when Father would go on a business trip, he would always take Mother along and nurse was kind, but I thought it would be fun to have someone to play with".
"So two?" Tom rubbed his brows, one already sounded like a mission two would be impossible.
"Four" she held up her fingers.
"Alright you're pushing it" he grinned dashing some water at her. She giggled throwing it back at him. In the heat of their playful fight, they had gotten closer and closer until only a sliver of space was between them. Tom grabbed her hand, and the smile on both of their faces disappeared.
"Can, um, can we maybe, you can say no. I don't mind, I was just, yesterday".
"Speak Hadara" Tom commanded.
"Can we do what we did yesterday again?". He moved back slowly and the disappointment on her face was clear. "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked, I just, liked it. Sorry".
"No don't be sorry, I just thought." WHAT ARE YOU DOING? His inner voice caused him to freeze "Yes, as long as you want to, don't feel pressured or forced to do-"
"I said I wanted to Tom; you're not forcing me to do anything". That was all he needed to carry her out of the tub.
X
Tom heard knocking at the door, he groaned rolling over. He would gladly knock out the person disturbing his sleep. Hadara shifted and he froze, rolling back over to make sure she was asleep. He slipped out of bed, putting on some shorts. He didn't even have to look through the door to know who it was. He joined them outside so that whatever scene they would throw would not disturb Hadara. "Yes?" he asked impatiently.
Both sets of parents were dressed in tuxes and elegant gowns. "It is 7:30, dinner started at 7. Why are you not changed?". Albus demanded.
He groaned, "Is that all? We didn't agree to dinner plans, you just expected us to turn up".
James seemed frustrated "We always have dinner with Hadara-".
"When you haven't left her to tour the world"
"What did you just say, boy?". James seethed.
"Nothing" his mother tried to intervene.
"Okay, let's try this. Albus" his father blinked at being called by his name, he opened his mouth to say something, but Tom beat him to it "By whatever stupid law our great times whatever grandfathers put down, now that I am officially married, I am now the owner of ISSEA correct" Albus nodded dumbly "And James we have officially merged with Potter incorporate?" James nodded in turn. "So I guess I'm done with the both of you".
Both men started to shout. Tom held up a hand and pointed to Albus "Yes, you're the official owner, but we agreed you would take over after your PhD. That was how my father and his father did it at the time, give you time to study but also time to spend with your wife, I will slowly pass things over to you." His father looked pleased as if Tom had already agreed to it.
"No" Albus's smile dropped "Lucius said he knows someone who he can trust to be the temporary CEO. If you check your email, you should see the board has officially accepted your resignation. I would like it if I never saw you again, however, if you step foot on any premises of ISSEA you will be arrested. I have sent some people over to clear all ISSEA-related documents from your home." he paused to let Albus digest the information "Are you happy now Father, this is who you created".
Albus fell backwards, his mother stopping him from crashing to his ground "After everything I have done for you?! You're my son! I provided for you, took care of you and -".
"That is what you're supposed to do!" Tom roared, causing both parties to take a step back "That is the bare minimum of being a father. I didn't ask to be born" He took a breath then turned to his mother "I have arranged a taxi for you to take you to your sister's place. It's your choice if you stay with him". He turned to James "Now you".
"Albus, you promised me my Harry was in good hands, your son is a tyrant".
Tom smirked at the irony, that day both parents swore they saw his eyes glow red. "I hope you cherished the memories from this morning, as that will be the last time you will ever be in talking distance with your daughter".
James went red, "You cannot do this" he gritted out behind clenched teeth.
"I believe that red-stained sheet you were all celebrating over means I can".
"Please" The timid voice of Lily was like glass shattering, causing everyone to stop. "Please, you cannot keep our little girl away from us, please I need my Harry". James pulled his wife in for a hug, but she shoved him back violently "I told you to, to, to not just give her to anyone, I told you she is not ready".
The resounding slap, she received knocked the breath out of everyone. The woman fell to the ground and began to sob.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, I just....".
"Hadara will give you a call soon Lily" He felt some compassion for the broken woman and quickly backtracked, it looked like the false image of a happy family was the only thing keeping her together. "Mother, are you going or not?".
Albus smirked "There is something called loyalty that runs deeper than this petty-" his little speech came to a swift halt when his mother numbly walked towards the other broken woman on the floor and pulled her up, leading Lily down the hallway. "Grace where do you think you're going?!" he roared.
"Lily, get back here now" James’s shouted. "Lily! Lily!" His face was red. "What have you done" he turned to Albus and ran after his wife. But a man in a black suit appeared from the shadows and shook his head. "Move aside now" He stilled and turned to Tom, "Is this one-off your little dogs? You have my daughter, let me have my wife". He continued to struggle against the man.
Tom shrugged "I'm not doing anything". He said with a little too much smugness .
"Your mother will be back" Albus muttered "She always comes back".
"Mum was only there because of me Albus" the realisation dawned on his face “You think she enjoyed being cheated on and drowned in calming teas?”. “Of course, she would leave when you didn’t even give her a chance. How much do you want to bet that she will never see you again when I give her a monthly allowance?”.
“How dare you! All I ever did was love you”.
“Good one Albus. Oh, James” The man looked back with so much hate in his eyes “Please do not call again”.
He slammed the door in their faces and was met with a yawing Hadara, her massive glasses on. “What's going on?”.
“Nothing love”. He pulled her in for a hug and she melted inside.
X
He regretted building the new bedroom, but Hadara didn’t even pay it any mind, beelining straight for the master room. “Come”. She beckoned him over. Tom smiled. He could barely keep his hands off of her at the best of times. He had been waking up early enough to make them both breakfast, Hadara at first seemed displeased, but the displeasure disappeared when she realised her father was not in the corner watching her.
“I go back to university tomorrow”.
She stopped eating and the light in her eyes had dimmed. “Oh”. Her shoulders sagged.
“You can use the time to figure out what you want to do”. She nodded stiffly. “Dara, come here”.
She smiled at the new nickname and sat on his lap. “I promise as soon as I’m done with this programme, we can take a long vacation”. She rested her forehead against his.
“You know I never thought you would be sweet?”.
He pulled back in surprise “What?”.
She laughed lightly “The first day we meet, you were so mean, and stone-faced”.
He rolled his eyes “Whatever”. He poked her side and she tried to jump out of his embrace, but he pulled her back in. “How sweet do you think I am now?”.
“Very” She pecked him lightly on the lips. That had also been a new development, she was initiating some of the kisses and cuddles, and Tom would never deny it, he secretly looked forward to her little moments of confidence. “My father hasn’t tried calling?”.
He groaned in displeasure. He had explained what had happened 5 nights ago and she was very angry, in her special Dara way, which meant she was quiet until Tom bought out the Narnia book. “Dara, like I said I won’t be controlling you, but that is one thing I won’t allow. You can speak with him once you have gone through some serious counselling.”
“Promise” she held out her Pinkey.
“Promise”.