Chapter 4

He couldn't sleep – nothing new, but tonight it was particularly frustrating. Harry finally kicked off the blankets and sat up rubbing his face with both hands. What was it going to take to make him settle? He glanced over at the clock and was dismayed to read that it was a little past 1:30am; he had gone to bed early, but had only spent that time tossing and turning. Harry passed a hand through the mop of hair that hung down in his face, attempting to at least get it all flowing towards the right side of his head. Short of going on a search for any stray sleeping pills that may have been left over – he had mostly given them up due to the fact that he was quickly becoming addicted – he was resigning himself to the thought of needing to be under the influence of something in order to get any sleep.

Harry climbed out of bed and shoved his feet into slippers that were waiting on the floor; he disliked walking around barefooted. He padded into the main living area where the bar was and poured a very small glass of brandy for himself. He was about to return to the bedroom, yet his gaze went to the window, out towards the building where Zahra would be working in several hours. She really was a hard worker, and didn't complain about her job although it was humble and mundane. It was well-paying and allowed her to do schoolwork in the morning and afternoon, not to mention hang out with him. Harry had grown up with servants, and hadn't ever thought too deeply about the work they did for him and his family.

Cradling the glass in his palm, Harry climbed back into bed and sipped at his drink thoughtfully. He didn't miss the one-night stands he used to bring back. Right now he couldn't even imagine wanting to spend the night with some random girl; the idea suddenly repulsed him. Ever since he had met Zahra he had quit the partying, the clubs, the girls… what had changed within himself so dramatically? What was it about her? Perhaps it was her quiet resolve. Or her lack of pretense. Maybe it was because she saw him for who he was without the distractions of who he was. It was with these thoughts, and an empty glass, that Harry would fall asleep.

Zahra lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. The walls of her small room felt as though they were closing in on her more than usual. She had just had a fight with her mother and stepfather about her whereabouts a few nights ago – something that should have been a non-issue, as it was already in the past. Apparently, her stepfather had seen her return home that night, and wanted to know where she had been. The only thing that had postponed this conversation was the fact that he and Zahra were rarely in the house at the same time. Her mother had unsuccessfully tried to interrogate her, but finally he had caught up with her and demanded to know where she had been and with whom.

Most of the time, neither parent asked about her where she was going, or anything else about her life. It was apparent that they simply did not care. Likely the expensive-looking car had made them suspicious. Zahra was fed up with the constant tension, but what could she do? Her only hope was to hold out until she was 18 and finished with high school. Tears slipped out of the corners of her eyes. It was at moments like these though, that the light at the end of the tunnel still seemed very far away.

Her thoughts kept going back to Harry; his mop of coiffed hair, his pale skin, his dazzlingly blue eyes. There was so much that she wanted to tell him, but knew that she could not run to him over every little thing. Harry had more important issues to worry about than her own. She felt certain that he was under a lot of pressure from his father, although he didn't speak much about either his father or this mysterious company. It was obvious that Harry was wealthy – the way he went about it seemed as though he didn't really notice – but he didn't flaunt it, at least, not around her. How was it that they had even met in the first place? She guessed that he could pick anyone he wanted as a friend. So why her?

Hey, what are you doing?

Hey, I'm studying… or at least trying to. What about you?

Not much… can I study with you? I have stuff I could work on, I won't bother you

That would be nice! I'm at home right now…what if we meet at a library?

Sounds good. Pick you up?

That's kinda out of the way for you…

Not a problem. I'll leave now and message when I'm close

Thanks Harry :)

See you soon :)

Zahra looked up and Harry, sitting across from her and hunched over some paperwork; his forehead was cradled in the palm of his hand, partially obscuring his face. She wasn't really sure what he was working on, but with all of their books, papers, and respective laptops, they looked like two regular students focused on their study session. Peering back into her schoolwork, a few minutes later she felt the sensation of being watched and glanced up again. This time Harry was looking at her with a smile on his lips.

"How's it going?" he whispered.

"Pretty good," she replied quietly.

"Feel like taking a break?"

Zahra surveyed her work. "I'm almost finished this chapter; could you survive twenty minutes?"

He scrunched up his face dramatically, then grinned. "Yeah, I'll make it. I'm just not used to studying this hard."

"You've been awesome."

In no less than four minutes after that exchange, Harry nestled his head into the crook of his arm and fell asleep right on the table, dozing right through the last of her studying. Zahra finished up, and then decided to wake him before packing up all of her stuff. Tentatively, she reached over and gently touched his forearm. Harry woke with a bit of a start and blinked sleepily.

"I really passed out there," he remarked.

"You seemed pretty tired."

"I haven't been sleeping too well recently, or I should say, worse than usual."

"Oh, I'm sorry…"

"It's alright, I'm used to it."

"When I'm working in the early mornings, I often think about you awake over there."

"Hey, the next time I'm up early I'll turn on the lights and we can try to spot each other."

"That's a good idea – why haven't we done that earlier?"

Harry shrugged. "Guess I just like watching you." His blue eyes flicked up to hers, twinkling.

More and more Harry felt like he needed to be in her presence, that the time apart was merely time spent waiting until he could be with her again. He wasn't sure what had changed or why exactly he felt that way, but with Zahra there, the gnawing sense of loneliness completely dissipated. Like the darkness that crept in his shadow couldn't touch him. Like things started making sense. Harry didn't want to label this feeling, put a name or a title to it, as though doing so would break some spell; he just wanted it to continue.

That being said, when Brady made an inquiry about Harry Osborn's travel plans, the young man suddenly looked at his assistant with a mixture of confusion and irritation.

"Excuse me, if I spoke out of turn," Brady said calmly. "The initial plan was to leave for Saint-Tropez about this time. If you would like to change things, I can cancel the bookings right away."

Harry's countenance indicated that he had regained self-control. Brady was used to his moody outbursts, and was now a master at diffusing tense situations, though he also realized that the younger Osborn was working at his sharp temper.

"I had forgotten about that, sorry," Harry replied quietly. "Actually, I have changed my mind – I would like to stay on here for the winter."

"It has been some time since you spent the season in the cold place; would you like for winter activities to be arranged?"

"Yes, look into that. I definitely would like to get some skiing in, and possibly outdoor ice skating."

"Shall I have your winter wardrobe sent over from the States?"

Harry thought it over. "I should look over the whole inventory of my winter clothes; make sure the house has up-to-date photos of everything that's over there, and we'll look through it. I would like your suggestions as well. In any case, I'm probably going to have to do some shopping, and you'll probably need things as well."

"Very well, I'll get started with that. Also, shall I inform the hotel that you've decided to stay?"

Reflexively he looked towards the window, out of which he had spent so much time watching Zahra work. "Yes, for the time being."

Brady, laden with his assignments for the afternoon, turned to leave, but Harry spoke up again almost hesitantly. "If Zahra and I go shopping, how do you think she would take it if I got things for her as well?"

"She would feel uncomfortable, I'm quite sure of it. Only if it's something small and modestly-priced, would she consider accepting."

Harry nodded, mulling over the advice. "Thank you, Brady."

The other man left the room with a slight smile. It wasn't often that Harry asked for such specific guidance. Lately, Harry had been a little more discreet with his spending, and it hadn't gone unnoticed by Brady. Clearly, the young man's perception of money had changed a little.

"So, does your family have any holiday plans?" Harry casually asked one afternoon as he and Zahra were out shopping.

"Not really. I actually decided to personally stop doing the whole holiday thing last year, and I haven't missed it."

"Really?" he gave her a surprised look.

"I know it sounds weird, but I just didn't see a point to it anymore," Zahra replied with a shrug. "I kinda lost touch with all of my old friends, and my family situation is pretty stressful already, so all of the gift-giving just made it even more difficult. To me, it doesn't make sense to spend all this time and effort on getting expensive things for others just because that's what is expected. In the end, people don't even appreciate it." She sighed. "Sorry, I'm ranting."

He smiled. "You don't rant often. So, if I gave you a gift just because I wanted to, and not because it's a holiday, would you accept it?"

"Yes. I would rather give a gift because I felt like it, rather than because I'm obligated to; it's sincere and has more meaning."

"Good, because I want to include you in this shopping spree."

Zahra stared at him. "What do you mean?"

So much for the discreet approach. "I need winter clothing for Berlin, so does Brady, and I can't bear the thought of buying all this stuff without getting you something as well. That's my gift to you."

"You're serious?"

"Always. Whatever you want."

"Wow… thank you." She was quiet a moment, thinking things over. "Were you going to go back to the U.S. for the winter to be with your family?"

"No. I wasn't summoned back, so there was no reason to go. I don't really have any family except my father, but we've never been… close."

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Besides, it means that I can stay here with you."

Their eyes met, and for the first time Zahra saw his cheeks pink a bit. Harry had chosen to stay in Berlin because of her. Just knowing that suddenly made her heart feel like it would burst with happiness… with relief.

"Well then, let's not celebrate the holidays together."

"Sounds fine to me," he replied.