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Pat re on. c om(slash)belleveela(delete spaces)
"The heart is a fickle thing, isn't it?" Fleur called softly, her green eyes meeting Harry's for the first time in what felt like forever.
Harry swallowed hard, trying to regain his composure. It had been a year since he last saw her. Her beauty hadn't faded a bit. Fleur was still the tall, sensual blonde he had fallen in love with all those years ago.
"Fleur," he replied, attempting to sound casual despite the turmoil inside him. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Neither did I," she admitted, her gaze moving up and down his bare chest with obvious appreciation. "You look incredible. All that time in Thailand did you well."
Her eyes roamed over his body, hot as a caress. Warmth flooded Harry's groin as he remembered all the times they had fucked here, by the pool, Fleur's screams echoing under the night sky.
But that was a long time ago, back when they were still husband and wife. Now Fleur was his ex, and all those nights were just memories.
He suppressed the excitement and shrugged. "It keeps me out of trouble."
"Does it?" Fleur's smile became playful. "Somehow, I doubt that. Especially in a place like Bangkok."
Harry snorted, refusing to take her bait. They always enjoyed playing these games.
"What can I do for you, Fleur?"
"I brought some documents for you to sign." She waved an envelope. "Just some minor legal stuff regarding our joint accounts and such. Nothing urgent, but they need your signature. I thought it would be easier to bring them over personally and save you a trip to town."
"Thanks, I appreciate that," Harry said, taking the envelope from her hand.
Their fingers brushed, sending a shock of electricity through him. Fleur stood up from her seat, and Harry hesitated, unsure whether to sit at the table or remain standing.
"Would you like something to drink?" he offered, trying to ease the tension.
"No, thank you," she declined politely, clasping her hands in front of her.
The awkward silence that followed seemed to stretch on forever. Fleur appeared quite comfortable not saying anything, just looking at him as if assessing one of the apartments she sold. He returned her gaze, still trying to accept the fact that he was looking at the woman he had planned to spend the rest of his life with. A year apart had changed so much, but her beauty remained as captivating as ever.
Fleur took a deep breath and let it out slowly, glancing around The Pearl. "I've missed this view," she admitted softly. "I almost forgot how pure the air is on the coast. The ocean breeze always makes me feel alive."
"Yeah, it's something special," Harry agreed, breathing deeply as he sat at the table.
"Gabrielle is lucky to be staying in the guesthouse," Fleur continued, her tone tinged with a bit of jealousy. "Does it bother you that she stayed here while you were in Thailand?"
At the mention of Gabrielle, Harry felt a pang of guilt, recalling the intimate moment they had shared the day before. He swallowed hard, pushing the memory aside.
"Not at all. I'm glad she can stay as long as she likes. The Pearl is big enough for everyone."
"Thank you, Harry," Fleur said. "Gabrielle loves living here. I know it means a lot to her."
As they sat there, the weight of their shared history pressed down on them. Although they had both changed, so much remained unsaid between them. Perhaps it was better that way. Their future together had ended. Was there any need to dwell on what they had?
Harry looked at his ex-wife and still felt a strong attraction to her. How could he not? But he also wished her all the best in her new life. Fleur was right. They could be civilized adults even after their marriage ended.
"How do you like the new place with Blaise?" he asked casually. "Gabrielle filled me in. Do you enjoy the change of scenery?"
"It's wonderful!" Fleur replied, her voice filled with a joy that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You should come by sometime and meet him. He's such a charming young man. Maybe you could give him some investment advice. God knows he needs it."
Harry cleared his throat and forced a pained smile. "Thanks, but not just yet," he said gently, trying to soothe her. "I'm not ready for that step. No offense, of course."
"None taken," Fleur assured him, though he saw the disappointment in her expression. "I just want us to be on friendly terms, that's all. And I really hope you find happiness and fulfillment, just as I have with Blaise."
Her words seemed sincere, but her joy felt artificial, setting off alarm bells in Harry's mind. Was everything as perfect as she made it seem? Or was there more to the story than she was letting on?
Before he could ponder further, Fleur quickly changed the subject. "Have you been in touch with Hermione about the new car?"
"Oh, yes," Harry said, momentarily distracted by the memory of Hermione's lips pressed against his. "We went for a test drive today. The car is amazing, like nothing I've ever driven. The color she chose was just perfect."
"Hermione always had great taste," Fleur agreed, seemingly unaware of the attraction her best friend held for Harry. "So, when are you picking up the car?"
"I haven't bought it yet. I just need a day or two to think about it."
"You'll get the car," Fleur teased. "Hermione can be very persuasive."
Harry nodded, suppressing a smile. "Yes. I found out just how persuasive she can be."
"I'm glad she could help you. She's always been a good friend."
"Indeed," Harry replied, still thinking about the kiss. "I don't know much about electric vehicles, but she was great at helping me explore all the options."
"Speaking of exploring," Fleur said, her eyes gleaming with sudden curiosity, "did you ever open that box the servicemen found in the attic? I remember Gabrielle mentioning it."
"I did," Harry said, his mind shifting gears. "It contained old letters between my grandfather Fleamont and a woman named Elizabeth Longbottom. I only read the first one. From what I can tell, it looks like they might have had an affair in 1946."
Fleur leaned forward in her chair, her interest piqued. "A family mystery?" she mused, clearly excited by the idea. "You know how much I love a good secret."
Her hand brushed against Harry's, sending a shiver down his spine. For a moment, he was transported back to the times when they shared their most intimate thoughts and desires.
"If your offer for a drink is still on the table," she said, "maybe we could open a bottle of wine and read the letters together?"
The enthusiasm in Fleur's voice reminded Harry of their shared adventures, her joy in spontaneous trips that took them to places they would never have discovered otherwise. He hesitated, torn between nostalgia and the need to maintain boundaries. The scent of her perfume lingered around him, evoking memories of desire and heartbreak in equal measure.
"I promised someone else that I would read the letters with them," Harry finally said.
"Who?" she asked, her voice tinged with hurt.
Harry hesitated, unsure how much he should reveal. Gabrielle was an adult and capable of making her own decisions, but she was also the sister of his ex-wife. "It's a personal matter," he replied gently.
Fleur frowned, and he knew that look well. Beautiful, intelligent, and imposing, Fleur was used to getting her way. Despite this, Harry couldn't help but wonder why she seemed so affected by his answer, considering they were no longer married.
The atmosphere grew tense as they sat there, the distance between them widening both physically and emotionally. Fleur's disappointment was palpable, her eyes downcast and her posture slightly slumped. She tucked a loose strand of golden hair behind her ear, letting out a resigned sigh.
"Anyway, I should be going," she said, forcing a smile. "You know how traffic can be on the way back to the city."
"Of course."
She looked around The Pearl one last time, with admiration and longing in her gaze. "I really miss this place, Harry. It's so beautiful here."
"Thank you for bringing those documents, Fleur," he replied, trying to keep the conversation light and polite. "I appreciate it."
They stood up from the table. To Harry's surprise, Fleur stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
"It's so good to see you again, Harry," she whispered in his ear, her breath warm and soft. "I'm sorry things ended the way they did. The heart is a fickle thing, isn't it? I'm glad we can still be friends."
As she pulled away, Harry nodded, feeling a mixture of relief and sadness. "Me too, Fleur."
They parted, exchanging small smiles. Harry walked her to the driveway, enjoying the familiar sight of her hips swaying gracefully with each step. He held the car door open as Fleur got in. She tapped the horn and waved as she drove away, another familiar gesture that made his heart ache.
As her sedan disappeared down the winding road, Harry felt a strange emptiness in his chest. The reunion with Fleur had been bittersweet. He didn't feel the closure he had hoped for. Everything still seemed incomplete. It didn't help that Fleur's tone had been so tense when he asked about Blaise. Was their relationship as perfect as she made it seem, or were there cracks beneath the surface?
It's not my concern anymore. Fleur is a big girl and can handle her own life. I just need to focus on myself. Harry looked up at the clear sky, letting the warm afternoon sun wash over him. In the distance, he heard the low rumble of waves crashing against the bay. The sound reminded him that life never stands still; it always moves forward. If you don't move with it, you'll be left behind.
"Don't stop! Don't stop!" The words of his Muay Thai trainer echoed in his mind. It was good advice, both in the ring and out of it.
"Don't stop," Harry repeated to himself. "Don't stop."
Chapters 8, 9, 10 ,11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 are already on Pa tr eon
If you would like to read the next chapters faster, see exclusive content, or support my work, please visit
Pat re on. c om(slash)belleveela(delete spaces)