Chapter 2 Worth Fighting For

Harris woke up without Mallory by his side. "Mally?" he called out her name. "Baby, are you in the bathroom? How about you join me in bed? I don't wanna get up yet," he said, expecting an answer from Mallory.

Still waiting for an answer from Mallory later on. "Baby, come here," he said, sitting on the bed and leaning on the headboard after waiting for Mallory's answer.

Harris squeezed his eyes shut, allowing the image of Mallory Phillips to fill his thoughts. He pictured her soft, light brown hair curling around her face, and her almond-shaped eyes sparkled when she smiled. He longed for a world where he could be with her without judgment from his family.

His daydream was cut but still no Mallory by his side. Harris peeled off the blanket showing his fully naked body. He needed clarification as to why there was no answer from Mallory. "Baby?" He went to the bathroom but found no trace of Mallory.

He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. Took his phone and immediately dialed Mallory's number, but the call was transferred to a voicemail. "Baby, where are you? Please call me as soon as you get this. I'm worried."

Harris sat on the couch and tried to calm himself. Probably Mallory has to run some errands or some emergency, that's why she couldn't answer her phone right now. Mallory is different from the woman who often does a one-night stand. That's what he told himself to help him relax and not worry too much about Mallory.

"There is no way she will run away from me," he muttered. "We both had a great night, and she confessed that she loved me too."

Harris confessed his feelings to a girl for the first time after a very long time. The last time he remembered confessing his love was in high school. He caught himself grinning like a fool with Mallory in his thoughts. That's what love does to a man.

As Harris sat on the couch, his mind drifted back to the night before. They had spent hours exploring each other's bodies, their passion igniting a flame that engulfed them. The memory of her soft skin and how her body responded to his touch made his heart race.

Harris was cut off from his daydream when his phone rang. He took it from the table but was disappointed to see her mom calling instead of Mallory.

"What is it, Mom? It's too early."

"It's past 9 o'clock in the morning, Harris; it's not early. For a businessman like you, this isn't new. You know that. You should be awake at 5 in the morning."

"Mom, I know. But today is my day off from my hotel job as a room attendant. I deserve to rest and pamper myself."

"This isn't about your hotel job. This is about your fiance, Nicole. She wants you to come to an opera concert tonight."

"Mom, stop all this nonsense. I am not engaged, and I don't have a fiance."

"Harris, we've talked about this. Nicole doesn't have company for the concert...."

"Then go with her," he said, cutting her mom to what she had to say. He ended the call angrily.

He ran his fingers on his hair, thinking about his engagement with Nicole. It was his mom and Nicole's parents who arranged it, which was agreed by Nicole. He doesn't even understand why a woman like Nicole, who has a successful career in business, would marry him. It disgusts him to see women who would do anything just to sleep with him, let alone marry him.

Mallory was the opposite of all the women he had. She sees Harris as he is. Not as a billionaire heir who would eventually run his family's group of companies. His life is almost controlled by two strings. At the end of the strings were his mom and his dad, directing every course of his life.

Another call came, and this time it was from his dad. "Dad, are you gonna scold me like what mom did?"

"NO. I need you here in my office right now. We need to talk about some serious stuff."

"What kind of serious stuff are you talking about, Dad? I'm done with all the tasks you asked of me. I've cleaned the toilet, washed dishes, and been a hotel room attendant."

"I get it. You're done with all those tiny tasks. It's time you work in the office."

"Good. Finally, some good news in the morning. So, what are we gonna talk about today?"

"Well, this is about you preparing to take over one of our companies and eventually be able to manage as the chairman of our group of companies. Harris, I'm not getting any younger."

"Alright, Dad, I'll be there."

As his dad hung up, Harris called Alfred, one of the co-workers at the hotel and one of those guys who knew him as the son of the owner of the company he worked with.

"Alfred, I need a favor."

"Sure, Harris. What is it?" Alfred asked.

"Can you check if Mallory was already in the lobby for work? It's just important that I know she's already working."

"No problem. I'll check it out for you in a minute if that's okay with you, Harris. I'm on the 15th floor now for work.'

"Of course. Thank you for this favor, Alfred. Please call or text me whenever you can after checking Mallory."

A few minutes later, Harris got a text from Alfred saying Mallory didn't report to work. Something didn't feel right, and he knew he had to find Mallory, so he quickly got dressed and left the hotel room. He ran down the hallway towards the elevator, pressing the button repeatedly.

As the elevator doors opened, Harris stepped inside and pressed the button for the lobby. The elevator ride seemed to take forever, and Harris couldn't help but worry about Mallory. He felt something wasn't right.

He immediately went to the receptionist, which was supposed to be Mallory's work, but she didn't report for duty. The receptionist was new as he hadn't seen the woman before during his work in their hotel.

"Excuse me," Harris said to the receptionist, "I'm looking for information about a staff member, Mallory Phillips. Could you help me?"

"Sure," the employee replied, eyeing Harris cautiously. "What would you like to know?"

Harris hesitated, his heart racing as he considered his words. "Did she report for duty this morning?"

The employee thought for a moment, frowning slightly. "Mallory... no, she's not working today."

"Did she say anything about why she can't make it today?" Harris asked, desperation creeping into his voice.

"Sorry, I don't know," the employee shrugged, uncomfortable with Harris's probing questions. "I am new here, today is my first day, and I am not allowed to give employees information."

"Thank you," Harris said, trying to hide his disappointment. Mallory had vanished without a trace, leaving him with unanswered questions and an overwhelming desire to find her.

As he walked away from the hotel lobby, Harris replayed their last conversation. Had she known about his engagement? Was that the reason she left so suddenly? Anxiety gnawed at him, making it difficult to focus on anything else.

He knew he couldn't continue meeting his dad, consumed by doubt and regret about what happened to Mallory. He needed answers, and he needed them now. But how could he find Mallory when she had seemingly vanished?

"Maybe I should've paid more attention," Harris muttered under his breath, his thoughts drifting to their time together. They had shared something special, a connection he couldn't deny even briefly. And now, it felt like a part of him was missing.

He clenched his fists, determination sparking within him. He would find Mallory, no matter what it took. And when he did, he would make things right between them. He will tell Mallory about his true identity. For in his heart, Harris knew he couldn't indeed be happy without her. Mallory is different.

Harris should have noticed how time flew in searching for Mallory. An hour had passed. He got another call from his dad. "Dad, sorry I couldn't come today."

"Harris, where are you? You have to come here now. Whatever you're into right now. Leave it," Harrison commanded.

"Dad, I can't." He cut the call before his dad could talk again.

After a long period of detachment, he found himself deeply in love again and was determined to never let it go. He would do whatever it took for Mallory; she was worth fighting for.