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It was a white Christmas. Harry ended the video call with Harriet and her girlfriend feeling like he always did after each of their conversations.
Scolded in some way.
That was one of the powers Harriet had. It didn't matter if she was congratulating him. She would always find something where he needed to improve. But it's not like she's making him feel bad. Quite the opposite. Harriet was tough on him because she believed that Harry deserved great things. Same as with CJ. Harriet didn’t criticize his victories.
…It was as if she showed her affection by caring for him and hiding it behind a bossy voice.
That must be it.
Harry smiled at his cell phone screen.
He didn't need to have his sisters with him at all times to feel their strong connection.
“Your family seems very close,” Uma commented from his apartment kitchen.
From his apartment. In Christmas.
Whatever she was preparing smelled delicious. Nothing Christmas. But delicious. Harry could only see Uma moving around the kitchen, washing everything she was using so as not to accumulate dirty dishes. Even though he had offered to do it. But Uma just looked at him like he was crazy and declared the kitchen her territory.
Maybe he liked bossy people.
Although Uma was cute, the description felt small. It was as if the gods had put the force of nature in the most beautiful container they had found. Uma was powerful and domineering, capable of claiming a place as her own and no one could tell her anything.
Actually, Harry wanted to beg her to claim the entire department as her own.
“Harry?”
He blinked. Once again, he had plunged into his own thoughts. His mind reminded him of the last he had heard from her and he smiled.
“My sisters and I are very close,” Harry clarified, settling into the couch to look at what he could from her “And you?”
“My cousins and I,” Uma replied “They are like my sisters. Mom and my aunt always focused on their own rivalry and forgot about us. That made us come together.”
Harry nodded and froze when he saw Uma come out of the kitchen, straight at him. Uma leaned over the back of the couch and reached her hand in the direction of the table and moved her fingers. Harry immediately handed her the glass of red wine and she took a couple of sips.
“Italian?” Uma raised the glass to appreciate the intense red color.
“Argentinian,” Harry corrected “Fruity, do you like it?”
She smiled and handed him the glass. But when Harry took it, she didn't let go, making direct contact with him. Uma looked at him with mischief in her eyes.
“Good boy,” She nodded to his question and returned to the kitchen.
Harry melted a bit more on the couch.
“Read your lines,” Uma ordered from the kitchen “Loud and clear.”
Harry took the script and looked for an interesting part and came across one of his favorite lines.
“My heart belongs to someone. Maybe you didn't realize it because you didn't take a good look. But only that person is whom my eyes seek. Only for that person I not only live in the sea, but I survive every day,” Harry smirked. “I don't need to explain. You don't even need to believe me. But I will not allow you to question me.”
Uma's laugh filled his apartment, and she poked her head out to look at him.
“And there the Commodore and the spy do exactly that. They question you. And they quote every man and woman, every person, you've flirted with,” Uma disappeared one second and the next she approached him with two bowls full of food, “Don't move.”
Harry stopped his attempt to help her and waited for her to sit next to him. Out of the Christmas spirit, he looked at the fish and peppers.
“Escucitch Fish,” Uma explained, “Marinated in spicy,” she pointed to the loaves over the fish “Bammy, bread made with cassava flour.”
Uma climbed onto the couch and settled on the other side of it, resting her feet against Harry's thigh. She watched him closely as Harry took the bowl and tasted a piece of the bread with some of the fish. The texture of the bread was consistent, and the fish mixed smoothly. And it was spicy, very juicy, and hot. The taste filled his mouth. Harry took another bite of the bread, helping himself to calm the spiciness. Although it wasn’t uncomfortable. But the harmony between flavors was remarkable.
Uma smirked and started eating. Apparently, he had done well. For a few minutes, they just ate. And Harry appreciated the opportunity to savor the dish. His eyes water a little from the spiciness and Uma chuckled at his reaction. But Harry didn't stop. The dish was delicious, and he thought he could get used to the taste in his mouth. If Harry compared the food that he used to taste, he could tell why his tongue was so overwhelmed.
“They start to quote every person that my character has seduced.” Harry resumed, excited by the story. “Every little and big encounter.”
“And the audience would see a compilation of the most iconic scenes that you and they have shared. The dance you combined with the waitress at that tavern. The flirtation you had with one of the guards while you and your crew were on the run. The new king you met. The mysterious person who led you to find the cure to save your best friend. And so many more,” Uma reached over and took her glass of wine.
“While one of your songs plays in the background. A song about love and History. A song that my character always sings.” Harry looked at her for a second and then read her lines, “I think you are deaf, or you don't understand. My heart belongs to only one person. And if your spy didn't notice, you should get another one, Commodore.”
Uma nodded approvingly and closed the distance between them.
“But say it offended. They are insulting your owner. They cannot see what is so obvious to you. So, you are upset,” She reminded him, “Proud of what you have but upset.”
Harry closed the distance between them until his forehead touched Uma's. His character knew no limits. And his way of intimidating was by cornering his enemies. He cocked his face and narrowed his eyes.
“I think you are deaf, or you don’t understand,” Harry replied sarcasm, his words drenched in poison “My heart belongs to only one person.” He chuckled. “And if your spy didn't notice, you should get another one,” Harry looked her up and down, challenging her, “Commodore.”
Uma stroked his face. Harry stepped out of character and felt his ears heat up. Remarkably close. They were remarkably close. Uma had leaned over a bit on the couch, and it looked like he was leading her to lie down. Uma must have noticed his doubts because she wrapped her hand around his neck and buried her fingers in his hair.
“Exactly. Those mortals don't understand. And it’s offensive,” Uma smiled. “Remember that every time you sing in a tavern or even in a battle, you refer that your heart comes and goes. And they don't understand it.”
Harry looked at Uma's lips and then into her eyes.
“But I understand,” She continued “The kind of love you have. Dedicated and devoted.”
“Uma…” Harry breathed in slowly, feeling her pulling him until she leaned in her back, and he was on her body.
On the floor, Uma put her wine glass down.
“When they asked me how the main character should be, I just described you. Only you could fall in love with the most dangerous and forbidden,” Uma laughed “And you would carry your love with you, telling everyone without saying it directly.”
Harry felt his face hot. She had read his last interviews were in one way or another Harry had confessed that he was in love and wasn’t interested in anyone other than someone who was out of his league. He hadn’t given names and had danced between the questions masterfully. But he had made it clear that he was not interested in anyone else.
“Have you found the actress who will play Vedebia?” Harry thought about the last episode, his favorite part.
Where his character was guiding his ship into a storm at sea. He ordered his crew to go to their cabins and leave him alone. Only then did a wave cover the deck and a person was formed from the water. In order, each of the people his character had flirted with, intimated with, or seduced showed up. The figure transformed their body as if it were made of water and took new forms. Until they get to him. And a new character appeared. A goddess. Vedebia, a sea goddess and the beloved of his character. She, who had been with him throughout his journey, helping him without anyone noticing but him. She always changed shape to keep him safe and his character always knew it was her. Vedebia carried his heart with her.
“Because every time I think of her, you inspire me,” Harry confessed.
“I can't do everything,” Uma tilted her face with a soft smile.
“Of course, you can,” Harry laughed.
Furthermore, Vedebia's true form should rarely appear. Part of his character's romance with her is that it didn't really matter how she looked. His character always recognized her and loved her.
Uma arched up laughing in amusement at his words and reached for her glass.
“I'm just a waitress,” She rested the crystal against Harry's forehead.
“You are many things,” Harry responded immediately.
Uma pushed the glass against his lips, and he let the liquid flow into his mouth.
“Don't drink it,” She ordered and put the glass aside. “If you want to kiss me so much, you shouldn’t look for the excuse that I act with you.”
Harry wanted to deny but she pulled him in and kissed him. Harry winced and Uma's tongue forced his lips open, drinking the wine from him. Harry hugged her around the waist and pulled her against his body. She locked her knees against his thighs and arched against his body, guiding him at her own pace.
“It's not just because of that,” Harry gasped when she released him.
And then he realized everything.
Uma had kissed him. Not only that. She was with him, at Christmas, curled up on the couch with him. Not only that. Uma had cooked for him and asked about his family. Uma had kissed him, and she seemed amazingly comfortable at the time.
Not only that.
Uma seemed to have read his mind because she was smiling approvingly at him.
“Merry Christmas, Harry Hook,” She pointed to the television “Are we going to see a movie, or did you just trick me into having me here?”
Even though she had been the one who invited herself to his home.
But Harry smiled.
“Of course, darling,” Harry felt that last word flow naturally from his mouth.
And Uma smiled, biting her lower lip.
“Good boy.”
He was doomed. Happily doomed.