ESCAPE

Chapter 23

VALENTINA

'Val', called a voice and I looked up to find Paul motioning me towards him.

I got up and timidly approached him, as I did so, I felt someone else by my side as well.

'I'll come with you if you're scared', said Harry and I smiled at him.

Paul smiled as I sat across him at the kitchen table.

He gave Harry a questioning look to which he replied with a shrug and Paul rolled his eyes at him.

'We were thinking of taking you to our tour doctor', he said and I gave him a questioning look.

'What he's trying to say is that your panic attacks need to be looked at', said Harry and I gulped.

'Are you okay with it?', asked Paul.

I bit my lower lip, unsure of what to say.

An appointment with a doctor would surely mean that all my bruises would be seen and I was not ready for that.

It would make me feel like scum once everyone found out.

'I'll talk to her', I heard Harry say from beside me but I ignored him as my mind raced with various thoughts.

'Val?', said Harry gently and I looked at him.

'I know what you're thinking', he said and my eyes widened as I realized that this would never remain a secret.

'Hey, what's wrong?', he asked as I looked away from his emerald eyes, ashamed to even be near him.

I shook my head and for once all the tears that I had kept in about my sudden insecurities, all threatened to come loose.

'I wont judge you', he said.

You would if you knew.

'I actually do and I really don't', he said and I looked at him stunned.

'Zayn told me before he left', he said and I buried my face into my hands.

'Why are you so ashamed?', he asked.

Would you want to be with a slut?

Harry's eyes widened as he read the pad.

'You are not a slut Valentina', he said sternly.

Then what would you call me? A girl who's slept with so many men?

'You were forced into this, you were given no choice. It's not your fault', he said gently as he moved closer to me.

I choked on my tears and tried to wipe them away.

I feel so dirty.

'None of that matters now, you're never going back there', he said and for some unknown reason I felt comfort and safety in his words.

'If you've been abused like that for so long, I think it's best of you meet a doctor', he said and I nodded.

'Then why wont you go?, he asked.

I don't want them to judge me.

'Screw them! We wont judge you', he said and I smiled faintly.

'They don't know what you've been through', he said.

If only the world thought so as well.

'Why do you worry about what the world thinks when all you need to focus on is being with us?', he asked with a grin and I grinned.

'I mean if that were the case, I'm not much of a white towel either', he said and I looked at him.

'You should hear what people call me', he said wryly.

What?

'Well, man whore would be one', he said putting on a thinking face and I couldn't help but laugh.

'Zayn is called the 'Cold One'', he said and I giggled.

'See, you're in good company when it comes to people talking shit', he said and I shrugged.

'Will you meet the doctor?', he asked and I nodded.

'Good girl', he said and I smiled.

I'm sorry if I ever hurt you, Harry.

He smiled and simply ruffled up my hair.

'I didn't know what you had been through', he replied and I smiled at his kind answer.

'Say, do you want to go out?', he asked and I blinked at him.

'Oh no, not like that! I mean whether you wanted to you know go see the city or something', he said quickly and I smiled with a nod.

'Great, I'll go and tell Paul', he said and headed towards the front.

I smiled as I replayed the conversation in my head.

Harry was very sweet and gentlemanly.

Zayn was right, I should give them a chance.

In all honesty, I felt a lot better talking to him and letting know what I was afraid of.

'We can go, he says it's good for the Management as well', he said with a roll of eyes and I smiled.

Will it be safe?

'I'll make sure that no one even touches you', he said and I smiled.

'Although you should be aware that the fans will be around us', he said and I immediately dropped the smile.

'Hey, there's nothing to be afraid of. The fans are harmless, I mean you should know, they rescued you', he said and I raised an eyebrow at him.

'Okay well they might have closed in on you but they are the reason you're safe', he said and I nodded.

'Just keep close to Harry, love', said Liam as he joined the conversation and I smiled at him.

'What's going on?', asked Louis.

'We were just thinking of going out', replied Harry as he grabbed a jacket.

'By yourselves?', he asked stunned.

'Of course not, we'll have security', said Harry.

'What fun is that?', asked Louis wryly and I grinned at him.

'Lou, don't', said Liam and he made a face at him in return.

'Why don't you go get dressed-', started Harry but he stopped immediately and face palmed himself.

'I forgot, you don't have a wardrobe', he said and I shrugged.

'Tell you what, that will be the first thing we do', he said with a smile.

I don't have any money.

Harry chuckled at my writing and said, 'Luckily for you, I have a few pounds to spare'.

****************************************************************************************

I'm sorry but this is just a filler! I've been having major writer's block! Don't worry a lot of good chapters are up! I just cant bring myself to put them down! AHHH!