ESCAPE

Chapter 30

VALENTINA

'You don't have to be afraid', said Harry as we made our way towards the fifth floor, which was where the crew accommodated in the hotel.

We had just booked into one and I had a room all to myself, as my room was usually for the boy's girlfriends, so I guess that was my role here.

The first thing Harry did was clear his morning schedule so that I could meet up with their tour doctor, Karen.

'I just don't want her to know'

Harry stopped abruptly as he read it and he held my arm to pull me close to him.

I was still intimidated by his towering figure and intense gaze, but I willed myself to not cower away.

Harry would never harm me, he wanted to help me.

'Val, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Don't care about what those people think about you. You know that it was not your choice, so please stop being so hard on yourself', he said and I nodded my head as I felt courage seep through my veins at his words.

We reached a door which read 121 and he looked at me.

'You ready?', he asked and I nodded.

He knocked and the door opened to reveal a tall woman with tattoos and platinum blonde hair, she held a child in her arms who immediately squealed at Harry's sight.

'Hazza!', exclaimed the woman and he gave her a side hug while the child clung to his neck.

'Hey there, Lux', he said, taking the child in his arms.

'You must be the famous Valentina', she said looking at me.

Was this the doctor?

I looked at Harry.

'Val, this is Lou, she's our stylist', he introduced and she beamed at me.

'You have gorgeous hair', she said and I felt myself blush as no one had ever complimented me before.

'Is Karen here?', he asked.

'Yeah, she's just getting unpacked', she said and tried to take Lux from his hands, but she refused to let go.

'I have an appointment with her', he said.

'Are you sick, love?', she asked worried.

'No, it's Val', he said and she nodded sensing the sudden secrecy in his voice.

'I'll go tell her you're here', she said and disappeared into a room.

'Say hello, Lux', said Harry as he faced the little girl to me.

I waved at her with a smile.

'Hello', she said and I smiled again.

'Why doesn't she say hello?', she asked with a frown and my smile fell a bit but Harry was quick to sense it.

'She has a sore throat, love', he explained.

'Does it hurt?', she asked and I nodded, playing along.

'Don't worry! Karen will make it stop hurting!', she exclaimed happily and I couldn't help but smile at her again.

'She'll be with you in a minute', said Lou as she came towards us.

'Come on, Lux. Harry and Valentina are busy', she said taking Lux from his arms.

'But I want to play!', she protested.

'We'll play later, I promise', said Harry and he gave her a kiss on her small cheek to which she giggled.

'Thank you', he said as Lou walked out of the room.