ESCAPE

Chapter 47

VALENTINA

I looked at my reflection and took in the girl who was staring back at me. Her hair had gentle waves , her cheeks shone with a faint glimmer of gold highlight and her lips were a slight dark shade than usual. She looked like she belonged but more than that she looked like she was a survivor.

'You look beautiful, love', complimented Lou who had created the masterpiece and I smiled at her with a grateful nod.

The dress I wore was a courtesy of Caroline who had it ordered just for me, it was a beautiful silver floor length gown. The material clung to my body bringing out features which I never knew I had and I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous as well.

Simon had explained that he had booked a hotel for Harry and I, he also explained how there would be paparazzi and that it was our job to make it look as real as possible.

'Kiss him if you have to', he said.

I remember blushing deeply as he said so.

I still wasn't over the simple kiss he had given me, yet alone that I would just attack him with one.

'Where is he?!', exclaimed a worried Lou and I looked at her.

'He hasn't called you, has he?', she asked and I shook my head.

Is everything alright?

'I hope it is. He hasn't asked Caroline for a suit, hell he hasn't even called me for grooming!', she exclaimed.

We could go and check.

'Well we better, it's getting late. You go ahead, love. I'll be with you as soon as I gather some things', she said and I nodded.

I timidly walked to the door and with a deep breath I turned the door knob.

The hallway was empty, save for the security. They had booked the entire hallway like usual for privacy and right now, I was actually grateful for it.

Harry's room was the first one so I from where I stood, I had quite some bit to walk.

Just as I was about to reach his door, I heard the door of one of the rooms across our hallway open. I was startled for a second because ever since the attack, I was scared to be alone with strangers.

A man walked out of the room and I took a minute to study him. He looked young, yet had a very dignified pose. His raven black hair fell to his neck, giving him more of a boyish appearance and one thing was certain, he was very handsome.

I guess he sensed my glance and so he looked towards my direction. It was confusing to watch his expression change to astonishment and for a fleeting second he looked alarmed as well.

That was my cue to quickly open Harry's door with the provided master card and I quickly shut it.

Drat.

I didn't have me whistle on me.

The living room looked empty, except for a few strewn clothes and a plugged in iron box.

I hesitantly approached his bedroom, not knowing whether I was crossing my line or not but I didn't want him to be in trouble.

I knocked on his door gently but there was no answer, so I let myself in.

The room was dimly lit by the faint yellow glow of the bedside lamps and I made out a mop of curly hair sprawled across the pillows.

He was asleep.

I didn't know whether to wake him up but I knew that Lou would if I didn't and I really didn't want her to get even more tensed by seeing that he wasn't even the bit interested for tonight's show.

I walked up to him and pulled down the duvet that hid his face. I could tell from his steady breathing that he was very much asleep but I had to wake him up.

I couldn't call out to him, I had nothing to call him with, well if you exclude making some clangs with the water jug.

I took a deep breath and timidly shook his arm. Harry grunted and turned over to my direction, causing his hair to fall all over his face. It was quite comical to watch and I couldn't help but giggle a bit. I pulled his hair back and gently stroked his face which resulted in his eyes opening a bit.

I could tell that he looked clearly confused and so I took a step back.

'Val?', he asked looking at me with a stunned expression and I smiled at him with a small wave.

He propped himself on one arm and looked at me squinting his eyes and after what seemed like a very long minute, his eyes shot wide open and he quickly sat upright.

He let out a groan and then fell back into bed again.

What was wrong with him?

'HARRY EDWARD STYLES!', bellowed a voice.

'For fucks sake', he groaned and hid under the duvet as Lou came storming into the room.

'Get up Harry', she hissed and pulled the duvet from him, causing him to cling to the numerous pillows instead.

'Harry, so help me I will kick you off of that bed if you do not get up', she said and he half heartedly got out of bed.

'Why aren't you dressed?', she asked.

'I didn't feel like it', he simply replied and I looked at him stunned.

Wasn't he the one who wanted this to work?

'What do you mean you don't feel like it?', she asked confused as well.

'There's no point Lou, no one is going to believe this. The whole thing is just stupid', he said holding his head in his hand.

He thought this was stupid.

He thought no one would believe this, which meant he didn't believe in this either.

He was just playing along; that kiss...I guess it meant nothing as well.

I felt like someone had slammed me against a wall as it sank in. I had allowed my heart to flutter for a game of make believe.

'Harry what are you talking about?', asked Lou but he simply shook his head.

My faint cry broke the silence in the room and they both looked at me.

Harry's face held confusion as he noticed my dilemma.

Of course it would, he never asked for this; this had gotten out of hands.

'Valentina', he called but I turned on my heel and ran out of the room only to collide into someone else.

'Oi'

I looked up to find Louis' warm blue eyes stare into mine with confusion and then with pain as he saw my tears so, I ended up crying into his chest.

'There there, love. Come on', he said as he put an arm around me and lead me away.