ESCAPE

Chapter 52

HARRY

'Fiancé?!', asked Paul with a bewildered expression.

'Yep', I said with a wry expression and I groaned as I realized that I had just poured my heart out to a girl who was engaged

Perfect.

Just perfect.

'He lives in the same hotel as you guys. He had a small dispute with the other guys on wanting to see Val', he said.

'How the fuck did he even find her?', I asked stunned.

'Beats me, but by the looks of it he looks like someone with serious power and by power I mean diplomatic power', he said and I looked at him confused.

'I did a little research about him when he showed up asking for our girl', he explained and I nodded.

'His name is Domenica De Luca and he's an Italian baron who is in line to be a duke', he elaborated and I choked on my own saliva.

'Fuck what?!', I asked stunned.

'Harry he has diplomatic immunity in 20 fucking countries', he said wryly.

'Oh and I bet England and America are on the lists', I groaned and he nodded.

'Does she know?', he asked and I shook my head.

'She hasn't done anything but cry ever since we reached', I said with a sigh.

Did I forget to mention that management had booked us a separate hotel for the night as well?

'You mean she's not the bit interested?', he asked stunned.

'I don't know!', I exclaimed annoyed by the past events that I had just witnessed.

'Harry calm down. We'll get her home before that man can get a hold of her', said Paul assumingly and I nodded.

'Just try and talk to her, she may seem distant but I know that she really wants someone to by her side', he added.

'I wish we were back at our hotel, Zayn could have helped', I mumbled and Paul shook his head, 'I think you would be more effective', he said and I scoffed at his remark.

After he left I made my way to the bedroom where I found her deep in thought on the window seat and I could make out her tear stained face which glistened from the city lights.

'Hey', I said but she didn't look up.

'Are you still angry at me?', I asked; still no response.

I sighed and approached her but she tensed up and started to get up as well.

'Okay fine, I won't come near you, just hear me out', I said and she looked at me with a tired expression.

'I know you've had an exhausting day and I know that I was a real dick to you', I said and she twirled a strand of her hair.

'Val, you have to understand that I never intended on hurting you-', but she cut me off by getting up and trusted the journal into my hands before she disappeared into the front room.

Well at least she was cooperating.

I sighed and sat down on the bed and turned to the first page, her handwriting looked very rushed and forced as well.

I furrowed my eyebrows and started to read;

Harry said that he didn't want to go on the fake date. I don't want to either but the way he reacted was different, it wasn't like him at all. The way he spoke and behaved gave me the clear impression that he didn't want to be with me and that he didn't believe this would work.

I have had my doubts, especially since the attack but ever since he kissed me in the hospital, I thought he really cared about me and that he was willing to actually put himself in danger to help me. I know how ridiculous that seems for someone who barely knows me but the mere thought gave me hope, his kiss made my heart miss a beat.

I froze as I read the last four words, I had made her heart skip a beat. I remember how she told me about making her heart numb to the abuse she suffered back in the brothel, how she had built up a wall to prevent her from any emotion but my kiss had broken down that wall.

Deep down I was rejoicing that she felt the same way but my guilt for hurting her conquered the feeling and my hands shook from all of those emotions.

I believed in that kiss, I was willing to take a chance when I knew I shouldn't. I shouldn't be here risking their lives but I couldn't help but have a bit of hope and now..

She had stopped there.

I closed the book and leaned back to fall onto the bed and stare at the ceiling.

I had made her feel something and within minutes I made her feel like I was nothing and then a memory played which felt like a blow on my chest.

That day when Zayn stormed out of the meeting, she felt abandoned after everything he had done to help her and I was the one who rushed in to pick her up. Right now, I was the one who had stormed out on her and no one was there to pick her up.

No wonder she was this distressed, the same thing that she feared was happening to her again; abandonment.

I had fucked up real bad and I had no idea how to make things right, but I had to try.

I got up and found her watching 'Keeping up with the Kardashians' on T.V. Surprise, surprise, Kendall was currently on screen. I mentally groaned at having to be reminded of another failed attempt of a relationship.

'Val', I said and she turned to face me.

'I messed up big, didn't I?', I asked and she nodded, not meeting my eye.

'Everything I told you at the restaurant was true', I started and she nodded.

'You understood?', I asked stunned and she nodded.

I took that nod as an encouragement so I joined her on the sofa, causing her to move a little bit away to avoid contact.

'Then please understand when I tell you this, I did not mean for you to feel abandoned. I know you felt like I walked out on you but that isn't the case. I was afraid, afraid of losing you and afraid of the danger ahead', I said and she looked at me.

'I'm not afraid anymore. Heck I don't even care if you're engaged to that stuck up bloke!', I exclaimed and she giggled a bit but was quick to retain her serious look.

I smiled as I realized I was finally getting through.

'That kiss still means a lot to me', I said moving closer to her and she gulped.

This time, she didn't move.

'But I would never do anything to manipulate you', I said softly and I couldn't help but be tempted to look at her lips.

I looked back into her eyes and I could see how flustered she was and I smiled to myself.

'I'm sorry Valentina, I really am. I hope you can forgive me', I said gently and walked away knowing that it would be better not to push anything for it would only ruin the moment.

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