ESCAPE

Chapter 53

VALENTINA

'Don't look now Directioners, but it seems that Harry Styles is no longer a free man. The British heartthrob was found at a very famous restaurant with his new lady. However we don't know who she is. She clearly is not from Styles' usual select celebrity beauties but they do seem to be quite comfortable with each other. Could this really be Harry's new girlfriend? Will this one stay for the long term?'

'British hunk seen with unknown brunette over a romantic dinner'

'Harry Styles seen leaving and entering a separate hotel with mystery girl last night'

I didn't know whether I should be feeling pleased or entirely annoyed at the headlines.

Here's a question, how on earth does something like this even become a headline?!

Yes, he looks good and has a charming appeal, but that doesn't mean he's supposed to be followed around like some criminal with a bounty on their head.

'AH! Nothing delights me more than my face on Sugarscape!', exclaimed Harry as he peered over my shoulder.

I couldn't help but laugh a bit but I didn't want to forgive him that easily.

'Oh my, was that a smile? You know how dangerous it is for you to be happy right?', he asked seriously and I rolled my eyes at him causing him to chuckle.

'We're heading back to the others today', he said and I nodded.

'Val, I know you want to question Zayn when we get back', he said with a sigh and I looked away.

'I understand that you think it's his fault, but it really isn't. He's just looking out for me, just like he did at the start of this whole rescue mission. His intentions are only for your benefit', he explained but I scoffed.

'Valentina', he said, this time his voice held a tone of sternness, something that he didn't show a lot.

'Zayn is recovering from a very traumatic experience, as his best friend , I won't let you hurt him anymore', he said and looked at me.

Hurt him? I don't want to hurt him, I'm not like that. I want answers.

'Fine, but keep in mind, he might not be as damaged as you, but he's broken', he said and opened the door so that we could head out.

'Well if it isn't our lovebirds!', exclaimed Louis and I rolled my eyes at him as we entered my room.

'How did it go?', asked Niall.

'It was interesting', said Harry and looked at me with a wry expression.

'Well it bloody better be, Valentina has a baron for a suitor', said Louis cheekily and we both looked at him shocked.

'We know', said Liam and I groaned as I head out of the room, eager to forget the new piece of information about myself.

Serafina, that's what he called me.

It sounds so dignified when compared to Valentina and to top it off, he's a baron!

Where on earth do I fit into all of this?!

'Hello'

I turned to find Zayn standing a few feet away from me, he looked drained to be honest but I was still angry at him.

'I guess we need to talk', he said and I nodded keeping in mind what Harry had told me.

'I didn't know this hotel had a terrace garden, do you mind talking out here?', he asked and I shrugged.

'Right', he started and shoved his hands into his jacket pockets.

'I'm sorry', he said.

'I'm sorry that I shared my paranoid feelings with Harry causing a butterfly effect of chaos', he continued but I didn't react. I wanted to hear the whole thing and I guess he understood because he sighed and faced the skyline before us.

'I'm paranoid because a year ago, the same thing happened to me and to Nova as well. I just don't want history to repeat itself. Harry's already got so much to worry about, he's always pap bait. If I'm the one who get's tormented by private eyes, then Harry is the one who gets tormented by the public eyes which was why I didn't want him to get involved in this', he said.

I could understand what Zayn was saying, his intentions were good, but they hurt. It was like this constant reminder that I should just leave them alone.

'But it doesn't mean that I don't want you to get home, Val. I want you to be safe, I would rather break my arm than find you just like I found you that night in New York. It's just that none of us can offer you the safest way of reaching home, believe me I tried everything for Nova. I didnt want you to suffer like she did. All of this would be an epic failure, once again', he said with a scoff and sat down into one of the wicker chairs.

'It's worth the risk, believe me I know what you think but in the end, it will always be the same',he sighed.

I had enough of this Nova talk.

I need you to tell me what happened to Nova, this will all make sense.

Zayn looked at me as he read the journal and held his head in his hands.

'No, absolutely not', he said and started to get up but I stood in his way.

'Val, please', he said but I held his arm with a firm grip, refusing to move an inch and I could see the anger in his posture something flashed through his eyes, causing him to go weak.

'I don't know, if I can', he gasped and for the first time ever I saw fear and sadness in his eyes.

What could have possibly happened for him to feel this way? What had happened to Nova for him to be so paranoid and broken?