ESCAPE

Chapter 61

ZAYN

'Zayn, darling'

I opened my eyes to find Mum looking down at me with concern in her eyes.

'Why didn't you come home, love?', she asked putting a hand on my shoulder.

I rubbed my eyes and groaned as I stretched a bit and then smiled at her. 'I just wanted to visit for a while, I guess I must have dozed off', I said and glanced at Nova who unlike me, was still asleep.

'Did the doctor say anything?', she asked.

'Her vitals are fine. It's like she's under some spell', I said furrowing my eyebrows.

'Well you won't do much help sleeping here, love', she said and I shrugged.

'Zayn, I mean it. You have a family waiting to see you', she said sternly and I chuckled.

'I'm joking, Mum', I laughed and she shook her head at me.

We walked out of the room and I put an arm around her as we made our way out through the private back entrance.

'So how is Valentina?', she asked as we got in the car.

I had told her about Val the last time I visited and sometimes over the phone as well.

'Fine, I guess. She's with Harry now, I said looking outside.

'Fine, you guess? What is that supposed to mean?', she asked suspiciously and I knew there was no escaping.

I sighed and she gave me her stern look.

'Well, honestly I dunno Mum. Her life is so- How do I put it? Tragic? She's Like the sophisticated European version of Nova', I said scratching my head in frustration.

'European and sophisticated?', she asked alarmed.

'Yeah. Apparently, we just found out that she's an Italian Duchess', I said wryly.

'Allah! How on earth did she end up with you lot?!', she asked stunned.

'Kidnapping, mass murder, just to name a few', I said and she shook her head at me.

'Zayn, she sounds like the kind of person who needs security and not a boy band to help her', she said with concern.

'Yeah well we have security', I said.

'Zayn, you know what I mean', she said.

'I know Mum, but we can't just leave her now. I found her and she needed help, besides she's kinda grown on us, mostly on Harry', I said.

'Harry?! Does Anne even know anything?!', she asked worriedly.

'Mum, it's his life', I said wearily.

'Well, I treat him like my own. I wouldn't want you to be a part of something dangerous', she said.

'Well I was Mum, we just visited a part of it', I said with a sigh.

She sighed and held my hand.

'You know I'm worried', she said and I nodded.

'Does Harry really like her or is it just some crush?', she asked.

'Oh I believe he's quite serious', I said shaking my head and I remembered the conversation we had on the plane.

'Spill', he said.

'I'm not saying a word mate', I said in defense.

'Well neither is she, literally', he said in a monotone voice.

'Harry something happened last night with Domenico. Val learned about her past and it's quite serious as well as personal', I said with a sigh.

'I don't think it's personal knowing that you know and I guess Niall as well', I said.

'What I meant is that it's her decision. We just happened to be there', I said.

'Zayn, I care about her but I can't keep up with all these secrets. I have to know something if I have to do something about it', he said and ran his hand through his hair.

'Val cares about you, Harry. Give her time. I know she'll tell you', I said and he sighed.

'We're home', came Mum's voice and I was back to the present.

'Oh do me a favor and ask Safaa that you would like to meet her boyfriend', she said.

'Boyfriend?!', I asked alarmed.

'Yes, I've been trying to get some sense into her head. Maybe you'll-'

'Scare her off?', I asked amused.

'I didn't say that', she said as she got out and I chuckled as I followed.

Home seemed to be exactly what I needed now.