CHAPTER 31
HARRY
Ok, I can't keep her in the apartment any longer. Every limb in my body fails when I think of her out in the open, but my feelings don't matter anymore.
She compared me to Zayn, and even though I don't think I deserve that, I can understand how she would think that. She doesn't remember her time with Zayn, or her time with me. All she has to base her opinions are what she has heard about us. And when I heard her compare us, I realized how hard this is for her. I thought it would be easy for her to just stay in the apartment, because she rarely did when we were living here before the abduction. But she isn't that person anymore.
As the hot steaming water pours down on my body, I am yet to feel clean. I slick my hair back, my head facing the ground. The strands of hair soon falls down over my face again, reaching my shoulders. She liked my long hair, so I grew it out.
I have made up my mind. Once I get out of the shower, I'm knocking on her door and taking her out anywhere she'd like. Anything to put a smile on her face, it has been gone for too long.
But I'm having the bodyguards come with, I am not ready to completely give up on the security measures. I pat my body down with a towel, staring in the steamy mirror. I spray some cologne on me, and wrap the towel around my hips.
I moved my clothes into a closet in a storage room, so I get dressed there, anxious to tell Claire that we are going out. I walk to the bedroom door and I'm about to knock before I see a post it on it. And the only words written are;
she is safe -Michael
A couple of seconds go by when I'm just confused, before I realize what this must mean. So I kick open the bedroom door, and it confirms my erring fear.
She is gone.
•
CLAIRE
"Oh my... Niall!" I squeal, his blue eyes accompanied with his beautiful blonde hair. I lean in and give him a hug, and his warm chest presses against mine. Something about his scent is familiar--and comforting. I see two men further in the van, sitting upright and looking straight ahead. Body guards.
"Hey, did we scare ya?" He laughs, and I feel his voice vibrating against my neck.
"Sorta, but you guys... I don't think we should leave Harry like this, he'll get crazy worried," I say, reminding myself of how he reacted the last time I left without warning.
"Don't worry Claire, he knows your safe. I made sure of it," Michael says proudly, his chin nodding upwards. I look back at Niall, and he smiles lightly, his brows raising, like he's inviting me to break the law, which is what it feels like we are doing. And something about Niall's smile makes me trust that this, right now, is what I should be doing.
"Let's go then." I nod, and Niall knocks on the wall into the drivers seat. The car starts driving, and my heartbeat accelerates. As the apartments building leaves our sight, I can't help but remain with a feeling of guilt, but I decide to brush it off. At least for today, I can worry about how Harry will react tomorrow.
"Ok, so first stop, Empire State Building!" Michael clasps his hands together, and Niall laughs.
"Then after that, we're getting lunch, then we're seeing a play on broadway, then after... you'll have to wait and see." Michael announces mysteriously, and I feel a warm tingling feeling in my chest. I look over at Niall and somehow I believe that he knows what I'm thinking.
"Thank you," I say to Michael, my voice slightly breaking. I look up to keep myself from getting teary, but this is so kind of him. And to think he is leaving tomorrow, because I have been such a terrible friend. He still does this for me.
"Don't thank me, this was all Niall's idea," he says, nodding towards him.
"Thank you," I repeat, and he smiles brightly. Wow, I feel relieved. I thought today was going to be miserable.
Niall walks out first and holds the door open when we finally arrive at the tall grey building. A swarm of paparazzi gathers around us, yelling, screeching as their flashes goes off hundreds of times a second. The body guards push the crowd at a safe distance, but there are hands dragging me in every direction before my hand brushes against Niall's. Almost like a reflex, I grab it and hold onto it, and he leads me into the building, Michael following with.
"Whew, that was a struggle," Niall exhales as the doors close behind us. Michael smiles weirdly at me and I realize that I'm still holding Niall's hand.
"Sorry," I mutter as my cheeks redden, and Niall offers a gitty smile.
"No worries," he says, and leads us to the reception.
"Private tour for three, under Horan." He leans his arm on the counter, taking off his sunglasses with the other. He wears a blue denim jacket, a loose white t shirt and a pair of black jeans ripped at the knee. He looks really good.
"Right this way," the lady at the reception smiles, walking to the front and leads us to an elevator. She presses the button and it opens instantly, and we get inside. It feels like it goes 100 miles an hour as it elevates from the ground, taking us up to the top floor. The ding makes my stomach flutter, and it twists with adrenaline when the door slides open and I see the breathtaking view.
"Oh my god!" I squeal, covering my mouth with my palm, my eyes widening at the landscape. I don't think I've ever been this high up before.
A moment of silence passes as I approach the window, and I stare down at the buildings. They all seem so little from up here.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Niall approaches my side, and I nod. Somehow, being up here, away from my current life, it's allowing me to breathe properly.
I notice Niall's smile in the corner of my eye, as I lean my forehead against the glass. I close my eyes for a second, breathing deeply. The glaring light from the sun creates a warm, yellow color when I close my eyes. Each time I open my eyes, my gut fills with butterflies. I've always loved extraordinary views.
By accident, me and Niall's hand brush against each other, as we both stare at the view. A foreign rush of serenity pulses out from my chest, and I feel calm for the first time... since I can remember.
A good 30 minutes pass of just staring at the traffic, central park, the people walking around, the sun becoming brighter. My situation with Harry becomes more distant every second, and weight is lifted off my shoulder when I realize; If I want, I could feel like this all the time.
"Ready for lunch?" Michael asks after another 10 minutes pass. I just then notice my rumbling stomach and weak muscles. I ate two bites of a cake for breakfast.
"Certainly," I smile, and we all take the elevator down to the lobby again. I wonder if I've ever been here before, because Harry said that I rarely left the apartment. I wonder if I never did because I didn't want to, or if Harry didn't want me to.
I try not to think about the fact that Michael is leaving tomorrow, because I don't know how I'll be able to live with Harry alone. I'm starting to wonder if I'm ever getting my memories back, or if I will learn to love Harry again. I don't hate by Harry or have anything against him by any means, but just like Michael said... He makes me sad.
And it's not his fault for acting this way, I imagine I'd go crazy if the love of my life could be taken away any second. But I can't imagine I would lock them up and deny them any joy just so they could stay safe. I'd rather die being happy than live being miserable.
The bodyguards fight off the crowd once more, and we get into the car. I catch myself smiling uncontrollably when I look at Michael and Niall. They really are my closest friends, and the fact that they planned all of this for my birthday, makes me happy and thankful to have them in my life.
We get to the restaurant and I admire the gorgeous setting. The dining area is all a stone brick courtyard, with white tables and chairs. In the middle of it all, is a huge fountain.
"This is beauti- Louis!" I interrupt myself when I see him come through the entrance. He walks in our direction, wearing a leather jacket, blue jeans and a pair of shades. He hugs me, kissing the side of my head as I embrace him.
"Happy birthday sis," He says lowly into my ear, patting my back. I release him after a few good seconds and we both sit down, as I'm still at a loss of words of how this day is turning out.
We all order the food, and I have to admit; I feel guilty for not having Harry around. When I think of him, I jump when I realize that I haven't checked my phone since we left the apartment.
I discreetly pull my phone out of my pocket and I see that I have 16 missed calls from Harry.
"Excuse me,"I say, and head for the bathroom. I dial Harry's number and get into one of the stalls.
"Claire!" Harry's choked yell blasts into my ear, and I flinch at the volume.
"Get back to the apartment, right fucking now." He orders, and disappointment falls through me yet again.
"I'm okay Harry, and I'm having fun. I would love it if you'd join us, if you promise to not drag me home again."
"Didn't you hear me? You're coming home right now!" He says, and my mind flashes back to my dream with Zayn. He said those exact words to me.
"I'm sorry Harry, but I'm not coming home right now. I'll be home at the end of the day. It's my birthday, and I'm gonna have fun with my friends." I say, and hang up. I immediately turn on airplane mode, so he won't be able to call me.
I get back to table, taking a deep breath before continue eating.
"So, Claire, how are things going with your recovery?" Louis asks me, as he takes a bite out of his pasta.
"Things are going better..." I start, realizing that it's been some time since I've had any side effects. Not since the lunch with Niall a couple of days ago.
"Yeah? That's great, are you remembering stuff?" Louis says with his mouth full, wiping away the spilt sauce away from his lip.
"Not really... A few small things here and there, but not a lot."
The mood suddenly takes a hit, and the conversation turns quiet. I feel like everyone still has hope that I will remember, but I'm starting to lose it. And I don't know how to feel about the fact that I may never remember what happened with Zayn, Harry, Niall, Louis or Michael. But I could imagine just moving on as is, would be easier.
Louis apologizes after he finishes his meal, because he has to leave. We hug goodbye and I'm left with a comforting and hopeful feeling that our relationship is mendable.
"You ready to leave?" Niall suggests with a smile, leaning back in his chair.
"Yep! What play are we seeing on broadway?" I say excitedly, leaning forward in my chair.
"Funny Girl," Niall smiles and I melt at his eyes. My favorite musical. How did he know?
"Really?" I say with wide eyes and a warming feeling in my chest. His teeth show as he nods, and my heart surprisingly skips a beat when his crystal blue eyes gaze at me. He makes me feel so many different things with just a glance of his eyes. He makes me feel safe, happy, and empowered. On top of it all, and I know I shouldn't be feeling this, but;
He makes me feel... loved.
•
The musical was amazing, I had to bite my tongue not to sing along with the musical numbers with my horrible singing voice.
"Ok, last stop of the day. Put this on," Michael says, handing me a sleeping mask. I frown, and suspicion grows but Niall nods, and I put it over my eyes.
"Ok, step up here," Niall says, and I cling onto his arm as we walk. They feel strong against my fingers. I hear something similar to curtains ruffling, and the atmosphere turns warm suddenly, and I can hear a few indescribable sounds all around, in what seems a very large room.
"What is going on?" I whisper as Niall stops in his tracks, his strong arms holding me tightly.
"One second," He mumbles, and removes the sleeping mask. I still can't see anything... But then Michael turns on the light.
Holy shit.
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A/N
Heyy guys, did you like this chapter?
See you in the next one! xx