Next Day

Bella's pov

"What do you say?" I asked Gia's doctor

"Umm yeah okay you can take her with you but please make sure she doesn't run or do any sort of activity that can make her breathe heavily. "

"I'll make sure of it. "

"Yes and here's her medical kit just in case you need to provide her any medical aid."

"Hmm." I replied taking the box from her.

"And please don't go very far from the hospital. "

"Yeah don't worry I'm just taking her to the park nearby. "

"Okay then enjoy."

I asked Gia to wave goodbye to her doctor then took her to the park, which was just one kilometre away from the hospital.

While Gia was indulged in drawing her scenery. I sat beside her on the bench and took a deep breath inhaling the fresh air that filled me with content.
I liked staying away from my 'home' and the drama that entered my life. It felt amazing I felt free and alive. I looked up at the sky. The wind was blowing grazing over the blades of grass.

I stood and took a deep breath,
"I'm just gonna walk for a while." I told Gia. She nodded when I asked her to stay right there and I'll be keeping an eye on her.

I walked through the park, witnessing the flowers bloomed brightly spread warmth in my heart. The birds chirping, kids giggling and the sun glistening in the blue sky relished me, I could smell purity. I realized this was what I wanted , a break from everything.

Looking around I saw children jumping and running around. I was about to return back to Gia when something hit my leg, turning the other side I found it was a foot ball, there was this boy with his cap lowered a little too much making it harder for me to see his face, he was waiting for his ball. When I kicked it back to him. He came running towards me .

"Bella!" He spoke, it was Hero he removed his cap letting me see his face, I recognised him right away.
"Hero....buddy how are you?" I asked him.

"I am good. Your kick was awesome. "
I chuckled at his compliment
"Oh really, that's a good compliment. "

"No but I thought girls can't play football well."

"Well that was quite delusional of you as not only me but I know many girls who are excellent in playing football. "

"I..." he couldn't start when someone called him
"Hero?" Gemma's voice echoed through me.

Was she here too?
I realized she saw me as she was looking straight towards me while, walking.
I felt my heart beating fast, I was not ready to face her just yet, after knowing what she thinks of me.

When she was close enough I could look straight into her eyes and tell there was pure malice in them, her features were stiff and her voice was stern when she spoke to Hero.

"I asked you not to roam around anywhere. " she didn't even spare another glance at me before she held Hero's arm and dragged him with her.

Hero looked back at me with a worried and confused look, he definitely knew something was wrong he was smart enough to get that.

Watching her leave I began to question myself there must be a reason I ran into her today. If this wouldn't be the case I would have never gathered the courage to face her and even try to tell her anything. Or maybe I would have some time but it will be so late by then. Therefore I went after her.

I held her shoulder causing her to turn around and face me.

"Won't you even listen to me once?"
I asked her looking straight at her. She blinked several times, I investigated her state , she looked tired and dull. Not like her usual self, full of life.

"I don't know...I think I heard enough. "

"No you didn't! Do you think it was enough for you to listen one part of the conversation and form a conclusion to the story? Don't you think you should know it all?"

She shrugged and spoke "That was probably the reason you didn't call me there or told me what you had to say the day I visited you."
She was evidently hurt and now I realise it was not only because of the Drake thing but also that I didn't talk to her right away and instead called Harry.

I lowered my gaze unable to meet her burning glare. I was able to discern it now, it was definitely wrong on my path for not involving her in something that concerns her the most.

But I felt the urge to defend myself.
No wonder it may seem wrong but how was I supposed to believe she will trust me when she was so much emotionally controlled by Drake.

"Would you have believed me? If I'd right away came to you and said 'Drake is not good for you' after that whatever I would say you would take that as a lie from me. Especially if even now you don't believe what I say. Do you Gemma?"

She looked at me with unreadable expressions layering her face.

"Gemma I want the best for you. I know that Drake is not good for you. I have known him well enough now to confidently tell you- He is not worth it! I called Harry to tell him Drake's reality so that he would help me explain you. Because I understand how emotionally attached you are with Drake."

I found Gemma on the verge of crying when I proceeded to say anything more
I heard her mother say.

"Enough why aren't we leaving already Gemma?Aren't you done with this now." She spoke staring at me disgracefully, her stare made me gulp as I shifted back a little Anne begin to leave taking Gemma and Hero along her.

"No Gemma wait." I called her, she looked back

"You gave Drake a chance to explain himself won't you let me explain myself too?"

"Certainly not. We're done with your vicious acts." Anne spoke making me shoot a glare at her, I was shocked by her behaviour and how she was accusing me. I didn't know what Drake had fed these two to all of a sudden hate me. I wanted to clear all the misunderstandings already. I didn't want Gemma to continue thinking I betrayed her by any how.

"Mrs Anne you don't know the truth please let Gemma be aware of everything now."

"I don't think Gemma wants to be anywhere near you." She said sounding utterly contemptful.
She succeeded to put all her malice and hatret for me evident the way she said "you" .

She was sure hating me thinking that I basically ruined her daughter's life but that reason didn't help me to control the tear that rolled down me eyes, I blinked several times trying hard to not let any more tears visible, my cheeks were hot due to the humiliation I just felt by her words.

I closed my eyes, attempting to make the vulnerable look not visible. I sensed I was being watched when I opened my eyes, I saw Hero looking at me from distant. I smiled at him.

I hurriedly returned to Gis realising for how long she was alone! I mentally scolded myself for being so inconsiderate towards her.

Thankfully she was on the same spot where I left her. Her drawing was finally completed and coloured.

"Ready to go?"

"Ahaan."
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Harry's pov

I aggressively flipped the pages of the magazine then threw it in the bin with the others.

Irritated, I sighed, I was done with these people framing my life into a fantasy story . They just hook me up with anyone and everyone. I accept I had a few flings earlier but that was long ago. I used to "date" almost every other girl but that was just one of my pubertal tactics. Also after a few patchy breakups in my early days I didn't involve myself emotionally with anyone learning that most of the "ladies" in my life were with me either for my money or for the betterment of their own career or maybe I was one of their "quirky flings".

Ever since realizing that no one actually cared or understood me rather just "enjoyed" being with me. I quited getting myself in "weekly relationships" . But that didn't stop the media to write crap about me or my love life. They kept hooking me up with random models or celebs that I met only once!

Nonetheless I didn't give a damn about that and carried on living my life "embracing" the player boy image they gave me. To an extent that my own family began to believe it. But that also kinda increased my fanbase so why to worry? Hun?

But now things were changed I didn't want to be seen with any other girl and especially be on the "cover page" of any magazine with a girl they hooked me up.

And that was because of Bella.

I was no more okay with the world defining who I am.

Specially I didn't want her to see me hanging out with another girl who happens to be my "girlfriend " as per the media especially when I don't see her that ways.

Yet I was not sure about how to deal with the Drake thing but after making the worst of decisions and almost breaking her heart I am sure that it's definitely not what I want. I want to talk to her and listen to what she has to say and this time without "assuming" stuff or being led by my anger.

I wanted her to give me one more chance. I understand after what we shared a few days ago it wouldn't be easy for her to do so. But I was ready to do anything that leads me to gain her trust back.

But the paparazzi was making it inevitable if she would have seen any of these articles...
I just hope she doesn't believe in any of it. Well thinking that would be too delusional owing to the fact that she already lost all her trust and hope in me.

All these thoughts were making me sick! I needed some distraction therefore getting up I went in the living room mom, Gemma and Hero had just arrived.

Gemma hastily went upstairs without exchanging any words, leaving me perplexed. Mom was avoiding any contact with me and carried on emptying the shopping bags . I was getting confused by the gloomy environment when Hero caught my eyes. He clumsily went up stairs I watched him getting inside his room.

That was weird they went to shopping mom and Gemma were behaving oddly indicating something happened there but Hero's behaviour was that poked me the most. Usually he would joyously come and show me his new toys or any new stuff he bought. Maybe he was tired today but I wanted to check on him hence I followed him upstairs.

The door was half open I could see him sitting on the bed through the space. I knocked on the door asking if I may come in. He opened the door for me and let me in. I sat beside him on the bed examining him. He seemed upset with his head hung down , he was sighing quite frequently.

"What's the matter pal?"

He shook his head I get it he didn't want to tell me anything just yet.

"Okay..so you don't want to tell me?"
He didn't say anything so I carried on.

"Hey champ...it's okay I won't force you but remember you can tell me anything okay...anything. " I assred him.

He nodded.
He looked genuinely sad till now there was a possibility that he was upset over small stuff like some toy or anything but seeing him I thrived it was something more that was bothering him.

I got seriously concerned I feared that it was something related to mom and his father, Roberts.

"Did something happen there?" I asked him that made him stare at me as if he was questioning whether he should tell me or not.

"I won't tell anyone. " I spoke.

"Promise?"
"Promise. "

He nodded again then started
"After shopping we went to a park for a walk as Gemma was not feeling well. I was playing football there when I met.....Bella..."

As he took her name it made me even more keen to know it all.

"We were talking but then Gemma came and started to walk away . Bella wanted to talk to her but she won't listen. Bella was sad. But she still tried to tell Gemma something but then mom came and said something to Bella, she made her upset when she said that Gemma doesn't want to be anywhere near Bella.. When we were leaving I saw Bella was crying.....I Harry she was just trying to tell Gemma something why did mom have to make her upset?"

I was feeling this heaviness in my chest imagining Bella crying or facing any kind of humiliation because of mom. I could make out mom must have said something harsh to make her that upset. I could feel the anger rise in me thinking of what she possibly said to her.

"Harry I don't like Bella being sad when she is sad you become sad."
I ruffled Hero's hair giving him a small reassuring smile.

"Don't worry I'll make her happy then I'll be happy. "
He nodded and I went downstairs I was about to go out when mom stopped me.
"It's Sunday where are you going?"

I closed my eyes in an attempt to calm my nerves, I didn't want to lash over her for anything.

"Somewhere. " I replied

"Umm but you said you'll stay home all day and spend some time with us?"

That statement of her made me give an inaudible sarcastic laugh.

Yesterday I decided to spend my day with my "family" as I wanted to move on from the past. Dad, the man whom I used to hate as a person also as my father ,I sensed that in this stay of his he was trying to improve my relationship with him . He was trying, he spend the maximum time with me that he could. I could tell that not a changed man but he definitely was a changed father. Mom, on the other hand who sowed seeds of bitterness within me for her. I myself wanted to give her a chance to improve our relation. And she too wanted that, it was the reason she came to stay with me leaving her new husband in the first place.

Hence I decided to give my family a chance. Also I wanted to atleast try to talk to Gemma and explain her about Drake and that she should be careful from him and give Bella a chance to explain herself. Also I knew that Drake must have told them some lies that all of a sudden Gemma was not only hurt but bitter towards Bella too. She was never the type of person to believe in anything before verifying it completely .That day too when she left the garage she would have eventually talked to Bella about it sometime but Drake came in and ruined every possibility of her talking to Bella.
I wanted to sort everything out I wanted to free my mind from the internal conflict I always had. Whether I should talk to Bella or should I not ? Will she trust me? Will she be able to forgive me? Give me other chance? Will I be able to accept her rejection?
I just wanted to free myself from these thoughts and just go and talk to Bella.

"Sorry I changed my mind." I replied her.

"Why Harry what happened?" She asked sounding completely unaware of the situation.

I laughed at her face, not trying to hide the sarcasm in my laughter. I was amused by her.

"What is wrong with you Harry?" She asked me and that was it. That point I just can't keep it in and said.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you mom? What's with you always trying to ruin my happiness?" She looked at me wide eyed

"What did....I.....do?" She asked in a squeaky voice.

"You want to know what you did? You left me when I needed you the most no matter what I did how much I cried or whined you did not return. You didn't care that at that moment my happiness was with you and Gemma instead you went after your happiness and married again leaving me behind with an alcoholic womaniser. Years later when I was finally happy alone you came back to my life when I didn't want you here but then again you didn't care about my happiness and manipulated me into believing you cared for me!! Then when I was finally beginning to accept you in my life and was close to my happiness you again ruined it by humiliating Bella, blaming her and making her feel guilty for something she didn't do!"

"Harry...."

"Please. I don't want to hate you again mom" I stopped her.

I eyed towards the stairs and saw Gemma standing there I turned away and barged towards the main door.
Finding dad standing just outside the door I stopped giving him a glance I was about to continue walking when he spoke

"Pretty worked up. Huh?"

I turned towards him raising my brows at him.

"Sorry." He spoke softly.
Making me tilt my head, I was unable to get what he was sorry for.
He was constantly looking down not once meeting my glance his face held alot emotions that I couldn't predict most of them. Regret, sorrow, misery all were evident on his face.

"Sorry that I just now realised how inconsiderate I was of your feelings until now.....I....was always into my pleasures and desires that I never realised what the nine year old boy was feeling what he was longing for all these years..."

After saying that he seemed uncertain as if battling whether to speak more or not.
I certainly can't take more right now I was so worked up with all the tension in one day that I needed some fresh air. I wanted to go away from this house.

But after dad just opened his heart in front of me and was probably waiting for me to say something I was not sure how to react.

I stood there not knowing what to do or how should I feel about that for a few seconds before I turned back and walked off.

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Love to all who are reading .
Thank you for supporting me each and every one of ya'.

Happy reading.
Xoxo