How It's Going To Be [h.s.]

Chapter 41

                 

I felt each second tick by in the form of my heart beating forcefully in my chest. A level of anxiety I had not yet reached was swallowing me whole. I felt vulnerable and helpless as I stood on display for the ruthlessly dedicated fans. Nearly every other time I had been approached by fans, I had been with Harry, and more importantly, with Harry's security guards.

"Sir?" A store associate's voice broke out of the steady hum of fans. "This is the ladies' fitting room."

"Everyone out!" A deep male voice bellowed and the room fell silent. "Move. Get out of here."

"Who are you?" a defiant girl questioned.

"You better move before you have to find out." It was Eli. I recognized his Canadian accent that had initially sounded friendly but now sounded intimidating. "Kate, where are you?"

"Third door," I yelped.

"Alright, I'm going to need you to open the door. I'm right here."

With a shaking hand, I unlocked the door. I saw nothing but Eli standing in front. His arm was outstretched and I walked into his chest. Eli slung his arm around me protectively and set a fast pace out of the fitting room. I squeezed my eyes shut and let Eli lead us out of Topshop.

"Back or front?"

"What?" I opened my eyes and squinted into the bright afternoon sun. We were out of the store, but didn't stop walking. A trail of girls still firing questions about the tabloid article and a myriad of other inquisitions followed us. Their phones were lifted up, videoing the entire scene

"Do you want to sit in the front seat or back?"

"Front," I mumbled.

A black SUV chirped twice as Eli unlocked the door. A policeman was walking down the street toward Eli's illegally parked car. Eli jerked open the front passenger door for me and helped me inside. He jogged around the front of the SUV and got in his seat. Keys in the ignition, foot on the gas, tires screeching, fans and police officer left behind.

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Tears fell onto my hands that were knotted nervously in my lap. London was a blur around me as we drove down the street. I listened the rev of the engine and felt the gentle pull of gravity as the SUV came to a stop in front of my building.

"Here," Eli handed me a silk handkerchief.

"Thanks," I whispered. I took the handkerchief and wiped the tears from my eyes.

"Is there somewhere I can park?"

"Are you staying?" I asked.

"For a bit," he shrugged.

I pointed Eli to the parking area and he parked where Harry always parked. I squeezed the handkerchief at the coincidence.

We walked up the stairs to my flat and I began searching for my keys in my bag. I shifted under the hallway light to get a better view of the interior of my handbag. I heard the click of the door and turned to see Eli standing with my front door open.

"I have a key," he explained, "only for emergencies."

We entered my flat and I went straight to the kitchen. I sat at the table and rested my head in my hands. The heaviness of the situation I had just been in was beginning to weigh on me. The thought that my new reality would include the bombardment of crazed fans stalking me was one I didn't care to entertain.