Look at Me - H.S.

~ Chapter 26 ~

I'm so sorry I took so long! I hate waiting for updates so I do feel your pain.
I know you're all wonderful humans so hopefully you can forgive me x

Also... we hit 3k, you guys!!
I'm so thankful to each and every one of you! 💜

Anyways...here it is.

Harry's POV

Cassie and Shaun arrived 4 days ago.

As I opened the door to them, her eyes were completely focused on the floor but I could tell from her body language that she was exhausted, mentally and physically. I wrapped my arms around her immediately and squeezed as tight as I could without causing any pain and she just stood with her arms limp by her side. She didn't cry straight away, it was as if she had no more tears left and my heart broke all over again. Seeing her like this was so fucking hard.

Seeing her in person also made it obvious that the conversation we had had the day before and the way her voice was void of any sadness, was all just a show and knowing Cassie, it was all for my benefit. Now, being here, she has let every single wall crumble and I think that it's mostly because she doesn't have the strength right now to keep them up. I'm not complaining, seeing her this vulnerable and expressing her emotions without holding back and trying to disguise them makes me feel nothing but love. The fact that she trusts me enough to let me be around her at her lowest, is not something I would ever take lightly.

Shaun has been amazing with her too. I knew he would be, he has a serious soft spot for Cassie and I'm not entirely convinced that it's just a friendship kind of love he has for her. That's a topic for another day, though. He has kept me updated the whole time, knowing that he wouldn't be around as much when they got here, due to him having to arrange and attend meetings with the rest of the security crew, he would be working quite a bit and staying in a hotel for the majority of his time here. Being head of security is no joke and he takes his job very seriously.
Which I'm obviously grateful for.
He explained to me about the panic attacks Cassie had and how he tried to calm her down just by holding her and getting her to breathe, he filled me in on what her mood was like and let me know that it's been a bit of a rollercoaster. Even on the way here, she was in awe once she stepped onto the private jet, like a 'kid at Christmas' he said but then it was like she suddenly realised why she was there and just folded in on herself and went silent, like she was stuck in her own head.

That's pretty much how she has been for the last three days.

Before Shaun left, he gave her a long cuddle, kissed her on the head and whispered something in her ear that I couldn't hear. She nodded ever so slightly to acknowledge him and then he eventually peeled himself away and shook my hand whilst giving me a look that said 'look after our girl,' before making his way back to the black Porsche Cayenne that was waiting for him outside.

I showed CJ to the room I had set up for her and explained that I'd arranged for some clothes and bits and pieces that she might need. While I could tell how grateful she was, I could still see how defeated she was. This was absolutely crushing her. I understood, of course I did. No one deserves this kind of treatment but I also knew that Cassie didn't believe that. She thought this was her fault, that somehow she did deserve this and I think that's what was bothering me the most.

It didn't take long for her to crawl into bed, obviously struggling with holding herself up. I laid next to her, just wanting her to know I was there, always. She turned to face me and I lifted my arm as an invitation for her, she didn't hesitate and I felt the warmth of her breath hit my chest when she released a sigh as her forehead rested near the crook of my neck.