Broken Charms

Madrid's Little Things:Part Two

“When its gone, you'll know what a gift love was. you'll suffer like this. So go back and fight to keep it.”

― Ian McEwan, Enduring Love

 ---Harry---

“There is no way I would do that.” Anne said firmly to me.

“Please. I’ll owe you a favor.” I begged,

“Astrid owes Elena and favor and look where it got you two.” she said in reply.

“What? What did you say?” I asked. She bit her lip like she knew she shouldn’t have said anything.

“Elena saw two kissing in Paris and Astrid convinced her not to tell anything and in return she told Elena that she’d owe her a favor. I guess that’s why she broke up with you because she was afraid of what Elena might ask of her. She wanted to protect you. Plus, management and especially Paul were urging her to leave you alone or she would get fired.” She explained. I was speechless. I had guessed that management had something to do with her breaking up with me but I always believed that she didn’t love me enough.

“So now you know.” she said solemnly. A small smile appeared on my face.

“But I still won’t help you.”

“But why? You don’t have to do much. Just organize the whole thing.”

“Still. She called me a bitch. I won’t help you.”

“But you care for her.”

“No, I don’t.”

“but look at her.” I motioned to her. Astrid was sitting on the sofa, writing. She had come back from ‘packing her stuff’. After my breakdown at the hotel I had called Simon. I could do anything to stop her from leaving and that’s what I had done.

 I remembered that when we were in Berlin she had told me that she dreamed of dancing ‘Little Things’ on stage. So I told Simon to change the contract so that she could dance ‘Little Things’ on stage. I really hoped that she wouldn’t leave till I told her the news. God! I hoped she would like my surprise. She looked so sad right now.

“She looks so sad. Just look at her. Please, Anne. I know you care for her.”  I begged one more time. She sighed.

“No.” she said firmly.

“Just imagine yourself in her place. Wouldn’t you want her to care for you, to be by your side even if you screamed at her?”  I said. She sighed resigning.

“Okay. But you’ll definitely owe me one. If I ever broke up with Niall, you’ll do everything to fix us up.” She threatened.

“Okay.” I agreed.

“What would I have to do?” she said.

“Just gather everyone here after the show here. I’ll do the rest.”

“Okay. But I have to ask. Why are you doing this, Harry? She had done nothing but hurting you.”

“Because I love her, Anne. She is my heart. I won’t let her leave me. I have to fight for her.”

“Has it ever occurred to you that she might not want you to fight for her, that she might just want to be left alone?”

“Yes, of course. But that’s the thing, Anne, we cannot choose who we fall in love with. But I’ve heard somewhere that it’s okay to love someone who doesn’t love you back, as long as they deserve it.” I said. She shrugged.

“Whatever, Harry.” She said and turned to go.

The show was about to start and I couldn’t wait for the end to show her what I’ve planned. I hoped that this would prevent her from leaving the tour.