Protect

Chapter 5

Its raining out but the cold, wet weather doesnt stop the city. There are people everywhere. As I stare out the hotel room window I see crowds of people walking to work, or to apartments, to stores, or clubs. There are some tourists. Just normal people, living normal lives, no one with a past like mine. I look down at my ring, then his image comes to my mind. I tremble then look back out the window. I see a little girl holding her mommy and daddy's hands. She is so excited to go see the Radio City Rockettes! She is jumping up and down as she enters the theatre door, her parents laughing and smiling filled with joy. Why cant I be that little girl? Or at least be like her parents when one day I am a parent.

I am broken from my thoughts when Harry's long arms come from behind me and wrap around my waist. He gives me a kiss on the head then lays his head on my shoulder.

"What are you thinking about?" Harry asks me. "Nothing just nothing." I break away from him and finish packing my things. He has a confused expression and starts to ask me about what just happened. I quickly say "I need to find a job and does Gemma's apartment have 3 bedrooms?" Harry walks over to me and stops me from zippering my suitcase. I sigh and pull my hair behind my ears, not turning to face him. He moves me towards him and I felt better looking into his eyes. "Whats wrong?" He asks me with a neutral expression. "Nothing, honestly." I say to him. The last thing I need is getting Harry involved in my past. He is my future and thats all.

"You can always tell me whats on your mind, okay Kris?" "Yes thank you. I just want to take this slow. I really like you but I'm not moving into the apartment to live with you, but because its a good option for me, being with you is a plus. Am I making any sense?" When I am done talking he pushes my hair behind my ears and whispers to me "You make perfect sense." He then takes my face into his long hand and presses his lips against me. This isnt a soft kiss like before but this is rough and full of fire and passion. His arms wrap behind my back and pull me into him. My hands tangle in his hair and I want to throw ourselves down and kiss him forever, but I stop myself before this gets too far. I dont want to be the girl who gives it up after only 2 days. So I stop and look at Harry. Just by my look he knew why I stopped and he mentally agreed with me and placed one soft kiss on my lips then zipped my luggage, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Theres so many things I want to do to you." Harry tells me clearly trying to seduce me, and its working. "I feel the same way, but I cant right now, its way too soon." I tell him while looking down at the floor. He lifts my chin up and says "I didnt say now, but soon." Then he gives me his half smile and winks at me. His wink and half smile never get old. Every time he smiles at me I cant control the smile that appears on my blushing face.

"I'm all packed. Lets go to Gemma's then can you please give me some ideas for a job? I have a business degree and I need a good paying job." I tell Harry. Harry picks up my luggage and tells me "We can do that tomorrow lets just get you settled in tonight." He kisses my head and holds open the door for me.

We have to take the subway to get to the apartment. Its kind of far from the hotel. I have never been on a subway before and I am terrified. We are walking along the sidewalk and Harry starts walking towards stairs leading underground. I push my hair behind my ear and stop walking. I cant breathe. I dont like this. Harry notices my nervous state and grabs my hand. "You are okay. You are with me. Dont be scared. I'm right here." He looks right into my eyes and I nod reassuring myself that I am fine and I need to stop the dramatics. Before we reach the stairs I stop again. "Harry wait. I dont want to sound annoying or anything, but I'm really scared so please dont let go of my hand." I tell him this in all seriousness. Harry gives me his half smile. "Dont worry baby, I got you, I'm right here." He then leans in and softly places a kiss on my lips leaving me wanting more. His hand never leaving mine. I cant stop the smile on my face and all of a sudden I feel safe. I walk down the stairs and dont look back.

As I walk down the stairs I take in all the sights I see. There are homeless people everywhere and people begging for money. A homeless man grabs my free hand and pleads for money. I step back in fear and Harry pulls me away. I look back at his drug addicted face as we walk away. These poor people, this is absolutely horrible. What happened to them to get them to have to live underground in a subway.

"Right here is where we get our tickets. Then we walk through the security bars and wait for the subway." Harry tells me as we walk to the machine giving tickets. He orders two tickets and swipes his card in the machine. Harry walks through the bar then I do the same.

"Okay we have to just stand and wait here for the subway to pick us up. There are creeps everywhere, stay right next to me." Harry tells me while looking into my eyes. His face is straight and serious. Like a guard protecting a princess. I love that about him. He would do anything to protect the people he cares about. I move in closer to him. Wrapping my arms around his arm and leaning my head on his shoulder.

About 10 minutes later the subway pulls up. I take a deep breath before entering. "Okay lets go." Harry tells me. The sliding doors open and I see tons of people on the inside holding onto railings or standing. There is a man who just wiped his nose then grabbed the pole to hold onto. Ew this is disgusting and scary. But this is the main type of transportation in my new home so I better get used to it. I have never had luxury ever in my life, so this is really no different.

Harry squeezes my hand and we step together onto the subway. Harry looks around for seats but cant find any, so he rolls his sleeve over his hand and holds on the railing, I do the same. The ride is bumpy and people are crowded together in such a tight space. I look around and try my best to take in the scene in front of me.

"Can you please help me?" I look down and see a little girl crying in front of me. I immediately recognize her, she is the girl who I saw earlier outside my window, the one who I wish I could have been. She is hysterical crying in front of me. "Whats wrong sweetie? Where are your parents?" I ask her. "I cant find my parents. We got on the subway train and mommy told me not to let go of her hand but I did and now I cant find them." She starts crying again. "Are they on this subway?" I ask her. "Yes, but I dont know where." This poor little girl my heart breaks for her. "I came to you because you look like the princess in my story book." I smile at her. She is about 5 years old with brown pig tails in her hair. "I will help you find your parents." I look up and Harry is staring at me and the girl. "Whos that?" The girl asks me pointing at Harry. How do I introduce Harry? My friend? My boyfriend? My roommate? "Umm this is Harry, my boyfriend. My name is Kris. Whats your name?" Harry is smiling from ear to ear at me. "I am Charlotte." "Okay Charlotte! Lets find mommy and daddy!" I hold out my hand for her and she grabs it. I start to carefully walk, trying not to fall because of the moving subway, up and down the isles. Harry holding my hand behind me, and Charlotte my hand in front of me.

"Charlotte!" A woman covered in tears with dark brown hair like Charlotte's screams. "Mama!" Charlotte screams back and runs into the woman's arms. A man next to them hugging both of them. "Hi. Charlotte came up to me and asked me to help her find her parents." I say to them and smile. "Hi I'm Harry and this is Kris." Harry says to Charlotte's parents. "Thank you so much." The man says to us. "I appreciate you helping her but Charlotte, your not supposed to talk to strangers! And never let go of my hand again! Your lucky you found a nice couple to help you." "I'm sorry mommy. I was gonna find a police man but the girl looked like the princess from my story book!" Charlotte tells her mother. "Well I am glad Charlotte is safe. It was nice to meet you." I say to the family. "Thank you again." Both parents say to us.

Harry and I return back to where we were originally standing. As we reach the railing the subway stops and its time to get off. Harry takes me hand and says "Now let go of my hand Krissi!" He teases. "Oh shut up!" I tell him and playfully slap his arm. He laughs then we walk off the filthy subway. We walk straight up the stairs and we are back above ground on the crowded side walk.

"Finally! That smell was killing me!" I tell Harry. "Welcome to the New York subway!" He says then kisses my cheek. I blush then squeeze his hand. 2 blocks later we reach an apartment building. Its nothing like that creepy building I went to, it looks nice and hopefully has no creeps. We walk inside and head straight to the elevator. "We are on floor 3." Harry tells me. We walk down a long hallway then finally stop in front of door 319. Harry pulls out his key, opens the door, and says, "Welcome home."