Half a Man at Best (Sequel to VALERIE)

Chapter Seven

~UNEDITED~ saree!

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

“Where have you been going these past few weeks, Mister MIA?” Liam’s voice sounds off through the phone, embodying the Daddy Direction image as ever. Heaving a sigh, I look beyond my car to see any movement from the shop. I wonder how long I am ever going to do this whole stalking thing.

Is it even almost a month already? I lost count, to be honest. I am even more amazed that I was able to withstand the constant battle within myself to finally talk to Valerie. I guess I was just really scared to scare her off and the consequence of that. I don’t want her to runaway ever again.

“I’ve been doing some stuff.” I say to the phone nonchalantly.

“What stuff exactly?”

Aside from me, Louis, Eleanor, Niall and Bree, no other people from our circle of friends know that she’s back here in London. To think, we are all scared to let her go again. That’s why we’re taking it all in baby steps with the help of the soon-to-be-married couple.

“I’ve been constantly asking her to go to the wedding, Harry. At first, she was really hesitant but as I asked too many times, I think she’s reconsidering it already. Let’s just pray that she’d come, okay?” Right now, Bree’s words are the only source of encouragement in my system. I really, really wish she’d come.

“Harry, are you still there?” Liam has to yank me out of my thoughts, yet again.

“Yes, yes. I’m sorry. I’m just really busy.” I have to click few buttons in my car to support my response at Liam. I know, it’s kind of dumb and silly but I just had to.

“Fine. I expect to see you at the studio tomorrow. Please show up.” His words come out as more authoritative than someone who is pleading. If it isn’t for him, I wouldn’t be reminded about some priorities we were signed in in the US for over a month.

That means I wouldn’t be showing up a lot in front of my girlfriend’s shop for the next month. Ironically, I hope she’d miss me. Yet again and again, the same questions are reeling in my head.

Does she miss me?

Does she ever want to see me again?

Is she ever coming back to me?

I hope so.

Just when I am about to open my mouth and answer Liam, Valerie shows up at the doorstep of her shop. She pulls the collar of her trench coat together before she sighs and put her hands inside the pockets of her coat. A shoulder bag is hanging across her body – since when did she wear shoulder bags like this?

“Listen, Liam. I’m sorry, but I really have to go.” I rush out the words and I don’t hear his reply after I hung up and end the call. I quickly hop out of the car, my sight following to Valerie who is already walking away from the shop.

I pull my beanie tighter down to my ears and hide the few strands of my curls that were peeking out. Wearing the same sunglasses, I also pull the hood of my jacket up to my head as I already start walking, following behind Valerie’s tracks.

My sight darts to the long brown envelope dangling in her hand before I take in every step that she takes. With head held down, I have to dodge other pedestrians taking the opposite way I am taking so that no one would possibly recognize me. I still don’t think wearing a hoodie and sunglasses is enough. My fans are really smart than other people think – that’s a fact.

I stop in my tracks for a fleeting second when Valerie turns to the right corner of the street and I sneakily follow after her again. I am hoping and praying that she’d not notice – me or anyone for that matter – that there’s someone following her or else I’m doomed.