The Painter | L.T [A.U]

Twenty-Eight

~Louis~

"Would you like a cup of tea?" Liam asked us.

"Do you have coffee?" Noah asked and Mel nodded.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry I forgot you Americans don't like tea as much as we do," he laughed. "I'd like tea," I said.

"I know you do," he said and walked away to the kitchen.

"So he's British?" Mel asked.

"Yeah, I met him a while back. On the flight here. He first lived in San Diego but he moved here last year," I nodded as I clarified what I was saying.

Liam walked back in with a tray of coffee and tea. He handed us our drinks and he sat down on the sofa across from us.

"I'm Liam, by the way," he said to Noah and Mel. They introduced each other.

"Were you going somewhere? You look ready for something," I remarked.

"Oh, yeah. I was gonna take a taxi to the casino. And then to the club."

"I hope we aren't ruining your night," I apologized.

"No, it's alright, mate. I can go any day of the week," he shrugged.

"Hey, can we stay here for tonight?" Noah asked.

"Yeah! Stay as long as you need to. Why didn't you call to inform me? I would've prepared the guest room."

"I don't know. This wasn't something planned," I said setting the cup of tea down.

"What happened?"

Mel and I looked at each other. She nodded. "We're running away," I stated.

"Running away? You're adults," he laughed.

"It's complicated," Noah said.

"Really? Then what's going on?"

"Melissa's parents are trying to get me away from her so she can marry Harry."

"Harry? Harry who?"

"Styles. Harry Styles. He's looking for us. But you guys don't know each other and I doubt he knows where you live."

"I don't think he does... wait shit he does. I know him," he sighed.

"How?" Mel asked.

"He came for a single vacation by himself and I came across him. We met and became casual friends. Oh yeah but he never came here, to my house. He said he preferred a hotel. He didn't wanna bother me when I asked him if be wanted to stay. This was about three months ago. We have kept contact and he's come over here to visit. But he hasn't come to my house."

"I didn't know about that," Mel said.

"Do you think he'll come here?" Noah asked.

"Maybe not," Liam nodded. "Have you got a plan?"

"We are just trying to get away. We might even go to Doncaster," I said. Liam thought for a minute, tapping his index finger on his thigh. "I was thinking about nothing back to the UK, actually. I haven't prepared. Ive got money, though. Im really lucky at the casino," he said.

"How much money do you guys have?" He added.

"Most of the money is Mel's," I admitted.

"How about we go to the casino? I swear you'll come out with loads of cash. Trust me. Im a good luck charm. Then we can get out faster. Im not sure if I will leave yet, though."

"Do you want to?" I asked Noah and Mel.

"I guess," Noah nodded and Mel did as well.

~Harry~