Golden Hour

22

Today was Harry's big day, opening night with his new album. He was buzzing with excitement the moment he woke up. He was also having secret conversations with Gemma that would stop as soon as I walked into the room, he was up to something and his cheeky smirk was enough confirmation. I was excited too because Gemma and I got a special cake made for after his show and made sure his closest friends that could be there were there. I was excited to get to spoil Harry, he deserved it.

Mitch's uncle said the house is yours for the week! I know Anne and Gemma leave Sunday night so Monday-Saturday it is yours. There is a hot tub and it's private, of course. See you tonight babes. xx

I smiled at the text from Sarah, things were finally coming together and I was so excited. I was looking forward to a break with Harry with no distractions. I hadn't talked to him yet about our relationship or lack thereof, we were so busy that I honestly didn't want to distract him anymore, I was planning on telling him tonight before the show.

I was not going to let anything ruin my day, Gemma and I were decorating Harry's house for the small after party as soon as he left. We got plenty of disposable cameras, yellow and pink balloons, pictures of the band everywhere. I wanted Harry and the band to feel celebrated tonight as the album was finally being released. They had all worked so incredibly hard on this and deserved to be spoiled.

My heart stopped when I saw my phone ringing with my lawyers name across the screen. I excused myself into Harry's back garden with a smile on my face before answering the call.

"Yes?" I was so nervous, what was he going to tell me.

"Ms. Claybourne, We have a few things regarding your case we need to discuss with you. You may want to bring Harry." What could possibly be happening? This was Harry's big day, there was no way in hell I was bringing this drama to him.

"He is busy today, he has a big night. Can I just come alone?"

"You can but it concerns both of you, we feel it would be more appropriate with both of you present."

"How long will this take? Can it wait?" fuck, why did these things always happen. Can we never be happy for just one day?

"It won't take long, I promise. Please come to the office."

I gave Anne and Gemma a poor excuse that I needed to go buy more cups and luckily they didn't question it. I called Harry as I sat in my car in his driveway.

"Hi, sunflower," his happy tone made me nauseous as I explained what the lawyers told me. "Don't worry, it's okay. We're having a break right now anyway, how about you come pick me up and we drive together?"

Why was he always so understanding. I was ruining his big day and I felt so guilty. My drive to the Forum was filled with so many scenarios of what could possibly require both of us to be needed. Why was Harry being dragged into this drama?

I didn't try tp hide the tears as he climbed into the car immediately leaning over to hug me. "What's wrong?" The worry and concern laced in his voice only made this harder. He was so self-less.

"Harry this is your big day. Your show, the album. I wanted it to be a happy day where we celebrated you and the band but this fucking shit has to come up." He sighed and gave me a small smile.

"Hey, I told you before, this isn't your fault. Besides it involved both of us and I want to be here for you. The show will be great tonight, we've practiced so much. I'm serious."

I nodded my head before we started driving to the law office. Harry's hand stayed in mine during the whole car ride and walk to the office, it was a simple gesture that told me he was there.

"Thank you for coming on such short notice, I know it is a big day for you Harry." Harry gave an appreciative nod and smile. "I won't take up much of your time, today we arrested Jared at the Boulevard Hotel, five blocks away from the Forum." The blood in my body ran cold and I noticed Harry stiffen as well. "In his hotel room we confiscated three assault rifles and detailed plans of an attack at the show. He also had these pictures." I didn't know how to process what I was being told and looking down at the pictures I felt nauseous, they were of Harry and I in London kissing by his piano. A sweet drunken memory of our first kiss was now tampered and ruin knowing it was being watched. "It wasn't taken from inside the apartment, it was taken from a building next to yours." You could obviously see from the angle it was taken that it wasn't from Harry's apartment which only settled my nerves slightly. I couldn't handle thinking someone was in the apartment watching us.

"In his hotel room here we found a journal that. . . detailed his feeling for you, Ms. Claybourne. He had very violent thoughts. I want to talk to you about what is happening now. He has already confessed and is pleading insanity, that his mental condition caused him to do this. He pleaded guilty about your relationship as well. He is still going to prison but it will be in a psych ward under hard lockdown."

I felt sick, actually nauseous. What was even happening anymore?

"So it's over?" Harry's voice cracked and his eyes had tears in them. This whole situation as taking more of a toll on him than he let on. Now with this information I knew it was too much. Jared was planning an attack at Harry's show, his big night. Anger raged within me, when it was just about me that was fine, I could handle it. But no one messed with my Harry.

"Yes, it's over. I know this is a lot of information, but Jared was acting alone in all of this. There is no reason to fear him anymore."

I wanted those words to settle everything, I wanted to sigh a breath of relief and hug Harry but it only made me angry. Angry that someone would want to hurt Harry. Angry that my past was causing this. Angry that this day felt ruined. While there was some relief that Jared was gone, there was no more threat it didn't mean we move past this so quickly.

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