Red String [h.s] (Completed)

Chapter 51

"Fallin' into the bed
Why would we ever do something instead of
Fallin' into the bed right now
Yeah, right now, now"

Amy wakes up feeling exhausted after a poor night's sleep. She still hadn't figured out a way to tell Harry about art school in Paris. She decides to head to the hotel pool to burn off some stress. She's not going to shoot today until this afternoon. She has a lunch meeting with a local publication and then Tom should be here after that. She promised Harry last night that she wouldn't go out alone again without Tom.

Her lunch meeting goes smoothly and the magazine has offered to have someone show her some hidden gems around the city tomorrow. She gets back to her hotel around 3pm and heads to her room to gather her camera equipment. Not long after there's a knock on the door. She looks through the peep hole and a big smile washes over her face. She unlocks the door and opens it quickly.

"Tom!" she shouts, before throwing her arms around him.

"Hello to you too, Miss.Bernier!" he says hugging her back.

She pulls away and gestures for him to come inside.

"How was your flight?"

"Long but comfortable. H got me one of those sleeping pods so I slept most of the way."

"Are you up for heading out now or do you need a minute?"

"I'm ready when you are."

Amy feels the most relaxed she has felt in awhile with Tom by her side as she explores the city. At first, he held back, walking a few paces behind her but Amy wouldn't have that and encouraged him to walk with her. At seven o'clock Amy decides they should probably eat some dinner and has to practically drag him inside a restaurant with her to eat. Tom is used to staying just out of reach, like a shadow, but Amy misses the company of others and doesn't want to eat alone.

"How are you doing?" Tom asks her after they've ordered.

"Better now. I take it Harry told you what happened?" Amy says nervously.

Tom doesn't say anything but just nods. The bruises on her face alone would have given it away.

"My face looks a bit better than it did before so that's good. Still sore though."

"Amy, I'm so sorry that happened to you."

She shakes her head at him before saying, "it's not your fault."

"Harry wanted me to go with you since he saw you in LA. I told him to give you space, not to pressure you, and then..." he says pausing, "I could have stopped it."

"Tom, please don't blame yourself," she eyes him. She doesn't blame him or anyone but herself really. Amy knows she should have been paying more attention that day. She doesn't even blame her attacker, knowing he probably acted in desperation. There was so much poverty in Manila and she felt so pretentious flying around the world to take photos.

Their food comes and they are happy for the distraction. They eat quietly and Amy asks Tom about his life. She finds out he is married and has a young son, less than a year old.

"That must be hard being away from him."

"It is but the pay is good and I get long stretches between work where I can be at home with them. Plus Harry is the nicest person I've ever worked for. I've worked with him for so long that he feels like a little brother to me. If I didn't get paid to keep him safe, I feel like I would do it anyway."

"You're a good person, Tom. He's lucky to have you," Amy says and means every word.  She is glad that Harry has someone on his side. Someone there to look out for him.