Chapter 42

H A R R Y

They say things happen for a reason but why are bad things happening to Lindy?

She’s been awfully nice to everyone and had always managed to have that happy smile on her face, but lately she no longer has that smile. She’s either living her life in fear or crying of losing someone she loves.

She doesn’t deserve any of this at all.

I feel like, bad luck is in our favor and she is the one repaying for the things that I did to Jolene. For some reason I can’t help but think that this bad luck is all because of me.

I wish there was something I can do to make her smile so happily again and living her life with no fear. She’s always been strong and honest, and those are one of the things I admired about her. But now, she’s just vulnerable to her fear and her weakness is showing every time she gets down on her knee one problem after another.

When we landed in Canada and headed right away to the hospital where Lindy’s mother was. Lindy looked so lost and how so many things are happening in her life which makes me wish that I can take everything away. I wish I had the power to take all her hurting away because she looks as if she’s barely holding on.

Louis was worried about her too since it was evident in her eyes that she was lost in worry and fear of losing her mother. At the same time there’s Griffin adding up to everything which makes us even more anxious.

I wish I can do something to help her ease her burden.

As soon as we arrived the room, Avery looked stressed with dark circles and heavy eyelids. She hugged Lindy as soon as she saw her which made Louis look all too surprised as we stood far away from the twins.

“I didn’t know they were already friends.” Louis says softly as he leaned his head close to mine so he can say it in a whisper.

“Things happened.”

Louis nods, “Lindy’s absolutely amazing.”

“I know she is.”

We then later found out that Mrs. Swanepoel had been having seizures due to her aortic valve regurgitation which had been putting her in grave danger. Mr. Swanepoel had mentioned that his wife needed surgery as soon as possible and I felt really bad for the twins to be going through this hardship during their pregnancy. It was clearly unhealthy for the both of them to be worrying too much knowing their condition.

Louis and I gave the twins some time to talk with their father since Lindy had personally asked me for this. She said specifically that she needed to patch her sister and her father because she felt as if her family was falling apart.

With that thought, I instantly took back what I said that she was no longer as strong as she was back then. She is still strong. Admiringly strong to be going through this with focus and determination. She is stronger than I thought she was.

Meanwhile, Louis and I were in a coffee shop just a block away from the hospital.

“A lot of things are happening to Lindy, man. I feel really bad.” Louis says.

I nod, “I know Lou. I don’t even know why all these things are happening to her.”

“It’s like pure bad luck showering on her, from Jake to the trial to Griffin and now her mom is in a critical condition.”

I sigh, “I feel like it’s my fault.

Louis stares back at me chuckling, “And why is it your fault?”

“Because…” I trailed off.

I stare at Louis and he looked as if he was ready to beat me up. I have always wanted to tell Louis since he’s been like an older brother to Lindy and to me as well. He always has the best advice that anyone can give since he had been through quite a journey in his life too yet he is still striving and fighting until now.

Louis won’t judge me, not that the others would but he’s more trust-worthy of the whole Jolene story. He would for sure scold me and get angry at me for what I have done when I was younger which is not haunting me and Lindy in the present.

“Well?” Louis tilts his head, waiting for my reply.

I breathe heavily, “Can we talk somewhere private?”

“Why?”

“It’s really something important and personal.”

His brows knitted in the middle of his forehead, “Where are we going to talk?”

“Can we talk in the car?”

His brows creasing, “Is this something dark?”

“Why?”

“Because I feel like you are hiding something that you feel like you are the reason why these things are happening to Lindy now.”

I slowly gave him a nod.

“Bloody hell.” Louis spits as he leans forward, “What on earth did you fucking do?”

“I will explain in the car.”

“Alright Mr. Mysterious.” Louis says as he stands from his chair.

I did too and we got inside the car as soon as we were the done with the fans asking us for photos. I drove back to the hospital and we arrived in the basement parking lot where it was the perfect place to have the talk about Jolene.

“Well Harold?” Louis stares at me.

I breathe heavily, “There’s this girl.”

He rolled his eyes, “Of course it involves with another girl.” He gestured his hands.

“This happened three years ago Lou.”

“Well go on and surprise me with your little story.” He tells me sarcastically.

“Remember that female artist who you bought the painting you gifted to Jimmy?”

He nods, “Yeah. Jody right?”

“Jolene.” I corrected.

“What about her?” He asks.

I remained silent.

“Don’t tell me you banged her.” He says jokingly while chuckling.

I didn’t answer.

He paused from laughing and his eyes widened, “You actually fucking banged her Harold?”

“Well…”

“Holy fucking Christ Harry! Wasn’t she married? I remember she had the ring!”

“I told you this happened when I was eighteen.”

“Eighteen or not, it doesn't matter. You fucked her?!”

I slowly nodded, “Yeah. Not once but for almost a year.”

Louis went silent as he looks ahead of the car while he shakes his head, “You were having an affair with a married woman? How could you actually do that Harry? You’re a home wrecker!”

His words hurt more than anyone else’s because it’s so straightforward and painful coming from a dear friend.

“I never really thought about that.” I answered.

“You what?!” He gapes.

“I mean, I did at some point but I was tempted Lou!”

“You were actually only thinking about your penis, Harry! Haven't you thought about her marriage and how it would affect them?”

“Jesus Christ Louis, I was young and naive!”

“I went through being young too Harry but it never ever came to my mind to have a secret affair with a married woman!”

“Well we are all different Lou! Sue me for what I have done but I cannot fucking change the past as much as I could!”

He shakes his head, “So all those times she was in the same country as us weren’t coincidental?”

“No.”

“And she wasn’t travelling to meet her clients?”

“No.”

“Of course! She was banging you instead!” He gestures his hand. “I should have known better. How could I not have suspected it this whole time?”

I glance at her and Louis was just staring far ahead before he adds, “Did you even love her?” His eyes makes me feel guilty.

“No.”

Louis scoffs, “Wow! Well aren’t you one of a fucking asshole?”

He is already reacting this way to my affair with Jolene, and I can’t seem to have this confidence in telling him the things that happened.

“Louis that was three years ago and I have regretted everything I have done.” I say.

“Well what else do I need to know that I don’t, huh?”

I purse my lips as I stare at the stirring wheel, “I got her pregnant.”

“You little fucker!”

I pulled my head up and stared at Louis’ widened eyes which were intently looking back at me, “You had a lovechild?!” He exclaims.

“Yeah.”

“Jesus Harry. What else? Huh? What else because I am already surprised!”

I lowered my head and I feel little tears building behind my eyelids.

“What other things are there you want to tell me because I feel like--”

“I told her to get abortion.” I cut him off.

He gapes, “Wow Harry. You truly amaze me. I mean, despite all this?” He says while gesturing his hand from my head down to my toe. “Despite being the polite and kind and cheerful guy in front of everyone? You were actually the guy who told someone to have abortion!”

“I had no--”

“You don’t have to even say that you had no choice!” He shakes his head.

“Because I had no choice.” I say as a matter-of-factually. “I was young Louis and my career would end in just a snap of finger.”

“You are always such a dickhead most of the times. Oh and don’t forget, an irresponsible bastard too! You’re absolutely a coward.”

“I’m sorry.” It was the only thing I can say because I don’t know what else to make him less mad at me.

“What’s more of a shocking revelation, huh? Fire back at me.” Louis calls out.

“Her husband found out.”

“Well shit that’s not surprising.” He commented.

“She never told me anything about her marriage during the entire time I was frolicking with her. She hid everything all along.”

I begin to tell Louis everything that happened to Jolene and he even got angrier at me for even orchestrating the whole abortion. I told him everything till the last detail of the last horrible voicemail I received from Jolene. I cried in front of Louis and told him how scared I was for Lindy and the babies she is carrying inside her, after both of received gifts from someone who claimed it to be from Jolene.

“So your past is haunting you down in the present. I would want to say you deserve it but then there’s Lindy who’s the one getting involved in a mess you orchestrated in the first place!” Louis states.

“I don’t know what else to do for her knowing that the person who sent those gifts could be anywhere. Hell, I don’t even know who the person is and what does he look like.” I was gutted as I wipe my tears.

“What if Griffin is the guy?”

I turn my head back to Louis, “But what’s his relationship with Jolene?”

“I don’t know. An ex lover?”

“I can’t even answer that. Jolene’s never talked to me about anything in her life.” I paused and gasped as soon as I remember a conversation Jolene and I had years ago.

I turn my head back to Louis, “Jolene said she had a sibling.”

“Then that’s got to be it. Griffin possibly seeks for revenge and he is using Lindy to get that from you.”

“Because she is pregnant.” I gasped. “Oh my god.” Cold fear ran all over my body as I feel my entire hands shaking. “Oh God Louis, what have I gotten Lindy into? Our babies!” I exclaimed as my tears were building again behind my eyelids.

“Harry, we need to report this to the police. Griffin needs to be caught before he lands his hands on Lindy again.”

I shake my head and that thought boggles me completely.

“Did you tell her that we need to be back to London tomorrow afternoon?” Louis asks.

I didn’t answer, “No.”

“You know you can’t stay here longer right?” He states. “We have to go back as promised and our schedule’s too tight that we only had to insert this.”

“I know.” I responded. “I will tell her don’t worry.”

“When? Tomorrow?”

After our conversation, we headed back inside the hospital and found Lindy sitting out side her mother’s hospital room as she was crying on her own. I quickly rushed to her side, “Hey baby, what’s the matter?” I opened my arms to her and she crashes on my chest right away as she cries.

“Harry… I’m so scared. I’m so scared of losing mom.” She weeps.

I look back at Louis who was looking back at us with rueful eyes.

“What did the doctor say?” I asked.

“Mom needs surgery and she needs to have it as soon as possible.” She continues to cry.

“Then we can schedule it tomorrow.”

“We don’t have that huge cash Harry. My dad’s completely about to lose his senses and he’s been crying since God knows when. He’s crying because he cannot save mom, he doesn’t have money.” She stares at me as her cheeks were soaked with her tears.

“Lindy, money isn’t really much of a problem here.” Louis says.

I nod, “Louis is right.”

“Of course it is!” She fights back.

“I can always pay for your mom’s fees.” I say.

She shakes her head, “Harry, you have always been amazing but that amount of money is something I don’t want you to spend on me. It’s too much.”

“Lindy, it’s okay. It’s just money.” I insisted.

“No, thank you but I can’t accept that. Anyways, mom’s condition is not only the problem. Avery was bleeding earlier and dad rushed her to the emergency. The doctors mentioned that she’s giving birth at an unexpected time.” She said.

“And?”

“Dad’s last money is going to be spent for Avery’s delivery.”

I sigh, “We’ll get through this.”

“With all that’s happening, I think I am about to lose my mind.” She cries.

“Lindy, Louis and I are here and we won’t leave, okay?”

Louis shakes his head sideways.

The next morning, around seven in the morning, while Lindy was sleeping in the hospital room being guarded by Louis, I decided to wait outside Doctor Sacks clinic who supposed to be Mrs. Swanepoel attending doctor. Around 7:30, he finally arrived and was surprise to see me waiting outside.

“Mr. Styles, good morning. Were you waiting for me?” She asks.

I stand on my feet, “Doctor Sacks, good morning. I would like to know about the prize for Mrs. Swanepoel’s surgery and if it can be done today?”

She smiles, “That’s very heroic of you.”

“I need to save my girlfriend’s mother.”