Chapter 5

• L I N D Y
• Jolene was a name I have never heard before coming from Harry or anyone else in his circle. I can tell from the look in their eyes that there was something else they were hiding coming from this woman named Jolene. Gemma was quick to look away from Harry and it felt like she said something wrong because I can feel through the way she looked with guilt.
• Was she an ex-girlfriend that I never knew of? Perhaps another model? A budding country singer somewhere else? A low-paid actress? A childhood friend of Harry’s? Maybe his first love?
• There were many things swirling inside my head with only one name of a woman and I needed to know who she is.
• “So who is she?” I asked again.
• Gemma pulled her head up and smiled at me, “She’s my friend from years ago. We don’t really need to talk about someone who isn’t here though.” She chuckles softly and in the back of my head they were both dodging to continue talking about this woman named Jolene.
• “So Lindy.” She chimes, getting back to her cheerful tone, “Tell me about college. What is it like?”
• “It’s actually really nice.” I answered as I kept glancing at Harry who had his eyes on his food with his knitted brows. “It’s really cool being able to meet new people. It’s good for my social skills which I am not really good at.”
• “I think you’re absolutely fine, honey.” She smiles at me while glancing at her brother. “Are there any college guys hitting on you?”
• Harry was quick to pull his head up and stare at Gemma, “Are you serious?”
• Gemma laughs, “Because you’re too focused on your food. Earth to Harry?”
• I chuckle, “There are no guys hitting on me.”
• I like jealous Harry but I also don’t like secretive Harry.
• After a while we found ourselves lounging in a rooftop bar called The Heights where we can see almost the entire city lights in Paris. It was breathtaking to witness it in real life but even though I was amused with the view, I was more focused on the woman named Jolene and how on earth will ii be able to tell Gemma about this growing baby inside me.
• “Here you go.”
• I pulled my head up and found Gemma handing out a beer to me, “It’s just a beer hon.”
• I accepted hesitantly, “Thank you but I don’t really drink.” I answered.
• Also, I’m pregnant.
• She sits back beside me and takes a gulp from her own bottle while her eyes were glued on the view. “It’s amazing up here.” She commented and I couldn’t help but agree.
• The wind blows through our hair as I kept on tucking it behind my ear every time. We sat on this table while we were waiting for Harry to join us. He went somewhere to buy dragon fruit, he even had to make an excuse not to make it look suspicious that it is for me.
• “How close are you and Harry?” I asked.
• “Like Might Bond.” She smiles and I couldn’t help but smile too. “We’re pretty much really close since we only had each other when we were young.”
• I smile at her, “That’s really sweet. I was never close with my own sister.”
• “Yeah I heard a lot of things about your twin. I wonder why she is like that towards you knowing you both look actually the same.”
• I smiled ruefully, “I guess my existence is something she will hate forever.”
• “You don’t really have to think about what she says to you because it’s all out of jealousy. Obviously she is jealous of you and what you are. You’re really smart, determined, kind-hearted and extremely honest.”
• Extremely honest. I don’t think I am honest, Gemma.
• “You know Lindy? Back in the day, Harry never believed in himself because he was always bullied in school. There came a time he’d hurt himself physically.” She narrated.
• I gape as I listen to it because this was actually my first time to hear such kind of thing about Harry. I could never imagine him as a person who would do something like that because he is always so jolly and have the brightest smile.
• “He wouldn’t show us that he was hurting because he was the only guy in our household. He kind of thought to himself that he needed to be strong when our dad left.” Gemma sounded sad as she stares at the drink in her hand.
• “That’s so sad. I’m so sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say.
• She smiles weakly, “Harry’s such an inspiring younger brother because he would always try to make things between my parents okay even though it wouldn’t work out anymore. He never gave up and I guess he was the one who got hurt more when our parents divorced.”
• Her sad eyes looking at the distant as she takes a long drink from her beer before he continues, “He’d always cry at night and I would always sleep in his room just to make sure he is okay. There are times when he would come knocking in my room in the middle of the night.”
• Listen to this story makes me feel much sadder just thinking about it. It hurt me a lot thinking about the things that he had been through at such a young age. He was still so young when his parents divorced and it must have devastated him a lot. Furthermore, I had no idea he was bullied when he was younger not I had no idea that he was hurting himself. He must have had a very sad past growing up and I cant help but admire him for how amazing he is as a man now.
• “Harry is a very nice man.” Gemma smiles proudly. “I’m not only saying that because he is my brother but I know he is one deep down inside. I saw how he grew up into a fine man that he is now. With that kindheartedness, people take advantage of it and people don’t really see who he really is.”
• Gemma moved her head towards me, “But you’re different from everyone else he was with. And I am beyond thankful that he met you, Lindy.”
• I feel little tears forming behind my eyelids, “Oh Gemma. That means a lot coming from you. I am thankful I met Harry too. I know he is a wonderful person.”
• “He is. Although he is a jerk sometimes.” She smiles and I laugh softly with her. “I am not against you dating him. I know you are different from those women who are only using him for money. I know you love my brother and I can see it with the look in your eyes.”
• “I do love him.” I answered.
• “I know. And I want to thank you for giving him another chance after what happened to your relationship before. Right now, I wish the best for the both of you.”
• I began crying as soon as I leaned closer for a hug. We hugged each other for a while while she was rubbing my back with her hands. “I’m just so happy hearing that from you Gemma.”
• She embraces me a little tighter before we pulled ourselves away from each other. She smiles at me, “Don’t worry, if Harry will do anything so stupid again, I will handle him.”
• I chuckle sheepishly as she wipes my tears.
• “Cheers!” She pulls her beer midair as I clink mine to hers.
• I watch her drink but I didn’t and I know it would be too disrespectful not to but I wouldn’t want to to risk it knowing that I have a baby inside me. When she notices that I didn’t take a single sip she asks, “Don’t you ever drink?”
• “Not often.” I answered honestly.
• “Come on. It’s just a sip.”
• “I don’t really.. Um..”
• “Trust me it isn’t going to make you too wasted. Just one sip.”
• “Um..” I muttered softly as I stare at the bottle of beer in my hand.
• I was thinking of faking it and I think it would work to let her think that I drank from the bottle. But then she would notice it way too easily knowing the bottle is made of transparent glass. I ended up deciding to take a small drink anyways since I don’t drink that often. As I finally pulled the bottle up heading to my mouth, someone from behind me snatched it away.
• “I’ll take that.” It was Harry who is now sitting next to me.
• I watch him as he take a long chug from my bottle and as I glance at Gemma her eyes were seemingly disappointed. “What a big-ass bummer! We could have ordered for you, Hazza.”
• Harry groans as he wipes his lips with the back of his hand, “I don’t want it to go to waste though.” He answers before looking back at me.
• “What are you doing?” He mouths.
• “Come on Harry.” Gemma whines. “It’s just a beer. Unless she’s pregnant that would be acceptable. So why don’t you buy her a drink?”
• There was silence and I couldn’t even stare at Gemma straight in her eyes.
• “Why are you two silent?” She asks jokingly.
• “Nothing.” Harry answers right away. “Why don’t you just stop forcing Lindy to drink? She doesn’t drink.”
• I look back at Gemma who looks back at me with curious eyes and I can feel that she was sensing something. So I changed the topic, “So Gemma, where should we go tomorrow?”
• “We shouldn’t bring Harry.” She answers with a wide smile.
• “What?” Harry gapes.
• “You don’t like shopping as much as we do. Although we can use your black card.” Gemma smiles cheekily.
• Harry chuckles, “And I thought you don’t like people who takes advantage from me so what are you doing now?”
• Gemma gapes dramatically and I couldn’t help but admire the way they bicker playfully. “I’m an exception.” She rolls her eyes.
• Harry laughs under his throat before taking a gulp from his drink. “So where are you planning to take my girlfriend tomorrow?”
• “We’ll be out long enough. It’s not your thing. Trust me.” Gemma answers.
• “I don’t mind. I just want to be with Lindy before I will get busy with the tour again and she would get busy with her school too.” Harry answers.
• When we reached the hotel room, Gemma stayed for a little bit and volunteered to make some snacks in the kitchen. Harry and I decided to watch some a movie with Gemma and I don’t really see any problem with it.
• While we were changing to our sleepwear inside our bedroom, I can tell how Harry seemed a little bothered. I wanted to ask him what was wrong or if there was something wrong because he doesnt look too well.
• “Your sister is cool.” I tell him.
• He looked up at me and smiled, “She is cool and annoying.”
• I chuckle, “I like talking to her.”
• “She likes talking to you too, I can tell. I even wondered what else she talked to you while I was away earlier.” He squints his eyes playfully.
• Harry walks towards me and holds both of my arms with his hands, “I’m just glad you two enjoy each other’s company.”
• I smiled, “I am glad too. When should we tell her about… Harry I feel so guilty that we are hiding our baby from her. Gemma’s been awfully nice to me.”
• “Baby?!”
• Our heads snapped towards the doorway and there we found Gemma standing there with eyes wide open. I can feel my temperature dropping as my hands instantly grew cold.
• “You’re pregnant?” She gapes.