Chapter 5

This chapter is dedicated to T...she's waited patiently for her Bex & Harry fix.
Love you much!

Disclaimer:  No copyright infringement intended.  Some events are real, most are not. Bex and the plot line are mine.  This is 95% fiction.


Please Enjoy!

                                                                      

                                                                       

                                                        Through the Dark

                                                                  

                                                                  Chapter 5

We head immediately for the flight to Cape Town.  It will take 3 hours getting us to the hotel in the early morning hours.

Cal and I board one jet with Harry and Niall, while Louis and Liam board another.  Niall flops down into the seat across from me and nods.  Cal and Harry sit in another set of seats going over some of Cal’s photos. Dale, who I learned was Harry’s bodyguard, gives my shoulder a squeeze before passing and settles in the seat behind me.

“So, what did you think of the show?” Niall asks as he plays with the hair above his left ear. It seems to be some sort of nervous tic.

“It was great.  Loud.  Your fans are certainly a rare breed,” I answer checking my denim jacket.  It had dried for the most part.

“I’m sorry, Rebekah,” Harry interrupts in a raspier voice from singing.

“For what?” I ask him perplexed by his sudden apology.

“I know you were hit with a few things tonight.  That’s my fault. I should never have given them permission to throw stuff on stage.”

“Oh, believe me...That wasn’t your fault,” I chuckle pulling out my ponytail.  I run my fingers through the ends.  It’s sticky from whatever they had thrown.

“What do you mean?” Niall asks leaning forward.

“Let’s just say I wasn’t very popular with the crowd.  I had a bottle of water thrown at me before Harry told them they could throw things.  I’m pretty sure I was called a bitch too,” I answer shrugging my shoulders.  

“Why didn’t you say anything?!?!?  We could have had them removed?” Cal sets his camera down and stares at me.  “The safety of everyone is important, Bex.”

“It was just some water. No harm no foul,” I answer pulling out my cell phone.  I open my email and scroll through signalling Cal that I didn’t care to talk about it further.  He gives a low huff before picking up his camera again.  I scroll through a few more things on my phone as the plane takes off.

                                           

Early morning, March 30, 2015

I watch the road as our caravan makes its way from Cape Town International to our accommodations.  There’s some traffic at the late hour.  Niall is seated next to me nodding along to whatever is playing through his phone.  Cal is going through more pictures on his camera chuckling here and there.  I turn my head to look behind me and find Harry leaning against the window with his eyes closed.  He looks as if he’s napping peacefully and I take the moment to really look at him.

His collar length hair is pulled into another bun.  The grey tee he’s wearing clings to his chest. My eyes travel over his profile. The fuller face I remember, after looking through Cal’s archive, is gone replaced with a stronger jawline and high cheekbones.  His skin is slightly tanned from their days off.  There’s a few stray damp curls on the back of his neck.  The neckline of his shirt shifts with him as he adjusts in his sleep displaying a tattoo of “1957” on his right trapezius.  He raises his right hand slowly and scratches the spot causing me to look up at his face.  Deep green eyes look back at me.  I smile in embarrassment.  He gives me a lopsided smirk and a wink before reaching up and tweaking Niall in the back of the head.

“Ow, what’d you do that for?” Niall groans pulling out one of his ear buds.

“You could at least be a gentleman and talk to our travel companion...” Harry motioning toward me with an open palm.

“I’m not the only one in the car, Harold,” Niall says turning around in his seat.  

“I was sleeping.”

“Yes, Bex...Harold needs his beauty sleep,” Niall smiles at me.  “There’s talk of a Saint Laurent modeling contract.”   Saint Laurent is said in the worst french accent I’ve ever heard making me giggle.

“Who taught you french?” I ask through my snickers.

“I took it in school.  I just like to butcher the name of H’s favorite designer.  It irritates him.”

Harry tweaks him again, behind the ear this time, “It doesn’t irritate me.”  The young Irishman looks at me as if to say “see.”

“Alright boys and girl, we’re here!” Cal yells before anything can escalate between the two young men.  All three of us look out the window at the hotel.

“Oh!” I’m shocked as I step out of the vehicle.

The facade of the hotel is white stone and glass lit beautifully to accentuate the modern structure. The air is comfortable with a light breeze which sways the palm trees.  A courtyard filled with a few tables overlooks a man made lake. I spin in place to take in the whole area and reach for the small, more pedestrian camera in my backpack.  I snap a few shots of the building and the smaller structures a little further down the water.

“Alright, we’ve got to get moving before someone spots these guys,” Paddy says gently pushing me toward the entry of the hotel. A circular bar takes up part of the space. A few patrons are enjoying a night cap.  None even bat an eye at our large entourage as we enter.  The lobby is clean with small groupings of chairs, couches and tables.  We make our way up the stairs toward the service desk and await our keys.

Alberto and Paddy hand out the key cards about ten minutes later and herd us into different elevators.  Cal and Harry are laughing and pointing at the other boys as the door closes.

“What’s going on?” I ask Niall.

“They apparently won the draw and got the Presidential Suite.  They’re just gloating,” He says grabbing my suitcase.  “Come on. I’m tired.”

We join Louis, Liam, Paddy and Alberto in the next available elevator.  The three of them are yawning and scratching various places on their bodies.  The ride is short and they all grumble about showers, food and beds as they step off.  

I slide my key card and open the door.  I step in and decide there must be a mistake.

“Alberto?”  I call out to the first person I see.

“Yes, Miss Oliver?”

“I think there’s been some mistake.”

“No, this is your room,” he says smiling at me.

“But...um...surely one of the boys should have this room.  It’s way too much.”

“When Paddy and I drew the names, yours was pulled for this one.  Enjoy!”  He walks off without letting me say another word.

“How’s the room, Bex?” Cal says pushing past me and into the room.

My “room” was actually a huge suite. A living area consisting of an oversized chaise lounge, a couch also with two loungers and table were the first thing I saw.  As I walked through, a table capable of seating twelve came into view.  Turning around, I walk back through the seating area to find a bedroom and bath.  The bedroom holds a king size bed, flat screen television and an amazing view of the Table mountains.  The bath boasts an oversized, freestanding round tub and a rain shower.  

“I think maybe I should switch with one of the guys,” I say as I come back out and sit on the edge of the couch. “This doesn’t seem fair.”

Cal turns and smiles before holding a piece of paper towards me, “You have twenty four hour butler service.  Might not want to mention that to the boys.”

“Didn’t you hear me?  I don’t need all this.  I’m going to switch with Niall,” I say setting my bags down before heading to the door.  I step out into the hall and find Paddy and Dale chatting quietly further down.

“Paddy? Which room is Niall’s?”

The man looks at me like I have three heads, “That one.” He points to a room two doors down. With determination, I knock on the door and wait.  

“Rebekah?” The blond opens the door in his damn underwear. “What’s the craic?”

“You need to switch rooms with me,” I say quickly before turning and heading back to the suite.  When I get to the door, I expect him to be behind me.  He’s standing in the doorway, arms crossed smiling.  “Well...come on. I don’t need this much room.”

“No way in hell, Lass.”

“What? Why?” I say stomping back to him.  “You guys are on stage working your asses off.  You deserve the bigger room.”

“Just enjoy the room, Rebekah.  I’ll see you in the morning,” he laughs before stepping back.  The door shuts with a quiet thud.  

Cal laughs at me as he holds the door open to my suite, “Just try to get some sleep.”  Something in the way he said try makes me a little suspicious.

Deciding that I’d offer the room to Liam or Louis in the morning, I carry my bags into the bedroom.  I pull my laptop and phone charger out of my camera bag and plug both in. Fishing my phone out of my backpack, I set that to charge before looking for my toiletry bag and something to wear to bed.  

I brush my hair and throw it into a bun on the top of my head.  Quickly washing my face, I eye the round tub through the mirror.  As I brush my teeth, I lean on the counter debating on whether or not I want to indulge myself a little. I feel a little guilty knowing that one of the guys deserves this room more than I do. The devil on my shoulder tells me to enjoy the bath tonight.  

I gingerly make my way over and turn on the taps. Looking at the bottles of complimentary bath salts, I pour in some lavender and finish brushing my teeth. I open the door to the balcony slightly and pull the curtain closed before stripping down and stepping into the tub. I settle in and let the hot water soothe the muscles in my body.

“Oi! Oi!”

I laugh hearing Louis from the balcony.

“She might be sleeping already!” Liam yells.

“She could be staring at the moon!  Rahbehkahh!!” Louis yells causing me to sit up in the tub.  Something tells me I am not hearing them through the balcony door.

“Louis?” I call from the tub.

“Tommo...I think she’s in the bathroom.”

“What are you two doing?  Are you in my room?” I yell standing up and grabbing a towel off the bar next to the tub.

“You mean our room!?!?!?” Louis yells back at me through the door.  “What are you doing in there, Love?”

Our room?!?!?  

I quickly grab one of the white robes provided by the hotel.  Making sure everything is covered, I open the door to the living area.  Louis is on the phone presumably ordering food.  His hair is wet; the ends dripping down the back of his muscle shirt.  I hear a throat clearing next to me.

Liam stands by the couch dressed in a pair of Nike basketball shorts and a tank top.  His damp hair laying flat on his head.

“Hi,” he says giving me an apologetic look.

“Um...what are you two doing in here?” I ask bypassing the young man ordering chips, burgers and beer.

He points toward an adjoining door, “Paddy said that the hotel booked this as a family suite. Our room adjoins yours. Technically, it was supposed to be Me, Niall and Louis but your name got drawn before Niall’s.”

“Oh...well,” I say smiling at him.  “That’s OK. Tomorrow, I’ll take Niall’s room and you three can fight over the master bedroom.”

“That won’t happen, Love,” Louis laughs as he hangs up the phone.  “Twenty four hour butler service...very nice.”

“What do you mean that won’t happen?”

“Niall hates rooming with people except Dio and Willie,” he shrugs before jumping over the back of the couch.  “How was the bath?”

Remembering I am standing only in a robe, I pull at it making sure it’s still in place.

“If you’ll excuse me a moment,” I sigh before running to the master bedroom.  I throw on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt instead of the camisole I was planning on before finding out I had roommates.

I return to the living area to find Liam looking uncomfortable as he continues to stand near the round entry table.  Louis is scrolling through the channels on the television while stretched out on a lounger.

“There’s bloody nothing on the telly,” he groans tossing the remote next to him.  “Did Paddy bring up the PlayStation?”

“Playstation?” I ask, my voice going a little higher than normal.

“It’s the high from the stage. We need something to do until we come down,” Liam shrugs.  “I’ll be right back.”

“Burgers should be here soon...” Louis says casually.

“Um...okay.”

“I ordered you one. Thought you might be hungry, love.”

“Great. Thanks,” That was all I can say.  How in the world I ended up rooming with two members of One Direction... I don’t know.

It is nearing three-thirty in the morning and I just want to sleep.  Opening the balcony door, I step out into the cool but not unpleasant night air.  The view was breathtaking.  You could just make out the massive Table Mountains behind the hotel.  I lean on the balcony rail and close my eyes, enjoying the soft breeze. A door to my right opens and shuts quietly.  I open my eyes to Harry in a pair of black Calvin Klein boxer briefs and a man bun.  I can see all of his tattoos on display.  He has two birds on his upper chest, 1967 inked into the opposite trapezius and a large butterfly in the middle of his torso.  A pair of fern leaves just above the waistband of his underwear rounds out the view.  I quickly turn back to the mountains before me so I don’t get caught staring at him.  

“Bex!  Foods here!!!” Louis yells from inside.  Harry’s head shoots up as I turn to go back into the room.

“Night, Harry,” I say before quickly shutting the door.

Paddy is hooking up the PlayStation to the television as Liam and Louis survey the food on the table.  I grab a burger off a plate and a bottle of water from the table and plop down on the chaise lounge.  I watch as the two bicker over who has more fries.

After I finish, I grab a throw from the couch before heading back into the bedroom.  Unplugging my laptop, I carry both back through the lounge area and out onto the balcony.  A quick glance to my right tells me Harry has returned to his suite.  I pull up the messaging app the girls and I use and wait for it to connect.

Emily’s soft eyes greet me, “Hello Lass.  Where are we now?”

“Hi, Em.  It is currently half three in the morning in Cape Town, South Africa,” I yawn.  I can see bottles behind her.  “Are you at the pub?”

“Of course!  When am I not at the pub?!?!”

“What time is it?  It doesn’t sound very busy.”

“Half eight.  You know Saturday’s don’t get moving until after ten,” she smiles.

“Oh. It’s already Sunday here,” I yawn again.  A ruckus in the room has me sighing.  

“What in the world is going on there??” Emily asks eyes wide.

“Somehow, I am rooming with Louis and Liam.  They’re having a hard time coming down from the...” I begin before more screaming starts.

“Oi, You wankah! You’re cheating!”

“Oh shut yer hole!”

“Oh for christ’s sake, “ I groan hearing Niall yell back at Louis. “I’m not going to get any sleep tonight,” I whine to my friend.

“What are they doing?  Sounds like a rugby match in there!” She says shaking her head at the swearing and grunts coming from the room.

“They’re playing...” I answer looking through the door, “Soccer on PlayStation.”

“Ah, football...”

“No, Emily. Soccer.”

“We call it football in Ireland.  You’d better brush up on that Irish we were working on if you’re gonna be with that lot!  Go shove some cotton in yer ears and go to bed,” she says before blowing me a kiss and closing the chat.

I close the laptop and sigh as I lean back into the chair.  After a few minutes, the room quiets some.  I take my chance and sneak back through the door.  Niall is stuffing his face with pizza while Louis texts someone.  The soccer game is on pause.  Liam glances up from his spot on the couch and winks as I creep past.  I close the door to the bedroom as quietly as possible and get under the covers.

I don’t know how long I sleep for, but the loud cheer from the lounge area wakes me.  I shove my head under the pillow and pray for sleep.  When the noise continues and I can’t get back to sleep, I growl and stomp out of the room.  I find Harry and Cal standing in the lounge with unhappy faces.

“Bex...grab your stuff. You’re not gonna get any sleep in here,” Cal orders.  

“It’s fine.  Just try to keep it down,” I say giving the boys a pleading look.

“No way.  You’re taking my room,” Cal says rounding Harry and making his way to the bedroom with a small overnight bag in his hand.

“No, I’ll take Niall’s room.”

“I wouldn’t,” Harry comments quietly.  “You don’t know what he did in that bed before he came here.”

He has a point.

“It’s fine.  I don’t want to inconvenience anyone,” I say turning back to the room. “Cal, go on. Go back to bed.  I’m sure I can find some ear plugs or something.”  In the short time my friend has been in the room, He’s packed up my things from the bathroom and desk.  He pushes past me and out the door before I can stop him.  I follow behind whining about him not having to switch with me.

“Stop whining and take the room, Bex.  Harry keeps to himself.  He’s quiet in the morning. You have your own bath so you won’t have to worry about him walking in on you or anything. Trust me. Paddy thought this would be funny.  Kind of an initiation of sorts.  It’s bullshit.”

The presidential suite is much bigger than the one I was sharing with the other two.  It has a much larger lounge area with two full couches and chairs.  A conference/dining table seating twelve sits in the middle separated from the lounge by a modern divider. A second lounge area with a desk and computer sits on the other side.  We pass a small full kitchen as Cal carries my bags into one of the bedrooms.  He drops them near the bed and grabs his own before kissing me sweetly on the top of my head.

“Night, B.  See you for breakfast or lunch, whatever...”

“Thanks, Cal,” I say following him out.  As we step into the main area of the suite, Harry walks back in through the door.  “I’m sorry,” I apologize quietly.

“It’s no problem, Rebekah. At least you’ll get some sleep.  Good Night,” He smiles before making his way in the opposite direction.  I close the door behind Cal and look for the light switch for the main area.  After finding it, I make my way back to my room for the night.  I climb under the covers of the king size bed deciding I’ll have a word with Paddy in the morning.

                                                     </3

10:45 am - same day

I wake to the sound of metal on plates and quiet chatter from the living room area. The air in the room is slightly chilly so I pull a sweatshirt over my head.  When I open the door of my room, the sound of Paul Simon’s “Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes” is playing softly.  Cal and the security team are eating.  Cal winks as I make my way over to the buffet that’s been set up.  

“Morning, Rebekah,” the deep, raspy voice behind me says quietly as I grab a plate.

“Oh...good morning, Harry.  Did you sleep OK?”

“Yeah.  I put some earplugs in,” he smirks picking up a coffee cup.  

I plate up some fruit and a bowl of yogurt and head over to the table.  I pick the spot right next to Paddy and smile sweetly at him.  I return to the buffet and pour myself a cup of coffee.  Harry is setting up an “english breakfast” adding mushrooms and tomatoes to his plate.

“Similar to home, right?” I ask pouring my coffee.

“Yeah...surprisingly,” he smiles. “I’ll need all the energy I can get today.”

He passes me and sets his plate across the table from mine.  I slip into the seat and begin eating.  The security team is talking about the schedule for the evening.  I continue eating as the conversation changes to the guys.  Alberto complains he got about two hours sleep.  Harry glances up at me over his plate.

“How did you sleep, Miss Oliver?” Paddy asks smiling at me.

“I slept like a baby,” I answer rubbing his arm. “Bless you for asking.”

Cal chuckles at the far end of the table. Paddy looks at me perplexed.  I wipe my mouth with my napkin using the manners my mother taught me.

“But...” I say turning toward him.  I smile sweetly rubbing his shoulder.  I press sharply into his left trapezius, also known as the ‘vulcan death grip”, and squeeze.  “If you think you can put me through some initiation again...” I say sweetly into his ear.  He’s groaning while his body is leaning fully towards me.  “I’ll drop you like a sack of potatoes.  I went through military training, buddy.”

I release his neck,take a sip of coffee and wipe my mouth again, “Well, I’m going for a run!”

I make my way back to the bedroom and swap out my pajamas for running clothes.  Liam’s bodyguard is still rubbing his neck when I return to the room.  Harry and Cal are hunched over a map on the table.

“Do I need to be back for anything this afternoon?” I ask while adjusting my hair hoping someone will answer.

Cal smiles, “No.  Liam and Niall are going on a safari. Louis is going to hang around. Harry and I are going for a hike.”  

“We’re thinking of having a group dinner later if you’d like to join us?” Harry says softly.

“That sounds great.  Thank you for inviting me, Harry,” I smile.  “Alright, I’m off.  Please be safe.”

I make my way through the hotel and begin stretching my legs out near the water.  It’s a beautiful warm day. The Table Mountains look unbelievable with the clear blue sky as their backdrop.

I start my run, winding through the resort. I decide that I’ll remain on the grounds instead of venturing out.  The area is spectacular.  The Palm trees remind me of California.  I begin my second run around the property when I hear my name called.  Dale, dressed in shorts and a muscle shirt, catches up quickly.

“Hello...”

“Thought I’d join you for a bit,” he smiles.

“Okay,” I say hesitantly. “I thought you’d be with Harry.”

“Uh...no.  There’s no way in hell I’m climbing those things,” Dale laughs pointing at the mountains ahead of us. We both laugh as we continue on the path I started with.  He runs behind me until we decide we’ve both had enough.

After a quick stop for a towel and bottle of water, we head back to our rooms. The entire floor has been taken up by the tour entourage.  Lou is heading onto the elevator as we get off.  She informs us she’s going down for a swim in the infinity pool before her scheduled massage.  

I say goodbye to my running partner and take a long shower.  After asking for a light snack, I grab my laptop and sit on the balcony.  I go through my emails, pay some bills and watch a few YouTube videos of the guys prior concerts.  I look up the set list so I can become more familiar with their songs.

Around five p.m., the hotel room door opens and all I hear is laughter.  Stepping through the balcony door, I see Harry and Cal. Both are sweaty and dirty.

“What happened to you two?”

“Oh, well...we climbed the mountains.  H here decided once he got to the top, he’d strip off and have a dance,” Cal laughs.  “I almost fell off the trail laughing too hard taking a picture.”

“Hey!  Don’t be telling her that! She’ll take it the wrong way,” Harry says tossing his towel at Cal.

“Believe me, Bex. I wasn’t laughing at him. He’s sound in that department,” he says winking at me. “I just can’t believe the shit you do sometimes.” He turns and walks back out the door.

“Alrighty then,” I say awkwardly. Harry looks a bit embarrassed himself.  “So, what time is dinner?”

Author note: Well that was fun... Please leave me some love. Let me know what you think.

All the Love, Lady H.