M E L I S S A

Saturday came by pretty fast, I was really anxious about going. It took me a few days to deicide what to wear, I didn't want anything too revealing or short. Alex helped me find the perfect dress. She helped me get ready for the charity event, my palms were sweaty.

"It's going to be okay, if you need me to pick you up, I will. Just a phone call," Alex whispered as she finished putting my hair into a nice braid moulding my hair together.

Taking a deep breath, I looked in the mirror and for the first time in a while, I felt beautiful. I didn't feel like a victim but a survivor. Seeing me in a dress, I began to realise how strong I have become, to overcome something so terrible. I knew that it will still take me a while to be people okay. But for now, I will take what happiness I have and keep that inside me.

My little bump was showing a little in the dress but not much that it was noticeable to those who wouldn't know. I heard a knock at the apartment door, Alex walked over to open it.

"Hello, Mr Styles," Alex said.

"Please call me Harry out of work," I could hear Harry speak.

"Sorry Harry, please come inside. Melissa is almost about done, would you like anything?" Alex asked.

"Oh no, I am fine. Thank you for allowing Melissa to come as well, I know this might be a little hard for her. But I know it's one closer step to becoming better," Harry spoke.

"Oh, it was all Melissa's doing. I will always stand by her, no matter what," Alex replied.

I finished putting on my heels before walking out of my bedroom and towards the lounge where Alex and Harry were. Alex smiled warmly as she saw me, making Harry turn around. His mouth dropped as he looked at me.

"Wow, you... you look beautiful," Harry was lost for words as he stared at me.

I blushed a little as I looked at what he was wearing, a purple suit which actually suited his body. He was wearing a couple of rings on his right hand.

"You look handsome," I replied.

Harry had a slight red tinge to his face, he chuckled to try and hide up.

"You two should get going," Alex spoke as she came over to me and hugged me, "Remember, if you need anything call me and I'll be there right away."

I nodded and hugged Alex back for a few minutes, I pulled away from the hug and walked over towards Harry who was patiently waiting.

𝔁𝔁𝔁𝔁

We arrived at the venue which was at a beautiful community hall, the hall was surrounded by beautiful rose bushes, plants and some other flowers. Harry and I made our way to the inside which was beautifully done. The hall was decked out with fairy lights, tables that were decked out nicely with decor.

"Wow this is truly amazing," I spoke as I followed Harry.

"Do you mind if I introduce you to my mum and sister?" Harry asked.

I shook my head, I knew if I had to get better. I had to meet some new people. I followed Harry as we got closer to the stage.

"Mum," Harry said.

The women in the beautiful red dress turned around, "Harry darling, you came and is this your plus 1," she smiled warmly.

"I did come. Managed to get time off," Harry joked making his mum slap his arm playfully, "This is Melissa, she works to me but I thought I'd bring her here as a date, Melissa this is my mum Anne, coordinator of this event."

I knew he wanted to tell his mum what happened to me as she looked a little confused as to why he brought me. Firstly I held my hand out for her to shake making me take a deep breath.

"Hi Anne, it's lovely to meet you. I know you are probably wondering why he brought me here. Your son Harry had been truly amazing, you see I have recently moved from Minnesota about almost 4 months ago now because I was raped by a family friend. We lost the court case, my parents sent me here to live with my Aunty to get away from him and keep me safe," I spoke.

I watched as Anne's eyes widened before her eyes began to well up with tears, "Oh sweetheart, I am truly sorry that happened to you. You are a very brave and strong women, do you know that?" She asked.

I took another deep breath, "I am trying too, which is why I decided to come today. I know recovery is hard for everyone and they all recover in their own way and I think this is mine. Going out and meeting new people and people who have been in a similar situation."

Anne smiled warmly, she gently grabbed a hold of my shoulders, "You are a very wise women, I hope one day you get justice for what happened to you. My daughter Gemma was raped a few years back, it took us months to get her rapist in jail. It ruined her mentally and physically because no one would believe her but us. She lost her friends and some family members whom we never speak to anymore."

I frowned, when she spoke about Gemma. How could family not believe their own relative, "I am truly sorry that happened to your daughter. I too lost some friends from what happened but my family remained strong and supported me. I hope to make an impact on some people here tonight."

Harry smiled at the two of us as we continued to speak to each other, I watched as a girl with brown hair walked up towards Anne.

"Oh Melissa this is my daughter Gemma. Gemma this is Melissa, Harry's plus one," Anne introduced us.

Gemma smiled softly at me, "Nice too meet you."

"You too," I replied.

Later on in the evening, I was sitting at Harry's table with him and his mum and daughter. It was time for someone to speak, my chest began to race as I felt like something wasn't right.

I held a glass to my lips and was about to drink it when I saw him, James walk onto the stage. What was he doing here?

"Hello everyone, welcome too this event, I am grateful of being here today," James spoke into the microphone.

The glass I was holding slipped out of my hand and onto the floor smashing into multiple pieces which caught Harry's attention. He touched my shoulder only for me to scream out before I stood up and backed away.

My eyes met his, James stared at me. How could he be here? Why would they let him come here?

"Melissa, what's wrong?" Harry asked.

"That's him, that's the man who raped me," I replied making everyone that could hear me gasp.