Harry's pov

After putting Hero off to sleep. I went downstairs hoping to get to spend some time with Bella . Since she came here I have been trying to keep distance from her. Maybe because she surprised me by coming here.

Well that was what I wished the reason was in reality I was keeping my distance from her because I was scared she will get mad at me for being a total jerk with my family .

Also I didn't want her to come here not because I didn't want her to come to my house but I wanted to avoid her interaction with my messed up family.

Till Gemma and Hero it was alright but not more than that , especially my father. I didn't want her to meet him but she did meet him and he was exactly how I thought he would be around her that's the very reason I took her to my room away from him.

But nothing wrong happened till now instead she bounded well with my mother, on the contrary .That fills my heart with happiness and peace.

However now the thing that was constantly bugging me was her strange behaviour, the way she was lost earlier , then while arranging the wine glasses. Her behaviour towards Drake was not usual, there was definitely something bothering her and I think that it's about Drake.

Anyways I'll find out. I went downstairs, to the living room. Gemma and Susan were in the kitchen with mom therefore Bella was probably in there.

When I reached there, I got rooted to the ground witnessing Bella on the couch with Drake while he was basically leaning over her? I didn't know what came to my mind that I turned back but didn't leave.

I remained standing on that fixed spot, remencing Bella's strange behaviour. She was behaving unusual only when Drake was talked about and she acted weirdly only in front of him, she was alright before he came. And now they were on the couch......these all observations formed a very unlikely conclusion that I didn't want to accept.

Bella can't....but Drake was Gemma's boyfriend, why will she do something like that? then it struck me how she prevented Susan from saying anything about Drake and herself told that they were in the same college.

I shook my head not wanting to think about it anymore and make assumptions this way. But I couldn't help it . Also the brotherly instinct in me, for Gemma that was so overprotective , kept on making worse possibilities that I didn't want to follow.

I tried to turn around and look at them but couldn't do it, I didn't want to fuel any fire in me.

After a good five minutes Bella came and I couldn't help but speak bitterly
"You know him pretty well. "

"Umm....you were being a cat?" She asked me

"Hun?"

"Standing by the door.....eavesdropping."

I got scared I didn't want to blame her for something she didn't do, maybe there was other side to the story maybe I was taking it all wrong?

I decided to drop it for now
"I was not..." I begin but she cut in and said

"Nevermind and 'yes' for your question. " she states making me almost boil in rage, she indirectly accepted there was something between them.

I closed my fist tightly due to the anger erupting in me however I didn't want to say anything more to her and make things worse therefore I hummed and began to walk away.

"Harry." She called me sounding as innocent as always that for second a forgot everything and replied to her "hmm?"

She took a deep breath as if unsure about what she planned to tell
"I don't know if I should....."

No she better not be saying anything about her and Drake or I'll not care about anything else and bang his head with the flower vase on the table.

"You shouldn't ." I stopped her.

She seemed confused and looked at me with a deep frown. Confused why was she confused didn't she realise by now that I was standing here only and am probably now aware of everything, she shouldn't be the one confused.

"By the way I wasn't 'eavesdropping I just happened to catch you.....two in a....." I began with great confidence, my words evidently bitter but going on with that sentence I realized I was not strong enough to say it and not replay that image in my head, therefore I decided not to speak anymore and once again turned to walk away.

But Bella stopped me again
"Complete....what you were saying. " she demanded.

That moment my anger took over me and I said what I didn't want to speak
"You probably know him so well to.....get cosy with him on that couch. "
As the words left my mouth I instantly regretted it but was so egocentric that moment to accept my mistake. Also my anger didn't allow me to listen to my heart or brain.

My words wounded her like pointed ends of iron shafts as she blinked several times looking everywhere but me, her eyes held tears that she didn't want me to see but I could straight away tell they were there. Her eyes were red due to anger but the narcissist in me didn't allow me to care for her feelings.

"You interpreted it all wrong. " she tried to explain me.

"I don't know what the correct interpretation is. "

"Harry...what are you trying to imply? I was flirting with your sisters....boyfriend?" She asked , in her almost shaky , broken voice she was on the verge of a breakdown and I didn't do anything for that.

Gemma. Gemma was all I thought about at that moment there was a larger part in me that told me 'Bella was innocent.' but the smaller but more strong part said 'what if she wasn't?' What if ? Then what about Gemma ? I had scarcely seen her laugh so much since the past few years , than she does now since Drake came to her life.

I knew I was doing wrong with Bella, she stood there infront of me, waiting for me to answer but I stood there dumb. I was baffled I didn't know what to think of this situation? How to respond?

Therefore I kept standing with my head hung low, witnessing Bella losing hope in me.

"Great." She said laughing bitterly that word was like molten iron on my chest, it hurt so badly seeing her like this, hopeless and vulnerable infront of me. But I didn't do anything except standing there .
_________________________________________

After two days

Bella's pov

"Yes then?" I asked Granny while the butter and garlic melted in the pan

"Uh...add the rice and stir..."

"You sure this is the third time adding rice?"

"Ah...I mean that's what it says...see add the rice and stir until fully coated in the mushroom mixture."

"Hmm."

I did as instructed.

"Now add the Parmesan and stir to combine. "

"Ahaan....and it's done...right?"

"Umm not before you're done with the toppings. "

"Oh yeah...with parsley, parmesan and pepper....is that Okay?"

"Yeah now it's done. "

"Finally. "

"Are we done with the cooking here?" Mother asked , entering the kitchen.

"Si Mamma." I replied

"Grande....just pack some for me...I got some emergency.." she said

"But mother..."

"I know..Bella you wanted all of us to eat together...but I got my duties. "

"Hmm I understand....it's Okay. "

"Don't worry next time we're surely eating together. "

"What about father?" I asked expectantly

"He'll join us for dinner. "

I nodded.

I was almost done with the packing when bell rang, I went to answer the door.

I closed the door as quickly as I opened it. He was standing on my doorstep and I didn't know what else to do.

I didn't want him to enter my house while mother was still there.

"Who's there Bella?" I heard mother asking when I was about to make up something the bell rang again, almost causing me to shake in fear and somewhat annoyance to.

I remained standing , not showing any moment and didn't plan on opening the door either.
Then mother came and stood infront of me.

"Open the door Bella." She spoke .

I sighed deeply and nodded, turning around to open the door, I can't hide it anymore.

"Gemma?" I said with a beaming smile, relief flashing on my face to see Gemma here.

"When were you planning to answer the door?" Gemma startled me by her voice as the door opened.

Charles, whom I expected to see, stood behind her.

"Oh sorry....I"

"Who is there?" Mother asked.

"Come on in Gemma." I told her

Gemma entered glancing at Charles, who gestured something and went.

"Mother this is Gemma, my friend and Gemma this is my mother. "

"Hello Mrs Peters, I hope I'm not disturbing?"

"No not all. Infact it's a pleasure to have you here , as it is Bella was feeling quite lonely." Mother replied

"Oh." Gemma spoke, glancing at me, with a knowing look on her face.

"Get in girls...I better go now Bella."

"Ciao"

I locked the door as she went and got inside with Gemma.

"What a surprise Gemma." I said smiling

"I didn't plan on it....Anyways here I brought pudding. "
She spoke

"Ah that's so nice of you. You made it?" I asked

"Nah mum did. She asked me to give some for you."

"That's so sweet. Say thanks to Anne on my behalf, I love puddings."

"So..." she trailed of whrn I soke

"Well good that you came...I made lunch today."

"Really what's in?"

"Risotto. "

I introduced her to Granny.

"Happy bilated Birthday dear." Granny wished her

"Oh thank you. "

They bounded well real quick.
Gemma agreed on having lunch with us too.

"So I better ask you Gemma, how well did my granddaughter score?"

Gemma chuckled before answering,
"It's great actually, really tasty."

"Nah...honest feedback. " I said.

"Ah..okay it's a little too sticky but other than that, it's really good."

"Can never get ten on ten."

After we were done with the lunch, Gemma sat beside me .

"Keeping distance with your phone...hun?" She spoke.

"Sorry I didn't see ,did you call me?" I asked

"Thousands of time."

"Sorry I was actually trying to spend more time with my family, didn't use my phone from a long while. "

"That's one reason the other one I know you won't tell me." She said leaving me frowning.

Then I realized she was talking about the pity argument between Harry and I on her birthday, realising I got tensed if she knows what it was about.

"Don't worry Harry didn't tell me anything.....but I'm no dumb to not understand the gravity of the situation. The way you suddenly wanted to leave and ofcoarse Harry's behaviour ever since. "
She said further.

I lowered my gaze feeling guilty for her being unaware of all that she deserves to know, but I also knew now was not the right time to say anything about that.

"Hey Bella don't worry I didn't come here to act as any kind of counsellor for you two. And I can also tell that you might be right on your path, whatever the ground of debate was, I know my brother well, he can be a real jerk sometimes you know. " the way she said the latter part made me chuckle lightly

"He wasn't totally wrong there but yes he was being a total jerk." I agreed with her making her chuckle too.

"But Bella I just wanted to say that you are a really good friend of mine and I would not want to ruin my friendship with you because of my 'jerk' brother. "

"Oh believe me I was in no way ignoring your phone calls...and I to wouldn't want to ruin our friendship either." I assured her.

" And if anytime you want or need help, you know like to deal with that 'jerk' I'm all time free." She said making me smile.

But I couldn't ignore the heaviness on my chest that was constantly reminding me, I was betraying Gemma in a way by not warning her about Drake.

"Umm and.......I know I may sound like I'm kind of taking side here but believe me I'm not. Here's the thing Bella ever since your fight or argument that day, Harry has been dull and left out. I know he is apologetic about what happened but he's too filled with ego to come and accept it. And I expect you to be anything but soft with him but I just wanted to tell you this."

I nodded at her . I was in deep thoughts then asked her.

"What's going on with Drake..eh?"

She instantly blushed at his mention , her eyes went all dreamy and her body posture evidently changed.

"You know whenever I think about Drake I think about love...and he is all I ever wished for." As she said that

I had involuntary tears in my eyes that were threatening to show themselves....not only tears but anger too found its way over me.

How can Drake do this?
He was playing with her feelings...such a player. Gemma definitely deserved someone much better.

"H-How do you know that he is all you ever wished for?" I asked her.

"Bella. I was twelve when mom divorced dad I was forced to leave my little brother...then due to financial instabilities she had to work day and night to provide for me. And she did give me everything I could want....except the most obvious.....and that was time and....affection of her love. I don't blame her for that she had to work , she had no other choice but it somewhere left me longing for the affection. And Drake gave me all that I longed for those eleven years."

She just poured her heart out infront of me, I had so much to process in , her parents got divorce that I knew but Gemma and Harry were separated due to that?

I never knew that. That's the reason Harry doesn't like his mother, she abandoned him!?

My heart hurt for Harry all my anger for him, seemed to dissolve all I could think of was how miserable he would've been without his mother and elder sister since such small age!

"Did Harry wanted that?" I couldn't help but ask her that.

Gemma looked at me tried to process what I meant

"I mean did he want to be with his father?" I asked

"Umm...unfortunately I can't tell you it's his place to tell."

I nodded and spoke
"Gemma...I can understand your affection for Drake but I guess sometimes we get so much involved with someone that we are led only by our heart and eventually loose the connection between heart and brain that is very necessary for any relationship. You know right now you are happy 'cause he is the answer for all of your longings but I just want you to think......practically. "

"Why do you say that? You know him right. He was in same college as you. Is he not good for me?" When she asked that my heart swelled up I didn't know how to respond, in anyway I would be lying to her.

"I don't know him that well." I answered

"But I just want you to be careful. " I added

She held my hand smiling and said
"I will be. Bella I had been in relationships before and also got cheated on. But in that cases I knew from the start that it wasn't meant to be. But with Drake , I get a feeling that we are meant to be together and that the future a holds something special for us. I just know it."

She seemed confident about what she said that her words almost made me believe in spite of the things I know about Drake.

I kept my hand on hers
"I am happy for you and I just want you to get what you truly deserve. " I said.

No wonder Gemma's words made captivated me and made me think of Gemma and Drake together in the near future but there was still this strong feeling within me, telling that it was all wrong. Drake was not meant to be. She deserves someone much much better.
Knowing that I can save her from going more into this toxic relationship that can ruin her but I was helpless and can't do a thing to save her....burnt me from within.

Only one person that can actually understand my situation and what I want to convey and also help me explain Gemma was.....Harry.

(I don't own the picture above)
________________________________________

AN

Will Bella talk to Harry?
Will Harry mess up again?
Or will they come closer and together help Gemma?

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