CHAPTER 5: Goodbye Harry

"Maybe," Imanol responds, looking at Harry. "Are you the bride's sister or something?" he questions, shifting his gaze to my face.

"She is the bride," Harry answers seriously.

Imanol falls silent, an uncomfortable silence that I prefer to break.

"Are you here to serve us champagne?" I ask sarcastically, and Harry looks at me annoyed.

"Imanol is my brother, Allison," Harry says, staring into my eyes. "It's better if we go inside, they're waiting for us."

Harry takes my hand, squeezing it tightly, and pulls me along with him.

I can't stop looking at Imanol, and he can't stop staring at our intertwined hands.

Upon reaching where our parents are, Harry releases my hand to greet his parents and mine. I do the same, and Imanol only greets them with a wave.

We all sit down to start eating, and Harry sits next to me. It feels a bit uncomfortable, and the glances from Amanda and my mother make me feel uneasy. Imanol sits directly across from me and can't stop looking at me, laughing flirtatiously. I can't help but feel nervous under his gaze.

"How do you know my brother?" Harry suddenly asks, startling me.

"I was running and bumped into him. We both fell, and that was it," I reply, unable to look at him.

"I thought you two knew each other from high school," he says, and I look at him confused.

"Imanol and I are the same age?" Harry nods and takes a sip of water.

I turn to get some water as well, and I find myself locking eyes with Imanol, with those beautiful brown eyes.

We have all finished eating, and we're just talking a little before Harry leaves. I can't help but feel uncomfortable under the gaze of everyone here, so I get up and walk to the bathroom.

I leave the bathroom and find Harry standing in front of the door. I look at him a little scared, and he shakes his head.

"Did I scare you that much?" he says, scratching his chin and looking into my eyes.

"N... no," I stutter, closing my eyes for a moment.

"My intention is not for you to fear me," I look at him, and he approaches me.

"I don't.

"Well, then come with me to the airport," he says, placing a hand on the wall behind me.

"Isn't your family going to accompany you?" I ask nervously.

"You will be my family," he looks at me confused as if he's a little less serious than usual. "Besides, the press already found out that the handsome eldest son of the McBrides is getting married, so there's a ninety-nine percent chance they'll be waiting for me at the airport." I roll my eyes, seeing that the usual Harry has returned.

"And to avoid gossip, it's most convenient for you to accompany me, right?" I question, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes.

"Okay, I'll go, but you owe me a favor," I say as I walk away from him.

"I never owe favors to anyone," he responds coldly and leaves.

I silently laugh as I fix my hair. I walk back to the dining room and meet Imanol's eyes again.

"Are you going to accompany Harry?" my mother asks, causing me to stop looking at Imanol and focus my gaze on her.

"Um, yes, Mom. Luck is going to drive us, right Harry?" I look at Harry, and he simply nods.

"Well, we're leaving now. See you at home, sweetheart," my mom says, approaching and kissing my cheek. "What kind of outfit is that Allison?" she whispers in my ear before pulling away.

"I love you too, Mom," I mutter under my breath and smile at her.

My mother walks away, and only Imanol and I remain.

"Wow, you already look like a real couple," Imanol suddenly says, making me jump.

"We are," I reply seriously.

"You don't have to lie to me. I know you're getting married because of a contract," he looks at me and takes a step toward me.

I'm about to respond, but I hear my mother shouting my name, so I quickly leave and feel saved by the bell.

I leave the huge mansion and see Harry standing outside my car, with everyone else saying their goodbyes in front of him. I descend the steps and walk up to Amanda and Mr. McBride, bidding them farewell, and then make my way to the car.

Harry opens the door, and I get in. He enters behind me and instructs Luck on where to go.

Throughout the entire journey, we both remain silent. I don't look at him, and I'm not sure if he looks at me.

Upon arriving at the airport, I notice that the entrance is crowded with reporters, just as Harry had said. Nervousness begins to invade my small body, and Harry notices that. He looks at me, taking my hand and squeezing it.

"You just need to hold on to me tightly. I will protect you," he looks at me, and I meet his eyes, eyes that coincidentally are also beautiful.

"Yes, that will be when we enter, but I'll have to go out alone," I respond, furrowing my brow.

"Luck will help you get out," he says, shrugging his shoulders.

I shake my head, and Harry lets go of me to get out of the car. As he steps out, he extends his hand to help me, just like he did at the restaurant.

I get out, and the press swarms around us. He hugs me, and we start walking toward the airport's interior.

Once inside, a few reporters manage to sneak in. Harry stops hugging me and takes my hand. We walk to the boarding gate, and once there, Harry cups my face in his hands. I give him a look of confusion, and he winks at me.

"I'll have to kiss you to make it look more real," I widen my eyes in surprise, and he smiles. "Don't worry, I'll put my finger on your lips, and no one will notice that we didn't kiss. I'm only doing this because they're going to take pictures of us."

I look at him even more confused, and as I feel his finger on my lips, my body begins to tremble. Harry gazes into my eyes and slowly moves closer to my lips. I close my eyes for a moment, and when I open them, Harry is "kissing" me with his eyes closed, but I can't feel his lips, only his finger, and I'm immensely grateful for that ingenious idea.

When we pull apart, I see many cameras taking pictures of us, and I seize the opportunity to play my part. Harry, like me, looks at the cameras and smiles while waving. I try to catch his attention with small hisses, but I fail.

"Harry!" I say in a half-whisper, and he turns to look at me.

Immediately, I tiptoe and wrap my arms around his neck. He remains still for a second and then reacts by taking my waist and pulling me closer to him.

"Goodbye, Harry," I whisper in his ear and then release my grip.

Harry looks at me confused, and I smile at him while

waving my hand. He does the same, gives me a smile, and leaves, disappearing down a long corridor.

"Goodbye, Harry," I whisper to myself and feel somewhat strange as if I'm going to miss him. What I felt in that embrace was something very different from what I felt when I hugged him for the first time.

"Goodbye, Harry," I say again, but this time out loud, and a sigh escapes my lips.