Zayn's Dad is sitting right in front of me. I know it's him, they look exactly alike. But what was he doing here? Does Zayn know about this?

Oh no, the questions in my head are just going all over the place. What am I going to do?

"Ma'em?"

I flashed back to reality, bringing my lips back to a smile as I looked back down at them. "Oh. Sorry."

My eyes dropped back to look at the lady still looking at the menu in front of her. Who is she? I hope that's not another woman. Just imagine how Zayn will feel.

"What was your order?" I asked again.

"I'll just take a glass of your best wine." He smiled, closing the menu flat to the table in front of him. He turned back to the lady but a ringing noise interrupted her from saying her order. He furrowed his eyebrows when she pulled out her phone and looked at the screen.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I have to take this." She excused herself by placing the napkin from her lap on the table and grabbing her stuff to walk outside. "Order anything you want." She smiled.

He remained smiling at her until she left. I didn't know what to do. I mean, this is Zayn's father for crying out loud. The man who made him feel like he was nothing special, the man who made him forget the true happiness in life and family.

"She'll just take the same thing I'm having." He smiled at me.

I couldn't smile back no matter how much I tried for the sake of my job and to not try and let him notice something peculiar.

"Is something wrong?" He asked growing a little suspicious.

I looked back at the woman standing outside, sighing before looking back at him. "Can I take a seat?"

He was bewildered towards my question, giving me an odd look before nodding his head. "Uh, sure?"

"Thanks." I put down my notepad and took a seat, quickly looking back at him.

I bit down on my lip, hard. What was I doing!

"I know this might sound very creepy right now but.." I held eye contact with him. "Are you.. Mr. Malik?"

"Ah.. I see you're familiar with my work." He smiled.

I felt bad for having to burst his bubble but I really want here to talk to him about his work. "Sorry sir, but I'm actually here to talk to you about your son. Zayn? Zayn Malik?"

Oh I hoped this was the right guy because if he tells me he has no idea who I'm talking about I'll feel really embarrassed to the point I have to give him a free meal.

His eyes widened by the sound of Zayn's name. I knew right there I got the right guy.

"Zayn?" He breathed out. "Y-You know my son?"

"Actually, he's my boyfriend." I softly spoke.

This just made the look on his face grow wider.

"I- I.." He looked at me and furrowed his eyebrows, a smile starting to slowly fade away. "Wait? How did you even know it was me? I haven't seen my son since.."

"He was 16." We finished off together.

He looked guilty as the memories came back to the front of his brain.

"Your ring." I pointed down, "He told me all about it."

Zayn's Dad remained looking down at the ring in his finger. You can tell  he never took it off.

I soon remembered the similar object I had and figured it was a good time to take it out.

"He gave me this when he took me to Queens to meet his Mom." I looked down at the silver hoop which he too seemed to notice. "It's just like the one you gave them."

He nodded his head. "Y-You met Tess?"

I placed the necklace back in the inside of my shirt, resting my forearms in the surface of the table.

"And your other son too."

He furrowed his eyebrows, slightly laughing with what I said. "What are you talking about?"

Great. I completely forgot that Avan never got the chance to meet his Dad. He left way before he was even born. Now how am I going to explain this to him?

"You know, I don't really think I'm the one who's suppose to be telling you all of this so--"

"No!" He interrupted, standing up and urging me to sit back down on the seat. "Please, I-I want to know. Zayn's not my only son?"

I sighed, biting down on my lip. "Before you left, your um, wife was pregnant. Sir, you have two sons."

"Two sons." He looked up. I couldn't read his expression to know if he was happy about the news or worried. One thing's for sure.. He was definitely shocked.

I decided he should get a moment to just think because all this information he was beginning to hear was clearly something to absorb. Could you just imagine a stranger walking up to you saying they know your son, even dating him, and then says they also have another son? Seems pretty crazy to me but right now, I think this is the best for Zayn and his family.

Zayn's Dad ran a hand through his hair before paying even more closer attention to me.

"His name is Avan." I continued. "He's 19 now."

"19?" He sounded reassuring. "Why am I hearing about this now? How come Tess never told me?"

I didn't know the answer to his question. Only Tess can answer that without me being any part in this. I don't know why they did what they did but I do know Zayn's going crazy with all of it. I wouldn't blame him, I would've too. And that's when another thought came through my head..

"Sir? Your family is dealing through a lot right now. Zayn ran away when he was just sixteen, just the other day was when he went back to his Mom. Not to mention, his Aunt died."

He looked at me wide eyed. The information seemed pretty unreal to myself too but at that moment I didn't have control over them.

"Amelia died?"

Without saying a word for the moment, I nodded.

"Oh my God." He ran both hands through his hair, leaning back on his chair.

"When we went to Queens, some guys started shooting into the house. We all could've died there but we didn't because of your sons. Now your wife is struggling to pay for the damage. Zayn can't stand having her there any longer because he claims its all his fault so he said he would get them out but he doesn't even have the money. He went out to try and find it but it only got him into jail." I paused. "Look, I know this isn't any of my business but Zayn's struggling. Do you still what to be a father?"

"Yes. Of course." He didn't hesitate in answering. I knew I've captured his attention.

"Then I suggest you start talking to your son." I spoke strictly and sternly. "Both of them."

He looked around, thinking to himself with what I just said. I grew bewildered as he sat in silence. Is he going to say something?

He pulled out his phone in front of him, sliding it unlocked before looking at me. "What do you want me to do?"

I smiled at his determination. I knew this was all just a misunderstanding. He's not the way I thought he'd be. Maybe he wants to make things right again and I like that. Maybe, just maybe, he might be the answer to getting Tess out of Queens and settled into a new place. Avan might get one too. Things are turning out just great. After a long time of being in the dark, I think light is just coming within and it's got a wallet too.

***

Hours have passed since I last saw Zayn's Dad at Charlie's. I was home now, it was night. All alone in my lonesome house, I could only imagine how everything with Zayn and his father was going. I specifically gave him the directions to Zayn's house and what time he can go since he wasn't working today. This is just perfect, in a good way of course. He must be there already.

Allison also called a few moments ago. She asked if I wanted to go out with her and the other girls. I haven't seen them in a while so there was no doubt in my mind I wouldn't agree.

My eyes searched for an outfit to wear. Quickly putting something on other than my work clothes. They were here without another minute to spare and just in time before 8:15 p.m.

"Wow, Paige gets a boyfriend and already forgets about us." Claire taunted, looking back from the passenger seat of Allison's car.

I closed the door and sarcastically laughed at her statement. "Very funny, girls. You know I would never forget about you."

"So tell us, how's everything with Zayn?" Ariana looked my way as she sat next to me in the backseat.

So far, they're all up to date. I've made time from breaks at work and some time alone at home to do so. Now I'm sure this is really going to get them talking once I tell them about Charlie's.

"Well, I think I met his Dad." I smiled.

"Think?" Allison exaggerated.

"Where?" Ariana called out.

"How?" Claire remained curled up with both feet up in the seat, body halfway turning to us as my remark left all of them fully attained.

"At Charlie's." I smiled. "I don't know, he just happened to stop by to eat and I saw the ring on his finger which was exactly the same as Zayn's and his Mom and the one he gave me in Queens."

"Oh my God." They all gasped at various times.

"Did you say anything?" Allison asked.

"I told him who I was and basically everything about his family's life." I responded.

"What!" Claire exclaimed. "Paige, you're crazy! How do you think Zayn's going to react to this? I mean, doesn't he hate his Dad?"

"He really wanted to step it up again, you know, be his father." I defended. "I told him to do to his house at 8 o'clock. He must be there already."

"What do you think Zayn's going to tell you once he finds out you brought him there?" Ariana asked.

"Honestly, I don't know," I looked down at my lap, begging to question what I just did. All this time I was focusing on Zayn's Dad's point of view. I was never really thinking about Zayn himself. "Oh no."

I felt my friends turn their heads at each other in the small space of the still not running car.

"Hey, you did the right thing." Ariana smiled placing her hand over mine.

I hoped she was right because now they really had me over thinking this. But as the time passed by, we started a new conversation and they made me feel better. I'm overreacting, everything's going to be okay.

***

Allison took us to walk around the famous museum of wax figures. I must admit, I missed hanging out with these girls. I still love spending time with Zayn but it's certainly not the same. We laughed, we took pictures, went through a haunted house,  and we even sang karaoke while eating at one of the museum's cocktail bars in front of a wax figure of Simone Cowell who would judge you with your singing. We did terrible, even brought some sort of crowd. But we had a few drinks and overall it was just fun.

After the museum, Allison took us to another bar across the street where we had a few more drinks an the girls got to talk to some guys. It was moments like this that I really missed Zayn's touch. I would go and sit at the end of the bar's table and just do stuff on my phone. I wasn't going to get involved with the others. I already have a guy, my guy. And I'm sure he wouldn't approve of me flirting over there with a bunch of drunks.

It's 11 now. I wonder how things with his Dad are going. There are no missed calls from him, not even messages. This can only mean two things. A) He's still talking to his father. Or B) His father never showed up and he's sleeping. If he was awake I know he'll be calling me nonstop to ask me where I am.

"Paige?" A familiar voice sounded.

I looked up, stunned to see the pair of eyes staring right at me.

"W-What are you doing here?" He smiled walking up to me with a drink in his hand.

"Hi, Nathan." I tried not to sound so mean but yet not so nice considering he made me cry last time at work.

"Is everything alright?" He asked.

"Yes?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "Why would you assume something's wrong?"

"I don't know." He took a seat next to the stool besides me, placing his drunk on the countertop. "What are you doing in a bar so late at night? Boyfriend problems?" He chuckled.

I let out a annoyed grunt. Can he be anymore serious right now? This the only thing he ever brings up. There's nothing he can ever talk about other than Zayn.

"Awe.. Come on." He leaned into me, alcohol reeked in his breath. He defiantly has had more than a few drinks tonight. "You're not going to treat me like that, babe?"

"You're drunk!" I shrugged him off to stand up from my stool.

He stopped me from moving away. An angry look grew upon his face. I've never seen him this angry before. I don't know if I should be scared or not.

"Listen, I'm perfectly sober." He gripped my wrist tightly.

"Let go of me right now." I warned.

His eyes held contact with mine, grip slowly releasing from me in a frustrated way. I didn't bother to look at him, making my way past his side but only for him to stop me.

"Look, I'm sorry." He exclaimed.

"Sorry for hurting me or for acting like a total jerk?" I turned around, already snapping at him.

"For everything." He sighed.

Honestly, I was surprised he'd be apologizing. It was probably the last thing I thought he'd ever do.

"What?"

"You heard me." He walked closer. "I'm sorry for making you cry the other day. I guess I probably should've started it out with that first." He chuckled.

I didn't do anything. Is he actually being serious or is he just playing some mind game with me?

"What do you want, Nathan?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"I want to be friends again. Best friends. Just like it was--"

"Before Zayn?" I arched an eyebrow.

He shook the back of his head, sighing before looking back up at me.

"Nathan, I want to be your friend again, really. But I can't be friends with you if this is how you think it goes. So who cares if Zayn isn't the best guy in the world? He is to me."

"Really?" He pinned his eyes. "Did he even say he loves you yet?"

"Do you actually think that matters? We've been through a lot and yet he's still there." I replied.

"I love you, Paige. And not in that best friend bullshit." He continued."Ever since I first laid eyes on you, you're all I ever thought about. And then I got to know you and became attached in a way that.. I never wanted anything bad to happen to you. If that's not love than I don't know what it is."

I thought about what he said, taking in every feeling in his words. How could I've been so blind. He didn't want what's best for me, he just didn't want me to go with Zayn because he liked me. I can't believe that after all these years he only saw me as something more than a friend.

"That's the whole point on why I did what I did!" He exclaimed.

My eyes grew wider and full of curiosity as I saw him quickly stop himself from what he was saying.

"What?" I tried to smile, a million of thoughts ran across my mind. "What are you talking about? Nathan what did you do?"

He looked around with nervous eyes. His bottom lip started to shake.

"Nathan?"

"I uh.."

"Nathan, tell me right now. What did you do?" I exclaimed.

"Please don't hate me. I was only trying to protect you." He got closer but I only drew him further away. Disgust in my eyes towards him.

"Stop trying to sugar code everything!" I got angrier, flames enlightening my eyes. "Tell me what you did!"

He stood still, fist balling up besides him. It seemed impossible for him to make eye contact with me anymore.

"The shooting." He looked at me. "It was me."

My mouth fell agape. Anger rushing down my veins. It was him, not Ezra. At that moment I couldn't see myself not jumping at him. He's not my friend or anything else as a matter of fact. What he did was cruel and unforgivable.

"You!" I exclaimed rushing up to him. I wasn't thinking at that time. My hands rose as I started punching his chest. This drew attention to the entire bar, even my friends.

"How could you do this!" I kept punching him. I knew it was no use, I wasn't hurting him. But the anger I had inside me urged me to take it out on him.

"Paige, stop it." He tried grabbing my arms but I was too quick in hitting him that it was a hard task to take in.

"Are you crazy!" I exclaimed. "We all could've died that night! I would've been dead if it wasn't for that dumbass you hate so much!"

"Oh my God!" My friends all exclaimed as they pushed me out of Nathan. He was lucky it was three against one.

"Let go of me!" I moved away from them to look back at him.

"What are you talking about?" Nathan asked. "Everyone was sleeping at that time?"

"Not me." I calmed down, taking multiple steps back. "I couldn't sleep and Zayn was in the kitchen with me. We were on our way back to bed when you and your little friends came around!"

He thought about what I was just telling him, recalling the events from last night.

"Paige, I had no idea." He got closer.

"No! You stay right there!" I called back. "So what if we were all sleeping that night? Would that still give you permission to vandalize an innocent woman's house with living, breathing bodies in there and then let her work even more to pay for the damage you've done!? How could you, Nathan? Is this really who you turned out to be?"

"Paige, I don't know what I was thinking?" He begged. "I was angry and so I remember you telling me something about some Ezra dude so I did some research and found the sonofabitch. I told him I hated Zayn just as much as he did and he helped me."

"That still doesn't give you an excuse to.." I felt my eyes start to tear up. I'm weaker by the moment. Out of everyone else in this filthy world, Nathan is the one who comes out being the bad guy. The betrayal I felt was fatal, I was more and more focused now on the price he'll have to face.

I felt Allison's arm wrap around me, the other two asking me if I was okay. I moved away from them. I still wasn't quite done with Nathan.

"You're a horrible person, Nathan." I pointed at him. "I hate you!"

He looked down with pain in his eyes. I ment what I said.

"I hope those words sink into your brain and never leave. I don't want you anywhere near me and if you even think of pulling another stunt like this, I will call the cops. I'll explain everything and do anything until you're put behind bars where you belong."

"Paige, you can't be serious?" Nathan sounded unsure. "I love you."

I let the words come in and quickly come right back out. He's a horrible person for what he's done. I thought about quickly telling Zayn but I know that by the break if dawn, Nathan would no longer exist. I have to think about this. But right now I just want to get out of here.

I turned around, tears already running down my cheeks as I shoved past my friend and made a run for the door.

What am I suppose to do now?

***

I felt Allison's car come to a stop in front of Zayn's house. Right after I left the bar, my friends came out following me. They talked to me in forgetting about everything, forgetting about Nathan. I only nodded and moved on. There's no way I'm forgetting about this. Maybe they just don't understand because that didn't happen to them. But one thing's for sure, it's unforgivable. I officially hate Nathan.

Either way, my friends were there to calm me down. In the end, they convinced me into going home for the night but I disagreed and asked if they can drop me off at Zayn's house instead. His Dad probably already dropped by. I guess a good news wouldn't be so bad to hear right now?

I thanked my friends again before having them drive off. I turned to admire his house for a moment, smiling at the sight of his car and motorcycle parked in the driveway. He was home alone.

My feet walked me over to the front steps, hand coming up to knock on the door but someone behind it beat me to it. I smiled at the sight of Zayn behind it but stood confused as a frown dominated his face.

"Hey.." I smiled a bit curious.

"Get in." He sternly spoke, opening the door wider for me to step in.

I did as I was told, slowly closing the big red door behind me to follow him into the dim lighting kitchen. He ran a hand through his messy hair before tugging up his grey joggers which was the only thing he was wearing. I can tell that by the way he walked, he was angry.

"Is everything--"

"We need to talk." He swiftly turned around.

"Um? About what?" I tried smiling. Maybe this was all just a joke. I mean, Zayn has been acting a little bit different lately?

"Really?" He looked at me with sarcasm in his eyes. "You met my fucking father!" He exclaimed. "And then you invited him to come see me!"

I stood still, smile quickly disappearing from my mouth. This wasn't a joke. Zayn was furious.

"I can't believe you! Have you been listening to anything I've telling you? I hate him, Paige. How can you do such a thing?"

He moved away from the counter, my eyes landing on a few bottles of beer, all drunken to the bottom. I should've known.

"You know what he said to me?" He paused, "He said he was sorry. That, he was wrong and he wanted me to forgive him! How the fuck am I going to think straight when my worst enemy is standing right in front of me. He ruined my life, Paige!"

"Zayn, you're drunk." I explained walking over to him.

"No!" He raised his voice when he turned back around, eyes becoming black in anger. This made me take a step back.

"I can't believe you would do this to me!" He argued again.

"I was only trying to help, Zayn?" I paused. "That's all I've ever tried to do so why do keep yelling at me?"

"Because I'm angry!" He raised his voice one more time. "God, first you bring my father back and then I have to find out that little fuck from your work was the one who started shooting at my Mum's house."

"Wait-- What?" I stopped him.

"Don't act so surprised, I know you knew." He pinned his eyes at me blankly.

I only shrugged my shoulders. "I literally just found out tonight."

"Of course you did." He scoffed. "And when were you planning on telling me this?"

I stared at him without a word to come up across my mind. I was going to talk to him about it but I wasn't planning on it tonight.

"Exactly." He scoffed once again before turning around to continue walking elsewhere.

"Oh, so now you don't believe me?" I asked chasing behind him.

"How, Paige?" He questioned turning towards the living room. "I trusted you with everything I have and then you betray it."

I felt a sharp pain towards his words. How can he say this stuff to me? I mean, half of me wanted to believe it was just the alcohol but I think we all know he'd be mad either way with all of this.

"Zayn.." My voice cracked as my shoulders rested heavily.

He tried looking at me but turned away to look at the TV screen instead.

He was mad at me. Actually, he was way over mad. I just don't see the problem.. He's the one who doesn't believer me. That hurt me, it really did. And after everything has been going so great..

"You are something alright, Paige Hoffer." He continued. Zayn never called me by my full name. Why is it that people only do that when they're angry?

"Zayn, you're taking this a little too far, okay?" I tried to reason with him. I'm never good at these fighting situations because it hurts me, a lot and it just results in me crying. I don't want that, not because of Zayn especially after this night.

"Oh really?" He turned back looking more furious than ever. "Actually, you've taken this way too far. What should you have done when you saw the man, huh?"

"Look, I admit I made a mistake.. But only in your eyes, Zayn. Just think about how this can help your family? How this can help you?" I stepped closer to him. "Your father may be the only solution to help you guys out? Isn't that what he wanted?"

"No. He never said anything about helping out financially and I wouldn't let him anyways. He's not part of this family anymore because he has his other family, remember?" He argued.

"Look, I understand that you're hurting right now but--"

"I never asked you to care for my family.." He pinned his eyes down at me.

I stood speechless. This isn't the sweet Zayn I used to know. The one who wakes up early to make a cup of coffee, the one who's always asking if you're okay? After the longest I've been in a whole, I'm afraid I have to say that I'm actually scared. Scared of him and scared for him.

I looked down, swallowing the lump down my throat before clearing it and holding back my tears. "Fine." I fixed my bag over my shoulder. "I guess I'll stay out of your way."

My body swiftly passed besides him as I apologized again. His body came towering over mine shortly after making me stop besides the doorway.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked me.

"You're drunk, okay.. I'm not going to stand here while you're yelling at me and making me look like a worthless piece of shit!" My voice got louder than I ever expected it to towards Zayn. The sudden cursing making me want to go back and stop myself from saying it.

"Why would you hurt me like that!" He also kept his voice raised.

"I would never even try to hurt you Zayn! Why? Because I love you!" I stopped myself once I heard the words come out of my mouth but a sudden urge to finish caused me to proceed. "And as for you.. Maybe you should also open your eyes and see that you're not the only one hurting! I'm hurting too and its because the man I love is putting me down!"

This angered Zayn, I know it did. That's why his next action took me by surprise when he picked me up and launched me over his broad shoulder. I punched his back and urged him to put me down. He didn't listen. By the time I knew it, we were up in the second floor where he placed me down in his bedroom and locked the door behind him.

"What are you doing?" I looked at him with shaky lips that ment I was about to cry.

"You're not leaving tonight, it's too late." He explained while opening some drawers to hand me some shorts and a t-shirt.

"I thought I didn't matter anymore?" I tried sounding wise. Out of everything he said tonight, why is he suddenly wondering if I leave late or not?

"Stop trying to switch my words around." He handed them to me before leaving his room once more.

I felt like crying. I never expected this to end up like this but I guess life works in mysterious ways. I wanted to leave, run away in the dark but I couldn't. I still love him. And I can't believe that after I said that he said nothing in return. Now, I could stay here and think about everything that just happened but Zayn's mad. I'm afraid that when he comes up here and see me still not changed... Well.. He's drunk. Who knows what he'll do. But if this is what he wants then.. One more night and that's it. He'll never have to hear about the girl who ruined his life ever again.

I quickly changed, climbing onto his bed to the side I always go to, away from the door, and pretended like I was sleeping.

Of course, when Zayn entered the room again, he didn't bother to suspect a thing. Therefore, I only heard him take off his joggers and turn off the lamp before climbing onto the other side, way far away from me.

It was that moment when I really started to break out. Slowly, and quietly. Holding the duvet up to my mouth, I silently started sobbing.

This was the worst night ever. All I can do right now is feel guilty for this. I want to say in every language that I was wrong.. But what if I wasn't?

'Goodnight, love.' I silently whispered to myself before closing my eyes to what I knew was going to be the worst sleep of my life..