"Do you like this one?"

Zayn's attention darted back to me, setting his phone down by the side of him on the duvet. I had asked him to come up and help me pick out a decent enough oufit since he already came dressed up in his black dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and black pants. It was also better than waiting down in the living room with my parents who I'm sure will be making an awkward conversation with him about stuff they're not suppose to know. But hey, those are my parents for you. Though today everyone is acting a bit more calm..

"That one's nice." Zayn nodded at the strapless black dress.

"You've said that about all four." I huffed.

"That's because you'll look beautiful in all of them."

His answer made me question whether his Mom had trained him to be prepared for these kind of dangerous situations like this where a few simple words could mean a matter of life or death for a man. Or maybe just having to sleep on the sofa. My unconvinced expression forced Zayn to sit forward, going back to make a different choice.

"What about that one?" He pointed to the high-low dress hung up on the outside of my closet.

Boys are so oblivious. I wanted him to pick one, but not that one. Judging by the confident look on his face that read what he chose was fine, I could tell he needed some help. I raised the hanger a little higher giving him a small smile as I wiggled it slightly. The dress fluttered with the movement, the confused look on Zayn's face appearing.

"It's a funeral, Zayn." I spoke disbelievingly. I'm never going to find something to wear. "It has to look formal.. Not like your taking a trip to the beach."

He smiled as he stood up from the bed, walking towards me in a manner that made me have to walk backwards.

"Then why was it up as one of your options in the first place?" He smirked once I hit my back on the door of my closet. His hand rose shortly to trap me in place just above my head on the wall I was leaning against in. His lips made contact with my ear, a place where it wasn't intended to end up in before I turned my head.

A smile crossed my lips as he perused kissing my neck. Slowly, he slipped the sleeve of my tank top down and started pecking more kisses to it. At this point, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Zayn!" I giggled, bringing my palms to rest over his chest as I tried to move him away. "Stop, that tickles!"

"That's just going to make me wanna kiss you more." He chuckled between kisses.

"Zayn!" I begged again, laughing as I fisted the fabric of his blazer in my hand.

This time, he didn't fight back, moving just enough to look back at the options but still keep me close by.

"How about that one?" He asked looking at the muscle cut black dress in the middle in which the hem fell down to my mid thighs. This was perfect, it was both simple and formal.

"Good choice, Malik." I chuckled.

He smiled back, nodding his head in a way of being proud of his decision.

I swiveled around his hold, walking over to it in admiration. Just the look of the dress and then remembering that this is Nathan's funeral we're going to really scares me.

"Is something wrong?" I heard Zayn's voice speak from behind.

I shook my head, drying my tears and pulling the dress off the hanger. "Everything is fine." I forced myself to smile as I turned around. "It's just.."

I couldn't seem to speak any further. The look on Zayn's face has brought me to tears. Well, almost.

His arms swayed around me, hugging me tightly before I released myself from him.

"I don't think I'm ready." I answered him. "To face his family, or even our friends." I looked down but he brought my chin back up to look at him. "To forget what happened?"

"Paige Hoffer, you are ready. What he did was unbelievable and I'm sure you're going to carry that on with you forever. But you can't let that stop you from everything else. If he risked his life to save yours then show him how grateful you are for that." He looked down at my hands, gently gripping one and giving it a light squeeze. "And I'm going to be right there besides you all the time."

God, I'm being such a fool. All Zayn has ever been doing these past few days is taking care of me, making sure I'm always eating, and most importantly.. Keeping my smiling. No one else has bother to do that. Not even my parents. He's here and forever mine. Just like I'm forever his.

"Thank you." I smiled closing my eyes.

He didn't waste another second to peck a small kiss onto my lips. The smile he had on afterwards made me feel safe about this. "What do you say you start changing?" He paused. "I'll be right downstairs if you need me."

I nodded my head as his kissed my forehead once again before swiftly moving out of my bedroom.

After taking in a few breaths, I started getting ready.

***

The funeral was longer than I expected. It held a bunch of beautiful speeches from all of his family members and some friends. I started out saying a few stuff but then Zayn had to take me out because the pressure we too much and I would start crying. I didn't want to see it.. Nathan's body in a death bed, only with the remains that'll carry on for ages and ages. I just couldn't.

By the time the ceremony was over, I made it back just in time for cocktail hour which is where I am right now.

The room filled with people in black clothing, all talking and saying how sorry they are for the loss of Nathan. His Mom was here, surprisingly. Nathan always hated her for always drinking. When she drinks, she becomes a horrible person who cares about no body, nor even herself. His Dad though, never showed up. He too was a drinker and hasn't spoken to Nathan since 3 years ago and that was because he wanted Nathan, his 16 year old son to give him money. I felt bad for the life Nathan was living in. He moved out when he was just 15 to his grandmother's house and until a few months ago, he moved out to get his own place.

And then there's the only sweetheart that ever cared for him in a family manner.

His grandmother.

She was hurt worst of all. I remember she was the one that'll always brag about her grandson becoming the United States President one day. Or a brave fireman alongside a teacher or something. She really focused on his future with him.. Now there's none.

"Hey, Paige."

I didn't even bother to turn around or move from my position. The figure soon came up to me to take a seat on one of the empty bar stools in front of me.

"Oh, hi, Louis." I spoke a bit down.

Last time I saw him was that night asset the hospital. At least it's a good thing that I'm seeing him here, up and walking again. "How are you feeling?" I asked.

"Good." He nodded, placing his hand over mine on the table to make me look back up at him. "How about you, love?"

I only nodded. "I-I'm working through it."

"You're a strong little lady, Paige." He smiled.

"Thanks." I appreciated his comment though I didn't really see why he would think such a thing. All I've been doing is just crying.

He let go of my hand, bringing his back down under the table. "Say, where's Zayn?"

I looked over my shoulder, spotting him still by the bar tender while waiting for our drinks before turning back to Louis. "He's just getting us a drink. Would you like one?"

"No thanks." He shook his head. "I really hate seeing you like this." He continued. "I remember the first time I ever met you was at the restaurant Mario's and you helped me clean out the dishes while Mr. Grumpy kept telling you not to."

I laughed a little, remembering the night.

"You were so sweet and funny. I thought Zayn would be crazy if he let you go!" He smiled. "And I'm glad he didn't."

I remained silent for a moment before answering back. "Louis, why are you telling me this?"

He sighed, looking around for quite a while longer than I expected.

"I just thought that you should remember that it wasn't only Nathan who jumped in to take a bullet for you.. Zayn did too."

I felt my heart skip a beat. Of course! I was all wrapped up in the moment that night about losing Nathan that I didn't even thank Zayn for jumping in first. It was Nathan the one that took a bullet.. Not for me, but for Zayn!

"I should get going now." Louis smiled, standing up from the chair before gently patting my shoulder and walking away behind me.

I was still too stunned to say anything back.

What Louis said made complete scene.

"You won't believe who I just ran into back there." Zayn smiled, placing the tall glass cup in the table in front of me. "It was Louis."

"Oh, yeah." I nodded. "He was just here."

"Oh."

We both took a sip from our drink, remaining silent for a moment. I looked at him, already speechless. I had to talk to him, say that I'm sorry for not saying anything.

He beat me to it before I could speak.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

I only looked down, messing with the cup in my hand. This really annoyed him. I didn't want him too but I just couldn't find the words.

"Can we step outside?" I asked and he nodded. We grabbed our cups and I grabbed my small handbag. Zayn made efforts for us to pass through the crowd while his hand rested on my lower back. Once we made it out, a nice warm breeze hit us.

The sky was in the same shade of blue with small puffs of clouds in the air. Sunset will be happening soon.

"What is it?" Zayn asked.

I looked around. There were still people outside, talking amongst each other. I didn't feel safe enough to speak with them around so I just grabbed his hand and walked further down the road. When I found a spot suitable enough to talk, I sighed.

"Paige, what's going on?" He asked a bit worried.

I closed my eyes and breadth out. "Thank you."

"What?" He almost laughed.

I looked back up. "Thank you." I spoke again. "That night.. I was only thinking about Nathan a-and I wasn't thinking about how you jumped in first, injured and everything."

Zayn shook his head, wrapping his arms around me in a bone breaking embrace. I know it seemed pretty stupid to act like this, but I couldn't help it, I felt embarrassed in having to find out this late.

"You know I would do it again." He whispered.

My eyes fluttered closed over his chest as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"I'm sorry too." He sighed.

I looked up, still close to his body, wondering what he ment by that.

"You know, about the whole you-talking-to-my-father thing." He finished.

"You already apologized for that." I defended.

"I know, but I can't help but feel so stupid!" He pulled away, anger rising in his veins as his body turned around.

"Don't say that." I reached my arm out to touch his back. He let me and it calmed him down.

"The guy actually helped." He sighed.

I furrowed my eyebrows and he turned to look at me.

"That night after I saw him.. I called him for lunch. He accepted and we started talking. That was when he gave me an envelope.. It was money, more than I ever imagined. He also gave me one for Avan."

"Zayn, that's great." I smiled. This was great news! So why isn't he smiling?

"It would be-- if I treated you better about it." He sighed looking down.

I stepped in front of him, making his eyes look down at me. "Don't be silly." I smiled, raising my hand to cup his cheek and run my thumb over his perfect cheekbone. "I love you." My heart started tingling in sensation.

He smiled, nodding his head Before leaning down to kiss me. Zayn didn't draw back from my cheek afterwards, smiling and breathing out;

"I love you too."

This was perfect. I needed Zayn more than anything right now. I'm done with New York. Though it did bring him to me.. It's still brought me worse.

"So.." I continued, still in his hold to look up into his brown orbs. "What are you planning to do with that money?" I asked jumping subjects with a smile.

Zayn looked down. "Well, I've decided to buy my Mum her own home in Florida."

"Florida!" I exclaimed, widening my eyes.

"Is that bad?" He asked reassuringly.

"No, no." I quickly nodded my head, recalling that what I said came out a little bit more dramatic than I expected. "It's just.. She's going to be so far from you, and you just came back into her life?"

"I know that." He nodded his head in an understanding manner. "It's just.. Queens holds too much for her. She's just one girl and, my brother and I.. Well, we have our own lifes? Sadly, she's only getting older. Not that she's that old.. But work has really killed her." He paused. "In Florida, she won't have to worry about shoveling the snow out the driveway in winter. She never saw the beach you know? I just want her to relax.. She did her job as a single Mum raising two kids on her own and working countless numbers of hours just so we can do good." He paused again. "She deserves at least that."

A smile curved up my lips as I got up higher to wrap my arms around his neck. He is so sweet for doing this. He bought his Mom a house!

"You're a great guy, Zayn." I smiled over his shoulder. "Does your Mom know?" I asked pulling back away.

"No." He shook his head. "I was actually hoping that you can come with me to Queens and tell her?"

I didn't even have to think twice. "Sure." I shrieked. "Of course!"

"Great. Then we'll leave tomorrow morning." He smiled.