***

I felt Zayn come to a gentle stop as we got closer to the small diner-looking restaurant. The streets were quiet,not much cars were strolling around,a few people were walking past us minding their own business.

It got a lot colder,I wasn't going to lie. And with all the stuff that's been going on didn't make it much easier to not shiver. Especially knowing that I agreed to go get some food with Zayn. I should've just denied his offer and go home since it's all I've been wanting lately. But then again, he did save me and I didn't want to be rude. If it wasn't for him,I wouldn't be here right now, safe.

No matter how stupid it sounds in my head,I think I was never really safe until now,with Zayn.

I felt the motorcycle come to a full stop in a small parking space right in front of the restaurant. He stepped down once the engine was turned off and kicked the stand out.

Not knowing what to do,I took off the helmet and stood up. My eyes curiously aimed into his,not bothering to look away.

He stretched his arms out to me and gripped the helmet from my hands so he can place it on one of the handles. Looking back down at me,a small smile creeped into his lips.

"Ready?"

I gave my head a light knod before turning around and stepping over the small step into the sidewalk. My eyes wandering at the gleaming Christmas lights coming from inside of the diner. The smell of fresh made pizza devoured my senses causing me to lightly close my eyes.

I immediately regretted my action as I felt my foot kick over one of the small fight off stairs to go into the diner and quickly trip myself forward. A small gasp was released from my mouth as I felt a pair of two warm hands grip my waist and pull me back up, preventing me from getting hurt.

"I gotcha." I felt his chest vibrate against my back which he held close to.

I broke free from his grip in a polite way before turning back around to see him. A small smile appeared in his lips and for once,he didn't look like some creepy guy who just has one intention on his mind.

"Is something wrong?" He asked once I continued to stare at him.

I immediately snapped afterwards and nodded my head in disagreement. For some reason I couldn't make out any words,still fearful of what I may say mislead him in any way that I didn't appreciate what he did for me because I did. A lot,actually.

Zayn beat me to the front door of the small building which read Mario's Italian Style Pizza and swung the door open. I slowly walked in,taking in all the wonderful smells of food and the beauty of this atmosphere. I've never been here before and I never knew there could be a place so classy in this part of New York.

I watched as a tall guy,almost about Zayn's height approach us. He had a dark shade of brown hair and piercing blue eyes.

He wore a neat suit with black pants,a white collar dress shirt and black tie. A smile lit up his face in delight. It was clear these two knew each other.

"Hello,mate. Haven't seen you in a while here,don't you say?" His heavy British accent spoke,eyes quickly diverting to me,"And who is this?"

"Louis,this is Paige. We're just here to eat some food."Zayn spoke in the  complete opposite tone that Louis was using.

"Well no shit! You're didn't come here to watch a movie." He spoke sarcastically.

I found his comeback a bit funny which made me chuckle. Both of their attention was quickly drawn to me. A smile curving back into the serious look Zayn had in his face from my little awkward moment.

I looked at them in total embarrassment,was that not suppose to be funny?

  Louis later broke silence by looking at Zayn and nodding his head,"I like her."

Zayn didn't seem to like what Louis said,giving him a small shove,his face turning back to its normal grin.

"Just get us a table."

Louis didn't seem to be bothered by Zayn's rude tone against him as he playfully rolled his eyes and sighed,

"Ugh,you have to be so demanding about everything."

Turning around,Louis escorted us through the small tables and led us to an empty table right in the center. Well,at least it's not a spot hidden in a small corner in the back.

We took a seat at the table,Zayn sitting adjacent from where I was,before Louis excused himself to get the menus.

All these questions began to bottle up inside of me. I wanted to ask Zayn all these questions but I didn't know if I should. Oh who am I kidding? I should,besides,it'd break the awkward silence between us.

"Who was he?"I asked squirming my eyes at him.

"He's just an old friend who..."

"Not Louis."I interrupted.

Zayn's face turned dull again, knowing exactly who I was talking about. A long and deep sigh fell from his mouth causing him to look down at the table and tap the tip of his key onto the wooden surface.

"He's nobody,just leave it alone. He won't bother you again." He mumbled.

It seemed as if my blood began to boil. I have to know who that guy was,even if I never see him again.

"How are you so sure?"I asked.

"Because I am!"He raised his voice making me feel a bit sad.

My head lowered so I don't make contact with his dark gaze I knew was trained on my face. He suddenly leaned in closer so he could place a hand over my forearm which was resting on the surface of the table.

"I'm sorry,Paige,I didn't mean it like that."

Inside,I told myself he did but on the outside I decided to stay quiet. "Why can't you tell me who he was and why did he want me?" I paused,"I have a right to know."

"I know you do,but I don't think now is a good time." He spoke.

"Why?"I asked in desperation.

"Because I'm..." Zayn quickly shut himself up as Louis approached our table with the menus.

"Okay mates,here are your menus. Would you like me to go over some of our specials?"He asked glancing back at both Zayn and I with a smile.

"Louis, right now is not a good time!"Zayn demanded in an aggravated tone of voice. "Just give us a minute."

Louis quickly left leaving Zayn and I alone again. I didn't bother to waste another second to continue in where we left off.

"Because you what?"

Zayn looked around,almost to make sure that the coast was clear before looking at me,"Because I'm very...protective over you."

  I wandered off in his words. How could he possibly be protective over me? And what does that have to do with me knowing the guy who almost killed me?

"Protective?"

Zayn nodded his head lightly.

"What does being protective have to do with me knowing him?"I asked.

"Because I don't think you're ready to hear everything I have to say so just leave it as it is and move on. Like I said before,he's not going to bother you ever again."

Seeing the annoyance and ambition in his eyes, I decided it was better to just keep shut. No matter how much I didn't want to, I knew it'd be for the better.

Without a second to spare, Louis approached our table once again. The look on his face made sence he knew what was going on. He was unsure if he should say anything about it,though.

"Are you two ready to order?"He asked glancing at me and back at Zayn. His hands were crossed professionally in front of him.

Not knowing what to do,I looked up at Zayn. The menu was already held up to his face,scanning the written words on the plastic covering of paper.

"What do you want?" He asked,not looking up at me.

"I don't think I'm hungry." I admitted.

His eyes shot back up to angrily pin at me,almost as if I had to listen to what he said. I really couldn't care less. Sure, it was really nice what he did for me and I couldn't thank him more but that doesn't change the past. I don't want him to like me and I don't want to like him. He has bad news written all over him.

"Anything is fine." I finally said once I saw that he was growing impatient.

Louis quickly scribbled our order on his notepad which was basically what Zayn asked for.

"Can I get you anything else?"He asked.

His eyes glancing at Zayn and then back at me. I didn't look at Zayn but I could feel his eyes trained on my face. When he wouldn't answer Louis I knew I had to step in,"No thank you." I smiled.

Once Louis left again, I made an immediate turn to face Zayn. He tilted his head slightly to the side, eyes locking onto mine.

"Do I scare you?"

I was about to say that it was a pretty stupid question to ask,but I stopped myself. I didn't want to tell him he scared me to death. But my silence was all the confirmation he needed.

My hands were resting over the surface of the table when I saw Zayn's hand reach out for mine. He quickly placed his hand back under the table as he saw Louis come back from behind me with our drinks. I thanked him, mentally praising him for interrupting us. All too soon he had walked away and I was left alone with Zayn again. I felt uncomfortable as his eyes tested on my face. Mentally, I prayed he wouldn't ask another stupid question.

"His name is Ezra."

I looked at him with a confused expression on my face, I soon realized who he was talking about. My attention was fully attended on him.

"I don't have much time to tell you everything and I'm definitely not going to tell it to you here. All you need to know is that his name is Ezra and he and I don't go together."

He spoke in a stern voice.

I wanted him to tell me more but it's no use, at least for right now. But at least I know his name...Ezra.