Okay, this one shot goes after chapter 7 of Bitter & Sassy. An effect of Louis' words to Zayn.

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The Threat - Zayn

I’m so proud of her. Her book is a big success, with great reviews and it has been translated into ten languages already. It is definitely the new sensation among young readers and I’m not surprised, I knew this was going to happen. It was bond to occur, she is just so talented it was the only option. I don’t mind that she meets her fans, I could never be jealous for that, not when she never says a thing about it when it’s me meeting fans. They are chill and they tell her they love her, but they don’t get possessive or anything, so that’s fine. But now Mila works for that publishing. She goes there a lot, she has release parties, literary parties and Louis is right, she meets people like her all the time. And that’s not okay.

Not at all.

I know we have many differences although we have a lot in common at the same time, but there’s something so important for her in which I’m always behind: Knowledge. Mila searches for new things all the time, she is always reading papers for the sake of learning while I barely have time to read a book for pleasure. I try to keep up with all the things she knows and this literate world she is into now, with geniuses just like her, that see the world with the eyes of a writer.

Lately, she’s been talking a lot about this new author her publisher found and who, apparently, is really promising. Everyone is excited for his book and Mila and this young author get along dangerously well. The other day she posted a picture of them two having a coffee and now I’m officially scared.

His name is James Churchill, pale complexion, blue eyes, straight nose, manly features yet with a soft air, like Mila likes guys. He wears big black glasses (hipster glasses) and he dresses casually yet with style, just like Mila likes guys. Skinny and tall, just like her type. But the most dangerous thing is that he has great hair, wavy (almost curly) brown hair styled naturally. Short at the sides, a bit longer on top but not quite a quiff: a bit shorter than what Liam had back then when we released our first album. Again, just like Mila likes. James is exactly what she likes in a guy and he is a writer too, he has so many things to talk about with her and I know she admires him for all the things he as studied. And he is like four years older than her.

James is a threat.

So every time Mila talks about him I feel my blood boiling as I clench my fists trying not to react to the dreamy look in her eyes. She seems to adore him, when she says his name is almost as she is talking about Loki.

I hate James. Mostly because he is here with her while I’m on tour. I may have more breaks now, but still, I cant be here all the time and he can.

That’s why when Mila asks me to come with her to a party of her publishing, I accept immediately, even though I just got here from another week of tour and I’m completely knackered. I’m sure James is going to be there so I want to be by her side, showing him that she has me, she is taken.

Mila is very excited that I’m coming with her, she says the parties are quite boring but we still can have fun. I’m just concerned about James though. While she drives she can’t stop talking about all the other authors. She also warns me that some of them are really bitchy so we should avoid them. Moni is going to be there too, but Ed can’t make it. Plus, she will be busy with Terry, Mila’s editor.

We get there and everyone is dressed very fancy. The room is big and elegant, with many attendants carrying trays with glasses of wine and champagne, others with food that looks delicious.

A man asks for our jackets and with Mila’s arm around mine, we walk in and join the crowd that is chatting cheerfully already. We see Moni in our way but she is following Terry who is talking to a woman very excited. Maybe a new author?

Mila greets a lot of people and introduces me as her boyfriend. Most of them have no idea who I am and it is so refreshing, I feel normal yet at the same time I feel we’ve switched roles. Now it’s her whom everyone knows and wants to talk to. It’s nice not to be on the spotlight for a change. But then everything gets ruined when we meet with James Churchill and the little shit is as great as Mila makes him look like.

“James, this is Zayn. Zayn, this is James, the other author I told you about,” she introduces us lightly, a smile on her lips and before James can get near her, I pass my arms over Mila’s shoulders, pulling her close to me.

“Nice to meet you,” he says with an eyebrow raised at the way I’m holding her. “I’m Mila’s boyfriend,” I add as I offer him my hand to shake.

“I knew it. You’re the famous one,” he answers and I nod with a wide smile. I don’t let Mila sneak out, always by my side. “You are a lucky one. She is great.” This time he smiles at her and I feel my blood boiling. I want to snarl at him.

“I am,” I agree and I kiss her because I can and he can’t. Mila is my girlfriend; she is with me.

When I pull apart she looks at me confused and a little pissed, but I just smile at her and completely ignore James is with us.

And during the rest of the evening I don’t leave Mila’s side. I’m always over her, hugging her, stealing kisses and stuff like that, making sure that James knows she is with me and he can’t even try something. I can’t allow it. I won’t lose Mila over him, even if I can’t be here all the time. I lost her once for stupid, I won’t make that mistake again. I won’t take her for granted.

But it seems she is not please when we come back. Her smile is lost and she is avoiding my eyes as she drives towards my flat where she will be staying. Or at least that was the plan at the beginning, now I’m that sure, she says nothing until we walk inside my flat, only then she looks at me… well, she actually glares at me.

“What the fuck was that?” she exclaims, her voice controlled yet anger is clear.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I say and she rolls her eyes.

“Don’t play dumb. You were all over me in the party! Like a dog! For all what matters you could have peed on me as well! Where you trying to mark your territory?!” She shouts and my eyes widen in shock.

“Of course not––”

“Then what was that for?!” she cuts me off. “You were an arse to James!”

And at the mention of his name I get so furious I step forward, fits clenched tightly. “Oh, so that’s why you’re mad, because I wasn’t nice to your beloved friend, isn’t it?” I accuse her, my voice low and slow.

“What? No! That’s not what I’m mad about! It’s your attitude in the party!” She defends herself but now I roll my eyes.

“Sure, all what you do is talking about this guy who is so great and fun to be with, who can be with you all the time and shares all your interests… Well excuse me if I wanted him to know you’re taken!”

“You’re an idiot!” she spats, really angry.

“Then why don’t you date him instead?” I shout and regret my words immediately.

“I should! But you know what? I would never, ever, date him or any other writer. We’re just friends and I can’t believe what a dickhead you’re being. Ugh! Why do you have to be so jealous? You know I love you, you shouldn’t even doubt that,” she screams pacing from one side to the other.

“I know but I can’t help it! Louis is right, you’re always meeting new people and it’s just a matter of time until you find someone better while I’m on tour!”

“I’m so gonna kick Louis in the balls,” she mutters. “You know he is wrong. That all what he says comes from his anger and you’re letting that get to you!” she glares at me again. “I thought you had a little more brain than this!”

I hate when we fight, I hate when she is mad, I hate when she hurts me with her words. I know I should stop and say I’m sorry but I can’t.

“Then go with him! He is clearly more intelligent than I am!” I am indeed a dickhead.

“Ugh! You’re impossible! You know what? Call me when you get your head out of your arse!”

And without saying anything else, she leaves my flat slamming the door on her way out. I stay there, angry and disappointed in myself. I shouldn’t say those things. I don’t really mean them but I can’t get Louis’ words out of my mind, they haunt me, scaring me. What if James is what Eric was for Louis? The guy who took Eleanor away? I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want to lose Mila. But I’m pushing her away with all the things I say and do.

I am a dickhead.

But if Mila says she would never be with James or any other writer I should trust her. I should believe her and in what we have. Ugh, I need to punch Louis for making me doubt Mila and our relationship. She would never do what Eleanor did to him. I know that. I can’t let other’s fears become mine.

Groaning, I take the keys of my own car and the spare keys of her flat that Mila gave me and I leave my place, determined to fix this now. After all, I took my head out of my arse already.

I know she is home when I open the door because I see her keys and phone on the table, probably here so she wouldn’t hear me if I had call her. So I walk towards her room and I see her in her bed, covered up to her head. Slowly, I slide next to her, my arms sneak around her waist over the covers, nuzzling into her neck but she doesn’t move.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper softly. “I didn’t mean those things I was just so jealous. Please, forgive me for being a dick,” I ask, pulling her closer, kissing her neck.

“No,” she says seriously.

“Please, I’m really sorry,” I insist, kissing her again, moving to her jawline.

“No,” this time her voice is softer and more childlike.

“Please, pretty please?” I try one more time, hugging her tightly, nuzzling again and I feel her shiver in my arms.

“No,” even more childlike and I know she is smiling now.

“Please?”

She turns around in my arms pulling the covers so I can get in with her and hugs me. “Okay,” she says hiding her face in my neck. “Just don’t act like a dog again. It’s stupid.”

I laugh as I hug her tighter. “Promise,” I agree taking her face in my hand and kissing her deeply. The rest I can’t share it.