2: His arrival
1431 Words
1 week later
*Persephone*
I hurry out to open the door when I hear the doorbell ring. Throwing it open to find a smiling Zayn on the doorstep. "Kitty, don't you look amazing darling.. and this house.. Wow".
"Stretch". I throw myself into his outstretched arms, hugging him tightly and enjoying being hugged in return. Zayn gives the best hugs. "And thank you".
"Well thanks for letting me stay". He says grabbing his bag and stepping inside looking around in the grand hall. "But I guess you have a couple of spare rooms here. It really is good seeing you again though".
I smile at him, as he pulls off his coat I can't help but notice how wide his shoulders and chest have become. "It's been way too long. Damn stretch you are like huge, for you I mean. When the hell did that happen ? Now I need to find a new nickname for you".
"Well kind of had no choice.. you know with the role". He says, flashing that beautiful smile I have always loved. "So I take it that Tyler is in New York.. is he.. okay with me being here ?"
"Yeah he will be home on friday.. and he is fine with you being here". I tell him. Wondering what my husband will say seeing this new version of Zayn.
He follows me upstairs, and I open the door to the biggest of the guest rooms. "Well this is you. Unpack, then come downstairs and I will give you a tour of the house".
"Thank you Kitty. This is much more than I need". He drops his bag and pulls me into his arms again. "Damn I really missed you darling".
"I missed you too Zayn". And I really have missed him. Realising it even more, now seeing him again. He is just the sweetest guy ever and he has always had a special place in my heart.
I walk downstairs, leaving him to unpack. I shake my head to myself. Well I never expected to see Zayn bulged up like this. He never really liked lifting weights. And with his slim build it's hard work bulging up. He always stayed slim by running, and he was always on his feet moving. But well it suits him.
*Zayn*
I slowly unpack my bag. It is really a great room and a beautiful house. But seeing her again makes me wonder if I can do this. If my friends were right and this is a really bad idea. She is just as beautiful as I remember, even with no make-up at all, her hair in a ponytail, wearing an oversized sweater.
No, I just have to get it out of my head. There has never been any indication that she sees me as anything other than a friend. And well she is in a committed relationship, probably as happy as can be. No, I need to just lock this up.
I go out into the bathroom pulling off the shirt I have travelled in, checking that I still smell fresh. Taking on a bit of my perfume, the one I know she likes and pull on a fresh long sleeved T-shirt. I look in the mirror, running a hand through my hair. It is getting a bit long on the top. But they will cut and style it when we start shooting.
Then I walk downstairs, finding her in the kitchen with a cup of tea in her hands. She hasn't seen me yet. I watch the way she tilts her head to blow away the steam, a wisp of hair falling down on her forehead, and she tries to blow it away. I can't help smiling. But I also feel that twinge in my chest, Ben was right, it doesn't matter that we never dated, she is my one who got away.
"Let me". I step over, gently brushing the strain of hair behind her ear. I can't help noticing how goosebumps emerge down her neck at the slight touch.
She hurries to take a sip of her tea, then sends me a soft smile. "Thank you Zayn. Always helping others. How did it go with the money for UNICEF ? That was such a great thing you did by the way".
"We started with helping the ones that lost everything for Christmas to have a great Christmas anyways, food, trees and presents. And then replacing other things that were greatly needed. School things for the kids, clothes and so on. Thank you for your donation by the way, it was such a beautiful gesture". I had made a special collection for a christian village that had been attacked and burned just before christmas, the families left with nothing. I had matched the money collected from my own pocket and she had called me that she wanted to help by matching my own donation.
She just smiles and waves her hand. "It was nothing really. You are the hero, the one fighting to always help and make others lives better. I just gave you some money to help you do it".
"Don't sell yourself short Kitty. I know that isn't true, you have done a lot of good things for as long as I have known you". Actually that is one of the things I fell for, her always fighting for the ones weaker than her and always putting others first.
She puts down her cup, brushing off the subject. She never liked people praising her. She never went out publicly with what she does. As she says, it isn’t about her getting attention but about helping. To be honest she makes me feel like I don’t do enough at times.
"Come see the house. Honestly I think it is a bit too much, but Tyler loved it soo..". She takes my hand, pulling me along. My mind focused on the way her slim fingers close around my hand.
*Persephone*
"An indoor tropical pool.. nice". Zayn says grinning as I show him the glass covered miniature beach in our backyard.
I shake my head. "I know, it is.. a bit too much.. but actually it is nice sometimes and Athena loves playing here".
"Where is she by the way ? I was looking so much forward to seeing her". He looks around like he expects her to be hiding somewhere.
He follows me back inside. "She is at a kids birthday party just down the street. I am going to pick her up soon. She is very excited about meeting you.. she is a huge fan, she likes super heroes.. just so you are warned".
"Sounds like you are raising her right". He says grinning. Well might be a bit my fault as I love everything with superheroes. But to my defence we haven't watched the bad parts of the movies due to her age. But so far she has never once been scared.
I open the door to the gym. "I am guessing you need to maintain that physic, you are welcome to use this as much as you want. I don't use it much and Tyler isn't home soo".
"Yeah you never needed it. You look perfect without even trying". Something in his voice makes me look at him and he blushes. "I mean.. you always look in great shape not doing much.. this". He indicates himself. "This cost a lot of hard work".
I shake my head softly. "I do not look like I used to after having Athena. But it's okay I am not 22 anymore either. But I believe when you say this took hard work, it is impressive Zayn, it really is".
"Thank you Kitty. Honestly I have just done what I was told. But well my body doesn't build muscles that easily". He says, biting his lip. "And sorry that is just a bunch of crap, no one can see you have been pregnant".
I make a face. "Oh believe me Zayn, if you saw me naked you would have no doubt. Things just aren't as tight and perky as they used to be".
"Uhh, well I never saw you naked so probably wouldn't know the difference". He says blushing and shuffling his feet. "But you do look good".
I look at my watch. "Uhh I better go pick up Athena. Do you want to come ? It is just down the street, it takes about 5 minutes to walk there".
"Sure, I could use some fresh air". He says smiling, still a bit flushed in the cheeks.
- Writer
