Sweets For My Sweet

Part 2- Zayn

Zayn:

He was running late! Damn the crazy Manhattan traffic, but really Zayn cannot blame anyone. It was Valentine's day after all. He had planned to be home by 7 pm for dinner with Liam and had wound up at the studio by 6 pm. He picked up the extra-large gift sack hidden in his studio for the past week and headed to the car.

All that remained was a quick run to Kee's before going home. As he entered Kee's, the Gourmet Chocolatier, the heady scent of chocolates and macarons hit him. He was taken to the back room, by Andrea the assistant who was a huge 1D fan and always indulged the boys with extra goodies.

Kee rushed up to him with a nervous smile and rushed out, "Zayn, please accept my apologies. We ran out of the truffles you wanted, and the last box was sold just before your phone call. However, I was confident that I could make a fresh batch, but we had a small technical problem. Your chocolates will be delayed by an hour. They are setting now in the refrigerator and I will only be able to add on your secret message once they are hardened. I am so sorry."

Zayn was disappointed slightly, but ever generous, he reassured Kee, "That's alright. I want everything to be perfect Kee. You know how much this means to me and it must happen today. I'll just call my boyfriend and let him know I'll be late."

Done with the quick apologetic call, Zayn sauntered over to the comfortable couch and started browsing on his phone. Andrea came over with a mug of steaming hot chocolate and a plate of assorted, warm, freshly-baked macarons. He smiled at her gratefully and chatted about her plans for Valentine's day.

Andrea sighed and whispered, "Haven't had the time to shop for my fiancé yet Zayn. Was hoping to leave early and shop on the way home but we were delayed due to the technical issues and now I can only leave after we complete the last order, which happens to be yours."

Zayn was instantly apologetic and guilty, "I'm so sorry babe. I wasn't aware of that. Tell you what, maybe I can help avoid further delay so that you can go home straight to your fiancé."

"But how, I still have to buy him a gift."

Zayn smiled and leading a surprised Andrea by the hand, he walked purposefully to the front where the chocolates were displayed. He selected a pink, heart-shaped box with a dozen assorted gourmet truffles and an empty pink, square box. He directed Andrea to fill the empty box with one dozen of their special saffron-filled macarons. The saffron was specially imported from Spain and was very popular at Kee's Chocolates. He then asked Andrea to place them both inside their special pink and white carry bags for Valentine's day. He asked her to add it to his overall bill and swiped his card.

Zayn handed over the pink bag to Andrea and said, with a wink, "Enjoy your evening with Steven babe. Here's your shopping done."

He shrugged and pushed aside her soft protests with, "It's the least I could do Andrea. Liam would have my hide if he knew you were delayed because of me. You know how much he adores you."

Andrea flushed and quickly hugged Zayn feeling a sense of immense relief and deep gratitude for these two angels in her life.

Zayn left an hour later, clutching the special bag, and instructed his driver cum bodyguard Vincent to head home. Zayn handed over a box of assorted gourmet chocolates to Vincent, "These are for your wife and you Vinnie. Happy Valentine's day." Vincent smiled in response, and accepted the gift, well used to the boys' generosity, knowing it did no good to refuse.

It was a little after 8 pm but what should have been a 20-min drive to their home, took more than an hour due to the horrendous traffic. He wanted to just take the gifts and walk home; Vincent gave him such a withering look, Zayn could only huff in annoyance and sit back and sulk.