A Penny For Your Tears [Z.M]

Forty Five

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey. You'll never know how, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." I sang softly, stroking Arie's fur as I swung back and forth in the garden swing, enjoying the night's breeze.

"Hi." A deep voice interrupted me and I turned to face it's owner with a slightly shocked expression.

"Hi." I whispered back as my eyes carefully watched Zayn as he trod from his garden to my own before carefully placing himself next to me on the swing, maintaining a distance between us. By now my arm had healed quite well and though it was still in cast, I was able to move more or less freely. I hadn't seen him since the day it happened, when he had run out,  and I didn't expect that I ever would again, yet he here was.

"I've had time to think about it, think about everything that has happened between us." He started, looking ahead of him, into the night sky and I knew he was just avoiding my gaze. I didn't say anything, allowing him to continue mainly because I was more than intrigued and eager to know what conclusion he had come to regarding us. He had time to think, more than enough, it had been more than four months since the Amsterdam fiasco and though it was insensitive of me to say, it  was about damn time.

"I-" Zayn hesitated as if the words physically pained him to say. "I forgive you. I forgive you for lying, or keeping secrets, whatever you want to call it." I looked at him in shock, those not being the words I expected to hear from him.

"What?" I stammered, although I had heard what he had said, I just wanted to hear it again to be sure.

"I forgive you." He repeated, this time turning to look me in the eye. "At first I was so angry, so so angry with you, I thought that I could never let go of what you did. But then, I talked to Ashe, and she helped me understand things from your view point. I understand that you were afraid, and though I don't agree with what you did and that there was definitely better ways you could have gone about this, I, I understand. " My mouth opened and closed, his words rendering me speechless. I had been waiting for this moment for months and yet, a part of me wasn't happy and I could tell he wasn't either.

"Thank you, Zayn. I'm sorry for lying to you, I should have been honest from the beginning." I answered eventually. He hummed in response, removing his attention from back towards the night sky. With a shaky breath, I stretched out my hand to take his own, he looked at our joined hands for short moment, a smile small on his face, giving me a fleeting sense of hope. Then, that smile left as quickly as it came, a sad expression conquering his face as he abruptly withdrew from  my touch.

"Olivia, I forgive you, yes, but I can't do this anymore. At least not now."

"What do you mean?" I asked, scared of what the answer would be.

"I mean," He sighed before continuing. "I need time Olivia, I understand why you lied and the situation you were in but as much as I want to, I can't forget who you lied about and who you were with before me, even if it wasn't your fault. He killed my parents, Olivia, I can't just overlook that. And even now, every time I look at you, I see him. I just need time."

"I understand, " I said, giving him a small nod, as my eyes welled up with tears. I couldn't be selfish, this was more than I even deserved and if he had decided he never wanted to be with me again, I could accept that because he deserved better and, though I loved him and a part of me would forever do so, it was like Ashe said, I couldn't allow my entire life to be dependent on Zayn Malik. "I understand, Zayn, I do. However long you need, but, just know that I do love you, that never changed." Zayn sighed, shaking his head heavily as if I was lying.

"That's the thing though, Olivia, do you? Do you love me? You only ever got involved with me because you were using me to stay ahead of Luca. I know that everything I did for you was genuine, because I had no reason not to be. But you, Olivia our relationship is based on lie and deceit. How can you be sure that you love me?" Again, I was made speechless, carefully taking his words into perspective. I did love him, I know I did, yes it started off as a ploy to garner information from him but in the end, it's my love him that kept me sane and alive. I was about to tell him this when he spoke;

"It doesn't matter Liv. I didn't come here for that anyway, I just wanted you to know I've forgiven you. It's good seeing you again, how's your arm?" I smiled weakly at him, shrugging before lifting my bandaged arm to show him. I bit my lip, debating whether I should tell him about how I think it was Matteo who had gotten into my home, I knew that Harry told him about the previous incident with Matteo, however neither knew the severity of the situation. Matteo was not only working for Luca, but he was also heartbroken making this personal and him, very dangerous. I decided against telling my suspicion to Zayn as I realized we had only just started speaking, perhaps now was not the moment to bombard him with that.

"I have to go but, uhm, you can see Aaliyah if you want, she'll probably be around tomorrow. It was wrong of me to keep her away from you, I thought I was doing what was best for her."

"You did Zayn, and thank you for letting me see her again. " He nodded, and for the first time an awkwardness existed between us. Eventually, he raised his hand and gave me a little wave before crossing the garden back to his own compound. I watched him until a bark from Arie, who I had forgotten was sitting next to me stole my attention. I bent down cuddling into him with a smile.

"Everything will be alright." I whispered into his fur, trying to comfort myself.  Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching me, I didn't react at first, thinking it was one of my grandparents or even Zayn but when my skin grew cold and the hairs on its surface raised up, I knew something was wrong. I turned around abruptly only to be met with the dark eyes of Matteo Valentino, who was glancing between me and the dog, hands raised up in a defensive manner. Arie barked loudly, sensing the impending danger.

"Stay away from me." I seethed with a wavering voice, pulling Arie behind me.

"Bella, I'm not here to hurt you." Matteo said calmly, choosing to ignore me.

"Bullshit, and don't call me that." I spat and he put his hands down, finally standing still instead of coming closer to me.

"Bella, I was angry, you said things that made me angry and so I did things that I never should have. I'm not an animal and I acted like one. I'm sorry, bella."

"So what?" I laughed humorlessly, "You're here to ask for my forgiveness and promise me it'll never happen again, tell me that you'll protect me from Luca?"

"No," Matteo smiled deviously, one that made my skin crawl. "On the contrary actually. I've come to tell you that I see you've made your choice, which you are entitled to, but when Luca comes, which he will, then bella, you'll see that you made the wrong one." I froze in fear as he walked towards me, stopping when he was only a few centimeters away from me. "You and all your friends, will regret the day you ever crossed any of us. We'll see which one of you will make out alive." He threatened, raising an arm to caress my cheek menacingly. However, I didn't give him the chance, without thinking clearly, I used my free hand to punch him hard in the face. It was a weak punch, didn't do much to  injure him but managed to anger him the nonetheless. He growled angry at me and reached to attack me, however, the sound of a gun clicking caused us both to freeze in fear.

"I'm giving you five fucking seconds to get away from her and the hell out of this place before I shoot you in the fucking head and send it to Luca myself." Zayn threatened, his voice strong and dark, showing no sign of fear. Matteo scoffed turning around to face, pulling me so I was standing next to him. Zayn's eyes darted between me and Matteo but he remained undeterred.

"Malik, please, you wouldn't dare." Matteo mocked and that alone was enough to shoot a warning shot, the bullet narrowly missing his head and managing to scrape his head. He let go of my arm abruptly, glancing wildly between Zayn and I.

"You-you'll see, we're coming for you." Was all he said before running off into the darkness. Zayn rushed to me and I collapsed into his arm, crying and holding on to him desperately. He kissed my forehead softly and I felt his own tears against my skin.

"Everything will be alright, they won't get you, I won't let them." He said and I believed him.

A/N: Five more chapters to go!! Book is almost over and wow, I can't wait for you to read the ending, I decided to double update, so go ahead and enjoy the next chapter. Remember to vote and comment!