Forever Intertwined (A Zayn Malik Fan Fiction)

Chapter 19

A/N: OMG I loved writing this chapter! It didn't come out the way I had originally planned, so how it ends is surprising even to me!  Hope you enjoy :) Dedication goes to my first fan, enjoy!

The next day, Thursday

“Marissa! What happened? This skirt fit perfectly last week.” I say, tightening the waist of her skirt. I’m getting the models ready for the picnic shoot while Liz is setting it all up. Liz chose the perfect park to have it, and the day has been beautiful.

Marissa is our favorite model. Whenever we get the chance, Liz and I choose her for the shoots, because she is so easy to work with and has this innocent, positive personality. Her shots are fierce, sweet, beautiful and unique. Lovely girl, inside and out. But today her skin is pale and there seems to be a lot of guilt in her eyes.

“Oh no. Please please please tell me you haven’t been skipping meals this week.” I say. She doesn’t answer, and the guilt on her face deepens.

“When was the last time you ate?” I ask her.

“Wednesday.” she answers quietly.

“Of last week?” I ask.

“Yes. But, I’ve been drinking plenty of fluids and two crackers every day.” she says.

“You and I know that isn’t enough.” I sigh. I grab one of my meal replacement bars out of my bag and hand it to her. “Eat this. Now. And please don’t do this again. Your body was perfect, healthy. You are going to hurt yourself doing things like that.”

“It’s hard not to. I have to pay rent, try to keep up with my classes, pay for babysitting for my sibs because both of my roommates moved out, and my convenience shop job and part time modeling isn’t covering the bills.  I keep getting told that I’d get hired more if I lost a few inches.” Marissa says. I sigh and think about it for a minute. Marissa’s drug addict mother died about a year ago, leaving Marissa as the guardian of her three brothers and two sisters. Marissa has always had this positive, shy attitude, and cares so deeply for her brothers and sisters.

“Quit the convenience store job.” I tell her.

“What?” she says confused.

“Quit your job. Then come work for me, as my assistant.” I say.

“What? Really? Why?” she asks.

“Because you are talented, smart, sweet, and dedicated. Your attitude screams ‘whatever it takes,’ though you would have to promise me no more of this non-eating thing. You are mine and Liz’s favorite model, and we enjoy your shy but fierce personality. I know I can count on you, and if anyone deserves it, it’s you.” I tell her. She smiles at me and hugs me.

“Thank you so much!” she says gratefully. “Wait. Is this a pity thing?” she asks me.

“No. I wouldn’t be offering you this position if I didn’t honestly and truly believe that you’d be the perfect fit, and don’t ever forget that. Let’s do this shoot, and then go quit that job. I’ll give you some training tomorrow, give you the employment contract, and then you officially begin on Monday.”

“Leave it to Jayd to hire the average useless pathetic loser off the street.” Vita says behind us. Where does she keep coming from?

“Ignore her. Everyone else does.” I say to Marissa.

“Except your boyfriend.” Vita says, causing my blood to boil. Liz notices the sudden tension and looks from me to Vita. Her eyes narrow and I can see we are both fighting the urge to say anything to Vita.