S(l)ave Me

IX

Happy #SlaveMeThursday lads and ladies!!

I want to warn you; you won't like this chapter. Get through it. It's meant to make you question Zayn. And Niall. And Zayn's judgement.

Enjoy! Xoxo

***

Zayn couldn't even be bothered folding the clothes Marvin had laid out for him. He just shoved them in his small overnight with force. Zayn was mentally scolding himself for his behavior. Not good enough, Malik. You can't even control yourself in front of one slave. Just a man. Just a slave. And he broke you. No wonder you'll never find a slave to keep. You can't hold yourself accountable with this one thing. What makes you think you even deserve Liam? Liam is about to be given to his match and you could've put that in jeopardy.

He was more grateful for Niall right now than ever. He needed to clear his head, and if he stayed in the same house as Liam tonight that wasn't going to happen. He tensed for a moment when there was a knock on the door, but then Marvin's familiar greeting came through the door. "Come in."

The door cracked open and Marvin informed, "The car is ready, sir."

"Thank you, Marvin." Zayn held his tongue for as long as he could, but Marvin was just about to close the door and the words fell out, "Is Liam alright?"

Zayn saw the look of concern that flashed across his face, but it was gone quickly and Marvin nodded, "He's fine, sir. He changed his clothes and is now in bed."

"No dinner?"

"I asked of course. He said he wasn't hungry."

"Really? Well he didn't eat the food he made. Maybe Kalli should bring him something anyway."

"Sir?"

Zayn realized he was babbling, hands flailing and eyes dropped to the floor. "Yes?"

"May I speak freely, sir?"

Zayn steeled himself for what was to come. Marvin had never led him astray in the years he'd been head of the day to day life in his home. "Of course."

"Tomorrow Liam will belong to someone else correct? Unless...unless recent events have changed-"

"No. You're correct."

Marvin nodded, if not a bit disappointed. "Then I think it might be best for you to...distance yourself from the slave for a while."

Zayn wanted to scream at the servant, tell him it wasn't his place to talk. But he'd given his permission to state his opinion, and of course, he was right. Zayn sighed, "I know." He sat on his bed, haphazardly packed bag next to him. "It's happening again, Marvin."

Marvin walked to Zayn and sat next to him. He'd seen Zayn cry a few times over the years. Especially after the last time. "Not at any fault of your own. You are a good person. And one day you will find a slave of your own."

"Maybe not. Maybe I'm meant for this. Matchmaking," he said it with a dark chuckle, "I've a gift for finding someone for every single person but myself."

"Mr. Malik?" Zayn stopped biting his lip and looked up at his confidant. "You deserve love. And you will find it. I know it."

"I wish I had as much faith in me as you do." He clapped a hand on Marvin's shoulder. "Thank you, friend."

Marvin simply nodded before standing. "I shouldn't delay you. Mr. Horan is waiting."

"Niall. Right," he reminded himself. Zayn stood up and shouldered his bag.