Sweet Cheat (Ziam fanfic)

Chapter 2

Zayn, the groom, was perched on a tall chair, dressed in blue, with a slick new haircut. His golden eyes widened and his pink lips plopped open when he saw Liam's blushing face appear in the mirror.

Had Zayn become even more beautiful?

Was it even possible?

Zayn looked like a living work of art. So much so that he was almost hesitated to approach him.

But something was different about him. He had a haunted expression.

Zayn's crouching posture made him look so fragile and his head was tilted in confusion. Zayn's vulnerability made Liam's heart melt like butter.

"He needs me," thought Liam a bit smugly.

Liam's first impulse was to squeeze the lad in a bear hug. He realized he couldn't. Not till he had heard him out.

Seeing Liam's deeply blushed face somehow gave Zayn energy. A minute ago while staring at his reflection he had been wishing he was in a field by himself sitting on the grass, with a sketchpad and his music. But now everything flipped upside down and he didn't wish to be anywhere else but in the same room as Liam.

"Liam! Now this day is perfect," Zayn said with his face breaking in to a genuine smile. He felt the weight leave his shoulders for once. He had always felt ten feet tall when Liam was around.

But Zayn's felt his face drop when he heard what Liam was saying.

"Do you honestly think this is brainy move?"

''I am doing what I'm supposed to Liam. Can't you smile and be happy?"

Zayn stared at Liam confusedly.

Liam stepped closer to Zayn's seat.

" You are marrying for the wrong reasons.. Drop this whole shebang. We don't have much time Zayn.

You should marry for love and only for love."

Zayn's heart fluttered at seeing Liam's eyebrows furrowing in earnestness. His cheeks burnt in shame for how far he had let people take him in this joke of a marriage. His gaze instantly rotated to the checkerboard floor.

Modest Management had came up with the bright idea that Zayn should marry his friend Perrie. Zayn was asked to do this for their careers. It was a win-win for everyone involved. Everyone except Liam.

His mentor Simon was sure this will send their careers through the roof.

'It's showbiz Zayn. Legendary actors and musicians have done it.'

Zayn wanted to blurt out to Perrie that this was a bad, bad idea. He had to stifle a scream that built inside him every day, when he realized he had to marry Perrie.

"You already know I love Perry."

How could Zayn admit that this was all Modest's and his family's idea? Liam would think his spine was wobblier than jelly. He worried Liam would think he's a doormat.

"Come on man!

You don't get married because someone is a good friend?"

Zayn understood Liam's look. The glint in his brown eyes and pouty bottom lip were begging him to leave with him. Zayn knew he wanted their sweet love back; the kind of love that made you see stars in the bedroom, the kind that made your hands shake and give you insomnia.

"I'm doing this for Perrie's career and mine too.

Perrie put a lot of effort in to this Li"

Liam just flung his hands up and groaned.

"If you marry her for love, I will support you.

But this is a publicity stunt and you know it," shouted Liam and instantly regretted it.

Zayn shot off the bed in a flash of agitation and dragged Liam by the arm towards the tall balcony window. He wanted to make Liam see the gathering outside. They saw two hundred guests in the sun, a humongous decorated marquee with penough roses to probably fill a swimming pool and a band set up around a white piano.

Pointing in this direction Zayn said sharply,

"How I can I put all of them down?I can't!"

Not after how...not after how... I let the world down once already."

"Decide what's really good for you," said Liam getting frustrated and showing it.

They heard three urgent knocks at the door, echoing through the large room.

This time it was Perry's singsong voice.

" People are waiting Zaynie. Better make your appearance."

" Give me five minutes Perry"

"Alright love"

Zayn is hyperventilating at this point and staring out the window because he can't face Liam right now. He disapproves and he can tell without even looking.

He was surprised when felt Liam's arms wrapping around him protectively instead.

"What about you and me, huh?"

He didn't expect Liam to be this blunt and stubborn about saying 'you and me'. The wedding grounds below became blurry due to the tears welling up and threatening to trickle down. The only comfort he had was Liam's lips and stubbly chin pressed on the nape of his neck. This automatically made his eyelids close.

There is more thumping on the timber door that startled Zayn. This time its way louder.

" Mr Malik. The wedding planner demands that you be down here," said a gruff male voice.

"Ignore that," said Liam, while hugging precious Zayn tightly from behind.

Zayn was being pulled in different directions in his mind and was close to drowning. The pressure made his gastric burn he was struggling with painful. His body started trembling from a sudden rush of anxiety. Liam's hug was powerless against the tension he felt.

Zayn doesn't know how he managed to place them on the soft bed. Liam held him and rocked him gently in slow motion, back and forth like a child. Liam's chest felt so strong when he lent his back on it. His scent that had a hint of caramel. Zayn loved the familiar smell.

"Zayn. You are so so important to me.

And I wouldn't hurt your little finger. If you care for us please don't marry."

Liam left an airy kiss on Zayn's temple.

Zayn took a deep breath and said "I am only happy when I'm next to you Liam."

Zayn needed Liam to hold him right now, to boost his confidence, to make him do the right thing.

Liam felt that the time was now.

Zayn noticed that Liam was fidgeting and struggling with something in his coat pocket. He was frantically trying to pull something out.

Just then with a loud bang the heavy door opened and revealed Zayn's parents in Pakistani wedding outfits. Yaser's face was scowling at him. Behind him was Trish, looking worried.

He didnt need this right now. Zayn felt the blood gush up to his head.

"Not this! Not now!"