Sweet Cheat (Ziam fanfic)

Chapter 3

Zayn guessed that Perry must have sent his parents here. And boy wasn't he in trouble now.

"There's two hundred people waiting!

And you are hiding here with your ...with your...Urgh!"

Yaser's homophobic streak prevented him saying the word 'boyfriend'.

This just made Zayn spring up from Liam's embrace and stare back like a deer in the headlights. He felt paralyzed by Yaser's angry, red face with bulging veins.

Yaser always said he was a disappointment. He was the kind of dad who cared more about people's opinion of him than what was good for his own son.

"Planning on disappointing us again?" he said menacingly.

This was it. Liam had had it.

"Keep your voice down Mr Malik!" said Liam, mentally preparing to kick Yasser in the balls if he had to.

Although Zayn loves how brave Liam can be, he hated drama. He wanted to be far away from everyone right including Liam. That's how much he wanted to avoid confrontation.

"I wanna be left alone. Nobody can tell me I can't," Zayn said holding his head. Things were boiling over and he couldn't take it any longer.

Yasser stomped out of the room, fuming. He had many years of practice doing that.

"Will you please give me some time Li? I need to clear my mind"

Liam knew Zayn didn't make decisions in a hurry. So he softly kissed Zayn's cheek and whispered "I will be right outside the door in case you need me."

Zayn felt temporarily relieved. Trish who had been silent, closed the door but stayed back. Zayn didn't mind his mum being there. She was Zayn's angel and vice versa. Her hair done up and she shimmered in her shalwar with pearl beads.

She silently approached Zayn and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm so grateful for all you've done Zayn."

She kept crumpling a tissue as she spoke in a low voice.

"But life is give and take. When Yasser left, I was alone with the four of you. Struggling with work and raising you all....was tough.

My life was about making the four of you happy."

Trish sat next to Zayn and rubbing his back even though Zayn couldn't look at her face. She could read Zayn like a book. She had seen Liam's effect on Zayn. After all, she was a mum.

"Your heart maybe with Liam but people are counting on you: Perry, Modest Management, your Dad."

Zayn groaned heavily.

"Mum Please!"

He turned towards his pleading mum who looked hopeful. It killed him to see her like this. She deserved better than Yaser even though he was back in her life.

Trish brought a tissue to her eyes to stop her mascara from running.

"Make mummy proud Zayn. Do that for me hun?" Her voice was trembling and sad.

She smiled sadly. It took a lot of effort to smile knowing she was about to put more pressure on her son.

Trish had said her peace. She Kissed the lost looking boy and walked away.

Zayn took a breath to fill his lungs. His mum's words were running through his mind like a video on loop, about making sacrifices in life.

It was all true. They've rented chateau. There were two hundred A-listers waiting. Then there was Perry. She treated him kind. He couldn't humiliate her in front of all these influential people.

Yet Zayn caught himself picturing of Liam's lips and kissing him good morning in their four bedroom house with two dogs. If it was possible wouldn't it have happened already? He was being juvenile again. He scolded himself silently for believing it was possible. It was as if an inner voice in Zayn was telling him to run away to this blurry figure that was Liam, while another was pushing him out the door to a hot fire that was the wedding and all its invitees. It was plain crazy to hesitate on his big day. He shook his head trying to chase these dark thoughts out.

Liam hadn't spoken to him till today. He gave the silent treatment for months. That had cut Zayn to the core. Come to think of it, Zayn was surprised at his audacity to try and stop him. Even thinking this about Liam had upset Zayn. He felt that he always loved Sophia more. Besides Liam made no promises of any commitment. And he needed reasons; reasons to ignore him. He may not even believe them himself but they were necessary.

"I am so over-thinking this."

He adjusted his white tie and batted his long lashes to clear his moist eyes. He pushed the corners of his mouth in to a convincing smile. There you go. Mirrors don't lie. But the inner voice he constantly ignored, was telling him "you coward!"

It's always best not to cause a fuss. He needed to walk out of this room.

As soon as Zayn stepped out and Liam looked at his eyes, desperately searching for good news.

Zayn took him by the arms and locked eyes. Liam knew he had won because of how intently Zayn was looking in to him and smiling. Liam's face cautiously gave way to a half-smile, in anticipation that this was going to be a new beginning for them.