Again «ZM» ✔️

Part Twelve

Isabelle

   We walk in the house. Honestly, I don't want to speak to mother because I know she'll just ruin my mood the second she opens her mouth, but then again I have no choice. She's in front of us. And her eyes are on me.

"Hello, mother," I greet her politely and kick off my shoes. I know she hates when I do it like that. She likes when I do it neatly, like a lady.

"Hi. May we speak alone for a second?" she asks. I turn to her and nod. Then I look at Zayn who also just got out of his shoes. He's now looking at us, waiting for me to send him away. I think about it. Do I send him to another room or just send him to my room?

"Tom, will you show him to my room, please?" I look at the butler. He nods and begins to walk. Zayn follows him. I turn to mother and follow her inside the living room. Father is sitting on the couch. "What is it?" I ask because I know they'll be asking me for my help again. Or something of me. They never talk to me just because and it's really tiring apparently.

"We know you'll be against this, but if you want to keep going to school and have your freedom you'll have to do as we say," father begins to speak. So now they're using that as their weapon against me... Great. He gets up and looks at me. "We need you to rekindle your relationship with Liam," he tells me. I look at him suspiciously. My heart starts pounding. Did I just hear him right? Rekindle my relationship with Liam?

"Me and Liam are friends," I answer. That's what he meant, isn't it? I sure as hell hope so. But by the look on their face, I know that it's not what they meant. It's more. And I hate it already. I want to run away from here, I want to hide.

"I said relationship not friendship," he corrects me, "He knows of this as well, we talked to him yesterday," he tells me which hurts me. Liam knew it and he didn't have any guts to tell me? He fucking gave me hope for Zayn. I cross my arms. Damn it, he told me he wasn't standing between us while knowing very well of this little scheme?

"So what, am I supposed to throw Zayn under the bus and run back to Liam? What for? Not enough drama in your life?" I question them. They both give me a look of disappointment. I know that I'm a disappointment to them, but seriously... Do they not value my opinion? Oh, right. What did I expect?

"Who is he even? He doesn't bring us any income, sweetie," mother frowns, "We want you to be with someone who can make you happy and-"

"I won't be happy with Liam," I interrupt her, "Remember how our relationship ended? When I broke down, when I begged the doctors to let me die? When I said my life doesn't have a meaning?" I remind them, "That was the result of our relationship. Now that we're friends, we understand each other better and we don't break each other," I try to talk them out of this stupidity. They both look angry with my response. They were waiting for me to be obedient. It's upsetting to even think about, that out of literally anyone they could've chosen for fame... They still chose him.

"He said he'd try better for you. So please, quit whining and tell your whatever that he is bye and call Liam," father tells me. I don't even answer anymore, I leave the living room. I go upstairs. I grab my phone and dial Liam. He picks up really fast. Good. I don't have much time for what I have to say.

"Izzy-"

"You motherfucker! Don't call me Izzy! I thought we were friends and not back stabbing assholes!" I shout at him through the phone, "What the actual fuck?" I ask him. I open the doors and walk in my room. Zayn looks up at me worried, but I ignore him as I walk in my walk-in closet. I don't want Zayn to see me rage. Or break down. And I don't want to tell him of this scheme either. I know he'll hate me. So will Lilith and his sisters. His family. They'll see me as nothing more than a girl who wanted to get Zayn in bed and when he didn't give in as easily I left for another.

"Isabelle, when I saw you smile about what I said I knew I was going to hurt you, so I didn't break it to you. I let your parents do that part and I'm sorry!" he answers frustrated. Tears are already falling down my eyes. Oh, that's his reason? That's fucking bullshit! I throw my hand in the air.

"And what the fuck am I supposed to do now? They've threatened me to take everything from me if I don't obey. But either way, both options are taking everything from me. So please, enlighten me, why is this repeating when you know how it ended last time?" I yell at him because I prefer to have it this way than show him I'm breaking down. I hate when he sees me break down. Once it boosted his ego, and now... I'm scared that it might have the same effect.

"I'm so, so sorry, Izzy. Just please... I'll talk to Zayn, I'll make it right for you. I swear, we can make it work. We'll only be a public couple, you can have him when we're not in public," he speaks, but all I hear are just... Words that stab me right in the back. The promises he makes... They're useless.

"I'm not doing that to him, Liam. He's your best friend, not your shadow," I answer, "Liam, please, don't do this. I beg you!" I give in and slide down the wall.

"I'm sorry, Isa, the documents are signed already. Your parents are paying mine for this. Mine are going bankrupt and yours are helping us by using us as a public stunt again," he finally explains why all of this is happening. Yet it still doesn't help. Even if I love his parents so much.

"I hate you," I barely get it out of my mouth. I hear him say something in the phone, but I just take the phone, hang up and throw it away. Fuck, what do I do now? I slowly get up. Okay. It's fine. It'll be fine. I take off my clothes leaving myself only in underwear.

"Isa?" Zayn's voice is quiet behind me. I wipe my tears away and look at him. He's not asking if I'm okay, so what is he waiting for? He comes closer to me. It scares me because I don't want him to make a mistake. I don't want to break his heart. He just pulls me in his embrace and hugs me. I wrap my arms around him and tightly hold him.

"I'm so sorry," I quietly apologise to him. He still doesn't say anything. "They're making me get back together with Liam and he knew it all along. He didn't bother to tell me which leads us to this point... Of me hurting you," I tell him right away because I'm scared he'll be angry at me if I don't. I'm angry at Liam for it, so why wouldn't Zayn be? Zayn's grip on me loosens up, so I hug him tighter, afraid that he might leave.

"You're getting back together with him? Seriously?" he asks. I can hear it in his voice, he's disappointed. Hurt. I finally let him go. He steps away from me and tries to look in my eyes. I give him at least that. I look in his eyes.

"I have no choice as I just found out," I whisper back, "Liam said he'd talk to you. Please, hear him out," I say and sniffle. Wipe away my tears.

"I'm sorry, but I can't stay," he quietly says and steps back. No... I can't believe this, no! He just turns around and leaves. I wear a hoodie and jeans with some socks. Then I grab my phone which didn't even break. I leave the closet and see my mother standing at the door with Zayn. He looks at me and then just leaves.

"What?" I ask mother, "Happy now?" I spit it out because right now I hate her. I wish she just let me just live my life, but she just loves to ruin it all for me.

"So you chose your freedom and school? Great choice, I knew you were smart," she says it like she's proud of me. I shake my head at her. "Tomorrow is a ball in which you and Liam will announce your relationship. After school Gabriel will pick you up, you'll have a dress prepared already, so you'll have to be quick," she updates me and then leaves without making sure that I agree. But of course, she doesn't give a damn about what I want.