Should We Just Keep Driving? [Zarry Stylik AU]©️

Chapter 7

When Niall got to the office, he was already prepared for the battle ahead. He had been by Zayn's side since day one and he would continue. He believed in Zayn, in his vision and in how he wanted the future of the company to be. He was also aware that it was his eyes that caught this entire situation; Niall was proud and glad that Zayn had listened to him and validated his thoughts and opinions.

They met during University, instantly clicking on that first week of getting to know a new space. Contrary to those friendships people make at the beginning of a school year and end up breaking apart through the course of the months, these two remained inseparable. Niall was Zayn's defender and protector. Zayn went to battle for Niall in any circumstance, Joined at the hip, they laughed, cried, got drunk and stressed together.

It would be a tough morning. Niall knew that Zayn was probably stressed out of his mind, and probably hadn't eaten or slept. It was on him to steer his friend into a calmer state. Stand by his side, as they faced the cavalry of an old board of administration who saw them as nothing but little boys wearing big pants. 

Niall parked his grey Mercedes in the garage, rode the elevator greeted fellow workers and entered his floor. The first thing he noticed was the printer running as pages and pages came out - he noticed last night's report was being printed. All 20 copies of it.

He caught Denise walking down the hall in a rush.

"Morning, Denise."

"Morning, Niall."

"You seem busy."

"I bloody am," Denise responded walking past him and heading to a small room. The assistant grunted and cussed until she pulled a case full of bottles of water. Niall rushed over to help her get them off the ground, placing them on her desk. "He's been here since 08h00. He beat me to it."

"Did he sleep at the office?"

"No," Denise replied, taking a few bottles of water out of the plastic case. "He seems... relaxed ."

"Relaxed?"

"Yes. Like...he has it all under control. He's not nearly as nervous as he appeared to be these past days. And, he ate what I brought him."

"Where is he?"

"In his office."

Niall walked back to Zayn's office, knocking gently. He pushed the door, catching Zayn standing behind his desk holding a cup of coffee, chewing what seemed to be the last piece of a sandwich.

Zayn looked at him and smiled.

"Hi, mate."

"Zayn?" He did seem better. Rested. And unusually cheered. His friend drank the cup of coffee with gusto, as he looked down at his computer. "You okay?"

"Fine, why?"

"You're...drinking coffee...and seem rested."

" I slept quite well."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I..." Zayn cleared his throat, looking down. "Went for a walk last night."

Niall paused for a moment. Zayn was not looking at him and seemed rather interested in his computer.

He was...ashamed? Could it be? Or was it embarrassed? Shy?

The CFO walked closer to the desk, with a smirk coming to his lips.

"A walk? "

"Yes,"

"Alone?"

"No,"