The Boy Across The Bay

Chapter 14

"We need to talk." Mary sighed as she turned to close the door behind her.

Zayn gulped, "What the fuck is this?" He was confused and a little nervous about what was to come.

"I need you to lower your voice, Zayn. I can't have anyone being alerted about this conversation. Especially Harry and King Louis," she said calmly.

"Why? Why are you trying to hide from them? Are King Thomas and Queen Alexandria in on this— whatever this is—as well?" Zayn said, growing impatient and frustrated.

"Zayn, I need you to stay calm, then I will explain what I can," Mary was becoming frustrated herself. This was not the plan. This wasn't how things were supposed to go.

Zayn sighed and sat down in the chair behind the desk he was standing behind. He wanted answers, and it seemed Mary had them. So, he chose to comply.

Mary sat across from Zayn in one of the chairs on the opposite side of the desk. "How much do you know?" She treads carefully. Not wanting to say too much. Just enough to keep Zayn content, to make sure he doesn't tell Louis or Harry anything before it's time.

Zayn scoffed, "Well I know either what Louis' father told us was complete bullshit or he was not aware of how much of the land he owned. His family has owned for generations." Zayn raised his hand holding the deeds, "This says the Styles own 50% of the land and the Tomlinsons own the other 50%. So, which one is wrong?"

"Both families own an equal share of Lincolnshire. Each family owns 50%. The one you are currently holding in your hand is correct. Whatever land deed you saw over at your side of the bay, is wrong. It's a fake." Mary explained.

Zayn was more confused than ever. What the—A fake? Why? What is going on?"

Mary stood up from the chair and started to walk back to the door. "I need you to promise me you will not tell Harry, Louis, Niall or Eloise. Especially Louis and Harry," she couldn't stress this enough.

"I can't tell them?! Why? It's their property! They deserve to know!" Zayn thought for a minute. "Unless Harry already knows, and you don't want him to know that I know..."

Mary rolled her eyes. Now he was overthinking. "No. Harry doesn't know. And neither does Louis. And it needs to stay that way. That is why the less amount of people who know, the better."

Zayn shakes his head, almost in disbelief. He's not convinced this is happening. It can't be happening. What is happening? "Why?" Zayn was now standing up. He was annoyed with all this secrecy. "Why can't I tell them? Why can't they know?"

Mary sighed and closed her eyes. "Because it is not time for them to know yet." Then she walked through the door and out of the study.

If it was even possible, Zayn was even more confused. So, he ran after her. But as soon as he gets to the hallway, she is gone, nowhere to be seen. He runs into Niall in the hall and realizes he still has the land deeds in his hand. He quickly puts his hands behind his back, hoping Niall didn't see them.

"What're you still doing here, mate? I thought you left." Niall asked.

"Oh! Uh...I had to go to the loo before I left and got lost on the way." Zayn nervously chuckled.

Niall nodded. "Oh! Well then, let me show you the way."

"Thanks, Niall." He smiled.

"You didn't happen to wander upstairs, did you?" Niall asked.

Zayn knew Niall was asking if he happened to hear what events where occurring behind certain doors. "Nope! Didn't get that far."

Niall let out a sigh of relief and nodded.