Revenge - English Version

Chapter 11 - Shadows Among Us

ZAYN POV

I finally get rid of that girl. Honestly, how can someone have so little self-respect? The last memory I have of her is her humiliating me. Yesterday, I beat up her closest friend, and yet, she didn't hesitate to practically throw herself at me.

Over the years, I've been with a lot of girls, many of whom I can't even remember the names of because we hooked up one night and I never saw each other again. When you've never attracted the attention of a single woman for most of your life, it's easy to get fascinated by this lifestyle. But right now... I don't know what's changed, but I don't feel any excitement about the idea of hooking up with random girls.

Before, I would've taken it all the way without thinking twice. Now? I just couldn't. And the weirdest thing is, she thinks that because I didn't sleep with her, I must really like her. That I'm different from the others. Ridiculous.

But that worked out pretty well. Now she doesn't suspect my true intentions. Makes it all easier for revenge.

Sometimes I wonder if this is even worth it. If it wouldn't be better to just forget everything and move on with my life. But then, I imagine Alexa being humiliated the way I was. I imagine everyone laughing at her, mocking her, the way they laughed at me. I see her crying the tears I cried. And that... that makes me want to keep going. To see this through to the end, no matter the cost.

I hear voices by the entrance. They're here. And at that moment, it hits me; a wave of nervousness starts building with every step I take. Is Care still mad at me? I don't even know why I care so much. She knew from the start about the revenge, about the time it would take, the sacrifices I'd have to make. So why is she acting like this now?

I walk into the room and feel all eyes fall on me. I feel a bit uncomfortable, which isn't normal for me. I hate this feeling.

- Hi, Zayn. - Liam's voice pulls me back to reality, but I notice Niall watching me in a strange way.

- What's up, mates? - I ask, forcing a neutral expression as I sit down next to them.

Niall rolls his eyes, clearly fed up with my attempts to start a conversation.

- Got anything to tell us? - Liam asks bluntly.

I turn to him, but my attention is quickly drawn elsewhere. Behind Liam, I see two people who make me freeze. It can't be... I must be seeing things.

Harry walks into the room, his arm casually resting on Care's shoulders. They're laughing about some shared joke, their fingers intertwined. The chemistry between them is undeniable, with suggestive glances exchanged at every step. I can't believe what I'm seeing. Since when does Harry get to be so close to my Caroline?

They're almost walking in sync, and at one point, she stumbles slightly, giving Harry the perfect opportunity to tighten his grip around her waist, holding her more firmly. She lets out a soft laugh and kisses him on the cheek, but the gesture lingers longer than necessary.

It's like I'm watching everything in detail, as if I'm a narrator with no life of my own.

- Ow! - Niall suddenly exclaims, and only then do I realise I've been gripping his arm so tightly I nearly left nail marks. But why? I immediately let go, and Niall starts massaging his arm, looking slightly offended.

I refocus on Harry and Care. When our eyes finally meet, her smile instantly fades. She's still mad? My chest tightens. I'm her best friend, she should be smiling at me, not losing her smile just because she saw me.

- Hi, Zayn. - Harry's voice is cordial, but I ignore him. My eyes remain locked on Care's, and hers on mine. There's a tension in the air that I can't quite explain, like a magnetic field trapping us in this moment.