the one that got away, zayn malik

chapter six

THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY
CHAPTER SIX
8th of september 2013

AS the sun began its descent over london, painting the sky in soft hues of pink and orange, olive felt a gentle flutter of excitement coursing through her. today marked her 20th birthday, a moment both significant and surreal. the city's bustling energy faded into a soothing backdrop as she and her best friend, liliana jones, strolled through the vibrant streets, wrapped in the warmth of friendship.

winding through the cobblestone paths of covent garden, they paused to watch street performers, their laughter blending with the sweet scent of freshly baked pastries drifting from nearby cafés. olive and lili shared a slice of red velvet cake, the rich frosting smudged playfully on their cheeks, their faces aglow with delight in the simple pleasure of being together.

"you're officially twenty!" lili exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. she leaned in closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "time to leave all that teenage nonsense behind. you need to embrace your new status!"

olive laughed, a soft, melodic sound that turned a few heads, her cheeks flushed with the carefree spirit of youth. "what does that even mean? should i start dressing like a grown-up?"

"absolutely not!" lili shot back playfully. "just make some questionable life choices. you know, the fun stuff." their laughter bubbled up, filling the air with infectious joy that made everything feel lighter.

as twilight fell, the city transformed into a tapestry of twinkling lights, and anticipation thrummed in olive's chest. zayn had planned a surprise for her—a stay at a luxurious hotel, a secret refuge promising intimacy and magic. the thought of being alone with him sent shivers of excitement down her spine, thrilling her with the prospect of deepening their connection beyond the watchful eyes of the public.

arriving at the hotel, olive was enveloped by the soft glow of chandeliers illuminating the elegant lobby. her heart raced as she spotted zayn leaning casually against a sleek marble counter, his effortless charm radiating warmth. when their eyes met, his lips curled into a genuine smile, and olive felt her heart skip.

"happy birthday, olive!" zayn said, stepping forward to pull her into a gentle embrace. the warmth of his body against hers and the familiar scent of his cologne—sandalwood and a hint of musk—washed over her, intoxicating and undeniably zayn. in that moment, time seemed to stand still, and she wished to linger there forever.

"thanks" she breathed, a blush creeping up her cheeks as he released her, his hands lingering on her arms for just a heartbeat longer. the soft touch ignited something deep within her, an unspoken bond shimmering in the air.

"did you do anything fun today?" zayn asked, his eyes sparkling with interest.

"just hung out with lili," olive replied, her heart fluttering as she recalled their adventures. "we explored a bit, ate too much cake, you know, the usual."

zayn chuckled, a warm sound that sent butterflies swirling in her stomach. "sounds like a solid birthday plan. but i think we can do better than cake. i brought something."

he produced a small, elegantly wrapped box from his bag, the light catching its surface and making it glimmer. "you didn't have to get me anything, zayn!" she protested, genuinely surprised.

"just open it," he urged, his voice low and inviting, a hint of playfulness dancing in his tone.

with delicate fingers, she peeled back the wrapping paper, revealing a silver bracelet adorned with tiny charms that glimmered softly in the warm light. "it's beautiful," she breathed, tracing the intricate details with her fingertips. "thank you."