the gang | zayn malik [a.u] | ✔️ | EDITING

Chapter 23.

[Zayn's POV]

I watched as her smile lit up the room. She was giddy with the thrill of apartment searching I guess. The realtor was happily answering all of her little questions and she seemed like a genuine person. Maybe she'll sell us the one.

This is the third shot at finding a new apartment and I have a job interview in a few hours. So I prayed that we would find one and close on it today.

The building itself was modern and well kept. The elevators weren't dirty and the lobby was elegant.

The realtor was showing us or Gretchen for that matter, the room. It was very spacious. It had large floor to ceiling Windows that substituted for a wall. A brick wall was perpendicular to that one. The hardwood floors and granite counter tops shone as if they had never been walked and cooked on.

I enjoyed the sight of Gretchen on her crutches beaming around the room. Her presence was just so welcoming and I was falling hopelessly in love with her every second. But I would never dare say that out loud.

Sometimes when I look at her, I see pain and hurt. Guilt and remorse consumes me every time I see her face. She is so undeniably beautiful and this image I see her with is destroying me. I have to pretend I'm okay for her, when I'm falling apart each and every time I look her way.

How can someone make you so happy yet so sad all at the same time?

"Zayn?" Gretchen and the realtor were now facing me. I rose an eyebrow because I honestly hadn't heard the question. "You like the place?"

"Depends on the price we are talking here." I straightened up my stance and crossed my arms over my chest to show her that I meant business.

The realtor handed me the papers and
circled the price on the middle of the page. My eyebrows drew together, this was way less than I had anticipated.

I looked up to see Gretchen gazing around. Her eyes shimmered and looked as if they belonged in the night sky. "We'll take it." Her happiness is key.

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[Gretchen's POV]

"We'll take it." My heart literally swelled at those three words. I don't think anyone understands how much this means to me. The apartment of my dreams with the man of my dreams.

Did I just admit that in my head? Oh Lord.

I ran over to Zayn and placed a sloppy kiss on his cheek, just like any dog would do. No I'm not saying I am a bitch. Self clarification.

The realtor just chuckled to herself before sitting down with us at this beautiful dining area. Excuse me, our beautiful dining area.

Once the realtor left we were literally the dorkiest people one could ever meet. We didn't know what to do with ourselves, it was like the apartment was our child.

The last place we stayed at was nowhere near as independent-living as this one. I felt like Zayn and I could really establish something beautiful here.

"Now, I would love to stay and settle in with you, but I have that job interview in an hour and a half and I want to be there as early as possible." I nodded.

"What are you going to wear?"

"I actually have to pick it up and change at the dry cleaners." I laughed at his unorganized plan. "It's all I have! Everything is back at the other apartment. Which I will help you clean out once I return." He kissed me on the forehead before departing. "If you get lonely, go down to the lobby and hang out in there lounge area. Work on an essay or something." He shrugged. "I'll be back in no-time."