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

Chapter 24.

[Zayn's POV]

The second the words, "You're cheating on me, aren't you?" left my lips, I instantly regretted it.

Making such a huge accusation after all she has been through is going to send her flaming with rage and I'm one to admit, I was afraid.

All the color and expression drained out of her complexion. "What the hell? Wh-who do you think I am? We just moved in together and are trying to find our way. Why would you accuse me of something like this?" Her voice trembled.

I shook my head and placed it in my hands. I didn't want her to see me cry but only a few seconds later I felt her frail arms wrap around my torso and felt as her head leaned against my shoulder.

"I forgive you." She mumbled seconds later.

"What?" I pulled away surprised and looked her dead in the eye.

"I forgive you, but I shouldn't." Gretchen got up and pulled her hair up into a loose bun before leaving the room.

I wiped my tears on my sleeve and decided to act as if nothing happened. When I left the room I found Gretchen sprawled across the couch, flipping through television channels.

This is the woman I love, and it seems that I just keep hurting her over and over again.

I trudged over to where she lay and her eyes glanced up, meeting my gaze for a mere three seconds, before returning to the television.

"Do you mind if I join you?"

Gretchen cleared her throat and met my gaze once again. "I'm actually pretty tired. Wanna go to sleep in our room?"

I shrugged in reply and she got up taking the blanket with her. It dragged along the floor and she slipped her small cold hand into mine before pulling me along as well.

"Turn around while I change" She rose and eyebrow at me and I did as she said. I turned to face the wall and she hobbled her way to the dresser where she pulled out fresh undergarments and one of my large black t-shirts.

I heard the sound of her pants hit the floor and instinctively turned around. Her back was facing me and I watched as she removed her top and placed that on top of her bottoms.

Everything she did was graceful. My eyes gleamed with awe and I couldn't look away, but my gut clenched and I faced the wall once more. It was wrong to stare at a woman like this. Pervy in a way. I've already been such a bother so I might as well follow her simple instruction to look away.

"Are you done yet?" I groaned and the palm of my hand made a thud against the wall.

A mere three seconds later I felt a fragile pair of arms snake around my waist. I turned around with caution to avoid breaking her grip and cupped her face in my hands. I placed a peck on her lips before picking her up bridal style and tossing her on to our bed carefully.

I pulled my shirt over my head and then my bottoms before climbing into bed next to her. It was chilly in the apartment so we snuggled up close to one another underneath the thick comforter and she mumbled something just as I lost consciousness of everything around me.

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[Gretchen's POV]

Zayn's embrace was warm and quite delightful despite the last few hours being spent in hormonal rages between us. I feel like he cares enough and in a way that sends his ego in a fit of rage at the thought of another male being within a few feet of me. I definitely don't mind him being protective, I just wish he wasn't so crazy about it, or me I should say.