MaLuke

Chapter 32

My hands were shaking of nervousness as we got into the elevator. I tried taking deep breaths to calm myself down. It didn't really work. Nor did it distract my current train of thoughts. All I could think of was 'I'm in deep shit', and the image of prison kept running through my mind.

"You okay?" Zayn asked me, genuine concern laced in his tone.

I nodded. I needed something else to think about. "How did we get back on the roof?" I needed to know the answer. And it was doing a great job of taking my mind off Wendy and her parents.

"When we were standing on the ledge, Meghan and Drake came up." He sighed and rubbed his face with his palm. I leaned on the wall, ears perked. "When I walked off the roof, you jumped after me. Meghan launched for you and grabbed your foot. She could've tumbled down with us too, but Drake caught her and pulled her back. She's one strong girl."

I felt tears welling up in my eyes. Meghan jumped after me, even though she knew it was dangerous for her to do so. She saved my life, and Zayn's too. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I was going to yesterday, but you had to go to the airport." He answered. Right. Dad. I nodded to myself as the elevator came to a stop on our designated floor. I sighed to myself and pushed myself off the elevator wall and out. Zayn followed suite as we strode down the hallway, and to Mr. Malik's office.

I took a deep breath and turned the knob, opening the door. Five pairs of eyes turned to me as I stepped in. One glaring, one calm, two bored, and one who motioned me over with his eyes. Dad. Zayn stepped in behind me as I made my way past the Shericka's and to my dad. Zayn pulled out a simple stool and sat by the door. My nerves kicked in and I suddenly felt paralyzed. Wendy had a really nice smile plastered to her face. I could see several bruises on her body and face. I was thankful that my dark-skinned color didn't show out bruises easily.

"Well, now that were all here, let's get this meeting underway." Mr. Malik started, taking us all in. He gave a sideways glance to his son. I exchanged a look with Zayn. He's blank, mine sullen. He was much better at hiding his emotions.

"Before we begin, can I state the purpose of this meeting." Wendy's father suddenly spoke up. He had a deep and gruff voice. Sort of scary really. He didn't wait for any confirmation before speaking again. "This meeting is to sort out some issues with Zayn and Wendy's engagement." Right. I was here as the issue. I looked over to dad, he shrugged apologetically and looked back at Mr Shericka.

"Yes indeed." Mr. Malik nodded. Wendy's father didn't really looked like the kind of guy Mr. Malik looked like. He was one of those bosses that you'd wish they'd get food poisoning and take a month off work. "To begin, I would like to say a few words before the other parties can participate in the discussion."

"Yes, let's. I have an appointment at the beauty salon in thirty minutes." Wendy snapped at Zayn's father. Very disrespectful for someone who was going to marry his son.

"Well, Zayn and Wendy are going to get married so that Harold and I's shares that will be passed down will be combined. This would give control to the two of them to dominate the board. Since Harold has forty percent, and I have thirty-two percent, together we have almost two thirds of the business." He paused to look at Wendy who was constantly glancing at her manicured nails and looking bored. How could she be so relaxed about this? Because she will get Zayn at the end of the day. "With seventy-two percent, they can control the board, maybe even buy more shares until they can own the whole business."

This was all a business deal. A love-less marriage in the name of business and hereditary. I was glad my parents would never pressure me into such things. Although they pushed me to my limits, I knew thy had my best interests in mind. Why wasn't Zayn saying anything about this anyway?