Love Me Like You Do - A Zayn Malik AU

Chapter Thirty-seven

I wake up with a very weird feeling. I am looking in my closet. Then take out a black dress that comes above the knees, my necklace with the small cross, my small silver bracelet from Tiffany & Co. My hair is curled and pinned back. I have on no makeup at all. I put on some tights and then put on my black ballet flats.

The bouquet of flowers, I grab on my way out of the bedroom.

***

The funeral was long, crowded, many speeches that were emotional and a lot of crying.

We are in the palace. Everybody is lighting a candle in memory of the couple.

Rose and Lance have came home this morning and are very happy to be back.

I see Niall in the kitchen. "Hey." He says. Emma and Niall have some stress again so it is better if they have a little break from each other.
He is holding a pair of plates to serve in a few minutes. "You okay?" I ask him curiously. "It could be better." He says. He looks tired and so not in the mood to work the whole day. "If you need anything." I say offering my help. "I will be fine, Nina." He says with a smile on his face as I decide to leave. "Thank you." Niall says. "For?" I ask him, turning to face him again. "Your help." I smile. "It is okay." I say and leave the kitchen before the king and queen walk in.

"Where were you?" Zayn asks me as he blows out the match that he has used to lit the candle. "The toilet." He looks at me suspiciously and then nods. He smiles and then walks over to the big crowd of people.

Fenna, Anna and Philippa walk into the room. They are Deliah her ladies now. Christian Vance walks over to me and smiles. "Are you okay?" He asks me with a soft and concerned voice. "I don't know. I guess I am." I say smiling at him. "Are you?" I ask him. He nods. "When you are off to uni, I will miss you." He says. "I will be coming home." I say and smile. "But you can always come and visit me there?" I say. "Yeah, I can." Zayn joins us with Deliah on his side. I smile at her only to get a glare back. I roll my eyes and walk away from her to join another group. Wine gets served to me but I decline it. I am not in the mood for that now. I need some air.

Walking on my own in the gardens of the palace. From here I see the 'Ceremony Balcony' and the golf yard. This place is massive. Duh. It is freezing but I walk on. There is a tower which gets my attention. It looks old and the bricks are a very dark brown color which is not the color of the rest of the palace. My body walks towards the tower as my mind says: walk back to the palace.

When I have walked up the steps and reach out for the handle, I hear my name. "Nina." Zayn is behind me. I feel my face turn red into a cherry tomato. "I j-just." I stumble on my words trying to come up with the best excuse I can think of but then see that Zayn won't buy it. "It is fine but please don't lie to me." He says and walks up the steps towards me. "And I would like you not to open the tower." He says. "What is in it?" I ask curiously.

"A very personal thing." He says. I nod and he then hugs me. "Come, the memorial is over." He says.

***

I have arrived home. What could that 'very personal thing' be. I fill out my agenda on my phone and then open the door when it rings. I have an interview this evening with a lady of the tv and Devon would bring me towards the studio. I really couldn't say it off anymore. I am not really feeling like myself since I have to go from funeral to happy but it is my life and can't let them down.

***