Black Mail

One Against Three

"Niall, I'm sorry about what happened earlier."

The working day was over. I was sitting on our patio bench sketching, concentrating. Harry was at the grill, while Louis and Liam watched parts of the game off someone's phone.

"It's fine. Forget about it Harry." I chanced a glance at my watch, Zayn would be coming soon.

"What happened earlier?" Louis looked up from the iPhone in his hand.

"Nothing."

"Niall has a new intern at work."

"Harry," I warned.

"Who is gay."

"Harry!" I barked. Liam looked up at this point.

"And who is really good looking. He has tattoos."

"G-d dammit Harry!" I pounded my fist on the table. "I already told you no. He is going to be here any minute, and if you say one more word, or so help me G-d."

"Oh I see. You want him to join, and you're freaking out because if he's an intern he's probably young, and you work with him." Louis nodded, understanding dawning his face.

"I said no." I repeated.

Just then the doorbell rung.

I stood up, glaring at Harry darkly. "He's here for work, and we're coming back out here so please. If you insist on talking about it, do it once he's gone."

Then I turned to walk back into the house.

"Wait until you see this kid." I heard Harry say behind me. I was going to beat him to a bloody pulp later. Now he had Louis interested. This kid was never going to get away.

In the front hall, before I pulled open the door I had to compose myself. Putting a fake smile on my face, I swung open the door.

"Zayn, come in!" He looked thunderstruck. His mouth was a little open as he stepped in.

"You have a beautiful home." Zayn waited patiently while I locked the door behind him.

"I share it with my three mates. I can't take all the credit." I genuinely smiled. The little debacle forgotten for the moment.

"Are they all here?" Zayn asked nervously.

"Out back. Come on, Harry's cooking. We can work a little before we eat." I walked him through the house, and out to the balcony.

"I brought my sketches." Zayn spoke up behind me.

"Perfect." I opened the glass door for him and we moved onto the large private patio. Louis and Liam were still sitting on the ledge of the roof, watching the game. Harry was still at the grill.

"Zayn, this is Louis, that's Liam, and you already met Harry." I pointed at each one in turn. I gave Harry a dirty look. He only smirked at Louis mischievously. "Boys, this is Zayn." 

I waved Zayn over to the table, and like the good kid he was, he complied. We sat down and got right to work.

"Zayn, these look great." I nodded approvingly.

"This part? I've done it 100 times; I can't seem to get it." He mumbled.

"Yes you can. Don't say that. Confidence is everything in drawing. Your feelings live in the lines you draw."

He seemed stunned by that, so I took his sketch, looked at it more closely. I was about to open my mouth and speak when Louis and Liam erupted in a cheer, startling us all.