brilliant discovery • zauren

27

When Lauren woke up the next morning, she was alone, yet the empty space beside her looked slept in. The covers were thrown aside and there was an imprint of a sleeping body. Not hers. It was masculine.

Didn't take her long to realize who it belonged to. Zayn wasn't presently there, but she knew it was him.

Last night's events were vague from sleep. Unwillingly, they were clearing up. From the painting she bought, to the run in with the reporters. And every little nasty but insightful things in the middle.

Kind of hard to forget that the guy she liked didn't want to be in a relationship with her. And Lauren learned the hard way, too. Eavesdropping.

Obviously, Zayn had no clue she knew of his true sentiments. The question remains to be seen. Will she tell him? She didn't know.

Lauren was battling herself with her limited options. Like Gigi said, she deserved answers; she deserved the truth. But could she handle the truth... The answer remains to be seen.

He walked in, a tray of Starbucks in his hand. Two venti cold brews and two paper bags. Probably with a breakfast sandwich. Zayn knew she enjoyed those. Got her a cookie, too.

"Morning," he greeted with a bright smile. He was enthused to see her up.

Her temperature returned back to normal while he cuddled her against his chest. He didn't sleep until he was positive she wasn't uncomfortable anymore.

Lauren couldn't betray her true feelings and return his smile. She just looked at him, expressionless.

"Morning."

Her lacklustre greeting upset him, but Zayn didn't let it cross his face. He just wanted her to be okay, again. No matter what it takes, he'd do whatever to make it happen.

Zayn lifted the food in his hands. "I brought you some food. You must be hungry. You didn't eat dinner last night, so-"

"I'm not hungry."

Rejection snatched the air from his lungs. His chest tightened.

"Well, you can eat them when you are." It takes a lot to brush off what she said so coldly.

Even though the colour was back in her cheeks, there was nothing warm about Lauren's demeanour. Her lips were straight, eyes dim and shoulders stiff.

She looked so unsettled.

Zayn just wanted to help.

And Lauren knew that, but she wouldn't allow it. She wouldn't let herself to get swayed by his sweetness. Was he even being sincere? She found herself judging his actions. Doubting his intentions. Just losing all her belief towards him.

Now that she knew, she couldn't pretend to be ignorant.

Yes, Lauren knew they agreed to take things slow. She was very well aware of his stigma towards relationships. That was a while ago. She thought he just wasn't ready then. That he didn't want to rush anything. Clearly, he never planned to take her seriously from the get go.

Not back then, not at the moment and not in the future.

And foolish her thought they could be something. Whether it be presently or down the road.

Dreamers never prosper.

"Are you feeling better?" Zayn questioned, voice soft as if any sounds could break her apart.

"What are we?" Lauren asked, ignoring whatever he had to say. She couldn't care less about her physical well-being when her heart was in turmoil.

Zayn's brows crossed, confusion written across his face. "What?"