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

Chapter 35.

[Gretchen's POV]

I turned the door handle and slowly drug my body into the room. The air was cool and musty. I looked around, everything was in the same place: the dresser, the mirror, the bed.

I walked over to the mirror and looked at my reflection. I looked tired, sullen, and dirty. My brown hair was in a tangled bun on top of my head. I made a mental check to get a shower later. My hands reenacted the movements I had made the night I arrived. I smoothed down the purple dress that previously hugged my body. I blinked and realized that I was in sweats and a white t-shirt.

I sat down on the bed and a flashback played in my mind.

I rushed over to the mirror and grabbed it on either side to steady myself. "You will be strong, you will survive, you will be okay. He doesn't seem to want to hurt you as long as you obey him. Do what he says. Zayn will find you. He will." I told this to my reflection and heard the lock shimmy.

A voice interrupted my thoughts and I jumped. "Gretchen?" I looked away from the mirror and saw Asher standing in the doorway. "I've been looking all over for you." He sighed.

"S-sorry I don't know why I came here." I pushed a strand of hair behind my ear and swallowed the phlegm that gathered in my throat. This phenomenon isn't uncommon, whenever I am startled or nervous phlegm gathers in my throat and it's so annoying.

"Oh no, I'm not mad, I was just scared you left." He sighed and walked over to me. Once he reached me he wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace.

"Oh," I whispered and hugged him back.

He pulled our bodies apart but his hands slightly gripped my shoulders, restricting me from walking away. "I have something for you."

Asher walked away and paused in the doorway, "Don't move I'll be right back."

Asher put down the phone and turned to me. "Don't move. I don't want to hurt you. But I will. I can't risk anyone else laying their eyes on you just yet."

Once again my thoughts were interrupted by his return. Another black bag was laying across his palms.

My eyes widened in surprised and I walked over to him. He smiled at my reaction and unzipped the bag. Another dress was inside and it was even more gorgeous than the last.

"I know that the last dress I gave you was in a stressful, confusing time. So, I topped the last one and went out and bought this for you this morning." He motioned for me to take the dress and the soft, silk material conformed around my hands. It was a deep red color with the slightest shimmer. The neckline was plunging and the sleeves appeared as if they would rest below my shoulders, in a relaxed fashion.

"Asher, I-," he cut me off.

"There's no need for you to thank me. This is my attempt at an apology." My face was puzzled so he continued. "You know, for lying to you in order for you to come here."

"Oh, yeah, why did you lie? Did you not think that I would come regardless? And why so early in the morning?"

"I lied because I was afraid that you wouldn't come otherwise. Zayn might have accompanied you and that would have interfered with my-," He stopped. "But the timing was random, I honestly didn't think much when I dialed your number."

"Interfered with your what?" I was curious as to why he changed the subject.

"Never mind, that was a wrong choice of words on my part." He rushed the words out of his mouth without hesitation. I didn't know what to believe so I let it slide.

My thoughts rewinded to when I overheard Ana and Asher speaking on the phone. I didn't want to bring it up just yet, we were sharing a nice moment and I didn't want to bombard him with questions.

"Alright," I smiled. I shifted my attention back to the material in my hand. "When do I wear this anyway?"

"Tonight, so if you don't see me for the remainder of the day, don't fret. I'll be making preparations." He kissed my forehead slowly and our eyes locked together. I felt like he wanted to tell me something but his lips didn't act on my intuition. "I'll tell Ana to help you navigate your way to a closet I've been keeping up with, for you."

"Oh," I raised an eyebrow, curious.

"I knew there was something about you from the start. I knew we would be together." I let my face relax but deep down I was still slightly creeped out. "You'll find shoes and accessories inside to pair with your dress. I know you'll look stunning. Until tonight." He nodded his head and walked away swiftly.

I stood there with the dress in my hands for a few moments before finding my way back to my room. I laid the dress down on the bed and flattened it out. For a few moments I stood there just taking in the beauty of the dress. I couldn't imagine the price tag.

Remembering what Asher said, I found Ana and asked her to show me the way to this secret closet Asher has for me.

Ana chuckled, "I know it sounds weird that he has been collecting clothes for you, but he just loves you a lot."

"He loves me?" I gasped and Ana's flesh turned pale.

"Oh-uhm." Ana cleared her throat, "You know what I meant, it was a harmless reference. I didn't mean anything by it."

"So he's never said it?" I prodded.

"No-no, he's never mentioned it to me." Ana smoothed her skirt and motioned for me to follow her.

She led me to a room across the hall from the room I was staying in. My jaw dropped when Ana opened the door. A bright, white light flooded the room. It was being cast by a giant, crystal chandelier in the center of the large room. The walls were a light shade of lavender and white, fluffy furniture and rugs were scattered throughout the large room.

Ana giggled at my reaction and bid her goodbyes so that I could explore all that the room had to offer.

I grazed my hands over hundreds of different materials. A smile plastered itself on my cheeks and it remained there for the remainder of the walk through.

My eyes landed upon two totally different pairs of black heels and I snatched up both to decipher between one or the other later.

I found multiple accessories and grabbed those as well, making my way back to the bedroom. I placed the ensemble on the bed and spent what felt like hours posing in the mirror with the different pieces paired together, until I found the perfect outfit. I wondered when I needed to actually get ready for the party so I quickly put on my regular clothes.

"Ana?" I called out of the bedroom door. No response, "Ana?" I called out again while walking down the hallway. She wasn't upstairs. I quickly walked down the steps, clicking my tongue against the roof of my mouth to fill the silence.

I heard Ana's voice so I followed it.

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