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

Chapter 37.

[Gretchen's POV]

The mysterious man led me to the dance floor and rested his hands on my hips. I folded my hands behind his neck and made sure to keep a safe distance.

"What's your name?"

He chuckled, "Maybe I should have started with that", his face was very chiseled and stubble lined his jaw and part of his cheeks. "My name is Derek."

"Nice to meet you Derek." I gave him a warm smile before interrogating him. "How do you know Asher?"

"We've been buds since grade school. He's always been more successful than me, especially with the ladies." He winked at me, causing a blush to form in my cheeks.

"Then why are you acting in such a way?" I raised an eyebrow. "Why shouldn't I trust him."

"If there's one thing I know about Asher, it's that he's a womanizer. He'll get in your head, make you feel like a priority, only to tear you down after so long. He'll get bored of you, treat you terribly."

"Asher wouldn't dare!" I pulled away from him my entire mood changing in an instant.

"Oh but he would....stop making a scene, don't you want me to tell you the rest?" He grabbed my hips again and pulled me into him.

I had to admit his cologne smelled amazing. "What are you doing?" I tried to pull away but his grip was too strong.

"If he gets suspicious he will come over here, will you stop being so loud?" I nodded and he loosened his grip. "I have no doubt that Asher loves you judging by that rock on your finger. He's never gotten to this stage before with anyone."

"What is that supposed to mean?" He let go of me completely. "Derek what are you looking at?"

"Shhh woman," He chuckled half worriedly. "Here's my number if you can't find me again before the night ends." He slipped a small piece of paper into my hand. I crumpled it up quickly, just in time.

"Well hello, I see my lovely Gretchen has met my best friend." Asher's familiar arm wrapped itself around me from behind.

I turned around hesitantly but all that I had just been told vanished from my mind at the sight of his warm smile. Derek and Asher gave each other a brief greeting hug before Derek departed.

"You look stunning," lust consumed his pupils and made my inner thighs squeeze together. Asher's hand reached around me and squeezed my bottom, creating a small giggle from me. "I want you here, right now. You're so sexy." Asher growled in my ear and nibbled on if slightly.

"What's gotten into you?" I giggled and melted into his arms.

"Seeing you, in this dress, all mine." The way his tongue formed the words had me weak at the knees. "I can't control this feeling you give me. It's like-it's like," Asher stopped. He looked at me and within seconds he pressed his lips against mine.

I pushed away after a few moments, "Asher," I blushed. "We are in the middle of a crowd."

"Oh," he adorably scratched the back of his neck. "I forgot."

I giggled and made small talk with him for a while until I saw someone extremely familiar from the corner of my eye. My head snapped in that direction only to find nobody. For a moment I caught a glimpse of the back of someone's head. It appeared so familiar to me.

"Excuse me," I kissed Asher's cheek and rushed into the crowd before he could ask any questions. I looked behind me after a few seconds only to find that he was engaged in a different conversation already.

I looked straight ahead, but not soon enough because I ran into another familiar person, Kaden. "Hey," he smiled at me and gave me a slight bow.

"Kaden! It's been so long since i've seen you last. What have you been up to?"

"Not much, just working part time for a beauty salon down the street." He noticed my confused expression, "I'm not gay in case you were wondering." He winked at me jokingly and I lightly grabbed his forearm to keep myself from falling over.

After my breathing returned to normal I gave him a small hug and bid him goodbye. I was in pursuit of this person I saw. I needed to know who it was.

Once reaching the other side of the crowd I took a seat on a small sofa, cautiously looking around for the mysterious person. I noticed Asher, Derek, Kaden, Ana, and a bunch of other people that I had introduced myself to.

Unsuccessful, I stood up and walked over to an empty hallway that contained many spare rooms. I walked down slowly, jiggling every door handle out of sheer curiosity until one clicked. "Ah Ha!" I devilishly rubbed my hands together. I noticed the flooring inside was just cement, so I slipped my heels off in order to avoid making a lot of unnecessary noise.

I opened the door wider but stopped abruptly when I heard two or three men arguing with each other. I couldn't quite make out what they were saying so intrigued, I continued to walk into the room inch by inch.

I followed the voices in the dimly lit room and ended up tripping on something. The resulting noise was heard by the men so their yells ceased. I took my time getting up because I wasn't afraid. The owner of this house loves me, nobody would dare lay a hand on me without my permission.

"Is someone there?" One of the booming voices called out.

"Obviously?" I said a lot less confidently than I intended.

The man who had called out saw me and let his shoulders slump. "It's just the girl."

I walked closer to the room he was in until I was standing in the doorway, "Shit man! She's not allowed back here." Another man exclaimed before making eye contact with me.

"Why am I not allowed to be back here? I technically live here now." I crossed my arms over my chest, a sudden confidence surging through my veins.

"Uh," the second man groaned.

"I asked you a question," I paused, "I'm sorry i don't know your name."

"Richard." He responded.

"i'm Carlos," the first man who I met said.

"Alright Richard and Carlos," I walked a few steps closer, "If you don't-" I pointed my finger at them but out of the corner of my eye I saw the familiar face.

"Ma'am please return to the party." Carlos tried to keep me out of sight with the man.

"Zayn!?"

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(A/N) Lo siento about the cliffhanger! I couldn't resist.

I'll update as soon as I can, i promise y'all!

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Until the next update xoxo