Chains

Chapter 42

"I've got two words for you Lou, Sugar Daddy"

It had been three months since my break from all things love related and the pest that was Zayn had been trying to set me up with one of his friends. I was more than happy with my new self-care lifestyle but Zayn, as my unofficial and totally unnecessary wingman, made it his point of duty to set me up with his much older friend.

"Well I've got two words for you as well, fuck no,"

In the midst of his adamant disapproval, the smacking of his lips as he munched on his life span shortening potato chips flowed through the air. The blond Brit licked the cheesy dust from his fingers before continuing his attempt at persuasion.

"Louisa," he started, dragging out every vowel in my name, "he's a really nice guy! So what if he's 36. Maybe an older man is what you need"

I glanced at him for a split second before continuing to finalize the cake design for Shakira's wedding.I was about to reply when there was a knock on my door.

"Come in!" Zayn shouted so as to avoid getting up from his slouched position.

"The door's locked you idiot" I said as I placed my pencil down and headed towards the door. 

Zayn's bouts of laziness recently were understandable as he just finished a few projects for a very influential client who didn't give him enough time for him to make his creations.Nonetheless, he pushed through and completed the paintings just in time for the deadline.

What wasn't understandable, however, was why Maluma was currently at my door with a small smile etched on his face. My brain couldn't fathom the whole situation so I was left dumbstruck as he greeted me, but I couldn't bring forth a reply. 

I had stayed clear of my two headaches for a good three months and here I stood wonder what I did to deserve his presence here at such a good and happy moment in my life.

"Lou?" he questioned when I didn't reply to his fifth consecutive 'hey'. As if my hands had a mind of their own, I held on to the door knob and in one motion, slammed the door shut and turned to face Zayn who was indulging in another bag of 'cheese' flavoured, msg filled heart attacks. As if feeling my stare he looked up at me as I oozed a flood of panic throughout the room.

"Save me" I whispered loudly as knock rang through the room again. 

"Is it a killer?" he asked plainly, obviously unaffected my state of panic.

"Worse. Its Maluma" 

I watched as Zayn's eyes widened. He jumped up on his feet, his bag of chips falling to the ground. His expression mimicked mine for a split second.

"Bummer," he said, falling back down to the couch. I watched as he took up the chips and continued eating as if nothing happened.

"I really can't stand you" I said, the panic now replaced with a sense of disgust and anger for the blond asshole.

I opened the door to reveal Maluma who was in the midst of walking away. He stopped in his step and look around at me.

We stared at each other for a few moments before he decided to speak first.

"I miss you, Lou" he said plainly, wasting no time in beating around the bush. I was tempted to slam the door in his face again, but I opted against the idea.

"Ok," I finally said after trying to plan the best response to his declaration. It was safe to say that I failed because the look on his face spelled heartbreak.

"Lou, I know I screwed up, but please. Can we just talk?" he said, his frown deepening.

"About what exactly?" I questioned, feigning ignorance at the situation.

"Us, Lou" he said, reaching out to take hold of my hand.

It was that moment that I had come to realize that since I had declared Neymar and Maluma out of my life, Maluma has been the only one to reach out to me.Neymar hadn't even tried calling me since the whole Bruna incident.

"There is no us, Maluma" I said sighing.

"We can start as friends again," he said, realizing that I had had no intent to reconcile with him right now.

Before I could reply to his suggestion, the pest in my life decided to make his presence known as he flung an arm around my should.

"She already has enough friends," Zayn said looking directly at Maluma, "And Lou, you better start getting ready. Your date is in an hour" he said looking down at me, a small smirk etched on his lips.

"Date?" Maluma said, softly. You could almost hear the tearing of his heart as his eyes reflected pure pain.

"Date." Zayn said, unfazed. Within seconds, the door was slammed shut and I no longer saw a hurting Maluma.

I let out a sharp breath that I didn't know that I was keeping. I didn't know why I felt as sad as I was but I couldn't help but feel bad for what happened with Maluma. I cursed my self-less nature for feeling sad knowing that he was hurting. 

I cursed myself for oviously still having feelings for him.