Flawless // z.m

Eight.

Mr. Malik's vice like grip tightened with every step he took. He dragged me across the front lawn and only stopped when we reached his mother. Patricia looked slightly taken back when she saw the angry expression on her sons face. She quickly dismissed the old couple she was talking to and set her drink down before turning to face her son.

"Zayn dear, what's going on?" Her maternal instincts kicked in and a look of worry crossed her face as she rested her hand gently on Mr. Malik's shoulder. He shrugged it off.

"What the fuck is Mary doing here?" He hissed. Patricia pursed her lips as Mr. Malik waited, rather impatiently, for an answer.

"Zayn, she's your fami—"

"Don't!" He snapped, cutting her off almost immediately. I squirmed at Mr. Malik's side, feeling uncomfortable. It was obvious this conversation was not meant for my ears and it was strictly Malik business only. I tried to shy away but Yaser stepped next to me and placed his hand on the small of my back.

"Everything alright?" He disregarded the perplexed expression on Patricia's and spoke directly to Mr. Malik.

"Mary and Aura are here," he almost mumbled. From the few interactions I'd seen between Mr. Malik and Yaser, I could tell Yaser held high importance to Mr. Malik. Mr. Malik never rose his voice at him or spoke back to him, like I had expected him to do. Yaser gave him a curt nod.

"I'm aware. I'll take care of it, just enjoy the party, son."  Mr. Malik ran his fingers through his slicked back hair and shook his head, his fingers tugging at the raven roots.

"We're going to head out," Mr. Malik's fingers wrapped around my wrist again, gently this time, and he tugged me in the direction of the large gate.

"Nonsense, Zayn. I'm sure Arabelle wants to stay; she hasn't seen her family in ages. I'll make sure she gets to the hotel safely. You can go on," Yaser dismissed Mr. Malik and pulled me out of his grip. His eyes flickered between me and his father, like he was waiting for me to speak up, but I didn't. I knew it was ultimately my choice whether I decided to stay or not, but for some reason I let the two men speak for me.

"Fine." Mr. Malik spat and headed off towards the exit. I watched as he angrily pushed past the groups of people, his shoulders square and his back tense. Waliyha called after him and tried to keep up with his pace but his long legs took him out the gate before she could reach him. My heart nearly sank when Waliyha's shoulders slumped and she watched the gate, hoping Mr. Malik would miraculously turn back.

I spent the rest of the night basically attached to my mother's hip. I didn't know anybody at the party and I sure as hell wasn't going to try and make an effort to. Harry tried to whisk me anyway and coax me into a few more drinks, but I had to firmly decline as Mr. Malik wouldn't not approve. Harry whined and pouted like a child, but eventually let me be.

I dragged my feet as I followed my mother and Patricia around and tuned out their boring conversations. I started to regret declining drinks from Harry.

"Honey, you seem tired." My mother soothed my hair down before cupping my chin, "why don't you head back to your hotel? We'll catch up tomorrow." She smiled and planted a small kiss to my nose. I nodded and sighed, pulling her into a hug before I went to find Yaser.

Yaser had a car waiting for me at the gate in no time. I quickly said my goodbyes to my parents, Harry and Waliyha before I climbed into the sleek, black limo. The drive to the hotel went by fast and most of it was spent with me curled into a ball in the back seat, fighting off sleep.

I sleepily pulled the room key from my bag and fumbled as I tried to get it into the slot. Sleep pulled at my eyelids and I wanted nothing more than to slump against the wall and fall into a deep, blissful sleep. The keypad dinged and I pulled the key out and shoved it back into my bag.