Twice in a Lifetime (Zayn Malik)

Chapter 76. Biased.

Chapter 76

Mia's POV

After showering and eating the dinner I ordered from room service, I decided it was time to go to bed. Tomorrow was the big day where I would do nothing but 'have to sit there and look pretty.'

As I turned off the television, I headed towards the bedroom and my eyes glided over to the suitcase that stood out in the corner.

My things were still locked in there.

Zayn's stuff too.

Except the ring. Since I was afraid it would get lost again, I put it in the zipper compartment of my purse.

Would it be wrong of me to wear Zayn's shirt tonight? Would that be hypocritical of me?

Maybe.

I left the clothes that Winnie got me in their bags, not wanting to look through them yet. I was sure she bought me a nice, silk dress to wear to sleep but I wasn't the least tempted to wear it. Getting new clothes was exciting but for some reason, I wasn't that elated about it today.

Before I could open the suitcase, there was a knock from the direction of the living room.

I took that as a sign not to give in to my urge, lifting myself up from the ground and making my way over to the front door.

"I'm --"

"Hey!" The dark haired man excitedly interrupted me as I swung the door open.

"Hey, Joey. Umm. Did you need something?"

That creepy slash sweet smile of his still hasn't faltered.

"Yeah, on behalf of all of us here, we wanted to say that we're really glad you're taking the time getting to know us, the workers, before you take over. It means a lot to us."

"Of course, it was my pleasure," I told him before he handed me a small envelope.

"It's just a card..from all of us here," he shyly explained.

"Aww, you guys didn't have to," I observed the beige envelope curiously.

"Yeah, it's not much but we hope it makes you smile," he said before bowing down to me. "Please take good care of us."

"Thank you so much, Joey," I grabbed his shoulders, giving him a sign that bowing was not necessary. "This is really really sweet."

"Well, good luck tomorrow. We'll be cheering for you!" He pumped his fists mid air and I laughed. "Have a good night, Miss Mia."

"Good night."

As I watched him leave, something warm grew in my chest. Not just my chest - my face, my hands, my stomach, my entire body. The feeling one gets when one did a selfless good.

This wasn't punishment. My father had an agenda - a good one this time. It served a purpose - to build a relationship, a good reputation. To learn about the people who will soon work for me.

No. They didn't work for me.

I worked for them. I worked for Joey, for Grams. All the people here. And the many others who worked in our chain across the globe.

That was a lot of responsibility to take. To make sure their way of living remained stable - that was a lot of pressure to think about. But knowing that my work would give these people an income, a friendly and safe environment, it was worth the responsibility.

Something stopped me from the opposite side of the door while I was in the process of closing it. I reopened it to see what I hit -- or who I hit.

Someone's arm was up against it, his face glaring at me with those dark caramel eyes of his. The way he looked unsettled me - there were circles under his eyes, his hair was messily shagged, and he grew out a small beard that hugged his jawline.