Long Lost and Refound - A Zayn Malik Story

Chapter 22

Long Lost and Refound — Chapter 22

November 2013

Avery.

Rain pattered against the window, the slight chill of the weather emanating from the glass. The apartment was quiet. I ran my fingers through my hair again, shaking off the stray strands that came off on my fingers.

“Books don’t just appear out of thin air, Ben—”

“Avery, love, this is your job and you have to meet deadlines. They want it on the press in five months.”

“Benjamin, I’m trying, I just need some time.” I kept my voice low, smoothing my forehead with my fingers.

“Avery, they’re giving you three months to make a first draft and get it to the editor. That’s the time you’ll get or your contract will be in breach.”

I shook my head and sank into my couch, my eyes wandering to the blank page on my laptop. “I’ve got nothing, Benjamin,” I whispered, sighing deeply.

There was a pause. “I wish I could do something, darling, but this is out of my hands. Just get that book written, hmm?”

My hand covered my eyes and I nodded. “I’ll figure something out. Thanks, Ben.”

I put the phone down and pulled my legs up to my chest, running my fingers through my hair again. My hands reached for my mug of tea, no longer radiating warmth but cold as water. I stood and took it to my small kitchen, dumping the liquid into the sink. My eyes flicked to the clock.

“Shit,” I muttered, realizing it was almost five o’clock. Pulling a packet of frozen vegetables from the freezer, I put them on the stove to steam. I put on a pot of eggs to boil and put two pieces of chicken in the oven to bake. I padded out of the kitchen and down the hall, tiptoeing into the smaller of the two rooms.

“Cara,” I called softly, smiling slightly. The lump in the blanket shifted slightly and I sat down beside it, pulling the blanket away slightly. I rubbed my hand up and down the tanned skin on her small arm. “It’s time to wake up.”

She stirred and her tiny body shifted and turned wrapping herself around my leg. Her breathing slowly evened and I chuckled quietly, rousing her again.

“Darling, it’s time to wake up. Nap time is over.”

“Mum, noo…” she mumbled, burying her face into my leg. I sighed and wedged my hands under her arms, prying her off my leg and managing to lift her from the bed. “No…” Cara mumbled, her tiny arms wrapping around my neck and her face burying into my shoulder. “Sleepy, Mum.”

I carried her out of the room and to the bathroom, setting her on the sink. “Let go of my neck, Cara,” I persuaded, trying to pull her away. She protested and tightened her grip. “I said let go,” I said through gritted teeth, clasping her arms tightly and pushing them away from me.

“Ow! That hurted,” Cara said, rubbing her arms. My eyes widened and I backed up, withdrawing.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it,” I apologized, more to myself than to her. I rubbed her arms to get the blood flowing and kissed her hair.

“Is okay, Mum.” She put her arms up so I could lift her onto the stool and help her wash her hands. She blew bubbles into my hand when I tried to wash her face and laughed, throwing her head back and grinning at me.

“Naughty, naughty,” I laughed, putting some toothpaste on her toothbrush. At that moment, the doorbell rang. “Could you brush your own teeth, love?” I asked, kneeling and handing her toothbrush to her.