FOREVER [Niall Horan] ✔

Chapter 34.

Someone you loved- Lewis Capaldi
A.M.- One Direction

“Of all the words of mice and men, the saddest are, “It might have been.” -Kurt Vonnegut

Niall's POV

I adjust the jacket on my shoulders and quiff my hair backwards. I pick up my phone, wallet and car keys before taking a quick look in the mirror and walking towards the foyer. I lock the door behind me and stroll towards my car. I connect my phone to the auxiliary cable and listen to Lewis Capaldi's 'Someone you loved' on repeat, just because that's how I feel right now.

I arrive at my restaurant in within fifteen minutes and park my car in the lot before exiting it. I usually go to inspect my restaurants every month, on the weekends, not that I don't trust the management but I just like to see it myself.

I walk towards the entrance but suddenly stop when I hear my name being called. I look around and my eyes widen in astonishment and my jaw drops. Ana and her family are exiting Ana's car and her brother is waving vigorously at me. I give him a tight lipped smile before walking towards them, still confused as to why are they here.

As I walk towards them, I can't help but notice what Ana is wearing. She is in a red, half-sleeved, skater dress which covers her entire torso closely. The dress reaches just below her mid-thigh and hugs her curves perfectly. I would kiss the shit out of her if I wasn't still vexed with her.

I couldn't quite get that thought off of my head since she said it. I really wonder if she'll ever love me or am I just her rebound. It scares me how fast and deep I've fallen for her, already, and that she doesn't think of me like that.

"We're glad that you could make it. Ana told us that you're busy," Her mom says and I stare at her in confusion. I look at Ana and she looks just as shocked as I am. She gives a nod, silently telling me to go along and I give her a nod back. "Oh! You wanted to surprise Ana, didn't you?" She gushes.

"Um-Yeah, something like that." I nod and forcefully smile. "Mr Kohl." I shake his hand and he gives me a curt nod. "Mrs Kohl." I outstretch my arms to shake hers but she pulls me in a hug. It takes me a couple of seconds to realise it but I quickly hug her back.

"Call me Kath, dear." She smiles at me and I offer her one back.

"Hi, Niall." Nathan, her brother, shyly says.

"Hey, Nathan. How are you?" I crouch down to his length as I ask him.

"I'm fine." He blushes and hides behind Ana and I lightly chuckle at his shyness. I get back on my legs and her mom announces that we should go. I tell them that we'd be two minutes and motion for Ana to follow me.

"I promised them a nice dinner. I didn't know you'd be here," She softly speaks. "They wanted you to join but.." She trails off and I realise at that moment why she came to my house earlier. "I lied that you couldn't." She bites her lower lip and I take a deep breath.

I feel embarrassed to have dinner with her folks after what she said. How would you feel after knowing that your girlfriend introduced you to her parents as her friend, in front of you, and then later told them that you're the boyfriend? But I guess that I don't have any other option since they already saw me here and that I know I'll have to meet them sometime.

"C'mon, let's go. Your parents are waiting." I take her hand and walk towards the glass door when I hear a small 'thanks' from her but I pretend as if I didn't hear, for I don't know what to say.

"Cara, they are my guests," I voice when I reach them and see Cara arguing about something with Mr Kohl.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, Niall, I didn't know." She fumbles with her words and offers me an embarrassing smile. I feel two pairs of eyes on me as she shows us our table and we take a seat. Ana's parents on the opposite side of the table while me, Ana and Nathan on one side, with Nathan between us.