Forever Intertwined (A Zayn Malik Fan Fiction)

Prologue

Have you ever tried to come up with design concepts for a fashion magazine photo shoot? If the answer is no, let me tell you this: it is incredibly hard. Don’t get me wrong, I love a challenge, and most of the time the ideas flow to me, but today is not one of those days. I am completely at a loss for inspiration. So many prints, fabrics, styles, and clothing pieces lay in front of me, but trying to figure out a new concept is driving me crazy. The shoot is tomorrow and I still have no clue as to what to do, and I'm the stylist. Liz Vergara, my best friend, can't figure out a concept either. 

Liz and I have been friends since the age of four, back in preschool. We lived across the street from each other, back when we lived in L.A. At age fifteen we graduated from high school and started taking college classes; then got internships here in New York. Liz was actually the one who convinced me to move across the country; me to be a fashion stylist and her to be a fashion photographer. Only eighteen years old and already living out our dreams.

Today however, I was having a hard time figuring out how to style this shoot for tomorrow. I decide to go grab us a couple coffees from the break room. On my way back, a concept hits me: dramatic red curtains.

Sounds weird, right? Let me help you imagine it: models wearing long, flowing pink and cream colored outfits, all with draping effects, creating a contrasting subtleness to the bright, draping red curtains in the background. All the models on stage in various dramatic poses, dim lights on the curtains, bright lights on the models, emphasizing the brilliance of the design along with the beautiful details involved in the outfits. Lovely picture in your head, isn’t it? I rush back into the office and am right about to tell Liz my concept when Laila, our fashion coordinator (and boss) walks in.

“Liz, Jayd, I need you both to come to my office this afternoon, at one o’clock sharp. No excuses and no exceptions for you two. Don’t be late.” Laila says.

“Ok.” Liz and I both reply looking at each other nervously.

As Laila walks away, Liz and I start predicting what could possibly be going on. Laila was ambitious, but was also a very cool boss. We had been working for her for a little over two years. She was extremely pretty, a teenage model at one point. Of Cuban, Irish, African American, and Italian descent, she stood at 6’2”, had long, glossy black hair that went down to the middle of her back, beautiful olive skin with these amazing blue eyes. In some ways, she kind of looks like me, possibly because we’re mixed with a lot of the same things. Somehow, Laila is single, though goes on dates every once in a while.

“She’s pregnant and wants us to know we’ll have a temporary new boss.” Liz says.

“No way!” I laugh. “There is no way Laila would sleep with anyone after only one date.”

“Well maybe she did that artificial insemination thing.” Liz counters, causing me to stop laughing.

“Oh crap, do you really think she would do that?” I ask.

“Only one way to find out.” Liz says, before we both stop talking and start working on the design concept I came up with. After a little while, Liz looks up at the clock and says “Shit, we gotta meet Laila in 2 minutes!”So we run down the hall to Laila’s private office and barely make it by the time the clock strikes 1. Yeesh, I really ought to consider wearing flats to work, as opposed to these 5- inch stilettos.

“Good, you are right on time, girls. Take a seat.” Laila addresses us. We sit down and Laila stares at us for a moment, and just as I’m getting uncomfortable, she begins to speak.

“Well as you know, Fashion Authority has expanded to 16 different countries, including Italy, Great Britain, Australia, and Japan.” She pauses, and Liz and I nod. “Well I have been asked to work as lead fashion coordinator at the London branch.”She finishes, smiling.

“OMG Congratulations!!!!” Liz and I exclaim simultaneously. But before we can continue with our praise, Laila holds up her index finger to silence us.

“Wait ladies, there is more. The two of you work harder than many of the people I know in this industry. You finish before deadlines, show up early, work late, and you put 110% in everything you do. You stay positive and are always willing to help others. I got incredibly lucky to have received the two of you as my team. I honestly don’t know what work would be like without you two.” She pauses, and for some reason my heart starts beating faster. Maybe Liz was right, and we are getting a new boss. But before I can dwell on this for too long, Laila starts again.

“Liz, Jayd, I want you two to consider moving with me to London. You would be doing the same jobs you do at this location, and would receive a higher pay. I’d give you a few more responsibilities, but none that the two of you aren’t capable of. I need to know immediately though, so you have to give me an answer by the time you go home tonight.”

Well. That definitely threw me through a loop. Liz and I stand up and tell Laila that we will let her know as soon as we come to a decision. We head back to the workroom and sit down, completely dumbfounded. I’m not sure how long we sat there doing nothing, but suddenly, Liz jumps up.

“How many times have we said that it would be a dream come true to live in Europe? How often have we said we love British accents, British fashion, and sat around watching British TV? Jayd, we have a huge opportunity here. I think we should take it.”

“Believe it or not I’m on the exact same page. I was just worried you wouldn’t want to go.” I say.

“Well then, I guess we’ve made our decision.” Liz says, smiling.