I pulled up to the apartments and parked the car. I sighed and glanced at the apartments, thinking about my decision.

All I've wanted since I moved here was happiness. I don't want to be miserable anymore, and I got a taste of happiness when I met Zayn. Somehow he made me feel better. Loved. And I want that back.

I got out of the car and walked into the lobby and to the elevator, taking the slow ride up. When the doors opened, I walked out and stood in front of Zayn's door. I took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

My heart raced a little faster as I heard footsteps nearing the door. The door opened and I looked up to see-

"Harry?"

"Hi, Emily."

"Hi. What are you doing here?"

"I came to talk to Zayn but that didn't really work out," he said and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Where is he? Is he here? I need to talk to him."

"No, he left. He said he needed to think."

"Oh. Thanks, Harry," I turned around and started walking back to the elevator when Harry called out to me.

"He needs you, Emily."

I only nodded and gave him a weak smile before turning back to the elevator. I rode the elevator back down and climbed back in the car when I got outside.

Where would Zayn go to think?

I sat in the car and thought about it for a moment. After a minute, I realized where he is. I smiled and started the car then drove down the street.

I only had to drive for ten minutes before I parked the car near the woods. I stepped out and walked towards it, going deeper into it. The leaves crunched and the twigs snapped beneath my feet. I kept walking until I saw the lake. And sitting on a boulder next to it was Zayn.

I stood quiet and stared at his back.

What if he gave up trying? What if he gave up on me?

I took a small step back but unfortunately stepped on a twig, making it snap. Zayn whipped around and widened his eyes when he saw me standing behind him.

He didn't say anything and neither did I. I could only muster a small smile as I walked over to him and sat beside him on the boulder.

He looked me up and down and then turned his attention back to the water. I looked at the water also and took a shaky breath.

The silence is putting me on edge. I expected him to say something, anything. But instead he's quiet.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask hesitantly. I needed him to say something.

He took a deep breath before answering me. "You," he said and looked at me.

"Oh."

"What are you doing here?"

"To speak to you."

"All of a sudden?"

"I-I realized something the other day," I said slowly and looked down, playing with my fingers.

"What?"

I opened my mouth to tell him but the words wouldn't come out.

"Why are you nervous?" He asked.

"What do you mean?" I looked at him, confused.

"You're playing with your fingers. You only do that when you're nervous."

I stopped playing with them then.

We sat in more silence, nothing that I wanted to say actually coming out of my mouth.

"Go on. Say what's on your mind," Zayn spoke. How does he do that?

There was so much I wanted to say and ask but I didn't know where to start, so I asked the first thing that came to mind.

"Why'd you lie to me?"

Zayn sighed. "I've told you why. I was only trying to protect you."

"Protect me from what? Why does you fighting put me in danger?"

"Because..." He couldn't finish his sentence.

"That's why I left. Because I couldn't trust you. Because you wouldn't tell me the truth. I just wanted to know what was going on with you, Zayn. That's all."

"I didn't tell you so you wouldn't get hurt. I never want to see you hurt, Emily."

"I don't want to see you hurt either! Did you ever think about how I felt? I told you everything but you couldn't just tell me this."

"You don't understand. There's more to it."

"Then explain it to me."

"Not if it'll put you in danger."

"I'm already in danger, Zayn. Just knowing you probably puts me in danger."

He frowned and glanced down.

"That's what I've been thinking about. I love you and I don't want to put you at risk anymore."

"What are you saying?"

"You'll be safer if you stay away from me."

"Sorry, I've tried that and it obviously doesn't work since I'm here right now."

"It'll keep you from harm."

"But I won't be with you. I've experienced that and I don't like it too much. It's horrible and depressing."

"I thought you moved on. What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry for leaving and pushing you away. And for running away without giving you an answer. These three weeks have been horrible without you, Zayn, and I realized what the strange feeling is." I looked up at him.

"I love you, Zayn. And I'm sorry for not saying it sooner."

He looked at me, shocked and then the biggest grin spread on his face. He held my face and quickly covered my lips with his.

I didn't realized how much I missed him until this moment. His warm lips and loving touch made the butterflies in my stomach go mad.

"I love you," he said between kisses.

I ran my fingers through his hair and pulled away when I needed air. I kept our foreheads together as we both tried to stabilize our breathing.

"Don't ask me to leave you again," I said and leaned in for another peck.

He held me close and I was happy. Just to be here in his arms made me happy.

He kissed me one more time before letting go.

"Zayn, I want to trust you. Can you please tell me what's going on?"

He looked down at his lap and sighed then looked at our surroundings.

"Not here."

I nodded and jumped down from the boulder. Zayn held my hand as we walked out of the woods together.

We both climbed in my car and I drove back to Zayn's apartment.

***

Zayn and I both sat on the couch when we got to his apartment. Harry was gone, only leaving us two.

We sat in silence for a little while before Zayn spoke.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything."

He sighed and nodded.

"I work for a man named Chris. He owns different businesses and is in charge of many illegal activities. There's drugs, stealing, killers, fighting, and other stuff. I chose fighting. He pays us a very big amount for our work."

"And Harry is involved in this too?"

"Yeah."

"And why is it dangerous if I know?"

"You aren't involved in any of his businesses and you know what he does so you're a threat."

"What could happen to me?"

"He'll either try to get you to work for him or he'll-" he didn't finish. He tightened his fist and looked down at his lap.

"Or what?"

"Or he'll kill you."

I gasp. "K-Kill me?"

"He'll do anything to protect himself."

"And you work for this man?! Why?"

"I had no choice. I need the money. He's very good at getting people to work for him. He'll threaten you or someone you care about."

"So is he going to try to get me?"

"He knows about you but he doesn't know you know about him. He suspects you do which means you're not safe."

"Why don't you just go to the police?"

"I can't. People have tried and Chris kills them."

I took a deep breath and looked down at my hands as I played with them.

Zayn can't get out of this. He's trapped with working for this man. And he'll be killed if he tells anyone.

"Are you scared?" He asked.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a little scared."

He moved closer and wrapped his arms around me, kissing the top of my head.

"I won't let him hurt you, okay? I promise I'll protect you."

"But what about you? You're not safe either," I said and looked up at him.

"Don't worry about me."

"I can't help it, Zayn. You're working for a killer who has you doing illegal things."

"I have to."

"Why?"

He had a blank look on his face, his eyes holding the saddest look. He didn't answer me though.

"Can't you quit?"

"No. I'd be a threat if I knew about him and didn't work for him. He'd kill me."

I couldn't hold it anymore and broke down in tears. Zayn held me tighter and rubbed my back.

"It'll be okay love."

"No it won't. You can't get out of this," I cried.

"As long as you aren't hurt I'm fine."

"But I'm not safe either."

"I won't let him hurt you."

"He sounds unstoppable."

"Not when you're involved. I love you and I'll make sure nothing happens to you."

"I love you too."

___________________

A/N: about time jeez

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