A/N: alright here's chapter eight, I hope you enjoy this one! Don't forget to inline comment and vote! Thank you :)

THIRD PERSON'S POV:

Zayn walked into the house, feeling confident. It's time for him to take out 'Risa' for dinner. Zayn has been feeling rather guilty about the way he treated her. Yeah, since he's a Malik, he's been with other girls and gotten away with it. But in this case, it's more of a long-term thing. He doesn't want to mess this up. And he also knows that she's going to fall for him eventually.

On the other hand, Rissa is nervous. Number one, she's never done this before. She's seen movies where couples go on dates but that's about it. Plus, she can't even pinpoint if Zayn and her are even a couple. Number two, the dress is making her feel strange and exposed. Although she understands that in this situation, it's a 'give and take'.

Zayn walked into the bedroom, after knocking. "Hey Rissa," he spoke, eyes on his phone's screen.

"Hi Zayn," she replied, shyly.

His eyes flashed up from his phone. His eyebrows rose in surprise and his eyes widened. Zayn's eyes racked Rissa's curvy body, taking in her features. He smirked at the choice of the dress. She looks sexy; the dress compliments her and her features nicely.

Rissa blushed under Zayn's gaze. She noticed how Zayn's attire was different now. He probably had changed before coming home.

"Whoa," Zayn breathed out, still checking her out. "You look amazing."

"Thanks. You too." She smiled at him and walked towards Zayn, as he tucked his phone into his pocket.

"Let's go." He stated.

Iris nodded and started walking beside Zayn. They were awkwardly quiet once again. Rissa felt Zayn wrap his arm around her waist. He pulled Rissa towards himself, making her blush at the gesture.

"Where are we going?" She questioned, as they walked towards the front door.

"A restaurant. It's very classy and the food is good too." Zayn informed her.

She nodded and slipped on her coat, Zayn putting his arm back around her waist. "Sounds good." She replied, smiling.

They walked outside, only to be greeted by the biting coldness of fall. The beautiful earthy colours surrounded the well-kept gardens. Rissa smiled even more, just being in nature. It makes her happy and she appreciates life on Earth.

Zayn opened the passenger door for Rissa. Iris thanked him. She sat down in the black Porsche, shuddering slightly because of the cold leather seat under her thighs.

Zayn came around the car and sat down in the drivers seat. He smoothly turned on the ignition and turned his head over to Rissa.

"You cold?" He questioned, as he started backing out of the driveway.

"Just a bit," she replied timidly.

He nodded and turned on the heat. The car ride was calm and silent. It was accustomed by the smooth buzz of some unknown music.

Rissa was buried in her thoughts until a vibration in her purse awoke her. She pulled out her phone and was well aware of Zayn's eyes on her.

"That's your phone?" He scoffed, immediately shutting up after that. "I mean, like-"

"No, it's okay." Rissa cut him off. "And yeah, this my phone. I know, it's shitty." Her cheeks burned in a strong crimson colour.

"I'll get you one, don't worry." He replied.

She was annoyed, yet said nothing to ruin the mood. "It's okay. Thanks though."

Her eyes scanned over the text. It was 'Darcy'. She felt herself smile just at the text.

Darcy: guess who's back, back again? Darcy is back, tell a friend!

Rissa bit her lip to stop a giggle that was threatening to escape. Whenever Harry texts her, she forgets everything and becomes happy.

Rissa: well, aren't you loving that name :D

Darcy: yes I am :D if I was a girl, I would want my name to be Darcy. Darcy is a nice name.

Rissa: what about Rissa? Is Rissa a nice name?

Darcy: I love the name Rissa too. It's unique.

Rissa: well thank you Darcy.

Darcy: you're most welcome, Bob.

Rissa remained attached to her shitty cellphone for the rest of the car ride. Eventually, she had to say goodbye, as Zayn and Rissa had reached their destination.

Just as Zayn parked the car, he looked over at her and smiled. There were continuous flashes and there was a swarm of people. Rissa felt insecure; when did she sign up for this?!

"Ignore the cameras." Was the only thing Zayn said before opening the door.

Rissa blinked a few times as he shut the door. She was expecting Zayn to come around and open her door for her. Iris watched as he started walking through the paparazzi. She mentally scoffed and felt embarrassed. Don't set your hopes up, she thought.

Rissa sighed and got out of the car. Immediately, the flashes of cameras overwhelmed her. People shouted questions at her, almost making her want to pass out.

She tried to walk thorough them and follow Zayn but he was already far ahead.

"Zayn!" She called, hoping he would hear her.

He turned around and looked at her, giving her a complete blank look. Rissa tried to make her way towards him but he just turned around and kept walking, as if he didn't know her.

"Zayn, do you know this woman?!" A male yelled, while shoving a camera in his face.

He looked at the interviewer. "What woman?"

Rissa felt enraged at his answer and his behaviour. Fine, she thought, be a bitch!

She stormed ahead, feeling cameras on her. First of all, Zayn gave her no heads up. Second, when she's getting swarmed, he ignores her.

Iris stormed pass Zayn. She was boiling in anger but she wasn't going to show any emotion. The cameramen kept their attention on her and so did the interviewers. Rissa literally sighed in relief as she pulled open the door of what she thought was a restaurant.

The inside of the restaurant was the complete polar-opposite of outside. It was calm and Rissa heard some amazing jazz music being played, by a group of live performers. There was a massive chandelier adorning the off-white coloured ceiling. The floor was all dark hardwood, while the whole overall theme of the restaurant was a velvety red colour.

She heard footsteps behind her and she turned around. Zayn was nonchalantly walking into the restaurant, fixing the collar of his midnight-black dress shirt. He looked at her and smiled. Rissa didn't smile back.

"Are you alright?" He asked her, his smile faltering slightly.

"Actually, no." She began. Although she didn't want to sound like a whiny little woman the whole time but she needs to get her point across. "You left me, Zayn. That wasn't cool."

He stared at her, dumbfounded. Zayn was not-at-all oblivious to the events, which took place just a few mere seconds ago. Zayn bit the inside of his lip before sighing. He was hoping that she would let it go.

"Hey, I didn't want the paparazzi to start making assumptions, alright?" He spoke with an edginess to his voice. "Because we are not in a relationship, ignoring the fact that we are 'soul-mates'." He put air-quotations around the word 'soul-mate'.

His words smacked Rissa in the face. She was, without a doubt, hurt. Iris mentally scolded herself for thinking that Zayn could change in a day. However, she remained strong.

"It's alright Zayn." She spoke, "I didn't want to be linked to you either. The feeling is mutual."

Zayn's eyes widened at her words. Her words definitely hurt his ego. It wasn't normal for girls to not be in love with him; Zayn found it strange that Rissa wasn't attracted to him.

"Alright, sorry." He apologized, "I don't want to mess up tonight. Let's just forget it?"

Rissa nodded and mustered a smile. "It's okay."

••••••

The dinner was rather smooth, considering what had happened earlier. Rissa and Zayn chatted a little bit through out the mouth-watering meal. Iris could tell that Zayn was trying to not mess this up. She really did appreciate it.

"You have something by your lips," Zayn spoke, pointing to his mouth.

Rissa's hand shot up to her mouth. She tapped around her lips with a napkin, which resulted in Zayn shaking his head, with a small smile.

"Here," he spoke, before leaning forwards and wiping the sauce off of the end of her lips. The napkin patted her lips in a soft motion and Zayn pulled back, slightly amused.

Rissa flushed a pink colour and mentally cursed at herself. They continued dinner in peace.

"So what do you do, Zayn?" Rissa asked. She's been itching to release this question ever since he's first bragged about being a 'Malik'.

"I work in an office, as you know. I'm the head of the Malik Businesses. My dad recently passed the businesses down to my name." Zayn sipped on his red wine and continued. "You know, we own a car company, hotel services and stuff like that."

Rissa nodded. "Wow, must be a lot of work."

He hummed in agreement as he finished up his meal, alongside Rissa.

In the background, there was a smooth song that the live musicians started playing. Zayn looked over to Rissa, who was just looking around the restaurant.

He awkwardly cleared his thought, making Rissa's attention snap back to him. "May I dance with you?" He spoke, trying to be smooth.

Rissa automatically smiled, "I would love to."

They got up and walked over to the dance floor. Rissa noticed how everyone was extremely well-dressed. Obviously, they are the higher class in society.

Couples were scattered around the dance floor. Women were in their fancy dresses and men were in their best suits. Everything was extremely classy, including the music.

Zayn offered a smile to Rissa as she placed her hand in his. She's never done like this, and she definitely hasn't danced with a boy before. Iris was confused; she didn't know where to place her other hand.

Zayn smirked a bit at her naiveness. He was taught how to dance, thanks to all of the high-class parties and galas he's been attending since he was young.

"Other hand goes here, babe." He smiled a bit, while placing her hand on his shoulder.

She smiled and nodded as Zayn led them through the first few steps. She accidentally stepped on his foot about twice, apologizing both times. He didn't mind and kept the pace, acting like a gentleman.

Eventually, Rissa caught on. By the end of the song, she was dancing smoothly. She loves to dance... Except she's only ever danced by herself. That was before this event.

"Great job, Rossa." Zayn spoke, smiling at her.

"It's Rissa," she corrected him. "And thank you. You were great."

He smiled at her and nodded.

Rissa and Zayn walked to the door, after he paid the bill. With his hand on the small of her back, Rissa wondered; is this what it feels like to be in love?

••••••

A/N: AYEEE! guess who's back, back again? Maya is back! tell a friend!

Okay, so thanks A TON for the amounts of reads. I really appreciate it :) also when you guys inline comment, it makes me super duper happy so don't be shy :) same goes for voting!

Andddd, this chapter is dedicated to @RitaStar thank you so much for your comments :) I appreciate them.

Stay fabulous.

~Maya. Xox