The Contract

Group effort

Shortly after Zayn rekindled his relationship with his parents, Liam met privately with Niall per his request. It was at this meeting Niall brought up the engagement and his full plan for it, which wasn't included in his outline for specific reasons.

Since the general public assumed the two had been dating for about six going on seven months, Niall figured with Zayns graduation coming up that it would be the perfect moment to pop the question. It was public and on a big day with a massive crowd so what better publicity than that. Plus Zayn was out of the loop so his reaction would be real and not as staged.

Most celebrity engagements happen within that time frame, but since both had been family friends it made things more believable. They shared their entire lives together so who would be dumb enough to question that, especially since both were now deeply in love with one another.

His plan was when Zayn came out of the arena, greeted his friends and family, that a hired photographer would take group shots. During his and Liam's shot together the photographer would direct them to pose facing away from each other while liam took a knee. This would cause people around to start recording and snapping pictures. "What better press than free press." he thought, along with submitting the photo anonymously to media outlets.

Niall was really good at his job. He was always one step ahead of the media which was why his firm was so popular, fake relationships or not.

Yes Zayn knew a proposal would be expected soon, but Liam wanted it to be perfect. He called up reinforcements and asked for their help. With everyone's schedules different they pin pointed one weekend mid May where all were free.

Finally the day came to where he went ring shopping. He asked everyone to meet at Harper Tait, the fine jewelry store, since he booked the whole place to himself. He didn't want anyone getting a hint of what he was doing since the place was especially well known for their engagement rings.

Niall and him arrived at the same time, going through the back of the store. Louis came soon after being introduced once more to Niall.

The two talked for a bit at Zayns birthday party but hadn't seen each other since, so they started catching up as Liam angrily texted a late Harry. Thirty minutes later the younger boy walked casually through the back storage room door.

"Oh nice of you to show up and join us. Where have you been you're late styles?" Liam stood up shaking his head.

"Oh relax it's only by a few minutes." Harry rolled his eyes.

Since Liam was always over at Zayns they grew somewhat fond of each other, but you could tell there was some playful tension between them still.Harry let up when Liam came to him personally and asked his permission to give Zayn the promise ring. Since then it was love hate type of friendship.

"A few minutes! Harry it's been thirty!" Liam rubbed his temple.

"Did you want your boyfriend to find out where I was headed? No I think not. I tried slipping out of his photoshoot but he made Alex James, the photographer, come talk to me about potentially working with him after graduation." Harry sassily raised his brow.

"So how'd you leave?" Liam said as he furrowed his own together

"I told him there was an emergency at my parents gallery." He lifted his shoulders. "Oh you brought people?" He looked at the two people behind him still deep in their conversation.