The Malik's Dolls || z.m.

Twenty-Four

Zara's POV

I looked out the window of Zayn's car as we drove through the city with a wide smile pasted upon my lips. I was feeling so happy... and spoiled.

Tonight Zayn had taken me out on our first unofficial, official date to a really nice, high-end restaurant. Zayn was quite evidently head over heels in love with me, as he was clearly proving it to me through many gestures since his confession a few days ago. I, on the other hand, was still not on the same page as him but nevertheless was growing to like him much more than I was the day before.

So far, Zayn had showered me with many more gifts such as clothes, flowers, jewellery, and even wrote me the sweetest cards and notes, which never failed to bring a smile to my face, along with making me blush until my cheeks were warm and beginning to hurt. Only a few days had passed and I was being severely overwhelmed with Zayn's affection... not that I'm complaining by mentioning this fact.

I felt spoiled, lucky, happy, and sexy as hell in the short, black laced dress I was currently wearing, that I was gifted to by Zayn earlier today specially for our date tonight. I sunk against the passenger seat as I brought my hand up to my face to rest my chin on it, with that smile occupying my red lips never ceasing. Gosh, I seriously felt like I was on cloud nine right now.

Even though I was heavily engrossed with my thoughts about Zayn and what he had done for me so far, I noticed we had just taken a left from the road we were previously on, when we usually took a right turn to head back to the mansion.

"You took the wrong turn." I said, sitting up and looking towards Zayn.

"No, I didn't." he glanced towards me, shooting me a smile. "I'm taking you somewhere else first, before we head back."

"Oh, where?"

"You'll see."

"Can't you just tell me? Please?" I asked, poutingly.

"No." he chuckled. "But I will tell you this, I've never taken or shown that place to anyone else before since the last time I've been there."

I raised my brow at him in question. "Why are you showing it to me then?"

"I don't know." he shrugged, and removed one hand from the steering wheel and placed it on my thigh, which sent shivers down my spine. "I just feel like I should show you that place rather than to anyone else."

His answer only made me grow more confused. But I didn't say anything else and just waited for "this place" to arrive, so I could finally see for it myself. And I couldn't help but feel smug about getting chosen over so many others, to be taken over there.

Ten minutes later of driving past long fields on grass, we approached a pretty large house which was smaller in size compared to Zayn's mansion but it was still grand in structure. It seemed to be vacant and it probably had been for a good number of years, as the grass surrounding it looked outgrown and the rest of it's surroundings seemed dead and barren.

"Um, what is this place?" I asked, breaking the silence as I was beginning to feel a little bit spooked.

Instead of replying to me, Zayn pushed open the door on his side and stepped out. I saw him take a few steps forward and then shove his hands into his pockets, as he stared at the house in awe and I was sure I saw him smiling.

Err, okay?

Even though I wanted to do nothing more than remain seated in the car with all the doors locked, curiosity took the best of me and had me following to where Zayn was.

When I approached beside him, Zayn opened his mouth to finally give me the answer to my question. "This, was my previous home."

I turned to face the house again, which didn't seem as creepy anymore. I studied the white dwelling which had a long driveway running in front of it and four tall ivory pillars situated by the entrance. There were at least fifty windows built into the structure which clearly showed that the house was dark from the inside. Overall, the building was magnificent and I tried imagining a younger version of Zayn living here.