There's A Difference

Between Public and Private

Prologue

Zayn

"...and I just want to let you know we're all so proud of you. Cheers!" My manager tipped his glass at me, along with the rest of the people at the party who echoed his last word. It was the night of my album release, and nearly everyone I knew was there to celebrate. My wife stood beside me with her hand in mine and a smile adorning her face. She was looking at me with so much love and pride. She was always supportive. I loved her for that. 

Her other hand had a tight grip on a glass of champagne.

After the toast, the crowd began to disperse but everyone gave me a hug or handshake or kiss on the cheek before they went their separate way in the large club lounge. These types of things were nice. Decked out halls, the best champagne, everyone I cared about having fun and all. But I always preferred being home instead coming to these sorts of gatherings. Well, not home but...

"Hey there, Superstar!" One of my good friends, Perrie, greeted me and wrapped me in a hug before I could protest. I wouldn't have anyway. I squeezed her as tight as she did me. I was glad Jelena had gone to the bathroom before Perrie came. Maybe that's why Perrie had decided to come now.

"Hey, Angel." I mumbled in her ear before we pulled apart. One of my hands never let go of her. Instead it rested on her waist, the heel of it gently pressing into her stomach. I felt the small protrusion and grinned. Nobody knew about it yet. Just us. 

"The doctor says they're healthy and right on track." She beamed. I knew she was happy. I was too.

"Sorry I couldn't be there. You know with everything-" She shook her head to interrupt me, the smile never leaving her face.

"Don't worry about it. I know you got a lot going on. But you'll be at the next one, right?" Her pretty blues her hopeful. 

"Be at the next what?" My hand snapped away from Perrie's body like the fabric of her dress had just burned me. Jelena took her place beside me, planting a kiss on my cheek while she wrapped her arms around my waist. I hoped she didn't see. Perrie didn't skip a beat. 

"The next session. We're doing another song together and last time your husband left me hanging so I was just telling him to have his ass at the studio tomorrow." She chuckled. I just nodded.

Jelena's face formed one of surprise. "You're making new music? I can't wait to hear it. And I know if my baby's helping you with it, it's gonna be great." She kissed me again, this time on my lips. It was a hot one. She knew I enjoyed those. But it wasn't for me.

"Aww. Y'all are so cute. I hope one day I have a marriage like yours," Perrie cooed when Lena pulled away.

She didn't.

"I have to go burn up the dance floor but I'll see you tomorrow, Zayn. Congrats again!" Her eyes settled on my wife. "Gigi." I was one of the few people who called my wife by her actual name, Jelena. Most other people called her Gigi. Perrie smirked and sauntered away, her hips swaying as she went. I loved her for that.

Jelena stared at the blonde as she walked away. Her grip tightened around my waist. "Can we go home?" Her tone was sharper than she intended, I knew. She let go of me and stepped in front of me. Probably so I wouldn't watch Perrie's ass anymore. "I want to be alone with my husband." I tugged at her lip with my teeth and let my hands slide down to her ass because I knew she couldn't pull away. 

"Sure."

She grinned against my lips and then intertwined our fingers, guiding me out of the building. We were stopped a few times by those who hadn't been able to congratulate me earlier but Jelena knew how to get them to leave us alone. Soon enough, we were outside waiting for our driver to pull up. We were still holding hands, my wife's head on shoulder. I missed this.

It felt like our SUV pulled up too early and I couldn't help but let out a sigh. Jelena rushed to get in first and I begrudgingly followed behind her, shutting the door behind us.

"We're supposed to be working on our marriage. How can we do that if you're still sleeping with her?" She didn't look at me. Just stared out the window with her fingers working at the earrings I brought her a year ago for our anniversary. I knew she was eager to get them out.

"We're not. She told you we're working on music together." I loosened my tie.

"Yeah, and your hand said something different. I'm not stupid." So she did see. I sighed and went to place my hand her on her thigh but paused and ran it through my hair instead. 

I wasn't supposed to touch her unless we were in public.

"I'm sorry." 

"You always are." 

She kicked off her shoes and tucked her legs beneath her in the seat.

"You always are."

...

So, that was the prologue! What do you all think? Are you Team Zigi or Team Zerrie? Leave a comment telling me what team you're on and why. I love to hear your feedback and I'll try to reply to all of your comments. I think I'm going to ask this at the end of every chapter. I feel your answers will change throughout the story.

Now for the important stuff.

I'm going to do my best to upload new chapters every Saturday if I have the muse and time. But if not, I definitely won't go longer than two weeks without updating the story. I would like to update the book multiple times during the week and I will, again, depending on how much time and muse I have. This book will mostly be short chapters, probably under 1,000 words each. That'll mostly be so I'm not so drained and I can update frequently.

There will be some chapters with mature scenes, profanity, and, depending on the person, the triggering theme of miscarriage as well. I will put a warning at the beginning of chapters containing mature scenes and miscarriages so you can decide if you want to continue reading the chapter yourself.

I hope this can be a book that many readers will remember and enjoy... Or at least talk about.

Don't forget to Comment and Vote!