LIAM
Liam is bored. The meeting is no brainer. Liam is handling a group of companies. From real estate development to department stores, you name it.
The meeting was doing well, boring, but well until a bald man whose name Liam does not remember spoke, "If it had been old Payne, he would have approved of the dividend increase and splitting the shares." Disappointment evident on his voice.
Liam's jaw tensed. He frowned. "I am not my old man. You are not even that significant. How dare you say things as if those things are trivial?" Liam shook his head in frustration. "Meeting ajourned."
Liam walked away fast. "Harry, buy me an ice cream." He entered his office. How dare they question my decisions. Just because I am only 23 years old, they would look down on me? Have I not proven myself enough? He brushed his face with his hand. I am better than my father.
Liam's father is currently focused on another big company. He has been one of the directors of the company that focuses on techbology. His father started paying interest on that company a year before he graduated. The moment Liam graduated, he immediately let Liam take over K-Group of Companies. Liam did not even have a chance to relax from studies and grieve properly.
Argh! Liam kicked his table.
The door opened. It was Harry with his ice cream. yummy. The hostility in his eyes long gone at the sight of the dessert.
As Harry walked over to him to hand him the ice cream, Harry said, "Sir. The man who called himself 'Zayn' is still waiting outside. His body is really not in good shape. He just wanted to see you. Or you to see him. Just one glance," Harry said quickly in one breath.
Liam took the ice cream and ate. He needs to cool down his brain or he might just send a man to gun down that scum outside the building.
Not many people know of Zayn. He forbids anyone speak that name so casually. Liam even deleted all pictures of Zayn in public data. He does not want someone to see Zayn. That domineering bastard is too unreal for this world and this world is undeserving of him.
"I'll take care of him, Harry. You can go home at 5:00P.M." Liam said with finality. I just want to enjoy my ice cream!
"Oh, Sir. I think he will wait forever outside," Harry added and his secretary dashed out when his face became angrier. Argh!
Liam decided to take the matters on his own hand. He texted one of his men.
"If at 7:00P.M., there is still a man sitting outside the building. Not in good shape, take him and throw him out. Just throw him somewhere remote." Liam smirked. His way of pest control is always so effective.
He went back eating his ice cream.
It was already 5:45 P.M. and is now time for his dinner meeting which he needed to finish soon. He took the elevator going straight to the basement where his car is parked. Liam sped off outside the building. He avoided passing by the building's main entrance or he might find the scum sitting there and he might just kill the man for trying to scam him.
He arrived at the restaurant. And after an hour and half, the meeting ended smoothly. Liam was thankful inside tat the meeting was not so stressful.
Liam immediately went home.
It was 8:30 P.M. when Liam arrived home. The first thing he did as he entered the house is to sit on the couch first, trying to cool down before starting to work again. He wants to keep his mind cool for the next meeting. But it seems like fate has other plans.
He opened his phone and notifications immediately bombarded him. He received a text from one of his men whom he asked to throw the man out.
6:58 P.M Sir, the man is still outside the office. Quite a catch.
Liam frowned. Why did that man have to to say that. I might just fire him. So unprofessional.
7:03 P.M We are on the way to throw him out, Sir. Can we do something to him?
So that was why he said that. They have taken a liking of the man.
8:07 P.M Sir, we have successfully thrown him out. It was a grassy unpopulated and dark place. 45 minutes away from the building near an abandoned factory in the south. He's helpless. Made us want to lick his beautiful face.
That was the last straw. Liam is decided to fire these men. He only told them to throw him out. Not to feast on him. Liam even avoided the man so he would not kill him. How dare they enjoy themselves?
8:10 P.M Sir, you don't care about this man right? Just wanted to be sure. He's so arrogant and domineering. We want to humiliate him.
8:28 P.M Sir, we'll wait for your go signal.
Liam decided to text his crazy men who are going to lose their jobs tomorrow morning.
'Leave the man alone. Do not touch him. He has done nothing to you.'
'Sir, he has a sharp tongue. Few but insulting words'
'Leave him.'
Liam noticed a Viber message from Harry around 5:20 P.M. Liam's brows furrowed. Harry does not message him beyond work. If he did, only to reply to Liam's message and Liam did message him.
At one look only crying emoticons can be seen. Liam opened the message.
The first message is a little blurry image with bad lighting which Liam ignored and proceeded to read the message.
5:17 Btch dis is d man w8ing outside our bldg
Liam was having a hard time deciphering the message
5:17 btch plz. I wnt to kip him.
5:18 SIR LIAM, I AM SO SORRY. WRONG SENT. SORRY SIR. DON'T MIND.
5:20 😭😭😭
Liam scrolled up again. Curiosity got the better of him.
He clicked the photo.
His body went numb. His being cold like a bucket of rice poured on him. He wanted to cry and scream but he can't. The picture- it cannot lie. Harry cannot lie. Liam, what have you done?
His hand is shaking. He is feeling like a baby again. A feeling he has long forgotten. Why? Liam what have you done?
The picture man in the Zayn Malik. He can't be wrong. Ever so beautiful. Liam frowned. The picture is a little blurry and low quality because of bad lighting. But Liam sees a crutch, a bandage, and a neck support. No. No. No.
He should be in heaven, right? Happy? Singing? Painting? He died two years ago. My Frenemy died two years ago. What happened? He died? He didn't? I should not have given up? I shouldn't-
Liam broke from his thoughts when his phone vibrated again.
Sir, we left the man. We are really disappointed sir, his skin so delicious looking and-
Liam did not continue reading the message. He ran to the garage. His heart is pounding. Adrenaline rushing in him. He fumbled with the keys. And sped off. He can't help but regret his actions.
Liam, what have you done?
*****
Liam clenched and unclenched his hand on the steering wheel. He can't believe he did this to Zayn. He wanted to just melt away after he remembered what names he called Zayn and how he rejected him.
For goodness' sake, he seems like he got out of the hospital. Remembering it, Liam wants to cry so much like a baby but he must not cry. He is driving at a very dangerous speed and he needs to reach Zayn before something happen to him again because of his stupidity.
Liam was 15 minutes away from the godforsaken place when it started to rain. He felt more dread wash over him. As he punched his steering wheel. Damn it! Damn it!
When he finally arrived at the place, he did not know where to look first. He just drove slowly. The road is rough and dark. The only source of light is that from his car. The grasses are a little tall and so the possibility of Zayn dragged to the field is high.
Three minutes after, Liam saw feet peeking from the grass. He can't believe his eyes. The other had a cast and the other bare foot. So white.
Liam got out from his car immediately, not minding the downpour of the heavy rain.
He looked at the whole body. And Liam wanted to vomit at the sight because of anxiety, worry, anger and confusion.
Zayn's face is covered in mud. He has lost his consciousness. His skin so cold. His body still well-built and wearing only thin shirt and a hospital pants.
Liam hastily gathered Zayn in his arms. Careful of his cast, neck and bandage. He did not mind Zayn's weight because of his adrenaline. The latter's figure is still larger than him and heavier than he is.
Liam carried Zayn and place him in the back seat. He went to the driver's seat and turned on the heater. And he drove off to the nearest hospital.
There are many thoughts running on his mind. Most are questions that begged to be answered. Who was sick f'cker that did this to Zayn? Who took him? What happened?
Liam hoped Zayn would answer the questions he has.
When they arrived at a private hospital, the nurses rushed in to carry Zayn to a stretcher. Liam just followed them like a lost puppy. On his hands are dry clothes he can change into.
The nurses cut Zayn's clothings and cleaned him. If it was in any other situation, he would have loved to see Zayn's body. But not right now. Not when he can see it wrapped with bandages, littered with wounds and bruises. Mostly are healing while some bruises look fresh. Liam rubbed his face in frustration. It was his men.
When Zayn's face was cleaned up, he can see some new bruises too. Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! His eyes trailed down to Zayn's neck. There are two bites present. They are dead. I will kill them. I told them not to touch him.
Zayn was again moved. This time to a private room.
"Sir. The patient has been through things. Did he meet an accident?" the doctor asked him, a little scared of him.
"I do not really know Doctor. I just saw him today. What is his condition?" Liam said in a cold voice.
"He had a surgery on the head. I think it happened for already a while because it is already healing. He had broken ribs which are also healing. His cast is just fine. He also has... Uhmm.. Sunburns? Yes, I think sunburns. He is dehydrated and though he looks big, he looks starved. On the back of this man are scars. This man looks like he went through hell. But he shall be fine." The doctor mumbled with his brows confused and a frown formed on his lips. The same expression Liam is mirroring. What the hell happened Zayn?
"I have to leave, S-Sir. Just call the nurse if the patient wakes up," Liam heard the doctor say. But he did not reply. His attention on Zayn's face.
When he heard the door closed, Liam cannot help himself but cry.
"Hey! Zayn, wake up! You unfair giant! Zayn, you left me for two years. Do you realize how hard it was? I have to take lunch alone. Imagine the horror! I am hating you right now. Lunch is important, but you left me alone. Uwaaaaa! Zayn, I kept your gift for me. That ugly ass portrait that did no justice of my handsome face. I hang it on my wall because I had no choice, Zayn. You heard that, I had no choice. Why do you have to draw me with brush strokes when you can draw a perfect realistic picture of me? The audacity! Zayn, wake up! I rarely talk now. But because you're already here, I will now talk a lot. Where have you been, huh? I am becoming unhealthy. I am too lazy to jog. I only jog before with you because I wanted you to see that I can jog faster than you which I was proven wrong. Zayn, everybody in this world is a lousy competitor. Nobody is like my frenemy." Liam is crying and laughing at the same time while saying those things. He has not spoken such seemingly trivial things to anyone for two years.
He was just mumbling like a child on his seat, lazily slouching. He decided to poke Zayn's cheek.
"Hey! Wake up. You're too silent. Psst. Psst."
"Wake up, Zayn or I will tickle your feet."
He poked Zayn's arms.
"You still are bulky? Why don't you wake up and let's box?"
Liam proceeded to shake Zayn's shoulder.
"Hey, Zayn. You are not sleeping beauty. Wake up. I need to see your sparkling hazel golden eyes and its perfect shape. But I really don't like your eyes. Mine are prettier."
"Zayn, why are you not waking up?"
"Zayn!" Liam whined and pouted when Zayn is not responding to him.
"Zayn Zayn Zayn Zayn Zayn Zayn Zayn Zayn" He kept mumbling with at an annoying pitch.
"Shut up, Liam." Liam heard a voice speak. And his eyes widen. The voice a lot deeper than he remembered and he can feel his cheeks flush in delight. Behave, Liam! Behave.
"Zayn! Finally!" He beamed brightly. Tears still on his face.
"Finally, indeed. Now, why did you ignore me?" Zayn asked in a menacing tone. Still so bossy and authoritative.
Liam fidgets on his seat. "Uhm... Uhm... Why don't you sleep again, Zayn?"