Alice's POV
I was getting ready to go for a walk around London for some shopping with my dad. I decided to put on a knitted white shirt, skinny jeans, a black leather jacket and a beanie. I put on some blusher and I brushed my already straight hair and I was ready.
My dad was waiting impatiently for me at the living room. When he saw me he instantly smiled politely and I did the same.
"Ready?" he asked and he put on a cardigan.
"Yeah let's go"
We started walking around the streets of London. I was really admiring all those stores, the Christmas lights, the shops with traditional food and everything. It's perfect! I love big towns more than small villages. At a corner there was a man dressed up as Santa Clause and he was offering people Christmas cookies and cupcakes.
We reached the river Thames and we walked next to it as my father was talking and I was taking pictures. Then, we went on a cafeteria that was on a really tall building. The view was breathtaking! I really enjoyed watching the view outside while drinking hot chocolate.
"So do you like it?" my dad asked.
"I love it! It's very nice here!" I admitted and my dad looked at me with surprise, as if I said something extraordinary.
"I'm glad you like it"
"Are you ready to do some shopping with me now?" I teased him and he chuckled.
"I guess..."
"I want to buy a present for my friend Louis, he had his birthday yesterday, and I want to buy something for Eva and something for mom and something for me of course"
"Oh my God that's a lot of things!" My father said.
"I know" I laughed.
After some minutes we finished our drinks.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked.
"Yeah let's go shopping!" I said and he payed the waitress.
Zayn's POV
"Harry, I need you to do something. Call Eva and ask her what is Alice's adress at London." I said while I was still on my bed, because I had waken up 10 minutes ago.
"Why do you want her-"
"Just find her damn adress!" I shouted at him and hang up.
After some minutes Harry texted me the adress and I searched it desperately on google maps. As I was waiting for the results I was thinking of what I would do if I got there. It's gonna be hard to just go and talk to her like nothing weird has happened. She will think that I'm a creep. At least I'll leave and I won't see my dad's stupid face. I wrote a note to my mom that I'll be late and I left.
While I was driving I had nothing on my mind, I needed to stay focused on the road. It is a long trip and I need to stay focused. I was stopping during my ride to check the way on my mobile. After of 4 hours of driving on the uncomfortable seat of my motorcycle, I was finally there.
I need a moment to take in the view of the house. It's fucking huge! It must be really expensive. I had two options, to either knock the door or wait for her outside. I decided to go for the second option, since the chances that I'll get punched in the face are less. I sat there, leaning on my motorcycle and listening to music. What is she doing right now?...
After 30 minutes of doing absolutely nothing, I saw her familiar small figure walking next to a tall man. She is so beautiful in her black leather jacket, it really suits her. She seemed so happy, her smile was lightening up the whole town. For a moment I forgot that I actually was there secretly and I was about to go and talk to her.
But, now that I think of it, this would be a disaster. Imagine how pissed off she would be if she saw me there. It was a bad idea, I shouldn't have come. I should wait for the new year's eve that I was gonna meat her. Plus, I don't wanna ruin her smile and her delightful mood. If we ever dated I'm sure that I would fuck up, that's why the best for her is to leave her alone. Waiting hurts... Forgetting hurts...But not knowing which decision to take is worst of suffering.
It's actually enough for me that I saw her even for a minute. It gave me something to hold on and anticipate. God damn, why is everything so screwed?
But, no ,I can't just leave. She makes me happy just by hearing her breathing, I can't just give up that easily. I'll talk to her.
By the time I took my decision she already went inside. I guess I'll have to wait a little longer....
Alice's POV
I went to my room to put the things I bought in the right place. For Louis, I bought a Giorgio Armani perfume, which was really expensive but my dad could afford it. For Eva, I bought a necklace with swarofski stones on it and for my mom I bought a watch, a really expensive one. I'm sure they'll like them. For me I bought a floral dress which is actually for summer but anyway. I forgot to ask my dad what are we gonna do tonight. It's Christmas and we didn't even mention it.
I went to his office and he was doing something on his computer.
"Hey dad..I was wondering what are we doing tonight?"
"I thought of you and me have dinner here" he said casually.
"Alone?" I said and I freaked out just by the thought of me and my dad alone. I'm sure that if we are left alone I'll kill him and hide his body inside the fridge.
"Yeah..."
"I'm sure as hell that if we stay alone we are gonna fight...Why don't you tell Maura and Niall to come?"
"I don't know" he said amd I glanced at him and he immediately changed his mind.
"Okay I'll call her" He gave in and I went outside waiting for him to finish his phone call.
After some minutes he came out of his office.
"She invited us to her house at 8.30. Be ready by then" He said and I nodded.
Until then I have plenty of hours to study. So the first thing I did when I entered my room was open my bag, get my books and textbooks and sit on the large desk that was in front of the big window, that made impossible to concentrate because I was too fascinated by the view of London. A knock on the door interrupted me.
"Alice, can you go buy a cake to bring at Maura's house? I'd sent Elaine or Lisa but it's Christmas and-"
"Okay I'll go"
I took a glimpse at the mirror ti check if my hair looks nice before I go outside and I left. As I went out of the door I heard someone calling my name.
"Alice!" someone repeated and I turned my head to see who it was. As I saw someone that I really wasn't expecting my eyes widened and I was ready to oass out.
"What are you doing here?" I said and I approached him.
"I came to see how are you"
"I'm perfectly fine, you can go now" I said rudely and I was ready to leave but he held my wrist so I can't go.
"Please stay here" he begged me. He sounded desperate.
"Why?"
"Because I need you, as cheesy and cliche as it sounds, I need you. This days with mt dad at my house I've been going crazy, I can't take it anymore. I haven't seen you in days and it drives me crazy" he said.
"Well, I'm sorry about your dad but I don't think I can help you" I said harshly and his face fell.
"Why are you so rough to me? Yesterday you were asking Eva how I'm doing" he said and he caught me off guard. I don't know how to reply really, because he's right. Am I bipolar or something?
"I was just concerned" I was kinda ready to give into him and hug him. Because he's right, he needs me and if I can help him then I'll try.
"Thanks, I-" his phone interrupted him. He answered it and I heard a bitchy voice coming from the other line. Of course....How I was so stupid to actually believe that he needs me? While he was still talking I left. He looked at me trying to prevent me from going.
"Please don't. Don't ever talk to me again" I left. I went to the closest bakery I found and when I returned I was hoping that he left and ,thank God, he actually had. I went inside and I left the box on the kitchen table. I went upstairs and I continued studying.
About 8 o clock I started getting ready. I didn't put as much effort as yesterday, I just put on a high waisted black skirt and a white lace shirt. I put on some make up and brushed my hair and I was ready.
I went down to find my dad. He was already waiting for me at the living room.
"Hey, I'm ready" I said.
"Okay, let's go then. We are a little late" He said and he grabbed his car keys.
The ride to her house wasn't long. When we arrived I took a deep breath and I shivered under the cold air that was hitting my body. My dad rang the doorbell and a smiley Maura in a red dress opened the door. The house wasn't as big as my dad's but it was comfortable and cozzy and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming.
"Hey, come in! We've been waiting for you!" She said and she hugged me and my dad. My dad's hug was accompanied by a kiss.
"Merry Christmas!" I said and I handed her a bag with the cake I bought in it.
"Merry Christmas" Niall replied instead of his mom.
"Let's sit on the table, I've prepared some things but the pork isn't ready yet" Maura said and led us to the dinning room.
"Okay no problem" we all said and we sat. Maura went to a room that I assume is the kitchen. My dad was having a conversation with Niall about sports. I made some comments here and there when I knew what to say, even though I hate football but I hate being alone more.
After some minutes, Maura appeared with a big plate full of pieces of meat on it. My dad complimented her on how tasty it looked. She placed it in the middle of the table and she started serving each one of us. When my turn came she was about to give me a really big piece.
"Um that's too much for me" I said with a smile "And also I don't like meat very much, so I will eat just a few" I stated as politely as I could.
"Oh ok. Are you vegetarian?" she asked.
"No I just prefer vegetables over meat" I explained.
"Oh okay then" She said a little disappointed.
We started eating and talking and. It was fun actually, they are very nice people. Niall can be really funny sometimes and also, I love the way he laughs. The atmosphere between us was light and I enjoyed it. I think that my father isn't that bad at all. He is distanced but not bad. Maybe I should give him a chance, he deserves it. Maura's voice interrupts my thoughts.
"Alice, Niall me and Derek have something to tell you" she said happily.
"What is it?" Niall asked and I stayed silence. I'm almost sure what they want to announce.
"I love Maura very much and I..actually we decided to get married" his words sounded like bombs to me. I'm not mad, angry or sad that this is happening, it's just weird to me and for Niall too.
"Oh" was all I managed to say.
"When?" Niall asked without making eye contact.
"Summer maybe or spring, it will depend" my father said and I looked over at Niall. We exchanged a look that ment that we're okay.
"Congratulations then" I said smiling.
"Thanks" Maura said relived, as if a weigh was lifted over her chest. "You mean you're okay with that?" she asked.
"Yeah I guess" I said and Niall agreed.
At about 1 o' clock after midnight we left their house. The first thing I wanted to do when I went back to my dad's house was call my mom and tell her everything. It's going to be difficult....
A/N: Hiii! I hope you liked the chapter, I put much effort writing it. I'm sorry if some things don't make sense but it's late in the night and yeah.... Thank you for the votes and comments, even if they are little, I appreciate them! Please keep doing the same. Kisses,
Catherine x