Chapter Text
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You see, Zayn’s got a pretty perfect life. He’s running a successful company along with his best friend, he’s got a smart wife, two wonderful daughters and a dog he’s always wanted. He lives in a villa he and his wife, Perrie, designed by themselves – it’s off the beaten track but still close enough to the city – just like he always wanted, too.
But lately, some long forgotten longing has come over him. It makes him more withdrawn from reality. It makes him stare wistfully at the dew drops in the yard on misty mornings. It also makes him want to grab a charcoal, a Bristol and sketch.
Some would say that he’s going through his middle-age crisis. And – yeah, maybe he is. He’s 36 after all.
He doesn’t think he is, though. He doesn’t have a sudden urge to leave his family and home behind, and head off on a trekking trip through Europe. He also has no desire for an affair or divorce.
He’s just… Itching.
For something FRESH, for something NEW.
Perrie lights a cigarette and stands next to him.
‘What are you thinking about?’ she asks. She’s not looking at him, but staring outside the window.
‘Just… things,’ he shrugs.
She doesn’t say anything else for a while, just stands there and inhales and exhales the smoke of the cigarette. Zayn’s always liked her presence. It’s light, undemanding, unassuming. He’s never had to drop everything and run to her, and she’s never had to either. They respect each other’s space, but still are together. They ought to be teaching this on a university, Zayn thinks, the two of them, just how they are.
‘I think I’d like to meet someone,’ he finally says.
‘As in a woman?’ Perrie asks, her voice and demeanour unchanged. She hasn’t turned to him yet, either.
‘Not necessarily, no. Just – a person.’
Inhale, exhale.
‘And what would you do with this person?’
‘Talk. Get fresh perspective…’ he trails off and looks at her. She turns to him.
‘Is this something that you feel you really need?’ She looks him in the eye as she asks.
Zayn remains silent for a minute.
‘I feel that I need this, yes.’
She nods and stabs her cigarette on a silver ashtray.
‘I’ll think about it,’ she says and starts walking away. ‘Perspective,’ she snorts and shakes her head a bit.
‘Thank you,’ Zayn calls after her and smiles a little. That’s exactly why he married her.
***
As it turns out, Zayn doesn’t find his new perspective right away. Not even in the span of two months. He’s getting restless, the need almost burning in him from time to time. He knows he must be acting antsy as Liam started shooting him questioning looks and Perrie raises her eyebrows everytime he lights a cigarette. And he does it twice as often now.
‘I thought this was supposed to make you feel better?’ she asks once, a hint of irony in her voice.
He doesn’t answer her, but doesn’t blame her either. It’s true that he’s a lot less like himself lately. He’s almost tempted to browse through offers on sugarbaby sites, but somehow it doesn’t feel right.
He doesn’t need a pretty face, he needs someone… stimulating. Well, a pretty face would be a nice bonus, obviously. As it is, finding someone like that is harder than he thought. Or maybe he just lost his touch. He tells Liam as much.
‘No, I’m pretty sure you haven’t lost it,’ he says, amused, then in the next moment he furrows his brows in confusion. ‘What is it that you’re looking for, anyway?’
And well, it’s not like he can’t tell Liam – they are friends, after all – but for whatever reason he wants to keep it to himself. At least for now.
‘Just a thought,’ he replies shrugging his arms and goes back to wondering if this itch of his will go away on its own. It probably would, but the thing is – he doesn’t want it to. Opportunity, that’s what he needs.
It’s already October when opportunity eventually arises.
***
Harry’s sitting at the kitchen table, tapping at his keyboard. His housemates are getting louder and louder, and he’s got a deadline on finishing his article and he’s not going with it anywhere right now, staring at the screen and trying to concentrate. On top of that, he feels an impending headache. The tell-tale whoop from the living room informs him that his mates have started yet another round of never-ending video games tournament.
‘Harry, we got pizza!’ Chris shouts. Chris is the first friend Harry made on campus and the most considerate of his housemates.
‘I’m good, thanks!’ he exclaims back and sighs. He won’t get anything done here and he knows it. He packs his laptop and throws a jacket on.
‘I’ll be at the nearby café, have fun,’ he says and it gets him a few waves from those not engaged in a game or eating pizza. He shakes his head with a fond smile nonetheless, and steps out. It’s already getting dark.
He thanks whatever deity that listens for a café so close to his place as he goes just there. It’s a nice and quaint place without an ‘old spinster’ vibe. Harry likes going there and as soon as he enters he goes to grab a coffee.
He’s making his way to a free table when he notices a man immersed in the newest issue of Forbes. Harry mentally slaps himself as he remembers that he’d need the newest stock market markings to finish his article. He decides to approach the man.
‘Hiiiiiii,’ he says, trying to catch the man’s attention. He’s about to take a sip out of his cup when he hears Harry and stops midway to his mouth. He raises his eyebrow and looks at Harry.
‘Yes?’ He says hanging his voice expectantly.
‘Hi. Um, I was wondering, if you’d maybe let me look at the stock market markings? I’m writing an article about a group of copartnerships and it would do nicely in there,’ Harry proceeds explaining. ‘But, um, if that’s any trouble at all, sir, that’s perfectly alright, too.’ He shuffles his feet awkwardly.
‘Perfectly alright,’ the man repeats, amusement clear in his voice. He folds the magazine and slides it to Harry. ‘Please, do help yourself.’
Harry smiles as bright as the sun and reaches for the magazine.
‘You can sit here, too, you know. It’d be perfectly alright, as well as comfortable,’ the man says sipping on his coffee.
Harry flashes him a grin.
‘Thank you, sir,’ he adds and busies himself with browsing through the magazine for needed information. After a while, he gets out his laptop too, and writes a few notes and references.
‘So, if I may ask, what is the subject of your article?’
Harry lights up like a Christmas tree.
‘I’m writing about the Skyscrape Holding, about the companies it encompasses and I’m analysing the last quarter of the year of its activity.’
The man looks surprised. ‘And what are your conclusions, then?’ He asks, a smirk dancing on his lips.
‘Oh, for that I’ll need to find more information,’ he points to the opened Forbes between them. ‘But I think that the rate at which it’s developing and expanding is unprecedented.’
‘I see. So, you’re interested in economics?’
‘More in politics, sir. Economics is fine, too, but I’m a political science student.’
‘And the article is for the uni newspaper?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘You should try and send it to a real newspaper - maybe even Forbes,’ he winks at him.
‘I’ve tried doing that a bit, one time got posted in an online edition,’ Harry says. ‘Sorry, I’m bragging.’
‘That’s no problem. It’s important to be proud of yourself and to be aware of your value.’ Zayn shrugs.
‘Yeah, I think so, too.’
The man gets up to leave.
‘Listen-‘
‘Harry.’
‘Harry. Listen Harry, I’ve got to go but if you ever wanted to talk some more about economics or politics, or just to grab my Forbes,’ he smiles warmly at that. ‘Here, that’s my card. Have a good day.’
‘You too, sir. Thank you.’ Harry says. The man is already at the door when Harry notices that he left without taking his magazine.
‘Excuse me! Sir! You left your-‘
‘It’s yours. Good bye,’ and with that he’s out of the door, leaving Harry with the newest issue of Forbes, half-formed conclusions and a business card.
Harry looks at it.
ZAYN MALIK
CEO, SKYSCRAPE, INC.
Well shit.