Part Forty-Five

Molly’s POV

I got the job at the café, the money wasn’t great, but it was a start. I’d worked there for two weeks now. Weekday mornings, I got up at seven whilst Liam was asleep, got ready and left for eight. My shift started at half eight, but the café opened at nine. On Saturday I worked from twelve o’clock till closing time at five; Sunday’s was my day off. I liked the job, it was nice meeting new people; some were regulars and came in every morning.

I hadn’t met Eleanor yet, but it was scheduled for tonight. I was quite excited to be honest, she seemed nice enough, from what Jeremy has said, and apparently she’s excited to see me too. I hope we get on. I’m sure we will.

I haven’t told Louis yet, I don’t know if he knows, there was this stupid article in a magazine the day after Jer and my meeting. It was about me cheating on Liam with Jeremy (the journalist didn’t know he was my brother), who was cheating on Eleanor, Louis’ ex-girlfriend. It was quite an interesting article; I learnt some very interesting stuff about myself that I didn’t know before, like I’m an ‘only child who is bored of her life and Liam Payne is not showing her enough attention, so she seeks it elsewhere, which happens to be with Louis Tomlinson’s ex-girlfriend, Eleanor Calder’s new boyfriend’. Ridiculous.

It did make me laugh though. It made for a good read as well. “I’m just nipping out,” I said standing up off the sofa where Liam and I were sitting watching Toy Story.

“Where to?” He asked me.

“Out,” I shrugged vaguely. He didn’t reply I grabbed my bag that had my uniform in and headed out the door, walking to the café.

“Afternoon,” I smiled at Chloe, a girl I work with.

“Hello Molly, how are you? Any more interesting articles?” She winked and I laughed.

“Not that I know of,” I laughed, she knew about the articles, apparently she was quite a big fan of One Direction, and keeps up to date with everything One Direction related; but I explained what happened and she knew the article was a load of hog-wash.

“Right, well, best get on before Jeff has a go at us,” She smiled; Jeff was our boss. Chloe had set up the coffee machines and starting cooking some cakes and things. She’s a really good cook. Business was quite slow, it usually was until about one o’clock when elderly people came in for their lunch.

“Morning Pam,” I smiled as an elderly lady walked in for her usual full English breakfast; even though it was lunch time.

“Afternoon Molly dear,” She smiled.

“The usual?” I asked as Chloe already started making it.

“Yes thank you dear,” She smiled and handed me the money.

“It’ll be right with you,” I smiled and she thanked me once more before sitting in her usual seat by the window as more people filed in. I took their orders and wrote them down and handed them to Chloe. I made everyone’s drinks and handed them out, and soon after I gave them their meals as well. At about three o’clock it calmed down again, with only the odd costumer.

“Have fun with Jeremy tonight,” Chloe smiled as we shut up he café.

“Thanks Chloe,” I waved my goodbye and headed back to Liam’s.

“I’m back,” I shouted.

“I’m in the bedroom,” He shouted back. My phone started ringing in my pocket and I fished it out, seeing I had an incoming call from Jer.

“Hey Jer,” I answered the phone smiling.

“Hello Molly Wolly,” He called me by my childhood nickname.

“So, what time are you picking me up?” I asked.

“I’ll be round at seven if that’s okay?” He sounded pleased.

“Sure, just wait around the corner, where you usually wait, okay?” I said quietly; I didn’t want him to meet Liam yet… he has some very embarrassing stories about me.

“Aw, are you ashamed of me?” He teased.

“I don’t want Liam seeing you,” I laughed, “Not yet anyway- you might crush him.”

“I would do no such thing,” He laughed.

“You so would,” I said; I didn’t mean it in a literal sense, but he would question Liam about everything from if he was going to hurt me, to if we had had sex yet- yes my brother would ask about my sex life, which would be awkward for all three of us.

“I probably would,” He chuckled.

“You know you would,” I grinned.

“Yes…” He laughed.

“Well, I’ve got to go, Liam’s coming,” I said as I heard Liam’s bedroom door shut.

“Okay, see you soon, love you,” Jeremy said happily.

“I love you too,” I smiled “See you in a bit.”

We both hung up and I turned to face Liam, who was wearing a pained expression. “What’s wrong?” I asked walking up to him.

“Nothing,” He wouldn’t look me in the eye.

“Okay,” I let it drop, he would tell me if and when he was ready, “I’m going out tonight, so I’m going to get ready, I’m leaving at seven.”

“Oh, where you going?” He asked, as if he was testing me.

“I’m meeting a friend; I’m not sure when I’ll be back, sorry,” I smiled sadly and walked into Liam’s room. I grabbed out a nice summer dress from his wardrobe- I’d moved some of my clothes into here the other day. I had a shower, washing my hair, and got ready. Liam was watching the television when it was time for me to leave.

“I’m leaving now, I’ll see you later?” I asked, kissing his cheek; it was meant to be a peck on the lips, but he moved his head. I was trying, I really was, but I was finding it so hard; being in a one sided relationship. I loved him so much… but I don’t know anymore, he’s making it so hard. He doesn’t love me anymore; he won’t look me in the eye, never tells me he loves me, we haven’t kissed properly in the last two weeks- sometimes I wake up at night and find him sleeping on the sofa. It hurts. It hurts so much. I should probably take the hint and leave… but I can’t, I don’t know what I’d do without him. I’m being selfish, I know it, but I honestly can’t imagine my life without Liam/ I love him too much to let him go. They say if you love someone let them free; but I can’t… and I hate myself for it, I’m being so selfish and it’s not fair on Liam.

“I love you,” I whispered, speaking from the heart; he didn’t reply, he didn’t even look at me. And that’s what hurts the most. I’d rather he looked at me with pure hatred in his eyes; it’s better to feel something passionately than nothing at all. At least then I’d know what he was feeling, what he was thinking. I sighed when he didn’t reply and left the house, taking on glance back at the back of Liam’s head as he continued watching the television.

I walked to the corner of the street and tried to forget about what’s happening in mine and Liam’s relationship and focus on my brother’s. “They see me rolling, the hatin’” Music blasted from Jeremy’s ford fiesta as he drove round the corner.

“Reppin’ the streets in your ford fiesta,” I teased as I climbed in the car and Jer turned the music down.

“At least I can drive,” He shot back.

“Ouch, low blow,” I gasped, holding my heart. Then what I said sank and in we both cracked up laughing.

“Why are we so immature?” I laughed harder.

“Let’s get going,” He chuckled, “Eleanor’s waiting for us in the ice cream shop.”

“Yum,” I grinned and Jer laughed again. When we arrived at the shop I jumped out the car and bounced on the spot waiting for Jer to get out.

“Calm down, you’ll scare the poor girl,” Jeremy laughed.

“I think she was scared the minute she saw your face,” I stuck my tongue out at him.

“Aw, family love,” A beautiful girl laughed, standing next to Jer and he slipped his arm around her waist, smiling lovingly at her.

“Molly, this is Eleanor, my girlfriend, Eleanor, this is Molly, my sister,” Jeremy introduced us.

“Hello Molly, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you after what Jer has been telling me, I’m sure we’ll be great friends,” Eleanor hugged me.

“I’ve heard great things about you too, now let’s go get some ice cream,” I grinned and they both laughed at me as I skipped into the ice cream shop.

“The usual?” Jer asked me.

“Of course, brother,” I smiled.

“Eleanor?” He smiled at her.

“Yes please,” She smiled back.

“I’ll be back in a minute, if you say anything embarrassing little sister, just wait until I meet Liam,” He grinned evilly and I laughed.

“I’m shaking in my boots,” I said sarcastically.

“You should be,” He smirked. Oh God.

“So, Eleanor, how did you meet Jer?” I asked.

“I was upset after my break up with Louis, I went into the pub he works at; we started chatting, formed a friendship, then about a month ago he finally got the courage to ask me on a date and here we are, as happy as ever,” She smiled over at Jeremy.

“Aw, a proper love story,” I grinned, “Do you love him?”

“I haven’t told him yet, I was kind of waiting for him to say it first, but I really think he could be the one you know?” She smiled.

“I know how you feel, or at least I did,” I sighed.

“Did? What’s happened Molly? From what Jer has told me, you love Liam more than anything,” She looked at me worried.

“I don’t know, during the last couple weeks he’s been distant, he won’t kiss me, look at me, he doesn’t tell me he loves me anyone… I love him so much you know, and it hurts me. I know I’m being selfish, if he doesn’t love me anymore I should take the hint and leave, but I can’t because I can’t imagine my life without him,” I choked out the last bit as a lump formed in my throat and I couldn’t speak anymore.

“Aw honey,” Eleanor got up from her seat and hugged me.

“What’s going on here?” Jer took a seat beside me and placed the three ice cream bowls on the table.

“Boy troubles,” Eleanor explained simply, giving me a sympathetic look.

“What’s Liam done?” Jeremy asked seriously.

“It doesn’t matter Jer, I’m not sure what’s going on at the minute,” I sighed.

“Well, if it gets any worse, tell me and I’ll give him the big brother talk,” Jer smirked.

“Dude, you couldn’t scare a fly,” I laughed.

“Ouch, that one hurt,” Jer held his heart.

“Aw baby,” Eleanor laughed and kissed his cheek.

“You two are so cute,” I said without thinking.

“Thanks,” Jer laughed.

I picked up my spoon and dug in to my ice cream. “Mm, this is so good,” I moaned.

“You’re attracting stares,” Jer mumbled and Eleanor laughed.

“At least I’m attracting something,” I shot right back.

“’At least I’m attracting something’” He mocked me- very badly, I might add.

“Mature, real mature Jer,” I glared playfully at him.

“At least I’m not having relationship troubles,” He smirked.

“At least I have a relationship,” I joked, him and Eleanor were too cute.

“Girlfriend sitting right here,” Eleanor laughed.

“I know and I love you,” Jer kissed her cheek and Eleanor looked at me in shock, I gave her a reassuring smile.

“I’m going to nip to the loo,” I smiled at them both and let them have a minute to do the whole ‘I love you’ situation. I went to the bathroom and waited a few minutes, readjusting my make-up and hair to take up some time. Then I walked back out, I saw a golden opportunity just saw Eleanor and Jeremy were about to kiss I popped my head in between them.

“Hello happy couple, I’m back,” I said loudly making them jump backwards in fright- Jeremy falling off his chair. I couldn’t contain my laughter and I literally starting rolling on the floor laughing.

“Calm down Molly, you’ll get us kicked out,” Eleanor laughed.

“You should have seen your faces!” I gasped through my laughs and Jer helped me back on to a chair.

“Okay, okay, that’s enough,” Jer laughed at me.

“Okay,” I breathed deeply in and out.

“So, let’s do some bonding El,” I suggested once I’d calmed down.

“’El’, looks like you’ve already formed a bond, on to nicknames,” Jer smirked.

“Whatever, your just jelly because we’re going to have a better relationship than you,” I smirked.

“El would never leave me,” Jeremy gasped.

“I don’t know Jer, I’m getting a little attached to Molly,” Eleanor smiled innocently at Jeremy as he gasped again.

“No, El, please, I love you, you can’t leave me,” Jer got on his knees begging her.

“I’m going to have to think about it,” Eleanor teased him. After a lot of teasing Jeremy, asking questions to El, answering some of hers, learning a lot about each other- it turns out we have a lot in common - we had to leave as the ice cream shop closed. We went back to Jeremy’s apartment; having some alcoholic drinks and talking some more. Eleanor and I became good friends and planned on meeting up again soon. But eventually it was time I had to leave.

“I’ll drive you back to Liam’s,” Jer offered.

“Thanks Jer,” I smiled standing up.

“Here’s my number Molly, if you ever need to talk about Liam, or any of the boys; or you just need to get away, call me,” Eleanor smiled and wrote her number on my hand.

“Thanks El, I’ll make sure I do,” I smiled gratefully at her and wrote my number on her hand.

“Bye Molly, I’ll see you soon,” El hugged me tightly.

“Bye El,” I waved as I walked out Jeremy’s house, “And don’t have too much fun tonight, I don’t want a nephew or niece any time soon, got it?”

“Got it Molly,” Eleanor laughed.

“Well, I’m making no promises,” Jer smirked, and gave Eleanor a cheeky wink, to which she replied by blushing.

“Let’s go, before you two start ripping the clothes off each other whilst I’m still here- not a sight I want to see thank you very much,” I said and they both laughed. I climbed in the car, followed by Jer and he dropped me back off at the corner of the street and I walked back into Liam’s apartment.

Liam’s POV

“I’m back,” Molly shouted; as she walked back into the house from wherever the hell she went.

“I’m in the bedroom,” I shouted back; I love her I really did, and I want to be with her; but everything points towards her cheating on me- and I can’t handle that. I stood silently listening as Molly received a phone call from someone. I know I should trust Molly, and it’s bad to eavesdrop, but I had to know.

“Hey Jer,” I heard Molly say quietly. ‘Jer’, that could be a nickname for the guy ‘Jeremy’ that Molly’s supposedly cheating on. I held my breath and edged closer to the door as I heard her start talking again.

“So, what time are you picking me up?” She asked, so she was going to meet him again… “Sure, just wait around the corner, where you usually wait, okay?” She was speaking quietly as if she didn’t want me to hear. Which, if she was cheating on me, she wouldn’t want me to.

“I don’t want Liam seeing you… Not yet anyway- you might crush him… You so would… You know you would,” I felt a lump arise in my throat as I realised, the only possible solution now was that yes, she was cheating on me. I couldn’t hear any more of this so I loudly opened the door and slammed it shut again, announcing my presence.

“Well, I’ve got to go, Liam’s coming,” I heard Molly say quickly, “I love you too, see you in a bit.”

I couldn’t hide the pained look on my face as I heard Molly tell ‘Jer’ that she loved him. “What’s wrong?” Molly asked, turning to face me.

“Nothing,” I muttered, not meeting her eyes.

“Okay, I’m going out tonight, so I’m going to get ready, I’m leaving at seven.” She said.

“Oh, where you going?” He asked, testing if she would lie to me.

“I’m meeting a friend; I’m not sure when I’ll be back, sorry,” She shrugged it off and went to get ready.

“I’m leaving now, I’ll see you later?” She said, and went to kiss me on the lips, but I twisted my head so she ended up kissing my cheek instead.

“I love you,” She whispered, sounding honest and truthful but she could just be a good actress; I didn’t reply, I didn’t even look at her. I couldn’t, not knowing that she was cheating on me. She sighed when I didn’t reply and left the house, I forced myself not to look and continued focusing my gaze on the television, I didn’t even know what I was watching. As soon as she left I let out an irritable sigh and violently switched the television off in a huff. I ran a hand through my hair wondering what to do now. Should I talk to Molly? Should I go on, and pretend I don’t know what’s going on? Why is love so confusing and hurtful?