Better Than Words

The lights in the event were much brighter than Zayn had imagined.

 

When Zayn was a kid, he used to watch the event at home in the TV and tell his entire family that one day he would be there. They would smile not wanting to shatter the little boy's hopes, but they doubted that the child’s dream would ever come true.

But there he was, a big smile plastered on his face. He did not know if he would win, but competing for the most important award for actors was already his victory. Alison, his wife, was holding his hand tightly, trying to calm him. She was proud of her husband.

Alison was an actress, and she had rarely found actors as committed to their profession as Zayn. Most Hollywood actors acted for money, fame and status; but Zayn was different, acting was what he loved with all his heart and soul.

"It is my privilege to announce the candidates for the 2016 Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor." Robert De Niro announced.

Zayn’s heart was beating so fast as if it was going to jump out of his chest.

"You will always be the winner. For me and for Emma, forever." Alison said softly stroking her fingers in their interlaced hands.

 

"I love you." Zayn kissed her hand.

 

"And the Golden Globe goes to…Zayn Malik!

 

Everyone cheered and applauded loudly. Zayn had already worked with most of the people present at the event. It was almost impossible for them not to be happy for his victory, after all, he had won the hearts of everyone he worked with.

"Thank you, thank you! I'm really very touched. All my life I have dreamed about it, but never thought I’d win it at only 25. Well…" Zayn looked at the Golden Globe in his hands and took a deep breath, trying to prevent the tears from falling down his face. "First of all, congratulations to all the nominees. Well, I don’t want to forget anyone...Just want to thank David who discovered me in the theater and the hundreds of people who made this film possible. Thank you, mother for all the advice…Liam, my brother, who always encouraged me. To all the people who watch my films. And, especially my wife who gave me the greatest gift of my life, Emma. Thank you Alison for making me a real man." 

Alison smiled, clapping in the front row of the audience.

The happiest day in Zayn's life after the birth of Emma became his worst nightmare, Alison died that night. And, worse than losing Alison was losing himself.

****

"Can you take me to the park today, daddy?" Emma asked insistently pulling Zayn out of his thoughts.

"Some other day, love, okay?" Zayn pulled Emma on his lap.

"C'mon, Zayn! Ask Celine to dress you in a nice outfit, little angel. Your daddy and I will take you to the park."

Zayn wanted to protest, and mostly, he wanted to shoot his best friend with his eyes. But when he saw a big smile on the face of his daughter, he preferred to agree.

"Go get dressed, love." Zayn smiled.

"Zayn, she is only five. You cannot involve Emma in this endless grief. She's a child."

"Okay, Louis. You're right"

"Now you too go and get ready, you look horrible."

"Thanks, mate." Zayn smiled sarcastically.

Louis and Zayn had known each other since a long time ago. They had worked together in their first time screen acting. They played as brothers in a successful sitcom when both were only 15. And, since then, their real life had imitated their roles in the sitcom. Louis never abandoned Zayn, even when he begged Louis to leave him alone.

*****

"This park is beautiful, isn’t it, godfather?" Emma asked Louis who was tickling her tummy.

"It's beautiful as you, little angel."

"Celine, can you take care of Emma alone? I need a coffee."

"No problem, Mr. Malik." Celine, the nanny, said.

"Ok, let’s go, Louis? Emma, behave or I'll have to take your nose and never give it back." Zayn bent down pretending to steal his daughter’s nose. Emma smiled, she loved her father’s playful threats. "I'll be back soon. I love you."

****

"I'm not asking you to do anything big. You'll just have to talk to him. I feel like this guy might have a bright future."

"I already told you, I don’t want to work anymore, Louis." Zayn drank his coffee, trying to avoid his best friend’s gaze. 

"This is not a job, I just want a little help from you to discover new talent."

"You can do it." Zayn said curtly in response.

"Zayn, I do not even remember how to be an actor. And, in addition, it can help you too. Meeting new people can be good for you. He's a great guy, you'll like him."

"Louis..."

"Please, do this for me. This could be my big chance, I'm investing everything I can in this boy."

Zayn did not want to but he could not deny a favor for his best friend. Louis had quit acting to try his hands at managing, but all his attempts had failed. The actors he had managed were all undisciplined and would get into trouble right in the first few months working with him.

Louis had enjoyed working in “Brothers in big trouble” the whole three years the sitcom had aired. But after that, he felt an emptiness, he realized that acting was not his cup of tea. Looking for new talent was what really interested him.

"Okay, I'll do it." Zayn told him with a small smile

"Thank you. I love you, man." Louis rose from his chair to embrace his friend. He loved Zayn as if Zayn was his own brother. "I'm going to the bathroom, don’t leave without me."

****

"Celine, Celine!" Emma screamed for her nanny.

"Calm down, Emma.”

Go away, she's just a child." Celine yelled at the paparazzi who insisted on taking photos of the little girl. The flashing of the camera was bothering Emma, the little girl's cries came next.

Two young men were talking excitedly across the park. The scene oblivious to their eyes as they were fully engaged in a conversation.

"Niall, what's going on there?"

Niall got up from the park bench trying to figure out what was going on.

"I think it's Emma Malik." Niall replied uncertainly.

"The daughter of Zayn Malik?"

"I'm not sure but since there are a bunch of photographers, it can only be someone famous."

"She's just a little girl. Idiots!"

The boy ran towards the scene with his friend screaming behind him.

"Leave her, assholes! You don’t have children at home?" The boy yelled at them but they weren’t listening. "Get out of here or I'll punch every single one of you in the face." The boy said and pushed a photographer. Then the others started to walk away. "Leave her alone."

Slowly, all of them left the place. Emma was crying uncontrollably. She didn’t understand what was going on since she had rarely been out. Zayn preferred to keep his daughter isolated from this side of fame.

"Are you okay?" The boy asked, bending down and wiping her tears. "Shh, they are already gone."

Emma looked at him and gave him a thankful smile.

"Your eyes are pretty."

"Thank you."

The boy laughed. "I am Harry and what is your name?"

"Emma" The little girl said, holding a stuffed bunny in her hands.

"Your name is as beautiful as you." Harry hugged her and Emma jumped into his arms.

"Thanks, I didn’t know what to do." Celine told him, her hands were shaking.

"It was nothing. You're here alone?"

"Yes, her father is at the diner in the corner."

"Maybe I should accompany you guys." Harry told Celine and turned to Niall who nodded.

"I would love that. Thank you."

"So, let's go." Harry told everyone carrying Emma on his hip.

******

"Daddy" Emma yelled running into Zayn’s arms.

"What's wrong, my love? Why are you crying?" Zayn asked stroking his daughter’s blond hair.

"It was horrible, Mr. Malik. There was paparazzi everywhere. Harry helped us and drove them away." Celine turned to Harry.

"Hi, I'm Harry." Harry extended his hand for a hand shake, but it was left loose in the air, Zayn did not shake it. He withdrew his hand, ashamed.

"Thank you."

"It was nothing. Your daughter is lovely." Harry smiled and for a moment, Zayn could see his dimples and pink cheeks

"Yes, she is" Zayn smiled kissing Emma's face

"Thank you, Harry." Emma told him reaching out for a hug

"It was nothing, princess. Ok, I have to go then" Harry kissed Emma for the last time and said goodbye to everyone

*****

"Why do I have a feeling that this guy will completely change my life?" Harry asked his friend.

Niall laughed not knowing what to say.

Sometimes you make choices in life, sometimes life makes choices for you. And, that they had yet to learn.

…………………..

AN: Well, please vote and comment. This is very important to me. I hope you guys enjoyed it. xxx