Pretend It's Ok

On the way to the show, Melinda and Zayn had gotten into another petty argument. Zayn took everything Melinda said and twisted the words to make it seem like something it wasn't. Melinda had simply asked if he was going to the after party. Victoria's Secret held one every night of the fashion show. He simply answered yes and continued to brag about how he would steal every female's attention there. Melinda shrugged it off most of the conversation solely because she knew he wanted a reaction. Zayn kept feeding fuel to the fire and then erupted the whole entire conversation into an argument.

Melinda didn't know why he would speak the way he did. She never could read men or understand them in general. She never wanted to. Melinda stuck with what she knew and that was enough for her.

Melinda and Zayn avoided each other at Gharram's event for the most part. Or rather, Melinda would try to converse while Zayn just nodded to let her know that he had some sort of attention towards her - when he really didn't at all. Melinda tried to make conversation only because she was trying to keep him interested. Melinda's confidence was slowly deteriorating with each passing day. She felt nothing she did was right and Zayn would only prove her thoughts right by his actions and responses.

"This is so exciting.", she cupped her hands together awaiting Gharram with baited breath.

Zayn continued watching the runway and the attractive models doing their job, "Yes, it is."

Her heart plummeted into her stomach at how stared at each slender female in heels and revealing clothing. She shook it off knowing damn well not to let it bother her. "I love that piece right there!", Melinda pointed to a blue bra and pantie set embezzled with gems that Shanina Shaik had sported.

Shanina, one of Gharram's model friends and co-workers, spotted the newly wedded couple. She blew a kiss towards Melinda earning one back towards her. Shanina continued glancing at the camera giving a wink and then turning on her heels walking back down the runway. Melinda had made a few friends from Victoria's Secret being with Gharram on a few occasions. All were surprised that Melinda was the complete opposite of the spontaneous Gharram. They all learned to love each other, needless to say. Shanina, Barbara and Cara were a few of her friends. They all had grown close with each other - Gharram included.

"Did you see that?", Zayn's voice low and filled with glee. Melinda turned to him, eyebrows raised listening to what he was saying in interest. He finally spoke with some sort of enthusiasm aside from his lifeless tone this evening and lately in general. "She blew me a kiss.", his smile stretched from ear to ear.

Melinda's eyes were fixated on Zayn with a nonchalant expression and tone, "Yes, Zayn." She rolled her eyes with a sigh, "Out of everyone here in the room, Shanina decided to give you - someone she doesn't know at all - a kiss and it had nothing to do with the fact that I am sitting right here next to you."

Zayn hissed under his breath, "You're just saying that, because you're jealous."

The cheers of the crowd, echoing from wall to wall, never ceased to give a hyped environment for this main event in the modeling industry. The infectious rhythm of the music, the flashing lights in every color, pyros firing in every which way and booming of speakers all around the perimeter of the arena flared from each angle causing people to dance along with each model. The vibe was playful and gleeful. Justin Bieber had been performing on the stage for the models to playfully walk and dance to. Each one coming out with a colorful and loud item of clothing accessorized with a pair of wings, umbrella, back pack, purse, etc...

Melinda secretly envied Gharram's career.

"I'm so jealous, Zayn.", she huffed in sarcasm. "How could you tell?", Melinda rolled her eyes and continued watching the show unfold in front of her.

"You know what...", Zayn began and quickly stopped.

Or rather, was stopped when Melinda put her finger on his lips shutting him up. Her eyes narrowed and sent daggers to Zayn frightening him a little. Zayn was frightened by Melinda. This happened on rare occasions....very rare occasions. When she would frighten him though, he would take advantage and use it for bedroom purposes. Which would constantly annoy Melinda, because she would never be taken seriously.

In a low hushed tone, Melinda neared her face into his. She pointed her index in his face with all seriousness, "Shut up. Gharram is about to come on."

Zayn was taken aback by her sternness. Who was Melinda to talk to him that way? Who was she to put her finger in his face? Zayn couldn't see it, but he hadn't been acknowledging his role as a spouse as much as he should. His mind quickly reentered reality as Harry's screams pierced through his ear.

The crowd erupted into cheers and Harry - who sat next to Zayn - jumped up whistling for his best friend. Gharram walked down the runway with her signature fierce expression she was known for having. Harry jumped up and down to the beat knowing damn well that Gharram couldn't keep up the facade to staying behaved and professional. The beat picked up and Justin danced along to the girls that were showing off their best poses. Once he came up to her, she let go of all seriousness and began dancing with her hands raising in the air.

Harry whistled for her and with the help of Niall, Louis and Liam they all got the crowd roaring with enthusiasm. Gharram squealed in happiness at her best friends' cheers and reception they gained from their yells. She glanced over at Melinda who was sitting next to Zayn. Gharram's face almost dropped into one of guilt and pity, but ignored it for the sake of the cameras were instantaneously flashing. Melinda smiled, but not as happily as Gharram expected it to be. Usually, Melinda knew how to hide her emotions from anyone and she could tell if she was. Melinda, this time, made it quite clear. She suspected that maybe Melinda was getting tired of hiding her emotions in general.

Gharram screamed towards her best friend inappropriate things causing Melinda to laugh with tearful eyes. She could sense that something was wrong. Gharram could see by the looks of Zayn's shining eyes at the other models, that it was because of him. Melinda kept a strong front so that it wouldn't phase Gharram and she could tell after a while that it hadn't worked one bit.

But they were well aware of situation. The two read each other like books.

Melinda smiled mentally reassuring Gharram, "Don't worry about it."

Gharram returned a grin narrowing her eyes, "I'll kill him just say the word."

Melinda chuckled to herself hyping up Gharram more, "I'm fine."

Gharram winked at Melinda and continued to walk down the runway with as much fabulocity as possible. She reached the end of the walk way and smiled at the camera once more to cause a dramatic and sexy effect. Gharram winked and blew a kiss making Harry wolf whistle at her as a reaction. She rolled her eyes at another attempt of him being his flirty self.

"I love being here.", Louis sang.

"Hands down my favorite fashion show ever!", Niall added with a nudge.

Harry applauded after Justin had left, "You're telling me. I could stay here all night."

Liam laughed joining the conversation, "We need to get back there, though. It's almost time for us to perform."

Melinda turned towards Zayn who was, needless to say, scanning the stage from something or rather someone(s). Her smile faded slightly, but suck it back up returning it to a full out grin. Melinda felt a slight pain in her chest wash over her. Shaking it off again, she coughed to clear her throat properly.

"You guys are next right?", she glanced up at her husband who was fixing himself. Melinda rolled her eyes to herself watching him. He hadn't answered on purpose. "Zayn...", Melinda asked more sternly.

"What?", he answered annoyed and a little louder than expected. All four boys turned to the couple. "Yes, we're next."

"Um...", she hesitated a bit before speaking. Zayn continued on fixing his shirt and checking his hair before going backstage. Melinda cleared her throat again, "Okay, well..." Melinda glanced at Liam and Niall planting kisses on their significant other's foreheads. "Good luck...", she looked up at Zayn who just mumbled thanks and walked right behind them.

No kiss? Okay...

Melinda's head lowered to her hands that were fiddling in her lap. She twiddled with her fingers sniffling back tears that were making their way in her eyes. Her sank into her lower abdomen giving her the feeling of pure heartache. "Is this what it felt like? Not being able to be truly happy with the man you love?", she pondered to herself.

She blinked back her tears taking her mirror out from her pocket. She fought to keep them inside until she got home. Melinda didn't feel like dealing with tabloids and exploiting her marriage. Taking a glance at her reflection, she closed her eyes biting her bottom lip thinking about how Zayn snapped at her. She sighed to herself and fixed her hair into place.

"Ladies and gentlemen....", the announcer screamed into the microphone. "One Direction!"

On cue, the crowds screams grew as the five - now grown men - took on the stage with their signature outfits. It amazed Melinda just how much they've grown yet still remained the same after all these years.

The screams were but mere faint whispers to Melinda. She kept her eyes on the mirror focusing on all her imperfections. As much as she wanted to conceal them, her bags were visible. Melinda pouted her lips and hated how swollen they looked - which was entirely false, because her lips were envied. Her face was much paler than it use to be. She wiped the tear from her eye as acting as though she was wiping away smeared eyeliner.

The beat echoed throughout the arena as their hit song 'C'mon C'mon' started. Melinda glanced upwards at the five of them smiling. Her grin faded when she noticed her husband. Her gaze slowly fell from his direction and back to her hands. She sighed and continued enjoying the show.

Zayn smirked to himself acting out the beginning of his verse. His words didn't make Melinda feel any better than she had been before. Neither did his actions.

"The one that I came with, she had to go....", he sang to an oncoming model with a bright pink bra and pantie. Melinda's eyebrows rose at the line hiding her shock as much as possible. The model spun once with a wink towards Zayn and continued walking where should be. He followed her down the aisle checking her out as she was smiling out of flattery, "But you look amazing standing a lone..."

The model turned to him and smirking. She playfully pushed him away and walked back to where she started. Melinda sat there observing her husband enjoying his time. Her leg was crossed over the other with her elbow resting on it. Melinda's hand was under her chin watching everything unfold. She didn't care that he interacted, that was part of his show and job. She just didn't like the fact that his smile was more... realistic, more excited, more genuine. Something she couldn't release from him anymore. When Zayn had been sitting down next to her, it was barely there.

"I failed. Yet again.", she thought to herself.

Every time Zayn was unhappy or refused to smile, she felt it was her fault. She felt as though she wasn't doing her job as his wife. Melinda would just try her best the next time he would come home or wake up. But everyday it would be the same routine. Zayn would walk in place his jacket on the hanger, hand the keys where they should, kick his shoes off in the right place, walk into the bathroom to take a shower and sleep on the couch while the TV was on.

The feeling of having insecurity and failure is how every wife is instinctively though. If something is wrong with her husband, she automatically suspects its her fault. Reality speaking though, it isn't... most of the time. Especially in Melinda and Zayn's relationship.

Each model came from behind stage sending kisses and winks at the five of them. Melinda gulped what felt like a boulder in her throat. She could trust Zayn one hundred percent but seeing how beautiful the women were, she couldn't tell if she did anymore. She shifted uncomfortably watching the little flirtatious gestures pour out on stage.

The music was loud, but she heard nothing. The lights were flashing, yet she seen black and white. The sparklers were glittering but they were dull. Melinda's heart broke a little bit more again...

No one did a thing about it.

At least...Zayn didn't. The only person who should.

No one knew what she felt inside. She didn't want anyone to know. Gharram could read her like a book. She knew if she couldn't hide her constant stress of being the perfect wife from anyone, it would be Gharram. As Melinda's crazy friend walked out from behind the curtains, she turned to the left and noticed that Melinda's expression had changed drastically.

Something was definitely up and Melinda was trying to mask it for the sake of being helped? Why, was what Gharram was trying to understand. Why was Melinda trying to hide the pain? Why hadn't she confronted her about it at all? Most importantly, why was she unhappy? Gharram wished she could do something. Wish she knew the answers, but Gharram being ...well... Gharram, she never involved herself in anyone's problems unless told to otherwise.

Yet this bothered her immensely and she wasn't going to let Melinda hide behind her so-called castle walls.

Gharram took a glance towards Zayn and then back at Melinda. Melinda smiled weakly at her. Gharram grinned as well and then her gaze fell back on Zayn. She seethed at him and kept her fierce intense gaze. Zayn was fixated by the exotic beauties passing by him not caring about just how much fascination he had towards them. Gharram did the only expected she would do in situations like these, she walked pass by him bumping him roughly with her hip into Harry.

Zayn had noticed and turned to Gharram while singing. Gharram's smirk remained plastered on her face. She turned her head back around and gave him a fake smile. Zayn's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He brushed it off continued doing what he was being paid to do.

Notes