She was always there

The past never stays buried

The tension hit the second Zayn walked into the office kitchen.

You were pouring coffee.
He was already there.

Zayn (charming smile):
"You must be the girl who broke Alex's silence."

You blinked.
You (slowly):
"And you are?"

Zayn:
"Someone who used to know him better than anyone."

---

🖤 Flashback: Zayn & Alex

You overheard Layla whispering with Hugo by the vending machine:

> "Zayn and Alex? Used to be close. Best friends. Maybe more."
"Something happened. Some deal gone wrong. Alex left. Zayn vanished."

But now Zayn was back.
And the way he kept watching Alex from across the room?

Like he was daring him to crack.

---

🪩 The Confrontation

It didn't take long.

Alex saw him. Froze.
You watched as something unreadable passed across his face-pain, guilt, maybe even fear.

They met in the hallway.

Zayn (quietly):
"Still running from what you did?"

Alex (cold):
"I thought I made it clear that I didn't want to see you again."

Zayn:
"Too bad. You don't get to erase me."

You stepped closer, unable to pretend you weren't listening.

Zayn (noticing):
"She doesn't know, does she?"

Alex's jaw tightened.

Zayn (to you):
"Ever wonder what he gave up to be here?"

Alex stepped in, firm.

Alex:
"This is between us. Don't drag her into it."

Zayn (dark smile):
"Too late for that."

---

💌 That Night...

You sat on the edge of your bed, phone buzzing with texts from Layla:

> "I don't like him."
"Zayn gives me snake energy."
"Alex looked ready to either punch him or cry."

You texted Alex.

> You okay?

No response.

But then-
A knock at your door.

You opened it.

Alex.

Rain-soaked. Eyes red.
A silent storm of everything he couldn't say.

Alex (quietly):
"There's something I should've told you a long time ago..."