Karmina's POV

The hazel-green eyes in the clear mirror stared back at her. They showed wariness and stress. Not long ago, she had finally put all the pieces together. This peaceful bliss lasted only a few weeks at most. Everything had changed since Derek had returned. He wasn't a pesky, but having him I'm their home put a strained on her relationship with Harry. Harry hadn't tried to hide how displeased he was with the situation. She understood the reason behind Harry's feelings, yet Derek had done nothing to receive that kind of behavior. Never before had she felt so torn. Derek had always been good to her, he still was. The fondness he had for Karry was evident. It nearly broke her heart when she realized that he had spent more time with Karry in the last couple days than Harry. On Harry's first night there he had chosen to leave instead of spend time with Karry. He was angry at the time, but that want reason enough to waste the little bit of time he had in town away for her. She wiped the edges of her now watered eyes. The thoughts had shattered her usual calm demeanor. Karmina exited the brightly lit master bathroom into her walk-in closet. By her mirror, hung her long, silver-glittered, sweetheart cut gown. She slipped the dress over her legs up to her chest. The zippered back had her struggling to lift.

"You are beautiful," she gasped when she heard a whisper. From the mirror she could see him leaning against the door. Her heart jumped, but she relaxed a little when she saw his curls. Though the nerves still circulated her. Things between them have been very tense.

"Thank you," she exhaled loudly, and stole a quick glance through the mirror. He caught her staring and smirked. His green eyes flickered to her back, and then her eyes again. She broke his stare and turned back to fidgeting with her zipper.

"Need help, love?" He reached her in one stride. His warm hand at the small of her waist. His fingers moving around her bare back as he lift the zipper up slowly, as if, he were purposely doing so. She then felt his nose inhale the side of her neck. "You smell delicious." He sent chills her up her spine.

"You know what that does to me," her eyes gleamed with desire. The crooked smirk made a comeback. The softness of his wet lips against her shoulder sent a shiver through her.

"Don't give me that look. I tried and you turned me down," he continued to talk to her as he unclipped the pins holding her curls up.

"You know why," she looked away from his reflection in the mirror.

"No, I really don't. It's not fair to put our relationship on hold for him. We are already letting him stay here. It's fair to me," he spun her around so she was forced to look at him. "I've been working so hard for us. The last thing I need is to censor my own relationship in our house." His eyes darted back and forth between hers.

"You're right. It's not fair and it stops here. If he doesn't like it he can go. I refused to lose you again," she grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down for a kiss as she stood on her toes. She could tell it caught him off guard but he quickly responded by grabbing her waist and pulling her closer to him. Even through the layers of clothes the bulge in his pants demanded attention. Finally, she broke away from their embrace for air.

"You know what that does to me," he said her words back to her. The hunger and lust burning through his eyes. She frowned at him, playfully. "I know not now, but later for sure," he winked at her and gave her a peck on the cheek.

Together, they walked out of the room, hand-in-hand. This was it, they worked it out and were stronger now more than ever. Entering the living room, they spotted a very awkward, Derek sitting on a bar stool. A drink in his left hand and his right hand on his knee; his whole body language was nervous. His eyes shifted to hers and Harry interlocked hands then to her eyes. His expression impassive, but they lingered over her eyes before Harry spoke.

"It's time to go," Harry said in a serious tone. One-by-one, they entered the elevator in complete silence.

Niall's POV

Niall tugged at the cuffs of his new tailored suit. It was a lot tighter than the clothes he usually wore but he figured he could manage for a few hours. After all, it was for charity. He anxiously waited in the town car for Liam and Louis who were riding with him. Since they were all dateless they decided to stick together. They would all have to walk the red carpet up the met steps together anyway. All of the boys were wearing similar suits with the same color scheme of navy and white. Niall's suit was all navy with only a white buttoned shirt for contrast. He received a text from Harry saying they were on the way. Soon after they were under way.

When they all excited their cars, the flashing of the paparazzi started instantly. He could hear screaming and names being shouted. He smiled his regular smile for a few shots. He glance at Karmina who wore a pained expression. This was knew to her. Her overwhelmed expression gave her away. She made eye contact and Niall gave her a sympathetic smile. Soon it was only shots of the boys and he could see her relax a little. Niall felt relieved, he saw Karmina like a sister and cared about her a lot.

When they were seated, a few of the members dispersed to socialize. Only the couples remained at the table and Niall. He began to stand when he saw her; a vision in a white. Her long blonde hair in finger-waves they framed her face. She wore subtle eye liner and bright red lips. It was her signature color of lipstick choice. Her nineties inspired halter, backless dress, hugged her body tightly. Gabrielle was walking towards them.

"Hello, everyone." Gabrielle greeted in her French accent. "You all look lovely."

"So do you," Karmina spoke up before Niall could speak. He nodded in agreement with a foolish grin.

"Try the Bordeaux. It's phenomenal," she gushed.

"You don't have to tell me twice," Harry waved over a waiter. Zayn and Perrie grabbing a glass with him. Gabrielle handed Niall one, and winked when she was sure no one was looking. He smiled back, not really certain what he should do. They hadn't spoken. She had avoided his calls, yet she was acting like nothing happen.

"Excuse me," she spoke to the table and walked away. Niall waited around five seconds before he followed her. He was surprised at how quickly she walked. When he finally caught up with her he pulled her into the kitchen. "Hello, Niall." She said to him, not at all surprised that he had pulled her.

"That's it? Hello? Like nothing had ever happened between us?" He searched her eyes for an answer.

"Well, yes," she shrugged. "I've buried what we were but I still want to be friends."

"Just like that?" Niall could feel a stab at his heart.

"Yes," she nodded. When Niall didn't say anything she spoke again. "Is there anything else? I have to get back to my date." She looked up to him. Niall's pain was washed away with jealousy and anger.

"A date? Who?" He lifted his chin a nod for her to answer.

"A main benefactor," her words slow, as if she were preceding with caution. "One of the Kensington's," she added. Niall scoffed, he didn't mean to but he couldn't help his anger.

"Real mature," she rolled her eyes and stormed away.

Zayn's POV

Zayn sipped his wine, as he was bored out of his mind. A few people had spoken and he nearly fell asleep. His only distractions of entertainment were his wine, his phone and Perrie. He glanced at her. She was across the room in a pale blue gown that made her icy blue eyes pop. Her purple-blonde hair pull up at the front and curled at the back. He watched as she laughed while speaking to an older couple. Perrie had always been very charming. Her beauty was limitless. The natural glow of her face made her always look stunning even without all the makeup she always wore. Finally, she caught him staring and blew him a kiss. He smiled back at her.

"What's up, mate?" Louis sat beside him. "You look a bit lonely."

"Perrie's off charming the Americans and I'm here trying not to get to drunk," he sipped his wine slowly savoring the taste in his mouth before swallowing.

Louis chuckled. "I know right. This is terribly boring. I guess we only have to stick around for another hour before we can leave."

Zayn shrugged, "that seems too long a wait."

"Then make it worth you're while," he felt a hand on his shoulder and turn to see Perrie.

"Very few people can do that for me," he winked at her.

"Alright, give me forty-five more minutes and we can leave," she kisses his cheek before disappearing to the crowd again.

Zayn returned his attention to the empty wine glass, he lifted his head to call the waiter for more. That was when he saw her. She was on the second floor balcony leaning slightly over the edge scanning the room. Her expression sad. A slender blonde with piercing eyes stood above him. She was stunning and regal of bearing. Clearly, she came from money, her posture screamed a higher stature. She wore a gold corseted top and white gloves. It was all Zayn could see from the angle. The brown wide eyes on her youthful face gave her a look of strength beneath the layer of isolation. The girl was a dimming sunset; endless hues of golden yellow. All molding into one large mass of color. Zayn stared at her in awe of her beauty. Then she looked down at him but quickly looked away. Zayn didn't take his eyes off of her; he couldn't. He was in a trance and she had hypnotized him. The powerful girl look at him again. Gazing for a few seconds as their eyes met across the distance for a moment they were closer in time but then she looked away. A man then came behind her and grabbed her arm. He was a few years older than her. She pulls her arm out of his grip. They appear to be arguing before she storms off and he follows behind her.

Notes

Guess who is Gabrielle is with? Who captured Zayn's eye? More to come soon! I hope you guys like it! Let me know who's storyline you want to see more of?

xoxo<3