If Time Stands Still

55- indifferent

Aylin's POV

"You quit your job!" dad throws his hands up, causing me to wince. I've never seen him this mad in years, but I'm more afraid that he might overexert himself into another heart problem, "Yet you stand there like you're not bothered."

I look to my right at mom and Luna who's staring at us wide-eyed, then at Zayn who's pretending not to hear a thing while absentmindedly browsing through his phone.

"And now you're not even listening!" He continues, vein popping out of his forehead and all.

"They were going to fire me anyway." I explain, but he merely pinches the bridge of his nose, "At least I could leave with some dignity. I don't get the big deal. There'll be more jobs."

"Have you gotten any offers?" He asks.

"Well, no, but I will once I start getting interviews."

"Have you even applied for new positions before quitting, Aylin?" He inquires, "No. Not a smart move. I expected better from you."

You always do, anyway.

I take a deep breath to compose myself. Fighting him on this isn't going to make him hear me, but maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it in front of everyone. Foolish move on my part.

"Maybe there was a good reason for that. Maybe I couldn't take it anymore because-" my gaze falls on Luna, so I decide to keep the whole Teagan thing under wraps. She's too inquisitive and would end up asking way more than I'd want to answer, "Because I could thrive elsewhere."

He takes a deep breath as well, but I can tell he's itching to say something, "I'm not mad at you for quitting. I'm sure you had a good reason to. It's the fact that you don't have a back-up plan. I know you, Aylin. You're not irresponsible."

He looks at mom, then at me, speechless, but no longer fuming.

"What do you think?" Dad asks, but when I look his way, I realize that he's asking Zayn. Fūck my life.

"Me?" He clears his throat and puts his phone away, "I uh... already told her what I think." he nods awkwardly with a tight-lipped smile.

"I'm sorry." I mouth to him. Nobody likes being dragged into somebody else's family drama, yet Zayn still puts up with it.

He looks my way, mouthing a "it's okay" with a calming smile on his face.

"And what is that?" Dad continues to push.

"Well, I too expressed that it's unlike her." Zayn responds honestly, "But I trust her." His gaze flickers from him to me, "She's smart. She knows what she's doing, so I wouldn't be too worried."

He shoots me a wink that instantly has me biting down a smile since I'm trying to stay serious.

"Has everyone finished?" Luna stands up, "I'm gonna wash up."

"Yes, we're done here." Mom glares at dad, "I think you kids should get something nice from Cloud Cafe."

"And I think that would be a great idea." Zayn stands up as well, "Luna, forget the dishes. We'll do them when we get back, yeah?"

"Not complaining." She grins, "Lemme get my jacket."

"Bring mine too!" I call out just as she leaves the kitchen.

"Not your servant!" She yells back.

"Bring me some of that cheesecake." Mom tells us before silently calling dad to join her in the TV room.

Once it's just me and Zayn, he pulls out his keys from the pocket of his leather jacket and walks over to me with a smirk on his face, "Either your mum's about to give your dad an earful or they're about to give you and Luna another sibling."