Chapter 158: Chapter 158: Hold Me Like Before
~Evric’s POV~
Just then, a knock sounded on the door before it pushed open. I raised my head, half-expecting a nurse, but instead, it was Chrisly.
"Hey, bro," he greeted softly as he stepped inside. His gaze flicked to Zayn, still resting peacefully on the hospital bed, then back to me. "I heard what happened... are you both okay?"
"I’m good," I answered, masking the exhaustion weighing on me. "And Zayn is stable now. They’re monitoring him until evening. If everything stays clear, he’ll be discharged soon."
Chrisly nodded, his expression easing a little. "That’s good."
"What about you?" I asked.
"I’m fine," he replied, then studied me for a moment. "But you... you look tired."
I gave a faint, humorless smile. "I’m fine, Chrisly." My eyes drifted back to Zayn instinctively. "I just can’t afford to look away from him right now."
"You’re not fine," Chrisly said firmly. "I know you won’t admit it, but I can see it."
I smiled slightly and asked, "How did you find out?"
He sighed. "It was Karl who called me last night and explained everything to me. After hearing what that stupid Ni..."
I quickly raised a finger to my lips, signaling him to stop. My chest shrank. Zayn might not be as deeply asleep as he seemed, and I wasn’t ready for him to hear Nicki’s name not yet.
Chrisly caught on immediately and nodded. "Good thing he’s fine now."
"Thank you, bro," I whispered.
He nodded, then pulled a bag from his side. "I brought you some clothes and food. You should change and eat something."
I exhaled, gratitude flooding me. "Thanks, Chrisly."
We sat together on the couch. For a moment, there was silence before Chrisly leaned closer and murmured, "I don’t agree with you letting this go, Evric. You have to take legal action."
I looked down at my hands, then back at him. "I want to, Chrisly... I want to... so bad... but tell me, which one would you prefer me to choose? Keeping Zayn or losing him?"
Chrisly didn’t hesitate. "Keeping him."
"Exactly," I said softly, my voice low. "He’s what matters most right now. I can’t risk telling him and end up losing him. I have to be careful... I will tell him eventually, but not now."
Chrisly stayed quiet for a long moment, then gave a short nod. "You’re right, Evric. He’s lucky to have you."
I corrected him gently. "No. I’m lucky to have him."
Chrisly smiled. "Then let’s just say both of you are lucky to have each other."
"Yeah," I chuckled faintly. "You can say that again."
A little while later, the nurse came by, carefully removing Zayn’s oxygen line and a few monitors. "He’s stable now," she said, before leaving us alone again.
Almost immediately, Zayn stirred and turned toward me, his voice hoarse. "Babe... I need water. I’m thirsty."
I hurried to pour some into a cup and held it to his lips. He sipped slowly, then leaned back against the pillow. I kissed his forehead gently, relief swelling in my chest.
That’s when Zayn noticed Chrisly sitting nearby.
"Bro," Chrisly greeted warmly, stepping closer. "How do you feel now?"
Zayn gave him a little smile. "I’m fine. Thank you for asking ."
Chrisly smiled back. "You’re welcome."
Zayn’s eyes flicked back to me. "Where are my friends? I haven’t seen any of them."
"They were here since yesterday until this morning," I explained. "I told them to go back. I’ll stay with you."
He nodded faintly. "Good then."
After a moment, he asked, "When am I getting discharged? Have you asked them?"
"Babe," I said gently, brushing his hand with mine. "Focus on recovering first."
He frowned a little. "Babe, I’m fine now. You should go and ask them when they’ll discharge me."
I sighed, giving in a little. "They already said it’s either this evening or tomorrow."
His fingers tightened around my arm. "This evening is better. There’s no reason to wait until tomorrow."
I hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, baby. But let’s wait to hear from them first."
"Okay, baby." He smiled weakly, holding my hand as though he never wanted to let go. Then, with a soft concern, he asked, "Babe... have you eaten?"
I nodded quickly. "Yes."
Chrisly watched the way Zayn leaned against me, the quiet exchanges between us, and finally shook his head with a grin. "Wow, this love is too loud," he teased.
That made Zayn smile, faint but genuine, and I couldn’t help but smile with him.
Evening settled in, and soon the doctor returned for the final check. After a thorough examination, he gave us the best news we could hope for Zayn was perfectly fine but needed plenty of rest for the next few days. Relief washed over me as I thanked the doctor.
Not long after, my driver arrived to help pack our things, with Chrisly lending a hand as well. By the time we reached the car park, night had already blanketed the city. I slid into the back seat beside Zayn, making sure he was comfortable, while Chrisly leaned in with a warm smile.
"Quick recovery, bro," he said to Zayn before turning to me. "Goodnight, bro. Take care of him."
"Always," I replied, watching him walk to his own car before we pulled away.
The ride home felt longer than ever. Every turn of the wheel, every passing light stretched out like an eternity. Maybe it was the silence, or maybe it was the weight of everything that had happened but all I could think about was Zayn, resting beside me, and the fragile relief of finally having him safe.
When we arrived, the house was quiet everyone had already gone to bed. I hadn’t told Nuala what happened, and even Liana, who had traveled back this afternoon for work, had no idea. When she called, asking about Zayn, I lied, telling her he was simply asleep or spending time with a friend. I couldn’t let her worry.
Upstairs, before letting Zayn sleep, I carefully helped him shower, steadying him when he felt weak, and afterwards I took my own shower too. Once we were both done, I asked softly if he wanted to eat, but he shook his head with a tiny smile. "I’m fine."
So we went straight to bed. No words were exchanged, just the quiet comfort of his head resting on my chest, his breathing evening out until I knew he had fallen asleep. For a long time, I lay there, holding him close, my hand absently brushing his hair.
When I was sure he was deeply asleep, I carefully lifted his head from my chest and placed it gently onto the pillow. Standing quietly, I watched him for a moment, peaceful, safe, mine... before I finally slipped out of bed.
I had pending work that needed to be delivered first thing tomorrow, so I gathered my laptop, phone, earpods, blanket, and glasses and went downstairs.
The weight of the day pressed on me, and before settling down, I reached for a bottle of wine from the bar. With my blanket draped over me, I sank into the couch, music humming in my ears, glass in hand, and my laptop balanced on my lap. For hours, I worked, drinking and typing, slowly losing myself in the rhythm of distraction.
I was nearly done when I felt it, someone’s presence. I lifted my head and froze. A figure stood beside me. My heart skipped a beat when I realized it was Zayn. I hadn’t heard him come down. Quickly pulling my earpods out, I sat up straighter.
"Babe," I began, startled, "do you want anything?"
But instead of answering, he slid down onto the couch beside me, close enough that I could feel his warmth. "Why did you leave me alone in the bedroom?" he asked quietly.
I exhaled, guilt pricking me. "I’m sorry. I had work to finish. I didn’t want to disturb your rest."
"Okay..." he said softly, then his gaze lingered on me. "But babe, you haven’t rested either."
I forced a smile. "I will, after I’m done."
He nodded, though I could tell he wasn’t satisfied. Then, without warning, he shifted, crawling on top of me and settling his weight against my chest. My laptop wobbled, and I quickly slid it onto the side table. For a moment, everything felt still, the world faded, and all I could focus on was him.
But soon, the way Zayn moved against me, his silk pajamas brushing mine, made my body respond in ways I couldn’t control. Heat rose between us, a dangerous mix of wine, exhaustion, and desire pulling me under.
"Babe," I whispered, breath shaky. "Let me sit up, so you can lie more comfortably on the chair."
He shook his head stubbornly, pressing closer.
I clenched my jaw, fighting myself. No. He just got out of the hospital. I can’t... I can’t do this to him.
But then Zayn tilted his head up, eyes burning into mine, and kissed me. At first, I thought it was just a kiss, soft, hungry, but innocent. Then his hand slid down, pushing into the waistband of my pajamas, wrapping around my cock. I gasped, my body betraying me.
"Babe, no... please," I whispered, grabbing his wrist.
"Why?" he asked, eyes challenging.
"Because you’re still recovering," I said firmly, though my voice was unsteady.
He smirked faintly. "You want me. I can feel it."
My chest rose and fell, heavy. "That’s because... you’re on top of me."
"So, you don’t want me?" he pressed, his voice trembling.
"I do," I admitted. My voice cracked. "God, I want you."
"Then take me."
I swallowed hard, torn in two. "No, babe..." But before I could say more, he kissed my neck, biting gently, his breath hot against my skin.
"Don’t make me look sick," he whispered harshly. His voice broke, and I felt wetness against my skin... his tears.
"Zayn..."
He pulled back, eyes glistening. "That’s why I didn’t want you to know about my allergy. I knew once you saw it, you’d treat me differently. Do you think I’m weak? Do you think I’m sick?"
My chest ached. I cupped his face firmly, forcing him to meet my eyes. "No, babe. I don’t. I swear."
"Then fuck me... please," he begged, voice raw.
I held his gaze, my heart breaking and burning all at once. Slowly, I brushed away his tears. "Is this what you want?"
He nodded, desperate.
I exhaled, kissing his forehead. "Then come on. Not here. Anyone could walk into the living room."
He slipped his fingers into mine, holding tight. Without another word, I led him upstairs, each step heavy with desire and fear, with love and weakness.