Chapter 162: Chapter 162: Love Under Their Eyes
~Evric’s POV~
I turned the screen toward him, the email still glowing in my hand.
Instead of answering me, Zayn walked closer, gently took the phone back, and said, "Babe, I’m hungry. Let’s go have breakfast."
He reached for my hand, ready to pull me outside, but I didn’t move. Instead, I cupped his face, searching his eyes. "Can you answer my question?"
Silence stretches between us. His gaze was steady, but words wouldn’t come. My heart narrowed, and I whispered, pleading, "Please, babe... talk to me. Please."
Finally, his voice broke through the stillness. "That agreement has nothing to do with our relationship. You should trust me. There’s nothing in it worth talking about."
I searched his eyes, desperate to read the truth, but all he gave me was, "Please, Evric... trust me."
My lips trembled, but I nodded. "Okay... okay."
Relief flickered across his face, he kissed my forehead before taking my hand again. "Come on, let’s go downstairs and eat."
But I pulled him back, wrapping my arms around his waist. Looking into his eyes, I whispered, "I love you... Do you know that?"
He smiled softly. "I love you too."
We went downstairs and ate in silence, the clinking of cutlery the only sound between us. After the meal, Zayn pushed his plate aside and said quietly, "I want to go out for a while. I might not come back here today, maybe tomorrow."
The words hit me like a stone. "Then let’s go to your house together," I offered quickly.
But he shook his head. "No. My friends are coming over. You don’t seem to like them, so it’s better if you stay back."
"I don’t dislike them," I protested quickly. "I just... don’t know how to connect with them yet."
He refused again and again, but after my insistence, he finally agreed. Still, I noticed the way his fingers flew over his phone, texting someone with an urgency he never gave me.
Back upstairs, Zayn suggested we shower together. I smile. "You go first."
The moment he disappeared into the bathroom, I grabbed his phone. My chest pounded as I scrolled. That’s when I saw it.
A set time, day, and location.
Evans.
He said, he needed to speak with Evans because it was important.
And Evans had given him a time when they could meet.
My stomach twisted. You won’t talk to me... but you choose to talk to him. Okay.
I placed the phone back exactly where I’d found it, forcing my face to remain calm.
When Zayn finished his shower, steam curling out of the bathroom, I slipped inside without a word, letting the hot water wash over me. But no matter how hot the shower, it couldn’t burn away the cold weight settling inside my chest.
After my shower, Zayn was already dressed. I quickly slipped into my clothes, brushed my hair, and as always, Zayn came over to help style it. His hands moved with an ease that made me smile. His hair was always easier to manage than mine, but he never complained, just worked patiently until every strand fell into place.
Once we were both ready, we went downstairs. My driver was waiting. As soon as we got into the car, Zayn leaned closer. "I’ll stop at the restaurant first, just to check on how things are going," he said.
I nodded. "That’s fine. I’ll wait in the car."
While he stepped out, my phone buzzed. It was James.
"Boss, hope you didn’t forget the appointment with the new client," James reminded me. "It’s important, you can’t skip it."
My stomach sank. I had nearly forgotten.
Of course, I remember," I lied smoothly, then glanced out the tinted window. "After we drop Zayn at home, take me to this location." I shared the address with my driver and he gave a simple nod.
"Understood, sir."
"That’s good enough," I murmured to myself. By the time I come back, Zayn’s friends should be gone. I really don’t want to see Nicki...
A few minutes later, Zayn returned, sliding back into the car. My driver pulled away.
"I’ll be meeting a client first," I told him gently. "I’ll come back later."
He didn’t seem surprised. He only said, "Okay."
When we reached his house, he leaned in and hugged me tightly before stepping out. I watched him walk through the gates until he disappeared inside.
My driver took me straight to the meeting point. I frowned when I saw it was a rooftop bar. Lunch hour, really? A bar at this time of day? I shook my head. Some clients...
Inside, I met the client and his partner. We dove straight into business negotiations. They kept pressing me about why they should trust me with their money. I explained, argued, reassured, but this one was stubborn, unwilling to bend easily.
Finally, after hours of back and forth, he agreed to move forward. Relief washed over me, until he raised his glass with a grin. "Now, let’s celebrate our collaboration."
Drinks appeared on the table. Strong ones.
I could tolerate alcohol, but I didn’t want to overdo it. Still, with these men, it was impossible to hold back. Glass after glass was pushed my way, their laughter booming with every toast.
By the time the sky grew dim, I was warm and heavy, my head buzzing.
"I need to leave now," I said firmly, pushing my chair back.
They tried to stop me. "Stay, just one more drink!"
But I shook my head. "I have important things to attend to. And I think we’ve celebrated enough for one day."
Reluctantly, they let me go.
As I stepped out of the bar, the cool air hit me, but it didn’t clear the dizziness. My steps were uneven, my body hot from too much alcohol.
All I could think was one thing.
I need Zayn right now.
The car rolled to a smooth stop in front of Zayn’s house. My driver glanced at me through the mirror, but I only gave a curt nod. He understood well enough, he had been with me long enough to know when not to ask questions.
The driver barely had time to pull away before I was already at Zayn’s door, ringing the bell with shaky hands. My chest burned; the alcohol had me hot, restless, aching.
The second the door opened, I didn’t hesitate... I grabbed Zayn, sealing my mouth to his like I’d die without the taste of him.
"Babe... wait, wait..." Zayn tried to speak, but his words only fueled me.
"Evric..." he muffled against my lips, pulling slightly back, his brows furrowed. "Babe, what’s wrong? Are you drunk? Did you... Did you drink?"
I ignored his question, pressing forward, trailing kisses down his jaw as my hands tugged recklessly at his shirt buttons.
"Babe, slow down, please, you’re not even listening to me." He caught my wrist, concern flickering across his face, but the warmth of his skin only drove me crazier.
"I need you," I muttered against his neck, voice low, heavy with alcohol and longing. "I just need you, right now."
Zayn stiffened, trying to hold me back, his voice sharper this time. "Evric... wait, wait! Babe, stop... my friends are watching."
That’s when I paused. My head snapped up, my chest heaving, and there they were Nantam and Dean staring wide-eyed, shocked into silence. And Nicki... He simply quickly looked away, refusing to meet my gaze.
The room went still. The air, thick with tension, burned hotter than the alcohol in my blood. I didn’t care who was watching, who was judging. My body ached, my head spun, and all I could see was Zayn.
"I don’t care," I said, my voice rough, louder than I intended. I turned to Zayn, gripping his wrist tightly. "Let’s go to your room. I need you right now."
Zayn’s eyes widened, his lips opened in shock. "Evric..."