Chapter 168: Chapter 168: Home Is Where You Are
~Zayn’s POV~
I didn’t even let the question finish. I shot back quickly, "You."
His eyes went wide. "What?!" He blinked at me.
He pointed at himself in disbelief. "Babe, no... that’s impossible. It’s me—Evric Draeven. How can I be the one washing dishes?" He tried to laugh it off. "Okay, okay... babe, if you don’t want my maid, I’ll hire a new one..."
That set me off. My anger is bursting out. "We don’t hire maids here!" My voice echoed through the room. "Here, we use our own hands. We work for ourselves. If you can’t handle that..." I jabbed my finger toward his luggage, my voice rising, "Then pack your things and go back to your comfortable mansion!"
His face fell instantly. Panic flashed across his eyes. Before I could storm off, he grabbed my arms tightly, his voice shivering. "Babe, please... don’t be harsh on me." His grip was desperate, as if I’d vanish if he let go. "It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s that I don’t know how. I’ve never done any of it."
"Then learn," I snapped. "If you don’t know how, you should learn. That’s it."
For a moment he just stared at me, his lips opened, his chest rising and falling unevenly. Then, slowly, his shoulders dropped. "Teach me, baby," he said, his voice almost breaking. "I’m willing to learn. Because I can’t... I can’t stay apart from you for one month. You’re my world, Zayn. My home. You’re the reason I smile. The reason I breathe." His eyes glistened as he spoke, raw emotion pouring out. "Without you, I’m incomplete. I know you’re angry. I know I messed up. But please... please, babe... don’t shut me out."
My heart twisted. I tried to fight it, but his words sank deep, tearing down the walls of my anger. Guilt washed over me, heavy and intense. Then I took a deep breath and said softly, "I’m sorry for shouting at you."
He gave a slight, shaky smile and whispered, "It’s okay, baby. Really." His hand rose gently to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing across my skin as if he were afraid I’d disappear. "I love you, Zayn."
The words struck me like fire, melting everything I held back. I exhaled shakily and whispered back, "I love you too, Evric."
Evric looked at me quietly for a moment before asking, "What should I do now?"
I reached for his hand, "Tell all your workers to head back home. Just you and me are enough to stay here."
His expression softened instantly. "Okay, baby." He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead before getting up. With a quiet authority, he gathered all his workers, told them to head back, and instructed his driver to return in the morning.
One by one, they nodded, slipped back into the car, and drove away until the street fell silent again.
Evric came back to me, giggling under his breath, and sank down beside me, slipping his arm around mine.
"What’s funny?" I asked, curious.
His eyes sparkled as he smiled. "I’m just... happy. Happy to finally be close to you. From now on, I’ll wake up and see your face first thing in the morning."
I raised an eyebrow, teasing softly. "And how does that make you happy?"
His smile grew softer, almost shy. "You wouldn’t understand, Zayn. But... thank you for always being patient with me, even with all my craziness."
My heart squeezed a little. I pulled him closer and spoke gently, "What’s on your mind, Evric? Talk to me."
He held my gaze for a long moment, then his voice lowered, more vulnerable than I’d ever heard. "I just want to live happily with you... without worries." He took both my hands in his, holding them tightly. "Wherever you go, Zayn, take me along with you. Never make any decision to leave me behind. I really care for you. I don’t know what’s in your heart right now, but know this..." his grip on my hands tightened slightly, "I will never make a decision that doesn’t include you."
Something inside me cracked at his words. All my walls fell. I pulled him closer until his head rested against my chest, my fingers stroking through his hair. My voice was soft but full of promise.
"I’ll also never make a decision that doesn’t include you in it."
Evric slowly lifted his head, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my chest tighten. His voice came low, trembling with sincerity.
"I love you so much, Zayn... I love you with everything that breathes in me."
My lips curved into a soft smile as warmth spread through me. "I love you more, baby..."
Before I could say more, he leaned in and captured my lips, his mouth moving against mine in a deep, hungry kiss, lip to lip, tongue against tongue. My heart raced, and for a moment I almost lost myself completely in him. But just when I was about to give in, he pulled back, his breath ragged, his eyes dark with restraint.
"I’m keeping my promise, baby," he whispered, brushing his thumb over my lower lip. "I won’t break my punishment."
I smiled through the distress in my chest and touched his cheek softly. "Okay... we’ll look forward to that."
I stood up and clapped my hands lightly. "Come on, let’s go arrange your things inside."
I pulled his luggage in, beginning to sort and arrange everything neatly. But Evric... he couldn’t keep still. Each time I bent down, each time I turned around, he found a chance to kiss me, quick kisses, playful kisses, stolen moments. His lips brushed my cheek, my neck, the corner of my mouth, until finally he caught my lips again, stealing my breath.
I couldn’t even be annoyed. Instead, laughter and happiness bubbled inside me. With every touch, every kiss, I realized again how much joy he brought into my life.
I was so happy he was here with me. So happy to have him in my life.
After we finished arranging everything, we both took a shower, separately. I asked him if he wanted dinner, but he shook his head.
"It’s late," he said, flashing that boyish grin. "I’ll just take cereal."
So I prepared a bowl for him, and while he ate, he hummed softly, then started singing like he was in his own little concert. I couldn’t help but chuckle.
In between spoons, he lifted his head and called, "Babe."
"Yes?"
"There’s a lot of things we’re going to do together," he said with a sparkle in his eyes.
"Like what?"
He leaned back dramatically, listing them off one by one, vacations, cooking together, late-night drives, movie nights, all the silly, romantic things couples do.
I shook my head with a smile. "Okay, we’ll talk more about that."
After he finished eating, we headed back to the bedroom. We lay on the bed side by side, talking about everything and nothing, his excitement filling the room. I listened quietly, watching how alive he became with every word, until finally his voice grew softer, and he drifted into sleep beside me.
I raised my head from his arms and sat up slowly. For a moment, I just watched him his face so calm, so peaceful in sleep, as if the world outside didn’t exist. A small smile touched my lips. I couldn’t help but smile softly.
I have my answer already...
Reaching for the nightstand, I picked up my phone. My fingers trembled as I unlocked it, the glow of the screen breaking the darkness.
In the quiet, I typed a simple message to Evric’s father:
"Here is my decision, sir."
I attached the file he had sent me, the final document, signed with my name on it, final and clear.
I stared at the screen for a moment longer, knowing there was no going back after this.
And then, with one last breath, I pressed send.