Chapter 169: Chapter 169: My Morning Begins with You
~Evric’s POV~
I moved into Zayn’s house with so much satisfaction in my heart. When he said he wanted to punish me, I thought it would be something small, something I could easily handle. But when he said one month without sex and one month of not going to my house, I felt a pang in my chest.
I could survive not touching him, but staying away from Zayn for an entire month? That sounded more like breaking up than punishment. I went home confused, and when I told Nuala, she only smiled and said, "If the rule is that he can’t come to you, then you go to him. The rules didn’t say you can’t."
That was when it clicked. She was right. I packed my things immediately and moved into Zayn’s house.
And now, lying here with him asleep in my arms, I know I made the right choice. Above everything, what I love most is simply having him close to me. His warmth, his breath, the sound of his heartbeat, it makes me feel safe. Complete. Whole.
I brushed his hair back gently and whispered, "Good morning, baby."
He stirred, his sleepy voice muffled, and instead of answering properly, he climbed on top of me, resting his head against my chest. I smiled, pulling the duvet over him to keep him warm. He lay there quietly, his breathing soft and even, and I held him tighter, my heart steady and at peace.
In that moment, I realized, this was happiness. Just us, close, without needing anything else.
A few minutes later, he pressed a kiss against my chest and murmured softly, "Good morning, baby."
I stroked his hair and asked, "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes," he replied with a smile. "And you?"
"I slept peacefully with you beside me," I answered honestly.
After lazing around a little, he suddenly sat up, stretching. "Come on, let’s get ready for the day."
I took his hand and followed Zayn into the kitchen. As he moved around, he glanced at me and asked, "So, what’s your plan for today?"
I leaned against the counter. "I’ve got a few things lined up. There’s a meeting at one o’clock, and Rogan will be there too."
His brows lifted. "What’s the meeting about?"
"Validation for a new project," I explained. "Just the usual proposals, updates... basically, it’s about making more money."
Zayn chuckled and shook his head, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "You love making money. I can see how excited you are whenever you talk about it."
I laughed quietly because he wasn’t wrong. "I’ve been in business for a long time. And honestly, I’ve always been making money on the side. But aside from that, do you know my father puts all of us on a salary?"
Zayn looked at me, curious. "Really?"
"Yeah," I said with a shrug. "So apart from what I earn myself, and the money I make as CEO of Draeven Holdings, I also get a salary from Rogan."
Zayn gave me that warm smile again. "That’s cool."
For a moment, I paused, then sighed. "My father is actually a good man. He’s been supportive in almost everything... except one. The only part of me he refuses to accept is the fact that I’m gay. He was hurt when he found out. And ever since then, it’s like there’s this wall between us. I just hope one day he’ll give us his approval."
Zayn stepped closer, brushing his hand against mine, his voice calm and steady. "Don’t worry, babe. It’s just a matter of time. With the way you always talk about him, I believe he’ll come around. He’ll see how much you love me and grant us his blessing."
I looked at him, my heart sank with both fear and hope. He made it sound so simple. And maybe, with Zayn by my side, it really could be.
After Zayn finished preparing breakfast, we both sat down at the dining table. I watched him take his first bite, his calmness making me smile.
"Babe," I said softly.
He looked up, "Yes?"
"Follow me to the office today," I asked.
Zayn chuckled, shaking his head. "Didn’t you say your father and some important partners will be there? If I show up, won’t that raise suspicion? I don’t want to cause you problems, Evric. I’ll pass—maybe some other time."
But my heart clenched at his words. I reached for his hand across the table. "Please, babe. Come with me. Eventually, they’ll all know. I won’t hide you forever. All you have to do is sit quietly in my office. That’s all I ask."
He sighed, searching my eyes. "Evric..."
I squeezed his hand tighter, my voice almost breaking. "Please, babe."
After a long pause, he finally nodded. "Alright. I’ll come."
Relief washed over me. We smiled at each other, and then we finished our breakfast together.
When we were done, we both prepared for the day. He dressed me with his careful hands, fixing my tie and smoothing my shirt. I styled his hair in return, brushing my fingers through it longer than necessary just to feel him close.
By the time we stepped outside, my driver was already waiting. We got into the car, and he drove us to my office.
It was a little past eleven when we arrived. The moment I stepped out of the car, I saw Mr. Karl and James waiting by the elevator with anxious expressions on their faces.
"What’s wrong?" I asked immediately.
"Didn’t you check your phone?" Karl asked, tense.
"No..." I frowned.
"They changed the meeting time. It started thirty minutes ago. Everyone is inside already, including your father."
My stomach dropped. What?!
Without thinking, I grabbed Zayn’s hand and hurried him into my office. "Stay here, I’ll be back," I told him quickly before rushing toward the boardroom.
The moment I entered, all eyes turned to me. My father’s cold, sharp stare burned into my skin. I swallowed hard and bowed slightly. "I apologize for being late."
James quickly passed me the file, and I sat down, forcing myself to focus. The meeting continued, and though I kept answering questions and finalizing points, I could feel my father’s gaze on me, heavy with disapproval.
When it finally ended, I apologized once more and slipped out, leaving him behind to chat casually with his partners.
Exhausted, I returned to my office. Zayn was waiting patiently, quiet, his eyes softening the moment I entered. I ordered food for him earlier, but I noticed the tray still untouched.
"Why didn’t you eat?" I asked.
He lowered his gaze. "Because I was alone. I didn’t want to risk eating something that might trigger my allergy. I was... afraid."
I walked closer and brushed his cheek. "I’m here now. Eat, babe."
He smiled faintly, relief in his eyes, and finally began eating. I sat with him, taking bites together, and for a moment the world felt calm again.
But then, without warning, the door to my office burst open.
"Evric, what—" My father’s voice froze when his eyes fell on Zayn. His expression hardened instantly. "I thought as much. So it was because of him you were late."
Zayn stiffened beside me, lowering his fork.
My father stepped further inside, his words sharp and heavy. He began to lecture me, his tone rising, his disapproval cutting deeper with every sentence.
Until he said it...
"Does being gay affect you both so much? You’re throwing away your dignity, your family name, just to..."
"Father, STOP!" I snapped, standing abruptly. My voice shook with anger. "Please, enough!"