Chapter 166: Chapter 166: The Weight of Choices
~Zayn’s POV~
Without hesitation, I said, "I won’t come to your house for a whole month. And no sex for one month either. So this was our last time, until after a month."
His eyes went wide. "What?!"
Then he broke into a smile, shaking his head. "Babe, I know you can’t be serious, right...?"
I met his eyes firmly. "Babe, I’m damn serious."
He sighed dramatically. "Okay, fine. If it’s because you don’t want sex, I’ll endure it. But don’t say you won’t come to my house. Didn’t you promise to move in with me when I got back?"
I narrowed my eyes, smirking. "Evric, you’re so smart."
He grinned proudly. "I know. I’m a businessman."
"Well," I said, leaning closer, "I’m smarter than you. I did promise to move in but I never mentioned when. So yes, after a month, I’ll move in."
He groaned like a child denied his candy. "Please, Zayn, one month is too long."
I shook my head. "It can only be one month."
He stared at me, then finally gave in with a soft chuckle. "Alright... one month. That’s it?"
"Yes. That’s it."
"No extra punishment? No hidden rules?"
"That’s all," I confirmed.
"Fine." He sighed again, then leaned forward with a playful glint in his eyes. "But... can I at least get breakfast from you?"
"Sure," I tried to get up, but winced immediately, my bottom was too sore. He quickly helped me to my feet, steadying me with gentle hands.
As I shuffled toward the kitchen, he wrapped himself around me like a stubborn child. "I can still hug you, right?"
"Just a little," I warned, trying not to laugh.
"What about kisses?" he pressed, his lips already grazing my cheek.
"A little kiss," I said, pretending to be strict.
"Deal," he whispered, dropping a quick kiss on my lips before hugging me again. "I’ll survive on hugs and little kisses until the month is over."
He helped me into the kitchen, insisting on doing the little he could to assist, though I knew he just wanted to linger around me.
He leaned back slightly, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "You know," he began, "I should tell you a story you’ve never heard before. Back when I was in high school, I wasn’t just another guy, I was the guy. Tall, rich, sharp, and brilliant. I had that whole... aura. Classic looks, the kind of charm people turn their heads for. Every boy and girl in that school wanted me."
I chuckled softly. "Who told you you were all that?"
"My father," he grinned. "You see, I look like my dad."
I smiled at the mention. "Aside from his bad side, Rogan is actually a very handsome man."
" You’re right about that."
He stepped closer, his arm sliding around my waist. His voice dropped, playful yet sure. "Even you, Zayn... if you hadn’t fallen for this handsome man standing behind you, you wouldn’t have come searching for me after our first night. You must have fallen for me the moment you walked in."
I tilted my head at him but said nothing.
"Was I lying?" he asked, eyes glinting.
I dodged the question and threw it back at him. "What about you?"
"You know I’m always honest," he said, his tone suddenly softer. "The moment you walked into that room, God, Zayn... you shifted something inside me. I knew right then, I wouldn’t let you go."
"So," he continued, his thumb tracing circles at my waist, "did you fall in love with me the moment you walked in?"
I smiled faintly. "What do you think?"
His grin widened. "You must have fallen deeply. Wanted me so badly in your bed..."
I rolled my eyes as he started laughing. "I can’t forget when I was still chasing you, God, Zayn. You’ve always been stubborn from the start."
"Then why didn’t you back off?" I asked, though my lips curved at the edges.
He hugged me tightly, his voice rough with feeling. "Because I’d already gone crazy for you, baby. By then, it was too late."
I looked at him and couldn’t help but smile.
I finally served him, and after he finished eating, he went inside the room to shower and change. Soon after, his driver arrived to pick him up, and he left my house with a smile that lingered in my mind long after the door closed behind him.
Later, I dressed up and headed to the restaurant. The moment I stepped inside, the staff burst into teasing laughter.
"Finally, our boss remembered he owns a restaurant. Welcome back, boss!" one of them joked.
I shook my head, hiding my smile, and moved past them.
Not long after, Doreen came to update me. He carefully went over everything that had happened while I was away, pointing out the important details. He also mentioned which supplies were running low in the store so I’d know what to restock soon.
The day passed faster than I expected, and before I knew it, it was time to meet Evans at the location he had sent me.
When I arrived, he wasn’t there yet, so I waited. A few minutes later, he joined me, apologizing that he had been busy.
"It’s fine," I told him with a small nod.
He looked at me closely. "How are you doing?"
"I’m fine," I replied simply.
"Order something," he suggested.
I shook my head. "No, I’m fine. I don’t want anything."
He raised a brow, but I continued before he could press me. "Let’s make this quick. I came here because I need your advice about something."
"Shoot," Evans said, leaning back, waiting for me to explain.
I took a breath, steadying my voice before I spoke.
"Have you ever been in a situation where you had to choose between someone you love and something you’ve spent your whole life building?"
Evans’s lips curved into a faint smile, but his eyes grew serious. "Yes, I have.’
I leaned in a little, my voice low. "Then... how did you handle it? What did you choose? And... what was the result later?"
His smile faded completely, and his tone deepened. "The first thing I’ll tell you is this before you make any decision, for any kind of reason, you need to be sure that the decision is truly worth it. Because once it’s made, you can’t take it back."
He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I’ll tell you something real quick. I once loved someone so much I couldn’t breathe without them. Then one day, I was given a choice similar to yours. I chose love... and I regret it to this day. But I learned my lesson, not everyone is worth losing the life you’ve built."
His jaw tightened, a shadow crossing his face. "If I could go back, I would’ve chosen differently. Because some people aren’t worth the sacrifices you make for them."
I swallowed hard, his words pressing against my chest.
"So," he continued, "if you’re being forced into that kind of choice, make sure the person you’re choosing is worth it. Every single piece of it."
I lowered my gaze, my fingers tightening around the edge of the table. "Right now... I’m stuck. I don’t even know who to share this with."
Evans studied me quietly. Then his tone softened. "This is about Evric, isn’t it?"
I hesitated, but I couldn’t hide it any longer. I nodded slowly. "Yes."
He leaned back, expression calm but searching. "Who’s putting you in this position? His father or his mother?"
"His father," I admitted, my voice breaking slightly. "And I’ve been carrying this alone for so long."
"Then why not tell Evric?" Evans asked, his brow furrowed.
I shook my head quickly. "I was given strict instructions not to. I... I can’t just let him know."
Evans tilted his head, eyes narrowing in quiet thought. "But what makes you think that telling me is any different from telling him?"
My head snapped up. "What do you mean?"
For a second, I thought he was being serious but then Evans chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Relax, I’m just joking."