Chapter 173: Chapter 173: Trust the Process
~Evric’s POV~
"If you won’t calm down, and all you want to do is be rude, then it’s better you end this call right now."
His words stung, but the anger burning inside me wouldn’t let me stop. My grip on the phone tightened.
"Don’t turn this around on me, Evans. I’m the one watching him fall apart day by day! I deserve to know what’s going on. If you really cared about him, you’d stop hiding things and just tell me the truth!"
Evans’ voice replied. "Why should I tell you? This is your relationship, not mine. If Zayn wanted you to know, he would’ve told you from the very moment it started."
I let out a long, heavy sigh. He’s right, but that doesn’t make this any easier.
"Okay, I understand," I said quietly, forcing myself to calm down. "But please... what can you do for me? I need him to be okay. Right now it feels like everything between us is breaking apart. In case you don’t know, Zayn has started coming home drunk and tonight was the worst of it."
There was a pause, then Evans replied, smoother this time. "I get it. I understand. But I can’t tell you anything. I’ll reach out to Zayn directly."
I was left without a choice. "Alright..."
"I’m busy now. I have to go," Evans added firmly.
"Okay," I murmured.
The line went dead.
I put the phone down and dragged myself back into the bedroom. Zayn was sprawled on the bed, sweat glistening on his forehead even under the cold air of the AC. I got a bowl of warm water and gently wiped him down, cleaning away the sweat. When I was done, I changed him into something loose and comfortable.
Finally, I slipped into bed beside him. He stirred slightly. I pulled him close, wrapping my arms around him despite the sharp smell of alcohol, not caring if he threw up. I just needed to hold him.
I lay there, listening to his faint breathing.
Eventually, exhaustion dragged me under, and I drifted off to sleep with him in my arms.
In the morning I woke up early and asked my maid to prepare hangover tea for me, and told her to give it to my driver so he could deliver it to me. I also instructed my driver to get a few other things that could help with Zayn’s hangover when he wakes up.
My driver came early and delivered them to me.
When Zayn finally woke up, I was already in the living room, sitting on the couch. I had made up my mind to skip work for the day just so I could take care of him. He walked toward me, more like dragging his feet and sat beside me. Without saying much, he leaned over, laid his head on my lap, and pressed a light kiss to my stomach.
"Good morning, baby," he murmured.
I didn’t answer him right away. Instead, I reached for the flask beside me, poured the tea into a cup, and placed it on the table next to him.
"Take it," I said firmly.
"Thank you, baby," he replied softly.
I continued flipping through my work papers, but I could feel his eyes on me. Finally, he broke the silence.
"Evric, I’m sorry."
I smiled faintly. "Sorry for what?"
"I didn’t mean to get drunk yesterday," he whispered. "It just... happened."
I looked down at him, my voice sharper than I intended. "Since you’ve chosen to start lying, Zayn, nothing you say makes sense anymore. Every excuse you give sounds perfect on the surface, but I can see through it. Still... it’s okay. I’m not going to ask again."
I pushed the cup closer to him. "Drink your tea. Then sit up. We need to talk."
He stayed silent for a while before slowly lifting his head from my lap and sitting properly.
After he finished drinking the tea, I faced him directly.
"Zayn."
"Yes?"
"It’s been days since you’ve stayed home. I know you said you want to start a new business. So tell me, have you thought about what you want to do?"
He shook his head. "Not yet. For now, I just want to stay at home, relax, and... cook." He reached for my arm and added with a small smile, "Cook for you."
But that made something inside me snap.
"Zayn!" I shouted. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Can’t you at least appreciate my effort toward you? I’m not okay, just like you’re not okay. I don’t know what’s going on with you, and it’s driving me insane. Can you please, just once, talk to me?"
But instead of opening up, Zayn only stayed calm.
"You’re too impatient, Evric. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine."
My chest tensed with frustration. Just as I was about to press him further, his phone rang. I saw the name flashing across the screen—Evans.
I didn’t say a word. I just let him answer.
"Yes... I’ll send you the location where I’ll be," Zayn said quietly before ending the call.
When he turned back to me, his expression was indistinct. "Are you going to work today?"
I hesitated. I wasn’t planning to go, but I knew if I stayed, he might change his mind and not go see Evans. So I forced myself to nod.
"Yes. But later."
"Okay," he said simply. "Then I’ll go out later too."
He stood up, stretched a little, and then asked softly, "What should I prepare for you for breakfast?"
I shook my head. "You don’t have to cook. Breakfast is already served on the table."
When he reached the table, he looked over his shoulder and teased, "Did my husband cook this?" His tone was playful, clearly trying to make me laugh, but I wasn’t in the mood. I didn’t answer.
He continued eating and said louder, making sure I could hear, "My husband looks ugly when he’s angry."
Still, I kept quiet.
Then he leaned back slightly, his voice gentle this time. "My husband, can you please smile? Stop worrying. Your man will be fine."
That broke me a little. I stood up, walked over to him, and sat beside him. Before I could speak, he turned, cupped my face, and kissed me.
"Trust the process, baby," he whispered against my lips. "I’ll be fine."
I parted my lips to reply, but he cut me off with a smile. "Let’s eat, babe."
I sighed, giving in, and picked up my fork to eat with him.
Just then, my phone buzzed on the table. It was a message from Evans.
I’ll be seeing him today. If you need to show up, I’ll text you. That way he’ll know who you are to him.
I quickly typed back: Okay. Thanks.