CHAPTER 81: IT’S NOT A DATE

By the time Zayne was done, Caesar was staring at him with a dumbfounded expression.

"What?" he asked.

Caesar blinked. "Wait...you actually thought...that was a good idea? Letting her be, acting like she didn’t exist, and—"

"That’s not it," Zayne defended. "I didn’t act like she didn’t exist. I was... Listen she feels the spark constantly with me and I thought if I gave her space, she’d..."

"Want you?"

"Something like that."

"And it backfired?" Caesar felt amused. "You didn’t even just do that, you went ahead to let her go."

Zayne glared. "I didn’t let her go."

"What would you call that then? You decided to cancel the contract between the two of you. The only thing holding you two together."

"Yes, and I don’t regret that."

He shook his head.

"It felt like I was forcing her to be with me, and that’s not what I want. I don’t want to force her into being with me. I don’t want to force her to marry me. I want her to be with me because she wants to, do you understand? Because she wants to, not because she has to."

"Okay. I have a question," Caesar said. "If she decides that she doesn’t want you but someone else, would you let her go?"

Zayne’s expression fell.

"What...?"

"You heard me. If she decides you’re not what she wants, would you let her go? Would you let another man have her?"

Zayne shot up from the chair. He paced back and forth, fingers rubbing his temple in stress.

"Caesar—"

"She’s your mate. Not just someone you’re in love with Zayne. You have a bond with her and it’s always going to be there not unless you reject her. And from the way you are acting, I doubt you have rejected her or have any intention to—"

"How can I do that?" he snapped over to him, looking restless and exhausted. "How can I reject her Caesar when she’s all I want. The only thing I need every time. How can I let her go? You don’t understand. I need her..."

He breathed her. "I need her more than anything and I made a mistake worsening the situation thinking I was fixing a damn thing."

He looked at Caesar.

"What do I do? I need her with me. I can’t let her go. I know it’s selfish, but I cannot do that." He shook his head. "Everything, everywhere, my entire life would be empty without her. I can’t let go, not now that I have a taste of what it’s like having her in my life again. I just can’t..."

His shoulders slumped and he sighed softly like as if a man coming to a realization.

"Caesar."

"Yes...?"

"I think...I’m in love with her." His hands balled by his sides. "The way she laughs, the way she talks, her coffee, and maybe even the way she gets on my nerves. I think I even love her mischief and it just doesn’t feel complete without her. I thought it would, but...it doesn’t." He craned his head back. "Yeah...I think I am in love with her."

Caesar crossed his legs with his head tilted to the side. "I think you are. I mean, I fell in love with my wife the very first day I crossed paths with her. But I never even realized it until a long run later. You’ll be fine, Zayne. So find her if you can and fix what you started."

Zayne slowly turned towards Alessio who’d been listening to both of them. Alessio made a disgusted face. "It feels so weird to hear you speak like that. You... in love?"

He made a shivering gesture with his body. "Talk about odd."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Zayne questioned.

Alessio shrugged. "You’ve always been someone who enjoyed being alone and to yourself. It’s why I was a bit shocked when I found out you allowed another to live in your home and share your personal space. You’re not that kind of person. You’re far too..."

He twisted his mouth.

"Lonesome. And it’s more shocking to hear you speak like that when you’ve never shown a speck of emotional interest toward another woman. Then again, I guess that’s what mates are for? I think I’d fall head over heels with my mate too if I do find one."

Zayne stared at him.

His lips were parted as he’d had remarks to make, but then he swallowed them, asking, "Were you...able to find her?"

"No, not yet. Tracking people like this...it’s not really easy. You’re going to have to give me twenty-four hours. Is that okay?" Alessio asked.

Zayne nodded. "Take your time. I just want to eventually find her. That is all."

————

Amber walked out on Evelyn who was grabbing her purse.

She blinked. "Why are you dressed like that?"

"What do you mean?"

"Aren’t you going to meet Valerio?" she asked.

"Yes." Evelyn nodded. "What’s the problem?" Her eyes were still a tad bit swollen from all the crying. And even under her eyes were a bit of bags which made it clear she hadn’t slept so well.

Amber sighed defeatedly. "Sweetie, you look like you don’t even want to see his face."

"That’s because I don’t!"

"But if it’s Zayne Mancini, I’m sure you’d have dressed up."

Evelyn shot her an unimpressed look.

Amber smiled. "I’m just saying you could’ve put in a little bit of effort."

"It’s not a date. How casual I dress shouldn’t be an issue."

"Of course not." Amber agreed as she approached her. "You know what, it’s fine. You’re right, it’s not a date. No need to doll up."

Evelyn turned around to leave, but she grabbed her arm, saying, "Evy, if anything goes wrong, just call me okay? And I’ll come pick you up immediately. IF he even makes you feel uncomfortable, let me know and I’ll punch his face into a table and break a few teeth for you."

Evelyn chuckled at her words. "I will." She turned around and left, boarding a taxi.