CHAPTER 108: CHAPTER 108: TIED BY LOVE, TEASED BY DESIRE

Knock. Knock. Knock.

My head lifted toward the door.

"Zayn?" Dean’s voice came softly through the wood.

"Zayn, it’s us," Nantam added.

I hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Come in."

The door opened, and the two of them stepped inside. One glance at Nantam told me everything, guilt weighed heavy in his eyes, as though he carried Nicki’s words on his own shoulders.

Dean spoke first. "Zayn, Nantam and I came to apologize for Nicki’s reaction earlier. Please forgive him. You know how Nicki is, stubborn, sharp-tongued. He doesn’t mean half of what comes out of his mouth."

I looked between them, then shook my head gently. "It’s okay. And Nantam, you don’t have to feel bad for what Nicki said. I’m not angry with him. I just... wish he’d try to be nicer to me." I let out a small sigh. "But that’s gone now. Let’s forget it."

Relief softened Nantam’s face as he whispered, "Thank you."

They drifted away from the earlier apology and began talking about other things, random topics that filled the room with lighter air. Then, out of nowhere, Nantam leaned forward and asked, "So... how did Evric’s cousin’s wedding go? Did you get any connections there?" His questions came one after another, curious and sharp.

I hesitated before answering. "Maybe I’ll get something... but nothing for now."

Dean’s eyes flicked toward me, a silent question in them, Does Nantam know about you and Evric?

I gave the faintest shake of my head and a look that told him, We’ll talk later.

After a while, Nantam’s phone rang. He excused himself and stepped outside to take a business call. The moment the door closed, Dean turned to me.

"How Nantam brought up Evric..." he muttered. "You almost got caught, didn’t you?"

I exhaled, leaning back. "Yes. Evric came to my house, but... I managed everything. He didn’t notice."

Dean released a deep sigh of relief, though worry lingered in his gaze. "You know you can’t hide forever, right? Eventually, Nantam will find out."

"I know," I admitted quietly. "I’ll find the right way to tell him. Soon."

Dean’s eyes suddenly dropped to my hand. His expression shifted. "Zayn..." he said slowly.

"Yes?" I answered.

"Did he propose to you?" His tone was teasing, but his eyes were wide, curious.

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I quickly hushed him. "Lower your voice. No, he didn’t propose. He just... asked me to be his boyfriend. Officially."

Dean’s eyes widened even more. "So both of you are official now?"

I gave a small nod. "Yes."

Dean leaned back with a grin, shaking his head in disbelief. "Goodness... Evric Draevon, of all people. Zayn, you’re really lucky. Congratulations."

"Stop it," I muttered, embarrassed. "Let’s just change the topic before Nantam hears you."

We shifted the conversation to something else, keeping our voices low until Nantam returned.

After a while, my conversation with Dean drifted into lighter topics. Then my phone lit up, Evric’s name flashing across the screen.

I picked up instantly. "Hey, babe," I said, unable to hide the smile in my voice.

Dean’s eyes widened at the way I addressed him. A teasing grin spread across his face as he gave me a look, then quietly slipped outside, leaving me space for my private call.

"Baby," Evric’s deep voice came through, warm and tired, "I just got home. I’m back, but... I’m a little exhausted. If you were here, I would have recharged the moment I walked in."

I chuckled softly. "Sorry, I’m not there with you."

"Then come spend the night," he said immediately, his voice dipping into a gentle whine. "You know we’re traveling the day after tomorrow."

I didn’t argue. "Okay. Pick me up after work tomorrow."

"Tomorrow..." He sighed heavily. "What about tonight? Do you know how much I’ll miss you, lying here alone?"

I laughed at his dramatics. "It’s just one night."

But his tone shifted, turning serious. "Baby, I told you, I’ll miss you tonight. You’re laughing at me, aren’t you?" A pause. Then he added, softer, "It’s fine. Goodnight."

My smile softened. "Babe, I’ll miss you too."

I could hear his smile on the other end, that subtle change in his breathing.

"Have you showered?" he asked next.

"Not yet," I admitted.

"Go and shower," he murmured. The way he said it carried unspoken meaning, one I already understood. With Evric, there were no shortcuts, you gave him what he wanted, or rather, what he needed.

So, still on the call, I slipped out of my clothes, letting him linger on the line as I stepped into the bathroom. The water ran, my voice filling the space with small laughs and soft words meant only for him. It wasn’t about what we did, it was about being present, about giving him a piece of me even from afar.

Later, wrapped in fresh clothes, I slipped under the covers. Evric’s voice finally came warm and steady. "Babe, goodnight. I love you so much, Zayn."

My heart softened at the way he said it. "Goodnight, Evric. I love you too."

The moment the call ended, I drifted off to sleep, and even in my dreams, it was Evric who filled every corner of my mind.

By morning, the sound of a notification pulled me from slumber. Blinking at the light of my phone, I saw his name.

Good morning, baby.

Did you sleep well?

I smiled and typed back quickly: Yes, I did.

Not even a minute later, his call came through. I picked up, still rubbing sleep from my eyes.

"Babe," his voice was already awake, steady, "I’m at work."

I frowned. "It’s too early."

"I know," he sighed, "but I have a lot of pending work to clear."

Then, after a pause, he added softly, "Can you bring me lunch later?"

I chuckled. "I’ll send dispatch to bring it to you."

"Why can’t you bring it yourself?" he whined, his voice dropping into that familiar tone that always tugged at me.

"Because, babe," I reminded him gently, "I haven’t been at work the past few days. I want to stay there all day today."

There was silence for a moment, then a quiet sigh of surrender. "Okay. I understand."

Before hanging up, we stayed quiet for a moment, softly saying ’I love you’ to each other, and it felt like those words tied us together even though we were apart.

I finally dragged myself out of bed and prepared for the day. Nantam and Dean had already left for work. When I checked the time, I realized I’d somehow woken up late, but honestly, I deserved it. I hadn’t had proper rest in days. Because Evric never lets me rest.

Currently, I wonder... is being in a relationship really that different from being casual? It’s only been two days since I said yes to him, yet his desire for me keeps rising. I swear, I just want to survive. If he keeps wanting me every minute like this, I pray God gives me strength, because Evric doesn’t just love me, he wants to use that cock of his to claim me all the time.

Shaking the thought away with a small smile, I finally headed to my workplace. By the time I reached my workplace, my staff immediately noticed my arrival.

"Boss!" one of them called out excitedly. Another rushed forward, grinning. "Where have you been? Doreen was the only one who told us you were fine. We really missed you."

Their warmth caught me off guard. I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. "I missed you all too. Don’t worry, I’m back now."

And just like that, my day started, filled with the comfort of routine and the unspoken relief of being surrounded by people who cared.

But still, one man wouldn’t let my phone rest. Even though he was buried in work, Evric never stopped texting me. Every few minutes, his messages popped up, always full of concern.

Are you okay?

How are you feeling?

And the funniest one of all, Have you eaten?

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. Of course I replied, Yes, babe, but in my mind, I teased him silently: Did he forget where I am? This is my own place, food is never the problem. Of course I’ll eat as much as I want. Still, I appreciated every bit of his concern.

He might be stubborn and relentless, but I was glad, glad that he loved me this much. And I loved him just as deeply in return.

Just then, I heard a voice. When I lifted my head, it was Nitammi...