CHAPTER 110: CHAPTER 110: 72 HOURS WITH ZAYN

I walked toward him without saying a word. He opened the car door silently, his eyes fixed on me.

I met his gaze, searching for an answer, but he only gestured for me to get in.

I slid into the back seat, and he joined me. The door closed with a heavy thud, and without a word, the driver pulled away.

The car was quiet, and I turned to look at him. He leaned his head back against the seat, eyes fixed on me. That piercing stare made me uncomfortable, but what unsettled me even more was the sudden fear creeping into my chest. Why do I feel this way? Why does his silence scare me so much?

I tried to speak, but the moment my eyes met his, I quickly looked down. He was still staring, still silent. The weight of it pressed down on me until I finally gathered enough courage.

"Babe... how was work today?" I asked, forcing my voice to sound steady, though I couldn’t meet his gaze.

"Fine," he answered simply. Then he asked about mine. I said it was fine too.

That was all. No warmth, no teasing, just silence.

I moved closer, resting my head on his shoulder. He didn’t push me away; instead, he pressed a soft kiss to my hair. But somehow, that made it worse. Why can’t I read him? Is he angry? Or is he just tired?

By the time we arrived at his house, I had dozed off. He gently woke me. "Babe, we’re home." I stirred, and together we walked inside. His workers greeted him with respect, "Welcome, sir," before we headed upstairs.

In his room, he immediately began undressing, probably preparing to shower. I turned to him and offered, "Let me help you." My hands reached for his shirt buttons, but as soon as he noticed my hand, his eyes narrowed.

"Where’s your ring?" he asked.

My heart skipped. That’s when I remembered, I had removed it while cooking earlier at the restaurant.

"I... I took it off when I was cooking, babe," I explained quickly.

"Okay," he said simply.

But guilt slipped out before I could stop it. "I’m sorry, babe."

He frowned lightly. "Sorry? For what?"

"For whatever you saw tonight," I whispered, the words spilling out before I could control them. "It’s not what it looks like. I didn’t go out to meet her. I didn’t take off the ring because I didn’t want to wear it... I swear. I was really cooking, that’s the only reason I removed it. I didn’t..."

He stopped me gently. "It’s okay. I understand."

But I shook my head. "No, it’s not. If it’s okay, then why are you so silent?"

He turned to me, his hands circling my waist. His voice softened, but carried a weight that made my chest tensed.

"Babe, this is an affinity. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want us to be each other’s home. The only reason you’re feeling this fear is because you still remember the old me, the one who would’ve gotten angry, shouted, maybe even scared you.

That was before. Back when I wasn’t sure if I’d ever truly have you. But now..." His thumb brushed my side as his eyes locked on mine. "Now you’re mine. Officially. No one will take you from me, because I won’t let that happen. No one touches what’s mine, what’s mine is mine alone. And you, Zayn, are mine."

My breath caught. He continued softly, "I will be honest... I felt jealous at first. But that’s natural. It only proves how much I love you. You are my home, Zayn, and I’m learning to keep this home beautiful. Forever, with you only. Okay."

I nodded, whispering, "Okay."

"But next time," he added, "just be honest with me. Tell me where you’re going, just like I told you I was meeting a client. I don’t want a repeat of tonight."

I nodded again. "Okay."

He hugged me close. "Please, babe, let’s always be honest with each other."

"Okay, baby," I whispered back.

He kissed me, then leaned back with a small smile. "And one more thing. Don’t let us start with fear. I saw it in your eyes in the car when I was silent, and I hated it. Next time, instead of being scared, just pull me close. Kiss me. No matter how angry I am, I’ll soften for you."

I blinked at him. "What if you don’t?"

He smirked. "Then maybe I’m really damn angry. But even then, touching you... fucking you... He smiled will always ease it. I might be stubborn, but I’ll never resist you. Unless I’m too sick or too tired. And even then..." He laughed. "Even in my sick bed, I’d still want you, if I had the chance."

I swatted his arm, and we both burst into laughter.

"I love you, Zayn," he murmured, pulling me close.

"I love you too, Evric," I replied, smiling into his chest.

"That’s it then," he said suddenly, pulling back with a spark in his eyes. "Let’s go swimming."

I laughed softly and told him, "Babe, swimming at this hour? It’s cold."

He leaned closer, his voice low and teasing, his breath brushing against my lips. "Then I’ll make you warm." His eyes lingered on me, dark and intent, waiting for my answer.

I couldn’t resist him, not when he looked at me like that. Smiling, I whispered, "Okay... I can’t refuse you. You know exactly how to get me."

That smile of his... soft yet dangerous...spread across his face, the kind that always melted me. Just like that, we changed and headed downstairs toward the poolside.

When we were close, Evric suddenly slipped behind me and covered my eyes with his hand.

"Walk slowly, little by little," he murmured, guiding me step by step. His palm was warm, his chest brushing against my back as he steered me through the quiet.

We stopped. Evric slowly lifted his hand away from my eyes, and I blinked into the shadows. The entire place was dark, silent except for the faint sound of water. My chest tightened with uncertainty as I whispered, "Evric... this place is dark. Where are you?"

His arm slid around my waist, pulling me close. Then his hand covered my eyes again, and his lips brushed against my ear. His voice was hushed, almost trembling with emotion.

"Happy 72 hours to my Zayn... my home. To the beautiful start of our love story. These hours with you, being able to call you mine, have brought me peace, joy, warmth, kindness, patience, and strength. You’ve taught me how to love selflessly... and a duty to love you right. You’ve made me want to be the better version of myself."

My breath hitched. His words sank into me like poetry, pulling at every fragile part of my heart. My eyes burned with unshed tears, and I didn’t even try to hold them back.

He went on softly, "Thank you, Zayn... for giving me the kind of love I always wished for but never thought I deserved. Happy 72 hours with you, my love."

At that moment, the lights flickered on.

I gasped. My hands flew to my mouth. The poolside was glowing in soft golden lights, reflecting off the water like stars scattered on its surface. Flower petals were scattered everywhere... roses, lilies, orchids...delicately arranged into the shapes of hearts that floated on the water. And in the very center, spelled out in bright, tender petals, were the words:

72 Hours With Zayn.