CHAPTER 113: CHAPTER 113: THE FIRST TEMPTATION IN DUBAI

~Evric’s POV~

We ate together, talking in between bites, though the clock moved far too quickly for my liking. Just as I was enjoying the moment, a message buzzed on my phone. It was from Vanya. Arrive earlier.

I sighed and replied Okay.

Back upstairs, Zayn showered, and I blow-dried his hair, cherishing even the simplest tasks with him. We moved through small activities until there was nothing left to do but face the inevitable.

When it was finally time to leave, I asked, "Will you come with me to the airport?"

He nodded and helped me dress, though I stole kisses every chance I got, not wanting to waste a single touch.

Downstairs, Nuala hugged me tightly before I left. "Brother, take good care of yourself."

"I will," I assured her with a smile.

Mr. Karl and my driver were already waiting. Zayn and I sat together in the back, my hand gripping his like I’d never let go.

On the way, my phone buzzed again. It was Rogan, wishing me a safe trip, but also warning me to behave around Vanya and the media. Iread it but didn’t bother replying. There was no need.

I wrapped an arm around Zayn’s waist, pulling him closer. He leaned into me, his silence saying more than words ever could.

At the airport, Mr. Karl and the driver stepped out, giving us privacy. I turned to Zayn, ready to say something, but he surprised me by leaning in first. His lips pressed to mine with urgency, and his voice trembled when he pulled back.

"Since the day I met you, this will be the first time we’ll be apart for two whole weeks... I’m really going to miss you, Evric."

I forced a small smile despite the ache in my chest. "I’ll miss you too, babe. Even when I’m not here, go to my house... sleep in my bed. That way, it’ll still feel like I’m with you."

He gave a small, bittersweet smile. I kissed him again... slow, deep, unwilling to let go.

Just then, my phone rang, Vanya’s name flashing across the screen, cutting our kiss short.

I sighed and looked at Zayn. "Babe, I need to go now."

He nodded quietly, his eyes soft with understanding.

"I’ll talk to you whenever I get the chance," I promised, brushing my thumb over his cheek. "But listen, baby... I’ll be damn busy. If you can’t reach me, just know it’s because I’m tied up with work, not because I don’t want to talk to you, okay?"

He nodded again, his voice low. "Okay."

I pulled him into a hug, holding him tighter than I meant to. "I love you, Zayn."

"I love you too, Evric," he whispered back, and the sincerity in his voice carved deeper into my chest.

I asked him to walk me down, and to my surprise, he agreed without hesitation. That alone told me how much he was already missing me, because the old Zayn, the one who always hid his feelings, would never have walked openly with me outside.

When we reached where Vanya and her team were waiting, I turned to Zayn. "You should head back now."

Since we were outside, I couldn’t hug him. Instead, I gave his hand a firm squeeze, a silent promise passing between us. He waved, and just like that, he left. I stood there, watching him walk away until he disappeared with my driver, the ache in my chest growing heavier with every step he took.

Mr. Karl came to my side, and together we walked toward Vanya and her team. After a brief round of checks, security, and boarding formalities, we finally made our way onto the plane. The engines roared to life, the cabin lights dimmed, and as the aircraft lifted off the runway, I sank back into my seat, staring out the window.

The city lights blurred beneath us, fading into darkness. My chest tightened as the thought struck me, two whole weeks away from him.

Inside the plane, Mr. Karl sat beside me. When I turned to glance at him, I caught a quiet smile tugging at his lips.

"What’s funny?" I asked, raising a brow.

He shook his head slightly. "Nothing really, Evric."

I nudged him gently. "Come on, just talk to me."

His smile deepened as he leaned back in his seat. "Evric, I’m really happy for you."

I frowned in curiosity. "Happy for me? Why?"

He exhaled slowly, his voice carrying the weight of memory. "I still remember the first time I met you. You looked so miserable, so hopeless. Do you remember what I told you then? I said all you needed was patience, hope, and the will to keep living. That life had better things waiting for you, lessons you’d understand only with time."

My chest tightened as his words brought back flashes of my past.

He went on, his eyes warm as they studied me. "After you told me about your ex then, I said what you felt for him wasn’t love. I told you you would come to understand that one day. And now..." He paused, tilting his head. "Do you understand?"

I smiled softly and nodded. "I understand clearly."

Karl’s expression gentled further. "I really hope you can stay like this, Evric. Happy. Because I like the way you look now, so alive, so different from before."

I lowered my gaze, hiding the sudden sting in my eyes, but my lips curved into a smile I couldn’t suppress. Thank you, Zayn, I thought silently. Thank you for bringing me this much happiness.

For so long I thought love was meant to break me, to strip me of who I was. But sitting here now, with Karl’s words echoing in my head, I realized how wrong I had been. Love wasn’t meant to destroy, it was meant to heal. And Zayn... he was my proof.

After the long flight, we finally landed in Dubai. From the moment we boarded, I had been doing my best to avoid Vanya, but she never stopped looking for ways to catch my attention. Once we cleared the airport, a car was already waiting to take us to the hotel. Mr. Karl’s room ended up being a little further down the hallway, while Vanya’s was annoyingly close to mine. But that wasn’t my problem... I had no business with her outside of work.

Mr. Karl helped me settle into my room before heading to his. The first thing I did once I was alone was connect with Zayn.

When his face appeared on my screen, I could tell he’d been waiting for my call. It was early morning back home, but here, the Dubai sun was already blazing into the afternoon.

We talked softly for a while. He asked about my trip, how the flight went, and then confessed that he already missed me. "I couldn’t sleep," he admitted. "I just kept hugging your pillow all night."

I smiled, warmth filling my chest. "Did you go back home or stay at my place?" I asked.

"I stayed at yours," he replied without hesitation.

That made me happier than I could explain. I told him I’d call again later, after I grabbed something to eat and got some rest. Work wouldn’t start until tomorrow, so I had time. Reluctantly, we ended the call.

I rang Mr. Karl afterward, and he came over to finish up some quick paperwork. We ordered food, ate together, and then he returned to his room.

Not long after, my phone buzzed. A message from Vanya.

Come to my room. I need you to sign some documents we’re sending out today so we can defend them tomorrow.

I frowned at the text and quickly replied: Bring them to my room.

Her answer came immediately: I’d rather not. I’m not comfortable coming into a man’s room. Please come to mine instead.

I hesitated. It sounded like an excuse, but I didn’t want unnecessary drama on the first day. I told her she could easily send one of her team to drop them off instead.

She responded almost instantly: Evric, it’s just signing. Why are you making it difficult?

I exhaled sharply. Fine. If it was really that simple, I would just go, sign, and leave.

When I reached her door, she opened it quickly, standing there in nothing but a robe. I stepped inside, turning toward her with a calm but firm tone. "Where’s the file? Let me sign it and get back."

But before I could take another step, I heard the soft thud of fabric hitting the floor.

Her robe had slipped away.

And there she stood, half-naked in front of me.