CHAPTER 213: CHAPTER 213: IN HIS ARMS, I FOUND MY COURAGE

~Evric’s POV~

The long wait for this project launch was finally over. The gravity of the day hit me when my phone rang early in the morning, and I saw my father’s name on the screen.

"Evric," he started, his voice firm but laced with genuine concern. "I need you to be strong. Going public with your sexuality could be difficult, most especially because of all the things I’ve said against it in the past."

He made the reality clear to me: "If you had two enemies before, you should know that number has doubled now. I’ve been hearing everything for the past two days—the comments, the gossip. People in our line of business, the ones who have sons who can’t pull off this kind of success they are already fiercely jealous. Their first and easiest weapon against you is your sexuality."

My father paused, then offered the advice that mattered most. He told me to take things slow as I stepped into the public eye. "You must protect your relationship with Zayn first. For now, don’t mention anything about Zayn or your relationship. When the time is right, you can tell the world."

He added one final, reassuring instruction: "Ask Zayn not to worry about anything. Whatever is coming, you both need to remember you have me."

I had been literally consumed by nervousness all morning, but hearing my father call and speak to me, not as a disapproving patriarch, but as a protective father, changed everything. The fear, the uncertainty, the overwhelming sense of dread, it all evaporated. I felt a massive surge of strength and relief. With my father’s support, I knew Zayn and I could face whatever came next.

I turned immediately to Zayn, who had been sitting quietly on the bed while I was on the phone. "Did you hear that, babe?" I asked, my voice much lighter than it had been. I wanted him to understand that we are not alone in this. Since he had read those awful comments last night, he hadn’t been completely himself.

Zayn turned to me, his expression still troubled. "I don’t like the way I’m feeling," he confessed, his voice tight. "I’m trying to be happy and excited for you, but I don’t know why I’m so scared."

I sat down and took both of his hands, holding them tight. "Babe, I’m not asking you to trust me right now, but trust my father," I urged. "I’m sure this is the exact reason he made you go through all those tests. He needed to be sure you were the right person for me."

I squeezed his hands reassuringly. "We passed my father’s test, Zayn. And this? This is just the public. This is just—"

Zayn cut me off, pulling his hands away slightly. "This isn’t about the public only, Evric. This involves a lot more, and you know it."

"I know," I conceded, I reached out and pulled him into a secure hug. "But I’m here. We are together. Everything will be fine, I promise you. You have nothing to be worried about. Okay baby?"

Zayn nodded, the tension easing slightly from his shoulders. "Okay."

"Now, come here," I said, leaning back and pouting playfully, inviting a kiss.

Zayn smiled, the genuine light returning to his eyes, and he leaned in to kiss me deeply and sweetly.

When the kiss broke, I didn’t want to let go. I hugged him again, pulling him tight against me, reassured by the solid warmth of his body. With him by my side, I felt ready for the day.

"What time does the event start?" Zayn asked, his voice now back to its normal pitch.

"Four P.M.," I answered.

"Then we still have time," he said. He started to pull away from the embrace. "Let me go downstairs and prepare your breakfast."

I hugged him tighter, stopping his retreat. "No," I mumbled into his neck. "Let the maid handle the kitchen this morning." I leaned back just enough to pull him closer, using the duvet to cover us both. "I need my man this morning," I insisted. "I need to recharge so I can give a good speech tonight."

Zayn’s face softened into a gorgeous smile. "Okay, baby," he whispered, settling back into my arms. "Recharge as much as you want." He squeezed me tight.

I smiled, my mind already racing with possibilities. "Can I get a bonus, though? That would help me recharge faster."

He gave me a playful tap on the chest. "No, Daddy. Let’s save that for tonight as a celebration of this success of yours."

"Okay, baby. Till night then." I kissed him, a soft smile on my lips. "It’s ours, baby," I corrected him gently. "Not just mine alone. We face everything together, including the success."

"Alright, Daddy."

We stayed like that, enjoying the peace and the solid weight of each other, until time suddenly seemed to sprint. A sharp buzz from my phone broke the silence. It was a message from the planning team: due to last-minute press arrangements, Vanya and I needed to arrive at the venue significantly earlier than anticipated.

I sighed and pulled Zayn into a quick, decisive kiss before grabbing my phone and dialing Karl.

"Karl," I said, keeping my voice low so Zayn wouldn’t worry. "The schedule just moved up. I need you to arrange a suite immediately something private, and within a few blocks of the venue."

"A hotel suite, sir?" Karl responded.

"Yes. It needs to be closer to the venue so Zayn and I can go there right now. I’ll drop him off and head straight to the venue first."

I continued, giving him precise instructions. "Make sure it’s booked under a pseudonym and ready for immediate check-in. Send the address and key information to my encrypted line now."

I hung up, then turned to Zayn. "They need me there early, babe. We’re heading out now, but you won’t be going straight to the party." I gave him a quick, reassuring kiss. "I’ve arranged a quiet suite for us near the venue. We’ll go there soon; you can relax and get dressed without being rushed while I do the early press. I’ll meet you just before the main event begins.

I cupped his face, ensuring he understood the plan.

"Okay, baby," Zayn agreed.

We stood up and quickly got dressed. Then I called for the staff. "Have the driver come upstairs and bring the luggage cart," I instructed. I pointed out the garment bags with our suits, the small overnight bag with Zayn’s necessities for getting ready, and my briefcase.

My phone buzzed: a message from Karl. Everything was arranged. He had sent me the suite number, the pseudonym under which it was booked, and the specific floor we needed to go to.

Zayn and I went downstairs. Our car was already waiting, the driver standing by the door. We slid into the back of the car, and I immediately shared the hotel’s precise GPS coordinates with my driver.

"Straight there," I instructed.

The car pulled smoothly away from the mansion, driving us toward the next critical step of the day.