CHAPTER 22: CHAPTER 22: THE BEGINNING OF US

Zayn’s POV

I prepared something light for him, a comforting meal, one of my mom’s special recipes. She always made it whenever things felt wrong, like a gentle way of telling the world to slow down. Now, I was making it for Evric. I’m hoping it might calm him too.

When it was ready, I brought it to him. We sat at the dining table, just the two of us. I served him and quietly watched him eat.

And as I watched him, something inside me stirred, slow and unfamiliar. Love? Interest? Obsession? Maybe all of them. It wasn’t just the way he looked or the sound of his voice. It was everything about him. He was magnetic in ways I couldn’t explain. I still didn’t understand why he acted the way he did earlier, but somehow... I knew leaving him wasn’t the right choice. Getting to know him more, that felt right.

He smiled at me. God, Evric... he’s so attractive.

Then he asked, "Why aren’t you eating?"

I smiled faintly. "I just want to watch you eat."

He chuckled softly. When he finished, I finally ate, but only a little.

I didn’t ask him about what happened earlier. I wanted to give him time to feel safe, to open up on his own. And honestly, I didn’t want to ruin the peace we’d just found.

Then my phone rang.

It was a call from my staff at the restaurant. "Someone is here, asking for you."

I frowned. Someone’s waiting for me? I didn’t mean to say it out loud, but I did.

"I have to go," I told Evric, rising from my seat. "There’s something I need to attend to."

But the look on his face caught me off guard, something unreadable in his eyes.

"Were you expecting someone?" he asked.

"No," I said honestly. "But I’m a businessman. Could be anyone, maybe a contract or anything."

"He looked at me for a moment, then said, ’I’ll drop you off,’ already rising to his feet."

"Evric... I drove here," I reminded him.

"I know. But I want to."

I didn’t argue. I just nodded and followed him.

When we reached the car lot, I noticed his wide collection, sleek, luxurious, all neatly parked like a man with too many moods. Yet he didn’t hesitate. He chose one, black, sharp, and elegant, and walked back toward me.

He stopped just a breath away, eyes searching mine.

"You’re not leaving me... right?"

His voice was low, almost a whisper. That kind of whisper that tugged at your chest.

I sighed, already knowing where this was going. "Evric... we’ve talked about this."

"I’m not stalking you," he said quickly, lifting both hands in soft surrender. "Trust me, I swear I’m not."

I searched his face for a moment longer, then nodded slowly. "Okay... I believe you."

His eyes lit up like I’d just handed him the moon.

And like a child, full of want and zero shame, he leaned in with a soft pout and asked, "Can I get a kiss?"

I blinked. "Evric, have some shame. Your workers are literally here, watching."

Without missing a beat, he turned toward them and called out, "Are you guys watching?"

One by one, they all dramatically turned their backs, pretending to study walls, cars, the sky, anything but us.

"See?" he said smugly, turning back to me. "Now no one’s watching."

I rolled my eyes, but I knew better than to argue. Evric was the kind of man who wouldn’t let me go unless I gave him what he wanted. And honestly... a part of me wants to.

I leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

But no, that wasn’t enough.

He tapped his forehead. I kissed it.

Then he pointed to his nose. I kissed that, too.

His mouth again, I pressed my lips gently on his.

His cheek. His neck.

And again, he pointed to his mouth, pouting now like he deserved one final reward.

I laughed under my breath but gave in, kissing him slower this time. Longer. My hands gently curled against his chest, feeling the warmth of him, his breath and heart. The world melted away for a moment.

When I finally pulled back, flushed and breathless, I heard it, the unmistakable sound of muffled giggles from his staff.

I glanced over.

They were still turned away, but their shoulders shook with laughter.

Evric just grinned, proud and completely unbothered. "Now I can drive happy."

He drove himself, saying he didn’t feel like letting the driver handle it today. The ride was smooth and quiet, the kind of silence that didn’t need filling.

Soft music played in the background, mellow and easy on the ears. We didn’t talk much, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Every so often, he’d glance in my direction, not intrusive, just checking in.

"Are you okay?" he asked once, his tone calm and considerate.

I gave a small nod, offering a faint smile. That seemed to ease something in him.

He didn’t press further, just adjusted the AC quietly and kept driving, both hands steady on the wheel.

It was a short drive, but it left an impression. The kind where words weren’t necessary, because the silence already said enough.

When we arrived, he said, "I’ll walk you in."

I stopped him. "Don’t draw attention like the other day," I said gently. "Just go back, I’ll be fine."

He didn’t fight it. Just insisted, "I want to watch you walk in."

So I did. I walked through the door, and inside, I froze.

Nantam.

My childhood friend. I gasped and hugged him tight, pulling him into me like time had never passed.

He had travelled abroad after we finished university, and now, he was here, right in front of me.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

Who was waiting for you?

My childhood friend. You can go back now.

I pocketed my phone and turned my full attention to Nantam.

"God, it’s been forever!" I grinned. "You didn’t even tell me you were back in the country."

He laughed. "I wanted to surprise you."

"Well, you definitely succeeded."

We slid into a booth near the back, catching up like we hadn’t missed a day.

"How’s your mom?" I asked.

"She’s good. Misses your cooking," he teased.

We talked about everything, old classmates, embarrassing moments from university, the places he visited abroad, my restaurant, my life now... and somewhere in between, I felt a wave of warmth and nostalgia. It was like having a missing piece of myself return.

Yet still, in the back of my mind, I thought of Evric. His eyes. His voice. His warm lips. His silence.

And the strange way he watched me as I walked away.

We eventually moved to more serious talk. I asked Nantam about his work, and he said it was going fine, that he came back to establish himself and wouldn’t be returning anytime soon.

"Where are you staying?" I asked.

He leaned back slightly. "Got in last night. I’m at a hotel for now. My place isn’t ready yet, it might take a while."

I stared at him. "You’re staying in a hotel... when you have me?"

He smiled, soft and a little hesitant. "I didn’t want to bother you."

"Nantam," I said firmly, "that’s not bothering me. You can stay with me, we’re friends."

He looked like he was about to argue, but I cut him off before he could even open his mouth.

"I don’t want to hear anything. Once I’m done here, I’m following you to the hotel, and we’re packing up your things. You’re not staying there while I’m here. End of discussion."

Just then, one of my staff came over to get my attention. I excused myself and stepped away for a bit to handle it. When I returned, Nantam was still sitting there, waiting patiently.

That’s when it hit me. There was someone important I hadn’t asked about.

I turned to him. "How’s your brother doing?"

He nodded casually. "He’s fine."

I smiled. "By now, I bet he’s grown older and probably turned into a big man... taller than you."

Nantam laughed, shaking his head. "You know Nicki, he’s always been that hot guy."

To be continued...