CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 24: UNSPOKEN JEALOUSY

It was too late to end the call, Evric had already heard the voice. Then came the question, firm and unmistakable.

"Who was that?"

I hesitated only for a second. I didn’t want it to seem like I was hiding anything. "My friend," I said casually.

"Your friend?" he repeated, slower this time, like he was trying to taste the word for any hidden meaning.

"Yes," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "Do you have a problem with me having friends?"

He didn’t answer that. There was a pause, and then, with a clipped edge in his voice, he said, "I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Goodnight."

And just like that, he hung up.

I blinked at the screen, stunned. Did he just hang up on me?

I stared at my phone for a moment, then shook off the frustration building in my chest. Whatever, I told myself. I showered quickly and threw on something comfortable to go attend to Nantam.

But by the time I opened the door, he was already gone, probably back to his room.

With a sigh, I turned off the lights and crawled into bed. I didn’t want to think too much about how Evric had ended the call on me. I told myself it didn’t matter... even though, deep down, I knew it did.

The Morning

Dean’s call was what woke me up that morning. My heart skipped a beat when I saw the screen light up, I thought it was Evric.

But no, it was Dean.

"Hello?" I said, voice still groggy with sleep.

"Hey," Dean said quickly. "How’s Nantam? Is he okay?"

I frowned, pressing the phone closer to my ear. "Dean, instead of calling me, why don’t you just come here and see him yourself?"

He hesitated. "I just thought maybe..."

"Dean," I cut in, sitting up fully now, "you’re calling me about him, right? Then get your ass over here. If you want to see him, don’t waste time talking. Just come."

And before he could say another word, I ended the call.

I dragged myself into the shower, letting the cold water clear my head. After dressing up for the day, I stepped out of my room, only to find Nantam already awake and fully dressed, waiting for me in the hallway.

"You’re up early," I said, surprised. "Going somewhere?"

"Yeah," he replied casually. "Going to check on my house. Want to see how the work’s going."

I offered immediately, "I can drive you."

But he shook his head with a small smile. "No need. I already booked a Taxify. He’s outside, I just wanted to let you know before I left."

I nodded, even though something about his calm made me uneasy. "Alright... Catch you later."

He gave me a wink and left.

I turned to my room, organizing my bag and getting ready for the day. I was halfway through zipping it shut when I heard a knock.

Thinking it was Nantam, I rushed to open the door. "Did you forget something...?

But it wasn’t Nantam.

It was Evric.

I blinked, my hand still on the doorknob. I wasn’t shocked... but I wasn’t expecting him either.

"Come in," I said, stepping aside. "I was just getting ready to head out. What’s up, man?"

He didn’t speak immediately. Just stood there, staring at me.

His eyes... There was something in them. Something unreadable. And then finally, he spoke.

"Where’s your friend?"

My chest tightened a little. I swallowed. "He left. Just now."

He nodded slowly, then added, "I came to meet a client around this area, thought I’d stop by and see you before heading there."

I looked at him. His words sounded polite, casual. But his eyes betrayed him. I could see through it.

"You don’t have to lie to me," I said gently. "Just tell me why you’re here."

He stayed quiet, but his silence was loud.

That’s when it hit me, he’d heard Nantam’s voice yesterday. Over the phone. That’s what this is really about. And true to his nature, Evric wouldn’t say it out loud. He never does. He keeps everything tucked away behind those guarded eyes and a composed face.

But I knew.

Still, I pushed through the awkward air. "If you’re not going to say anything... I need to get to work."

His eyes lifted to meet mine again, and this time, he spoke. His voice, that voice, it slid over me like silk but carried a different edge now.

"I might sound stupid, Zayn, but I don’t like anyone staying under the same roof as you. Especially if that person isn’t me."

The words stunned me.

I stared at him.

"That’s Nantam," I said firmly. "My best friend from childhood. Understand that."

I tried to sound calm, but I could feel the tightness in my chest growing. "I don’t know what you’re thinking, but whatever it is stop. You don’t have to worry about anything. And besides..." I paused, meeting his eyes. "We’re nothing yet, remember? So you don’t have to worry about who stays with me."

There was a beat of silence.

Then he said, almost under his breath, "We might be nothing now. But you should know why I keep coming back to you."

And that was when I chose honesty, even if it cut.

"I’m straight, Evric."

His eyes flickered.

"I’m not gay," I continued. "I might be addicted to your voice... to how you command me... but I’m not gay. It’s not like I’ll ever be in a relationship with you."

I swallowed again, harder this time.

"But... we can enjoy each other. No strings. That’s it."

His expression twisted, like he’d just been slapped.

The disbelief in his eyes made my chest ache. I don’t know if it was guilt or frustration or both. I might have just said the worst possible thing. But it was my truth.

"I might’ve been stupid for saying I’m straight," I added quietly. "But I can’t change it. That’s what I am. Still... I crave your voice. The way you talk to me... controls me. I need that. I don’t even understand it. But I do."

Evric didn’t say anything right away.

Then he broke the silence. Calmly.

"You can go to work," he said, turning toward the door. "I’ll head to my client’s place now."

No arguments. No outbursts. Just... distance.

I watched him go.

He didn’t fight me. Didn’t even challenge what I said. But I could feel the anger rolling off him like heat. And maybe it wasn’t just anger, it was pain.

And still, even after all that, I didn’t want to lose him.

I needed his voice. His presence. His dominance.

Part of me wanted all of him. The other part just wanted satisfaction. Control.

I was confused. Torn in two.

And now... now I’d probably made everything worse.