CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: EVERYTHING FEELS GOOD WITH YOU

Zayn’s POV

My body was still shaking when he pulled out, and my head rested on his chest, listening to the wild beat of his heart. My legs felt weak, but I didn’t want to move. Not when I was still wrapped in his warmth... his scent.

I kissed his neck gently, then whispered,

"Evric... my birthday is coming up."

He shifted, pulling back to look at me. That knowing smirk tugged at his lips.

"Oh?" he said, brushing my cheek with his thumb. "And what does my pretty man want for his birthday?"

I swallowed, suddenly nervous, but I pushed past it, smiling at him.

I let out a soft sigh, shifting on the couch as I looked at him.

"I don’t want anything from you, Evric," I said, honestly. "Just having you beside me that day... It’s enough."

He turned to face me, his eyes searching mine. "Zayn," he said, voice low, "you’ve never asked me for anything. Not once. Let me guess... you’ve never even helped me spend my money either."

I gave a small smile, tilting my head. "That’s because I have mine."

He scoffed gently and shook his head. "No... Don’t spend your money while you’re with me. Let me spoil you. Just tell me, what do you want for your birthday?"

I hesitated, glancing down for a second. "Honestly... you can give me whatever you feel like giving. But I was thinking of maybe a small get-together. Nothing big. Just some close people to celebrate with me... I haven’t concluded yet."

He nodded, resting his arm on the couch behind me. "Well, once you decide, let me know. I’ll take care of everything."

I smiled a little, then I remembered. "Next week is your cousin’s wedding, and I’ll be handling the food."

He grinned. "Of course I know. Do you need my help?"

I raised an eyebrow, teasing. "Help me? And what exactly can you do for me, sir?"

"Anything," he said with a playful shrug.

We both laughed, and then he paused, his expression softening. "You know... I’ve been meaning to ask you something."

I glanced at him curiously.

"The first day we met... I dropped you a card."

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. I remember."

"Did you ever use it?"

I shook my head. "No."

His brows lifted slightly. "So you’ve never even checked how much was in it?"

Without thinking, I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him. "I didn’t want to know. I’m not a hooker you pay. I rejected it then, and I’ll give it back to you before you leave."

He didn’t pull away. His voice was quiet, serious. "You know, from the first day till now... I’ve never seen you that way. Not for a second. You shifted something in me, Zayn. Right from the beginning. That’s why I can’t let go."

I smiled, then swallowed hard, my heart suddenly full.

"Evric..." I murmured.

"Hmm?"

"I’m so tired," I said, leaning my head against his chest, "but I need to clean up before I sleep. And I’m too lazy."

He smiled against my hair. "Let me help you, okay?"

I looked up at him and nodded, probably looking like a sleepy child.

"Kiss me," he said gently.

I kissed him.

And just like that, he lifted me effortlessly into his arms.

He carried me into the bedroom without saying a word, his arms firm around me, yet gentle. I rested my head against his shoulder, listening to his heartbeat, steady, calm. Like it was meant to soothe me.

When we got to the bed, he helped me clean up first, just like he’d promised. His hands were careful. No rush. No pressure. Just him... being there for me.

Afterwards, we lay side by side, quiet at first. His fingers played lazily with mine.

"Then I turned slightly toward him, my voice soft and low. ’I think I might go home soon.’"

His thumb paused. "Home?" he asked softly.

"Yes, to see my mom," I said, my voice low. "She’s been calling, complaining I haven’t visited. Honestly, I think she misses me too much to stay mad this time. I don’t have a choice. I have to go see her soon."

He nodded a little, eyes searching mine. "Can I come with you?"

I paused for a moment, but not because I didn’t want him to. I did.

"I’m okay with that," I said quietly."

Truth was, I wanted him to come. I wanted my mom to meet him. To see him. To understand the man who’s been slowly changing everything inside me without even trying.

Before I let this go any deeper, before I say anything like yes, or I’m yours, I need her to know. To hear me out. If she accepts it, accepts that I’m falling for a man, then I’ll come back and give Evric the answer he’s quietly been waiting for.

I glanced at him, his lashes resting gently as he looked up at the ceiling like he was lost in thought.

"I just..." I sighed. "I don’t want to lead you on, Evric. I’ve seen how serious you are about me. You feel everything so deeply. You’re not here to play."

His eyes turned back to me, full of emotion. He didn’t interrupt.

"So before I start anything official... I want to be sure. Not just about you, but about everything. About my life. My choices. My family."

"I understand," he whispered. "I do."

"I’ve never been the type to take from people," I said quietly. "But if you want to be part of my life, I need you to be part of all of it. That includes my mom."

He nodded again, then gently brushed his thumb along my knuckles. "Then let me come with you."

I smiled.

It was soft, small... but real.

"Okay," I whispered. "Then once we’re back, I’ll give you your answer."

He leaned in and pressed his forehead against mine. "I already know what it’s going to be," he said with a grin.

I rolled my eyes. "You’re too confident."

"And you’re too stubborn."

We both laughed under our breath. The room was quiet again, but this time, it was filled with something warm. Something certain.

Maybe we weren’t rushing anything.

Maybe we were just... falling right.

Just then, Evric’s phone rang, breaking the quiet between us.

He glanced at the screen, and without a word, turned it face down on the nightstand.

I watched him, a flicker of something uneasy passing through me.

"Who was that calling you?" I asked softly.