CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: SECRETS OVER BREAKFAST

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

Evric didn’t speak right away. His voice was low, almost like a whisper. "Nobody... Nothing as important as you."

I smiled a little at that, but his phone kept vibrating. Again and again. Until I saw him finally switch it off completely.

"Why are you turning it off?" I asked, trying to sound casual, even though I was starting to wonder.

He looked at me, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "Because I don’t want anyone disturbing us. Not while I’m with you."

That made me feel special. I didn’t question him any further. Instead, we settled into bed, our bodies close, arms wrapped around each other. I rested my head on his chest, and he held me like he always did.

But something felt... different.

His heartbeat, it was faster than usual. I’d laid like this before, so I knew the rhythm of his heart by now. But tonight, it wasn’t the same. It was racing.

I tried not to overthink it, but my mind kept circling back to that call. Who was it? And why did he switch off his phone so suddenly?

Still, I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to ruin the peace between us. I shut my eyes, trying to silence the doubts. His arms were warm, steady. Eventually, sleep pulled me under, but deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.

We slept peacefully through the night. The warmth of Evric’s body against mine had been the last thing I felt before drifting into dreams, and for a moment when I opened my eyes, I almost believed he would still be there beside me.

Instead, the bed was empty, the space next to me already cool. I frowned, reaching out instinctively, my fingers brushing only the soft sheets. Then I noticed the note resting on the pillow where his head had been.

I picked it up, my heart tightening as I read the neat handwriting.

Good morning, babe. You were sleeping so peacefully, and I didn’t want to wake you. I have something important to attend to, so text me later when you’re awake. Kiss kiss.

A smile spread across my face despite the early hour. That’s so him, I thought. Sweet. Gentle. Thoughtful. Always making sure I felt cared for. I pressed the note briefly to my chest before setting it down on the bedside table.

The sound of knocking pulled me from my thoughts. I dragged myself out of bed, still half wrapped in the lingering warmth of the night, and opened the door.

Nantam stood there, dressed casually, the faint smell of cologne drifting in with him.

"Good morning, man," he greeted, stepping inside without hesitation.

"Good morning," I replied, trying to shake off the fog of sleep.

As he moved further into the room, he glanced at me with a curious look. "I saw an expensive car leaving the estate just now when I was coming in. Looked like it was coming from your direction."

My pulse jumped. Evric.

I forced my expression into something neutral, even casual. "Not from here," I lied quickly, turning toward the kitchen as if to busy myself.

Out of all the people who could find out about Evric, Nantam was the one I had to keep in the dark, for now. He wouldn’t handle it well.

My mind flashed back to our university days. Back then, Evric wasn’t the first man who had shown interest in me. Nantam had chased me relentlessly for all four years, persistent, confident, and never taking no for an answer easily. But I had always turned him down, telling him I wasn’t into men. Eventually, after countless attempts, he stopped trying, and we found a way to just... be friends.

Now things were different. I was into men, into Evric. But I still didn’t know how to say that to someone who had once wanted me for himself.

Luckily, Evric had left before Nantam arrived. That saved me from explanations I wasn’t ready to give. Maybe, with time, the truth would unfold naturally.

Another knock sounded at the door, sharper this time. I opened it and found Dean standing there, a small smile on his lips.

"Well," I muttered under my breath, "it’s starting to feel like a reunion this morning."

I stepped back to let him in, and he and Nantam exchanged a casual "Hey, man," followed by a handshake that spoke of old familiarity.

I closed the door behind them, leaning against it for a moment. On the outside, it was just two old friends visiting. But inside, I knew my morning had shifted from peaceful to complicated in a matter of minutes. And in the middle of it all, my thoughts kept drifting back to Evric, his note, his absence, and the secret I still wasn’t ready to share.

I made breakfast for the three of us, and we sat around the table enjoying the warm food and easy morning air. Halfway through the meal, Dean looked up from his plate.

"By the way, where’s Nicki?" he asked.

I paused, realizing I hadn’t thought about Nicki in a while. That’s true, I thought. Then, with a little smirk, I said, "You know Nicki’s never liked me, not because of anything I’ve done, but because he’s always jealous I’m hotter than him."

They both chuckled, and Dean raised an eyebrow. "Not like you two were sharing a man or anything back then."

I laughed. "I don’t even know his man then. But every time Nicki sees me, it’s the same thing ’I hate you for looking this damn good.’ I didn’t even know men could hate someone just for looking good."

That set all of us laughing.

Dean wiped his mouth with a napkin. "But seriously, where is he these days?"

A faint smile tugged at Nantam’s lips. "He’s busy chasing his ex," he said, keeping his eyes on his plate as if the topic didn’t deserve his full attention.

I nearly choked on my drink. "His ex?"

"Yes," Nantam said with a knowing smile.

Dean leaned forward, eyes wide with curiosity. "Oh, now you have to tell us the whole story."

Nantam’s smile widened, mischief glinting in his eyes. "You should both pay me first, then I’ll tell you."

Dean didn’t even blink. "No problem... Zayn, you pay."

I turned to him, frowning. "Why me? Can’t you pay too, Dean?"

Dean just shrugged, the picture of innocence.

Nantam chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Looks like neither of you are ready to hear it."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever... now spill the tea."

He tilted his head at me, pretending to think it over. "Fine... I’ll tell it. Only because Zayn is asking so cutely. Not like Dean."

Dean groaned. "Oh, here we go..."

Nantam grinned. "They met back in university..."