CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: AN INVITATION FOR THE WEEKEND

Evric instantly pulled back, his voice sharp with surprise.

"Mom!"

The word hit me like a bucket of cold water. Mom?

I straightened up, adjusting myself as fast as I could. My mind spun. I hadn’t forgotten, Evric’s father was openly homophobic. And if his father was like that, what if his mother was too? I didn’t know what to expect, so I just... stood there, frozen.

Evric got to his feet and went to her with an easy smile, wrapping her in a hug.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

She returned the hug and replied casually, "I was passing by. Your father told me about you coming to work, so I decided to stop in."

They talked for a moment, but I couldn’t miss the way her eyes kept flicking toward me. Watching. Studying.

Finally, she leaned in close to Evric and whispered something I couldn’t hear. He nodded, smiling at whatever she’d said. My curiosity burned, but before I could guess what it was, Evric walked back to me.

He slid an arm firmly around my waist.

"Mom, meet your son-in-law..." he glanced at me, "...or is he boyfriend-to-be? Anyway, his name is Zayn."

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I tried to pull his hand away, but he held on stubbornly, even dropping a kiss onto my shoulder. Gosh, Evric is so shameless.

His mother’s lips curved into a polite smile as she extended her hand.

"Nice to meet you."

I quickly wiped my palm against my clothes before shaking her hand. "N-Nice to meet you," I said, my voice almost tripping over the words.

She looked me right in the eyes. "I’ll leave you two," she said. But as she turned toward the door, she added, "It’s nice to meet you again, Zayn. Hope to see you soon."

And with that, she turned and left.

Evric patted my arm. "Give me a minute." He followed her out.

I watched him follow her out, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might explode. When he returned not long after, he was smiling like nothing in the world could shake him.

By then, I had settled into a single chair. Evric walked straight over, sat on my lap, and pressed kisses from my forehead down toward my lips. I stopped him, pressing a hand to his chest.

"Wait. Are you sure that was your mom?"

He gave me a look. "Of course. Why?"

"You know why," I said quietly. "Everyone knows your father is homophobic. I thought your mom might be the same..."

"You’re wondering why she didn’t react when she saw us, right?"

I nodded.

Evric’s gaze softened. "You’re right. My father has always been homophobic, and he still is. He refuses to believe that two men can truly love each other or have a good future together. For that reason, he’s never approved of it. My mother, on the other hand, has changed, she isn’t like that anymore."

I raised my brow. Why?

Hmmm. Something happened, something that nearly took my life. But I’m here now, sitting on my man’s lap, and I can kiss him if I want."

I asked, "What’s that?"

He only smiled.

My chest tightened. "One day, I’d love to hear that story. Maybe tell me about your past relationship too."

He nodded with a small grin. "Okay, Mr. Smith."

Then he said, "You know she already knows about you, and her coming here isn’t a coincidence. She must have come around to do something for real, but my mom wouldn’t come if someone hadn’t told her anything."

I asked him, "Who told her?"

"You know, we’ve got a parrot in the family, someone who met you recently and couldn’t resist gossiping. I’m sure she’s heard everything by now. She’s not usually the type to just show up without notice, so I know she was here for a reason. Unfortunately, I told the wrong person you’d be coming here with lunch for me... and I’m certain it was Nuala who told her."

I listened to every word, but it still wasn’t what I wanted to hear.

Then he pressed a deep kiss to his lips.

When he pulled back, his expression turned serious. "I want to tell you something".

"What?"

"Every five days, like a weekend, I want you to come to my place and spend the days with me. You know, like stay the night, be with me completely."

I stared at him, and he quickly added, "It doesn’t have to be right away. Maybe after we officially become boyfriends. You can come over... maybe even move in with me."

I chuckled. "Evric, you want me to move in with you?"

He nodded eagerly.

I smiled and said, "I could only move in if you marry me first."

His grin widened. "So, will you marry me then?"

"I don’t know," I teased. "But if we become official, maybe I’ll marry you as time goes by."

He pouted like a child. "So you’re not sure you’ll marry me yet?"

I looked at his sad face and smiled. "I will definitely marry you, but wait till we become official, okay?"

"Then I can’t wait for us to be official."

I told him, "As for spending time with you, for now I’ll come once in a while. But after we’re official, I’ll spend every weekend, and maybe some holidays, with you."

He kissed me quickly. "I love you, Zayn."

I just smiled. I’d heard Evric say those three words so many times, but I’d never replied. He never stopped, never gave up, always saying it whenever he could.

I’m glad you love me, Evric, I thought. And I feel lucky to be loved by you.

I leaned forward and kissed him.

After a while, my phone rang. It was one of my staff.

"Hello, Boss," she greeted.

"You need to come over," she said. "Someone is asking for you."

My brow furrowed. "Who?"

"Nitammi," she replied.

Nitammi. My distant admirer. I hadn’t chatted or spoken to her in a long time, work had swallowed me whole, and Evric never gave me a chance to think about anyone else.

"I’ll be there soon," I told her, then she ended the call.

Turning to Evric, I told him, "I think I should get to work now. I haven’t been there since yesterday, and apparently, someone’s looking for me."

"Who?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I don’t know. I’ll find out when I get there."

He nodded thoughtfully, then a smile crossed his face as an idea struck him. "How about spending the weekend at my place?" he suggested, sliding his hands into his pockets. "I’ll pick you up and drop you off at work in the mornings, and then come get you at night for the two days you’re here."

He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "But I have to visit my father that weekend, he called and wants to see me. I’ll make it quick and come pick you up from work afterward, then bring you back to my place when I return. What do you say, Mr. Smith? Yes or no?"

A smile tugged at my lips. "That’s not a problem, Mr. Draeven."

Our eyes met, and we both smiled at the unspoken warmth between us. Then he pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly, almost like a child refusing to let go.

"I don’t want to let you go," he murmured, whining just enough to make me laugh.