CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: UNWANTED SEDUCTION

"Is everything okay?" Zayn’s voice was husky from sleep, concern flickering in his gaze as he pushed himself up on one elbow.

I turned to face him, forcing a small smile. Babe... good morning.

"Good morning," he murmured, then studied me more closely. "You look troubled. Is everything okay?"

My chest tightened. "When I told you I didn’t want anything to do with my father’s request, did you think I was just avoiding responsibility? Look at what’s happening now."

His brows furrowed. "What happened?"

I swallowed hard, frustration rising. "My father is forcing me to work with Vanya. I don’t want to work with her."

"Who is Vanya?" He asked, his brows knitting together.

"Vanya is Ralph Martixus’ only child," I replied, my tone flat. "She’s also a CEO now, she just took over her father’s position, just like me."

Zayn studied me carefully, tilting his head. "And what’s so bad about working with her?"

I clenched my jaw, struggling to put the storm in my chest into words.

Zayn exhaled, trying to reason with me. "It’s just work, Evric. It shouldn’t be that hard."

"Why won’t you understand?" I snapped, my voice trembling. "I don’t want to work with her!"

He raised his hands in surrender, his tone softening. "Okay, okay... but you’re left with no choice now."

I glared at him, anger bubbling higher. His calm tone only fueled my frustration.

"Zayn, do you even love me at all?" I snapped.

He froze for a moment before tilting closer. "Oh, so it has come to that?" His voice lowered as he wrapped his hands around my waist. "Evric, I’m just trying to help. You don’t need to take it out on me, okay?"

"Then kiss me," I demanded.

He did, his lips brushing mine with the weight of reassurance. When he pulled back, I whispered, "I have to leave this house in less than three hours. Can you bring me that file?"

He smirked faintly. "Okay, boss."

I skimmed through the file once he handed it over, my chest tightening as the truth sank in. "The project is scheduled across three countries. I’ll have to travel with Vanya... and appear in the media alongside her."

"This is crazy," I muttered. "I have to travel with her, Zayn."

He stayed quiet for a beat, then said flatly, "Just do it. Focus on the work."

"You don’t get it, Zayn!" I snapped again.

He met my eyes calmly. "Evric, if you travel for work, it’s only for some time. At least one week, maybe a month. It’s not forever."

"You’re serious?" I asked, my voice cracking. "I’ll be apart from you for that long?"

"I know what’s bothering you, Evric, but it’s okay. If you go, I promise that whenever you come back, I’ll make it up to you. Always."

My brows knitted. "How?"

"Let’s say you travel three days, when you’re back, I’ll spend one whole day with you. If it’s a week, then two days. If it’s a month..." He smiled faintly, brushing my cheek. "Then five days."

I studied him silently, torn between anger and longing. Finally, I blurted out, "Then just move in with me, Zayn."

He smirked faintly. "Then put a ring on my finger, Evric."

"Babe," I called softly.

"Yes?" he answered, his tone patient.

"Please... move in with me."

Instead of answering, he changed the subject. "I should remind you, you’re running late."

My eyes widened. "That’s true!" I jumped up, tugging at his arm. "Let’s shower together."

"No, Evric," he said firmly, though a smile tugged at his lips. "It’s not healthy, especially when you’re already rushing."

I sighed dramatically, then teased, "I hate that you’re getting to know me too well."

We both laughed, the tension dissolving, and ended up showering separately.

Soon after, he dressed, and we grabbed a quick breakfast together. My driver was already waiting downstairs. On the way, I dropped Zayn off at his restaurant.

Just before he got out, I leaned forward. "Babe, you forgot something."

He frowned slightly. "What?"

I pointed to my lips.

He chuckled, then bent down to give me a quick kiss before slipping out of the car.

But as he reached the entrance of his restaurant, I froze. Someone was waiting there, who threw an arm around him in a playful hug. My chest tightened for a moment, the person looked so much like Nicki.

I forced myself to wave it off and leaned back as the driver pulled away toward Martixus Holdings.

When I reached the Martixus building, I was welcomed in, and without wasting any time, I went straight to Vanya’s office. Two other business partners were already waiting for me. The moment I entered, Vanya said, "You’re late."

I couldn’t argue, people were already waiting, so I simply apologized. I had already gone through the file in the car on my way here, so I knew exactly what to say. We dove into the plan, and though it took longer than I expected, I couldn’t deny it looked like an exciting project. The partners were welcoming, and most of the investors they mentioned were people I had worked with before. By the time we wrapped up, it was already late.

This project would soon require me and Vanya to travel to Dubai for a series of investor meetings, and my first media appearance was also scheduled with her.

When everyone finally left, it was just me and her in the office. We discussed the travel plans, and she contributed to every detail of the project. She was indeed skilled and intelligent. When we had finally gone over everything and it was time for me to leave...

Then she leaned back in her chair, her outfit impossible to ignore, a fitted silk blouse tucked into a pencil skirt that hugged her curves, the neckline dipping just enough to draw attention without trying. The soft glow of the desk lamp made the fabric shimmer, outlining her figure in a way that was distracting, almost deliberate.

She rose gracefully from her chair and perched on the edge of the desk, too close, her eyes fixed on me.

"Evric," she said softly, her lips curving, "you look even better in person. I expected charm, but I didn’t expect you to look this... delicious."

I looked at her the way one might look at poison in a crystal glass, dangerous, tempting to some, but never to me.

Then she shifted, lifting one leg and sliding it between mine.

That was the breaking point. My voice thundered across the office.

"Take your stinking legs away from me!"

Her eyes widened, but I didn’t stop. "Vanya, I’ll respect you as a partner. But if you ever cross that boundary again, if you dare repeat what just happened, I will break you."

A slow, twisted smile spread across her lips.

"Then break me, Evric. Tie me, destroy me. I’ll be your slave if that’s what you want."

I scoffed, my voice like steel. "I’d rather buy a dog than take you as a slave."

I stood, brushed her hand from mine, and gave her a final, cold look.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Vanya Martixus."

With that, I turned and started for the door.

Her voice followed me, smooth and unbothered.

"I like your vibe, Evric. It’s nice to meet you too, my sweet man."