Chapter 123: Annoying Sweetness

Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Annoying Sweetness For a moment, I just stood there, unsure what to say. Why would Evans Lucas want to see me? Before I could gather my thoughts, he leaned forward slightly and said, "It’s nice to meet you. I’m Evans Lucas." He extended his hand. I shook it gently. "I’m Zayn. Nice to meet you too. And... thank you for paying for what I bought." I kept waiting for him to explain why he had covered my bill and asked to see me. "You must be wondering why I called you over," he said, as if reading my mind. I nodded, eager to know. "There’s nothing in particular," he continued casually. "I just... appreciate your look." My look? I repeated in my head, startled. He went on without hesitation. "I like your look, and I don’t mind if we can be friends." I blinked, caught off guard. "Friends?" "Yes," he replied, his tone calm but sure. "I know it might sound strange that I want to be friends with someone when I’m a public figure. But the truth is, I need someone like you in my life." Someone like me? I thought, trying to act as though his words made sense, though none of it truly did. Why would a celebrity of his status want to be friends with me? I didn’t push, though. Instead, I simply smiled. "Can I have your line? Maybe we exchange social media," he asked smoothly. I had nothing to lose, so I agreed. We exchanged numbers, and I thanked him once again before excusing myself. "I’ll need to leave now." "Alright," he said with a smile. "I’ll text you later." The moment I slid back into my car, curiosity took over. I opened my phone, typed his name into Google: Evans Lucas. Pages of results flooded the screen, his photos, interviews, and filmography. Thirty-one years old. Actor. Acclaimed, admired, with a career that stretched across countries. And now... for some reason, he wanted to be my friend. I kept telling myself that this was strange, that none of it really made sense. But I refused to let the thought ruin my day. With a deep breath, I shook it off and drove straight to the location Nantam had sent me. When I arrived, I was welcomed by a mix of familiar and half-familiar faces, some were old friends, while others were just Nantam’s friends I had only exchanged casual greetings with once in a while. Nantam spotted me and greeted me warmly. Not long after, Nicki and his friends joined us, and Dean arrived later, completing the circle. I handed Nantam the gift I had brought for him, along with a bottle of wine I’d picked out for the occasion. Inside the house, everyone eventually settled into their own little groups. Nantam, Dean, two other friends, and I gathered together at one side of the living room, sharing drinks and light conversation. On the other side, Nicki and his group had formed their own circle, laughing and talking loudly over their glasses. The atmosphere was exactly what you’d expect from a housewarming, a little chaotic, but filled with laughter. The table in front of us was crowded with bottles, snacks, and the little touches that made the place feel like Nantam’s home now. Glasses clinked, voices overlapped, and for a moment, everything felt easy, just about the drinks, the company, and the celebration of a new beginning. Just then, it became clear that most of the people here were businessmen. The casual chatter soon shifted into business talk, and before long, the conversation turned toward a few young, successful CEOs who were making headlines. Then, as if perfectly timed, the TV in the corner lit up with a live feature, Evric and Vanya presenting their new project. The room’s energy changed instantly. People leaned forward, their attention caught. Admiration filled the air. "Evric is brilliant," someone said. "They both are," another added. "Vanya and Evric... look at them. They even look good together. Both from wealthy families too... such a perfect match." As their words spilled around me, Dean’s eyes flickered toward me the moment Evric’s name was mentioned. I felt the weight of his stare, sharp and searching, but I kept my face neutral, pretending not to understand what they were talking about. I didn’t join in; I simply let the conversation wash over me. Soon, Nicki and his friends drifted over, and the scattered groups blended into one large circle. All eyes were on the TV now, watching Evric and Vanya speak with confidence, their synergy undeniable. The admiration for Evric only grew, his intelligence, his poise, the way he commanded respect with just his presence on screen. Then someone said, almost dreamily, "Evric and Vanya would make such a good couple." Before I could process it, Nicki’s voice cut through, sharp and unexpected. "They can’t make a good couple." The circle went quiet for a beat. One of his friends frowned and asked, "Why not?" Nicki’s gaze hardened. "Can you all talk about something else?" The tension in his tone silenced the group. Awkward glances were exchanged, but no one pressed further. Still, the words lingered in the air, heavier than the laughter and drinks could cover. The way Nicki gave that reply was somehow sharp, but then again, everyone knew Nicki had a bad mouth. No one pushed further, and the conversation slowly drifted back to lighter things. Before I could even process the shift, my phone buzzed. Evric. I excused myself quietly, slipping to one side where the noise wasn’t so loud, and answered. "How’s it going?" His deep voice flowed through the line, steady as always. "It’s going fine," I replied, lowering my tone, careful not to draw attention. "When are you going home?" he asked. I hesitated, glancing at the circle of people still laughing and drinking. "There’s still time..." "Alright," he cut in. "I’ll call you back in three hours. By then, I expect you to be home." The authority in his voice left little room for argument. I wanted to protest, but here, in this setting, I couldn’t. My voice softened as I gave in. "Okay, baby. I’ll call you when I get home." "Good. I’ll keep messaging. Make sure you reply." "Okay, baby..." Just then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Nantam making his way toward me. My pulse skipped. Quickly, I whispered, "Talk to you later," and hung up before he could reach me. Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I forced my expression calm, as if nothing had happened. When Nantam came closer, he was holding two glasses of alcohol. He handed one to me with a small smile. "Thanks," I said, accepting it. His expression shifted, voice turning serious. "Zayn, I just want to thank you for letting me stay at your place for that long. I really appreciate it." I looked at him, a faint smile tugging at my lips. "It’s nothing. What are friends for?" He smiled back, and we talked a little before Dean joined us. I barely touched my drink, my attention scattered. Not long after, my phone buzzed. A message from Evric. I’m done for the day. Heading back to the hotel. I typed back quickly: Okay. Minutes later, another message arrived. I’ve reached my room. I sighed and replied: Okay. But the messages didn’t stop. He kept updating me about every little thing, what he was doing, what he wanted to eat, how tired he felt. At first, I tried to keep up, but eventually it just started to wear on me. I turned to Nantam and muttered, "I think I should head back." He frowned. "Already? Why?" "Something came up," I said vaguely, forcing a smile. After bidding farewell to everyone, including Dean, I stepped out. My phone buzzed again. Baby, I just want to lie on the bed and rest... It’s been such a long day. Another message followed almost immediately. He wasn’t asking; he was pushing, knowing it would eventually get under my skin enough to make me leave. Frustration burned through me, and I finally typed back: Can you stop already? I’m on my way home. A few seconds later, his reply came. Okay, baby. I love you. I stared at the words, lips pressing into a thin line. I didn’t bother replying. To be sincere, it was annoying.