Chapter 154: A Bitter Taste Jealousy

Chapter 154: Chapter 154: A Bitter Taste Jealousy ~Zayn’s POV~ Minutes later, we were all walking down the wooden pier that stretched into the glittering blue. At the end of it waited a sleek, modern boat white, polished steel gleaming beneath the sun. Mr. Karl was already there with Evric’s driver, making sure everything was perfect. They both gave Evric a respectful nod, but Evric’s attention never wavered from me. His hand stayed firmly at the small of my back as he guided me on board first, steady, protective as if I might stumble without him. My friends followed... Dean, Nicki, Nantam, and the others, buzzing with excitement. I caught snippets of their whispers, little murmurs about how lucky I was, how no one had ever seen a birthday surprise like this. Their words made my face heat, but deep inside, I couldn’t help the swell of pride. The engine hummed to life, a low purr that vibrated through the deck as the boat slid gracefully away from the dock. The sea stretched endlessly ahead. The breeze rushed past, warm and salty, tugging at my hair. I drifted toward the railing, bracing my hands on the cool steel, letting the wind wrap around me. For a moment, I just closed my eyes and breathed in the freedom of it, the waves, the horizon, the sense of escape. But before I could sink too far into that moment, familiar arms wrapped around my waist. Strong. Unmistakable. Evric. His chest pressed against my back, his chin settling on my shoulder. My lips curved into a smile before I even turned my head. No matter how many eyes were on us, he always made it feel like it was just him and me. Everyone could see us, there was no hiding on a boat this size but Evric didn’t care. If anything, I felt like he wanted them to see. His lips brushed my forehead, soft and lingering, before trailing to my cheek. His arms locked around me as though I was something he could never let slip away. Heat rushed through me, not just from his closeness, but from knowing we had an audience. My friends, sitting only a few feet away, were watching every single move. "Damn, Evric," Dean called out, laughing from across the deck. "Some of us are single, you know. Do you really have to rub it in?" Their laughter rolled across the boat, but Evric didn’t even glance at them. His focus stayed glued to me. And then, without hesitation, he tilted my chin and kissed me slowly, deliberately, claiming me in front of everyone. One thing I know I’ll eventually have to correct Evric on is the way he acts around my friends. At least when they crack jokes, he could smile back, even just a little. I know it’s not pride, Evric isn’t arrogant that way, it’s just that he doesn’t really relate to young people. He doesn’t even have friends of his own, and maybe that’s why he seems distant sometimes. But still, I wish he’d at least smile at them. A simple gesture like that would make things easier. My chest pulled taut, my heart racing. I could hear the shuffle of phones being pulled out, the telltale clicks of pictures being taken. Some of them would save it for fun, others for memories, and maybe... some just for envy. From the corner of my eye, I caught Nicki. His arms were crossed, his expression sharp as he rolled his eyes so hard it almost looked painful. His jaw flexed, tight with irritation, and I didn’t need to guess why. The more Evric kissed me, the more Nicki’s envy burned and somehow, that only made Evric hold me tighter, kiss me deeper, like he was silently daring anyone to challenge him. And me? I just let myself melt into him, because right then, I didn’t care about anyone else either. Later the group scattered around the boat, some stretched out on the upper deck, others leaned lazily against the railing with drinks in hand. Laughter mingled with the crash of waves, warm and easy, but through it all Evric never drifted far from me. It was like no matter where I moved, he was already there. I pulled out my phone, wanting just one simple selfie with the ocean behind me. But before I could press the button, Evric leaned in and stole a kiss. The shutter clicked at that exact moment. I froze for half a second, then felt the heat rush straight to my cheeks. The picture had caught everything his lips on mine, my wide eyes, and the helpless little smile tugging at myself. "Send me that," he murmured against my ear, his smirk making it impossible to say no. I laughed, shaking my head, but I saved it right away. "Of course, I’ll send it." Then Mr. Karl, standing near the edge, lifted a hand. "How about a group photo?" Everyone agreed instantly, gathering together with messy, uncoordinated energy. Dean slung an arm around Nantam, someone else pulled another friend in closer, and laughter kept breaking out before the picture was even taken. I was about to find a spot on the side when Evric tugged me down onto his lap instead. His arms slid around me, firm, caging me in like he didn’t trust the ocean breeze or maybe the world itself, not to take me away. The camera clicked. And just like that, the moment was sealed forever: me sitting on him, his arms wrapped tight, a silent message to everyone watching that I was his, completely. And for once, instead of fighting it, I let myself lean back into him. The boat drifted farther and farther from shore until the resort was nothing more than a faint dot on the horizon. The sea stretched endlessly around us, the sunlight scattering across the waves like glittering diamonds. Music played softly in the background, weaving with the rhythm of the water. I turned to Evric, unable to hold back the awe bubbling inside me. "This is beautiful." He reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. And then, without a second thought, he kissed my forehead. "Not as beautiful as you," he said. My breath caught. The words sank deep, warm and steady, but before I could respond, a chorus of groans and whistles erupted. Dean’s voice rang out above the rest. "God, stop! You’re making me want to cry. Somebody find me an Evric too!" Laughter rippled across the deck. My face burned, and I buried it in Evric’s chest, hiding my smile against him. Normally, I would have pushed him away, embarrassed by all the eyes on us, but instead I found myself leaning closer, letting his boldness wrap around me like sunlight. Shameless. Fierce. His. Out of the corner of my ear, I caught a mutter. Nicki’s voice, low and bitter: "Let’s see how long this fairytale lasts." But it slipped into the air and disappeared just as quickly, swallowed by the waves and laughter. No one cared. No one noticed. Because in that moment, all eyes were on us and all of Evric’s love was on me. After the cruise, Nantam invited me over for dinner at their apartment. I nodded, saying I’d tell Evric first. Deep down, I also saw it as an opportunity, to finally tell Nantam and Dean that I’d be leaving tomorrow morning. When I got to where Evric was waiting, I told him Nantam had invited us for dinner. He stood there with his arms folded, his face indistinct. Then, in a flat voice, he said, "I’m not going to your friends’ place. I’ll be in the room." I tried to reason with him, but he cut me short. "I said I’m not going." Frustration clawed at me. "Why are you so mean, Evric? Dean was joking with you on the boat earlier, and you didn’t even smile. Can’t you at least try to be nice to my friends?" He didn’t reply. His eyes were hard. Finally, he said, "I won’t follow you. That’s all." "Fine. Don’t go. But I will." "No problem. Since you’re so fond of your friends, go ahead." I froze, hurt flashing through me. "What do you mean, ’so fond of friends’?" "You see how some of them are jealous of you, and yet you..." He didn’t finish. "Enough, Evric," I cut him off, my voice rising. He paused, then said coldly, "Fine. Go. I’ll be in the room. But I’m giving you only one hour." I didn’t even answer him. I turned and walked away, his driver and Mr. Karl falling into step behind him as he left in the opposite direction. Dinner started lighthearted, the table covered with platters of grilled prawns, buttered lobster tails, fried calamari, creamy seafood pasta, alongside bowls of spaghetti bolognese, roasted chicken, and fresh vegetable salad. The rich aroma filled the apartment, laughter blending with the clinking of cutlery. Nantam, knowing about my allergy, made sure my plate was different, spaghetti with chicken, a little salad, and some garlic bread. He even shifted the seafood dishes farther from where I sat. I smiled gratefully at him, touched by his thoughtfulness, and ate a little before excusing myself to the restroom. When I came back, I took a bite, then another, then a third, before I realized something was wrong. My throat tightened instantly. Breathing became a battle, my chest seizing as panic surged. I coughed, choked, the taste of shellfish lingering where it should never have been. My vision blurred, and before I could even call out, my body hit the ground. "Zayn!" Nantam’s voice was the first to pierce the chaos. "Zayn, talk to us!" Dean shouted, dropping to his knees beside me. Hands shook me, panicked voices overlapped and chairs scraped against the floor. Everyone was shouting my name, terror thick in the air. In the middle of the chaos, my phone rang on the table. The screen lit up: Evric. Nantam snatched it up, his voice breaking as he answered. "Evric! It’s Zayn, he’s... he’s not breathing properly, he collapsed, come quickly!"