Chapter 73: Words He Never Said Before

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Words He Never Said Before I nodded, then stood, giving Nicki a small smile before leaving. On my way, Mr. Karl called to inform me that Zayn was waiting inside my office. I told him I already knew, Zayn had just called and assured him I was close by. When I entered my office, I froze for a moment. Zayn was there, but he didn’t look like himself. He sat slouched on the couch, his head resting against the back, his eyes closed as if even the weight of keeping them open was too much. He didn’t even notice me walk in. I quietly slipped off my jacket and walked over to him. Without a word, I lowered myself onto his lap, cupping his face gently. I kissed his forehead, his nose, then his cheek, lingering before finally pressing my lips softly against his. That was when his eyes opened slowly, heavy with exhaustion. He didn’t speak at first. He just stared at me, his gaze unreadable, as though searching for something in my face. After a long moment, his lips finally parted. "Where are you coming from?" he asked, voice low, rough. "I went to see a client," I answered. "Did you eat there?" His tone was calm, but I could hear the faint edge beneath it. "Just a simple meal," I said with a shrug. He nodded lightly, as though forcing himself to accept the answer. "Okay." My hand brushed his cheek. "Babe... you don’t look well. Are you sure you’re fine?" "I don’t know," he murmured, almost too soft to hear. "That’s why I’m here." My chest tightened. "Do you want me to take you to the hospital?" "No," he shook his head faintly. "You’re not feeling fine. You should have been resting, Zayn. Why are you here in the first place?" His lips curled faintly, weakly. "I brought you lunch." I narrowed my eyes at him, half-teasing, half-concerned. "You brought me lunch... or you are trying to make me feel guilty enough to take responsibility for how I treated you last night?" He gave me the smallest smile. "Both." That pulled a laugh out of me, but guilt stung sharper than amusement. I wrapped my arms around him tightly, pulling him into my chest. He let himself sink into me, and we stayed like that, still and quiet, the sound of his breathing all I could hear. After a while, I slipped off his lap and sat beside him, though his eyes never left me. He was too weak to speak much, yet his gaze carried words I couldn’t bring myself to face. My stomach twisted, I’d been too rough with him. Too selfish. "Evric," he whispered, my name like a fragile string on his lips. "Yes?" I answered quickly. "What’s your schedule like next week?" I hesitated, then said, "I have things to do, but... if it’s for you, I can make time. I’ll let someone else handle it." He looked at me quietly, then said, "Before you travel, will you be free to come with me to my mom’s place? Maybe we could spend two days there... then come back." A smile tugged at my lips. "Are you really inviting me...?" But before I could finish, he cut in with a weak huff, "Maybe I should just go alone." "No, no, babe." I caught his hand before he could pull away. "I’d be glad to go with you. Really... I’m happy you asked." His eyes softened, watching me, watching the rare excitement flicker across my face. He didn’t say anything, but I could feel what it meant to him, even in the silence. Not long after, I called Mr. Karl to bring me what I had asked for. A few minutes later, he entered with a sealed envelope, handed it over, and quietly left the office. I turned to Zayn and offered it to him. "What’s this?" he asked, his voice low and rough. "It’s a card with money inside," I explained gently. "It should be enough. But if it’s not, you can always reach out to me again. Honestly, I was planning to bring it home to you, but since you’re here, it’s better you take it now." He just looked at me for a while, saying nothing, his expression unreadable. So I went on. "Nuala already reached out to Liana. I also called someone to help with the website, and they’ll launch it soon to push the products. I think it’s a win-win for her side. Plus, Nuala will be there with her. If there’s anything else, I told Nuala to reach out to me directly." Still, he only stared at me before finally speaking. "Liana already told that Nuala reached out to her." His gaze lingered on me, quiet and heavy, before he whispered, "Come here." I moved, settling on his lap again. He pulled me closer, his hand cradling the back of my head until my forehead rested against his lips. He pressed a soft kiss there. "Thank y..." he paused, then breathed, "...thank you, babe. I appreciate it." My eyes widened. "Zayn, what did you just call me?" He looked startled, almost embarrassed, his hands tensed on my waist. "I... I don’t know. Stand up off me," he muttered, avoiding my eyes. "Babe," I said softly, tilting my head at him. "What did you just call me?" He blinked. "I said thank you." I leaned closer, not letting him off that easily. "Thank you what?" His jaw flexed. "Thank you, Evric." I stared at him, narrowing my eyes. "That’s not what I heard." A faint flush crept across his cheeks. "Since you already heard me say it, why do you want me to repeat it?" I puffed my cheeks out and crossed my arms, sulking like a child. "It’s okay if you won’t say it again." He sighed, his lips twitching as if fighting a smile. Then his voice dropped low, teasing but firm. "Alright, I’ll say it again. But listen carefully this time, because I’m not repeating it after this one." I nodded quickly. "Okay." But then an idea sparked in my head, and I held up a hand. "Wait, before you say it again, let me get my phone." He frowned as I stood up. "Why?" "I’m going to record you while you say it," I announced proudly, already reaching for the desk. Zayn groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You can’t be serious. Forget it, I’m not saying it anymore." I spun back around, clutching my phone, eyes wide with mock betrayal. "Babe, you already promised me! You know you can’t break it now." The corner of his mouth curved despite himself, his eyes softening as they locked with mine. "Fine," he murmured, almost reluctantly. "I’ll say it." I quickly turned on my phone camera and held it up, grinning. "Okay, say it now." Zayn shifted uncomfortably, his fingers twitching before he finally spoke. "Thank you..." He raised a hand to cover his eyes, as though embarrassed. His voice softened. "Babe, I appreciate it." I laughed, reaching out to tug his hand away. "No hiding." He hesitated, but he let me pull his hand down, his gaze finally meeting mine. He exhaled, and then, low and quiet, he said it again, this time clearer. "Babe." My heart skipped. "That’s enough," he muttered, flustered. But I only smiled wider and slid down beside him. "Then let’s take pictures. Lots of them." We did. Silly ones, serious ones, playful ones. He posed for some willingly, and for others I had to practically force him, catching his annoyed expression before he burst into reluctant laughter. Each photo was another memory, another proof that this moment was real. When we were done, I climbed back onto his lap, resting against him. His hands steadied me automatically. He tilted his head closer, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. "Babe," he said softly, "Liana also told me to thank you... for what you did for her. So... thank you, baby. I really mean it." The words sank into me, heavier than he probably realized. My chest tightened, my throat burning. It was the first time he had said it willingly. And then, he repeated it. Once. Twice. Again. Four times in total, like he wanted to make sure I knew. I almost cried from the rush of it. Instead, I kissed him. Hard, unable to hold back the joy. My hands fumbled at his shirt, unbuttoning two buttons just enough for me to lower my lips and sink my teeth gently against his skin. He gasped. "Huh..." "You’re mine, Zayn," I whispered against the mark I left, before kissing him again, this time deeper, hungrier, pouring everything into it. So caught up, we didn’t notice the sound of the door opening. Didn’t notice the figure standing there. It was only when a familiar voice cut through the haze... firm, heavy... that I froze. "Evric." My father’s voice.