Chapter 77: The One Who Won’t Be Let Go

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: The One Who Won’t Be Let Go What did he and my dad talk about...? The question kept echoing in my head. After a while, he stood up, and we both cleaned up together. He said he was going back home, but I insisted he wait so we could leave together. I even told him to spend the night at my place, but he refused. He said he had work tomorrow, and it was easier to get things done from his place than mine. When I suggested maybe I should just spend the night at his house instead, he shook his head and told me his friend was around. It wasn’t the right time for me to come over. So, in the end, we agreed to sleep separately, he at his house, me at mine. Still, my mind felt uneasy, fear pressing at the edges of my thoughts, like Zayn might just disappear if I let him go. But I kept telling myself maybe none of that was going to happen. I asked him to rest on the couch while I finished rounding up the day’s work. He lay down and soon drifted off to sleep, his breathing soft and steady. As I worked, I couldn’t help sneaking glances at him. He looked so fine, even in sleep, maybe even more so. When I was finally done for the day, I leaned closer, kneeling by the couch where Zayn lay. Gently, I called, "Babe..." It took a moment, but his eyes fluttered open. "You’re done?" he asked, his voice still thick with sleep. I nodded. "Yes." He sat up slowly and said, "Then let’s go." I studied him carefully, worried. "Are you sure? You don’t need to go to the hospital?" Zayn chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, I haven’t had proper rest yet. Once your cousin’s wedding is over tomorrow, I’ll finally take some time to rest properly." "You should come to my house and rest," I urged. That made him laugh out loud. "Your house? Evric, cut it out. We both know there’s no such thing as resting if I stay at your place. I’ll be better off at home. I really need the rest." "Then let me come and take care of you," I pressed. He softened a little, listening, but then shook his head. "Don’t worry." Something inside me twisted. "You’re not taking a break from work to rest, are you? You’re taking a break from me." He laughed again, playful but half-serious. "Both." I held his gaze, steady. "Zayn, I already promised I won’t have sex with you. I won’t penetrate you until we’re truly together. I mean that." He smirked faintly. "But can you promise you won’t smooch me or use your voice to play mind games with me?" I fell silent, unable to answer. That was enough for him. He sighed. "Then let me just take a rest at home, alone." In the end, I had no choice but to accept. I helped him up from the couch, and together we headed downstairs. My driver was already waiting by the car. Zayn didn’t drive today; he admitted he couldn’t, so he took a taxi to my office. The good thing was, I would be the one to drive him back home. Inside the car, silence settled between us, broken only by the hum of the engine. Zayn leaned against me, his head finding a place on my shoulder as though it belonged there. His breathing slowed, the weight of his exhaustion pulling him under. I turned my face slightly, catching the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the warmth of his skin. My heart clenched. The drive felt painfully short. I wanted the road to stretch forever, to let me hold onto this small piece of him for just a little longer. But before I was ready, the car was already slowing in front of his house. "Babe," I whispered, nudging him gently. "We’re here." Zayn stirred, his lashes fluttering open. For a moment, he simply stared at me, as though caught between sleep and waking. Then, without a word, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine. The kiss was brief but lingering, a goodnight spoken in silence. "Goodnight, Evric," he murmured when he pulled back. My chest tightened. It wasn’t enough. "Babe," I called softly before he reached for the door. He paused, glancing back. "Yes?" I swallowed, my voice low, almost shy. "I’m sleeping alone tonight. Give me a proper goodnight. Some sweet words, just for me." For a moment, he said nothing. His lips curved into a faint smile, and his eyes softened. Then, after a long, silent breath, he whispered, "Goodnight, baby." The words wrapped around me like a promise. I couldn’t help the smile that broke across my face. "Goodnight, love," I whispered back. I sat in the car and waited until his front door opened. A figure appeared in the entryway, pulling it wider for him. My eyes narrowed. The man reached out casually, ruffling Zayn’s hair the way close friends sometimes do. Zayn didn’t protest. That must be the friend he mentioned, I reminded myself. Still, something about the figure made unease curl in my gut. He was the same man I had seen at Zayn’s restaurant the other day. In the dim light, the outline of his face and the shape of his jaw looked uncannily familiar, so much like Nicki that my heart gave an involuntary jolt. I shook the thought off quickly. People often resembled one another. That didn’t mean anything. Even so, as my driver pulled away and I watched Zayn disappear inside, the unease refused to fade. The drive home was so dull I didn’t even realize we’d arrived until my driver cleared his throat and said softly, "We’re home, sir," and I blinked back into reality. I stepped out of the car, but my thoughts were still spinning with everything that had happened today. The weight of it pressed on my chest, refusing to let me breathe easily. I needed to know what was going on. Inside, I told one of the maids to call Nuala. She always seemed to know things before I did. It didn’t take long before Nuala appeared. She didn’t even let me speak first. "Brother," she said quickly, her eyes wide, "I heard Daddy caught you with Zayn... that you two were... kissing." I exhaled sharply. Of course, the News always runs to her first. "So if you know that much," I said, fixing my gaze on her, "then you should also know Daddy went to see Zayn." Nuala nodded without hesitation. I stared at her in disbelief. "And you didn’t tell me?" She crossed her arms, unfazed. "Because there’s nothing to tell." "I shook my head in disbelief. Nothing to tell? How can you say that, Nuala, when my entire world feels at stake? Didn’t you say you liked Zayn? So why aren’t you worried about him?" "I’m really worried, and because I have no answers, that’s why I didn’t say anything to you," Nuala admitted. She added, "When I asked more questions from Mr. Sam about it, he said Daddy went to Zayn’s house alone. He went in by himself, so whatever was said between them... only the two of them know." Her words made my stomach churn. My father and Zayn... face to face. What did they talk about? I lifted my eyes to her again, the question heavy in my voice. "Do you think I should be preparing myself for another heartbreak?" Nuala gave a little smirk. "Maybe." "But Nua... I love Zayn. I don’t think you understand. He’s the one who made me realize what loving someone truly feels like." My voice softened, almost a whisper. "He’s finally coming around. He’s finally trying to open up to me." Nuala raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on her lips. "Are you for real?" "Yes, I’m serious. But... what if... what he promised Dad somehow changes him? What if it makes him shut me out again? Nuala, I’m scared." "You shouldn’t be, bro," she said gently, shaking her head. She hesitated a moment, then added quietly, "Mr. Sam also mentioned something else." My curiosity sharpened. "What?" "He said... when Daddy came back outside, he didn’t explain anything. He just muttered one thing." I leaned forward, my pulse quickening. "And what was that?" She drew in a shaky breath, her voice low. "He said... ’This one won’t be easy to get rid of.’" Her words lingered between us, colder than the night outside.