Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Unfinished Promises
~Zayn’s POV~
After my conversation with Dean, his advice echoed in my mind, not to tell Nantam about Evric just yet, to let everything unfold on my birthday. But a part of me still felt unsettled. I didn’t want anything to ruin my day. Maybe I was overthinking. Maybe everything would go smoothly. Maybe... there was nothing to worry about.
After Dean slept, I poured myself more drinks than I probably should have, trying to drown the unease swirling in my head. Hours later, I must have drunk too much because I passed out right there.
When I woke up, it was already midnight. I dragged myself up from the couch and walked into my room. As soon as I lay down, my phone buzzed, a message from Evric.
Good morning, baby.
I read it, smiling faintly, but maybe because I was still a little tipsy, I didn’t reply. A few minutes later, my phone lit up again. This time, it was his call. I gently answered.
"Good morning, babe," he said, his voice low but warm.
"Yes, baby," I replied, my voice still heavy with sleep.
He paused, listening, and then his tone sharpened slightly. "Baby... did you drink?"
I couldn’t help but smile. "Yes, Evric..."
"How much?"
I laughed softly. "A lot..."
He was quiet for a moment before his voice returned, gentler this time. "Zayn... is something troubling you?"
I closed my eyes, my chest tightening. "Yes, baby."
He sighed. "Babe... is what’s troubling you related to me?"
I chuckled softly. "Yes..."
Another pause. Then his voice softened further. "What part of me... is troubling you?"
"All of it," I admitted, letting the words out.
There was a small change in his tone now, tinged with worry. "You... he paused, you don’t love me anymore, right?"
I smiled, even though he couldn’t see me. "I love you so much, baby. The part of you that troubles me... It’s only because I miss you so much."
He inhaled. "I miss you more, baby," he whispered, quiet but full of affection.
Then he asked, gently, almost hesitantly: "Babe... do you want to move in with me when I get back home?"
I felt my heart skip a beat. "Yes... But let’s talk about it again when you’re back," I said.
"Okay, baby. I need to go now... people are waiting for me," he replied.
"Alright," I said softly, the warmth of his voice still clinging to me.
"I love you so much, Zayn."
"I love you too, Evric," I whispered, my heart full.
And just like that, the call ended.
I leaned back against my pillow, letting the quiet of the night wash over me. He’s all I want. He’s worthy of all my love. And in that moment, I decided to stop worrying. I closed my eyes, a small smile on my lips... and finally drifted back to sleep.
When morning came, I woke up with a pounding headache. Groaning, I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the kitchen to make hangover tea. As the kettle hissed, a memory hit me—the last time I got this drunk, it was Evric who cared for me. He’d stayed by my side, making sure I was alright. God, I missed him. I never thought I could miss someone this much.
With the tea steaming in my mug, I carried it to the dining table. Before I could even sit down, I spotted Nantam in the living room with Dean beside him, the two of them talking quietly. I greeted them, they greeted me back, and I finally joined them at the table, nursing my drink.
Nantam glanced my way. "Zayn... Nicki told me he came to apologize to you. Is that true?"
I nodded. "Yes. He came yesterday. He apologized, and I forgave him already."
Dean leaned back in his chair. "Good thing, then."
But Nantam wasn’t done. "Nicki also said you received a flower from your partner while he was with you."
Dean’s eyes flicked toward me, waiting. I forced myself to stay calm and answered with a simple, "Yes."
Nantam gave a small nod, but his words cut deeper. "Zayn, I’ll give you some advice. Be the man who shows the most affection in a relationship. It’s not right for your girlfriend to give more than you. Make her feel wanted, okay?"
I just nodded again. "Okay."
But inside, I was screaming the truth. It’s not from a girlfriend, it’s from my man. They’d all know soon enough, but for now, I stayed quiet.
Dean quickly shifted the topic. He smirked at Nantam. "So, when are you also starting a relationship? Or do you have someone already and you’re hiding it from us like Zayn?"
Nantam chuckled. "Right now, I’m not ready for a relationship. When I’m ready, I’ll find one."
He threw the question back at Dean. "And you? What about you?"
Dean shrugged. "For now, I just want to enjoy life. I’m not ready to commit to anyone."
Nantam raised his brows. "Then how’s Nicki and his ex? Did they patch things up already?"
Leaning back in his chair, Nantam answered calmly, "No, they didn’t. The last time I asked him, he said his ex loves his partner and isn’t ready to take him back. He wants nothing to do with him."
I sighed. "Oh, I feel for him."
Dean snorted. "You should tell him to just move on. Find someone new."
Nantam suddenly burst out laughing.
Dean frowned. "What’s so funny?"
I joined in, curious. "Yeah, what’s funny, Nantam?"
Nantam leaned forward, grinning. "Who told you he doesn’t already have someone new? Of course he does. But he’s been saying once his ex accepts him back, he’ll dump the one he’s with."
I shook my head slowly. "Nicki’s a player. So he’s got someone already, while still chasing after his ex?"
Dean grimaced. "That’s not cool."
Before we could continue the conversation, my phone buzzed sharply on the table. My stomach twisted. It was a call from someone I had been avoiding for days. And now, finally, he decided to call again.
Rogan wouldn’t let me rest. It hasn’t even been the three months I promised him yet why is he calling already? It’s not time yet. Evric and I only just made our relationship official seven days ago.
I sighed, my patience thinning, but I had no other choice. I picked up the call and excused myself from Dean and Nantam, stepping away with my mug in hand.
"Hello, good morning, sir," I greeted, trying to sound calm.
He didn’t waste a second. His voice came clear and sharp through the line.
"Can you stop reaching out to Evric?"