Chapter 144: Chapter 144: A War Waiting to Begin
~Evric’s POV~
As I turned toward the crowd, their faces said it all... surprise, shock, disbelief. For me, I wasn’t afraid of anything. Not being known as gay or being seen differently didn’t matter to me. What weighed heavily on me wasn’t myself, it was Zayn.
I knew how much he loved his friends. For him, the problem was never about people finding out he was with a man, it was about the ones closest to his heart. And among them, I discovered there were two people, Dean and Nantam.
Dean already knew about us, but Nantam... he was different. Since the first day I saw him with Zayn, something about him unsettled me. His face, his expressions, they reminded me too much of Nicki. The thought wouldn’t leave me, so I asked Karl to quietly check his background for me.
And that’s when I found out the truth: Nantam was Nicki’s brother.
I turned to Karl, frustration pulling in my chest. "What kind of twist is this? Or is it just a coincidence?" I demanded. "Tell me, Karl...what exactly is the relationship between Zayn and Nicki?"
Karl’s reply was steady, but his words cut through me. "From what I found, sir... Nicki has never liked Zayn."
That information reached Karl during our stay in Dubai. We were sitting together with Vanya when he finally delivered it, even though I had asked him to investigate long before we left home. The delay made the news sting even more.
I shifted my gaze between Karl and Vanya, unease gnawing at me. "If Nicki already dislikes Zayn, then what happens if he finds out Zayn is the one I’m with? I know Nicki, he won’t let it slide. He’ll do everything in his power to ruin it."
Fear crept into me. My chest hurt with it, because this wasn’t just about scandal or reputation, it was about Zayn. About the man I loved.
"This is going to turn into a war," I admitted, my voice meager but certain. "And no matter what, I’m not ready to lose my man... not to Nicki, not to anyone, and definitely not to the past."
Vanya and Mr. Karl offered extensive counsel, but the most significant advice they emphasized was the necessity of drawing Zayn closer and, at the right time, speaking to him openly about Nicki. Yet, the very thought left me unsettled. I carried a deep fear, fear of him creating distance, fear of separation, fear that the truth might weaken what we had built.
Even when Liana and Nuala suggested I play a harmless prank on Zayn as a means of creating a memorable surprise, I initially resisted.
The idea felt risky, almost like tampering with something fragile. However, Vanya reasoned with me: if Zayn had been left to worry before my return, then all of his attention would inevitably be fixed on me. But if I chose instead to see him while things remained steady and comfortable between us, his focus might naturally shift back to his friends.
That perspective forced me to reconsider.
The strategy wasn’t about cruelty or manipulation but about timing, ensuring that when I did return to him, his emotions were heightened and wholly directed toward me. It was a calculated risk, one rooted in the desire to strengthen our bond rather than allow distractions to interfere.
So I thought it through, if I make him worry, then when he finally sees me, he’ll cling to me and never want to let go. And that became my plan. When it came to Zayn, I was willing to try anything that might secure our bond, even if it meant taking risks with his emotions.
And in the end, it worked. The way Zayn held onto me, trembling yet unwilling to release me, told me everything I needed to know, he was mine, heart and soul. His grip on me wasn’t just affection; it was desperation, love, and relief all tangled together. I knew then that I had managed the situation, that I had won him back into my arms.
So when my eyes landed on Nicki, I wasn’t surprised. He was the one caught off guard. His disbelief was written across his face, his mouth slightly open, as though the air had been stolen from his lungs. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
But I had no business with him anymore. Yes, there had been history between us, but that was buried in the past where it belonged. Right here, in this moment, my world revolved around one person only...Zayn.
Whatever Nicki thought, whatever anyone else felt, didn’t matter to me. All I cared about was the man in my arms. And as long as he clung to me, nothing and no one... not even Nicki, could shake that.
I turned to Zayn, his hand trembling in mine. He was frozen, lips unfurled but unsure of what to say, fear and confusion flickering in his eyes.
Sensing the weight of the silence, Nuala stepped in quickly, clapping her hands.
"Alright everyone, back to your tables," she said brightly. "Let’s give the celebrant a moment."
The crowd began to scatter, laughter and whispers buzzing in the air as they returned to their seats. Only Nuala and Liana stayed behind, watching us carefully.
Zayn finally turned and collapsed into my arms, burying his face into my chest. His voice was broken.
"I can’t do it, Evric. I just... I can’t."
I cupped the back of his head, whispering firmly, "You can do it, babe. Listen, they’re not blind. They already saw us. They saw me kiss you, they saw the way you clung to me. Even if they only caught it from behind, anyone can sense it. They’re just waiting for you to say it aloud. That’s all. Okay?"
He lifted his head, eyes wet, and gave me a shaking nod. "Okay."
I hugged him tighter, just for a moment, then took his hand and guided him toward the table where everyone had settled. My chest it compressed as all eyes turned on us.
Zayn stood there, silent at first, then drew in a breath. His voice wavered, but it held up.
"Thanks, everyone, for coming out to celebrate my birthday. Tonight... I also want to officially introduce my partner to you all." he swallowed hard, squeezing my hand... "Meet my boyfriend, Evric."
The room broke into mixed reactions. Some of his friends clapped, cheering warmly. Others gasped, eyes wide in disbelief.
Whispers darted through the crowd like sparks. To some.
"Wow, Zayn is so lucky... Evric of all people."
"Wait... Evric’s gay? Isn’t his father the one who despises homosexuals?"
"This is... unbelievable."
But under it all, I caught the heavy silence of Nantam, Zayn’s closest friend, his expression substandard. That silence weighed more than any whisper.
And then, the voice I had both been waiting for cut through the noise.
Nicki.
He leaned back with a cruel smirk, his laugh sharp and mocking like a blade.
"Well, well... finally. So, Zayn... you’re letting yourself get bent by your fellow man. So...You’re gay?"
The words dripped venom, and the space fell into a stunned hush.
Just then, Nantam pushed back his chair and stood. His face was indistinct as he walked toward Zayn. He reached out, gently taking Zayn’s hand.
"Can we speak for a moment?" he asked quietly, though the weight in his voice carried across the table.
Zayn tense, torn. His other hand was locked tightly with mine, fingers curled as if he didn’t want to let go. Slowly, almost reluctantly, he turned, releasing Nantam’s grip and glancing back at me.
"Babe... I’ll speak to Nantam first," he said, his voice soft, as if asking me to understand.
I slid my arm around his waist in front of everyone, making sure his friends and Nicki saw it, and whispered, "I’ll be here, waiting for you."
He nodded, then walked away with Nantam, Dean rising immediately to follow behind them.
Left alone at the table, I lifted my gaze and locked it on Nicki. His eyes were already on me, sharp and indistinct, like he was trying to peel away every layer of me without saying a word. I knew a thousand questions were running through his head, but he wouldn’t dare ask them at least not tonight. Not here.
Instead, he just sat there, a mocking calm stretched across his face, as if waiting for the perfect moment to strike.