CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER 112: CLINGING TO THE LAST MOMENTS

~Evric’s POV~

I reached for my phone, half-expecting a work notification, but instead, it was a message.

Nicki: I’m around your estate, Evric. Can you come outside for a while?

My jaw tightened as I stared at the screen. A long breath escaped me before I typed back.

What is this about? If it’s work-related, let’s talk at the office.

Almost immediately, his reply came.

Nicki: It’s nothing related to work, Evric. I just want to see you... I miss you. I miss us.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, already feeling the heaviness of the conversation.

Nicki, I thought we talked about this before.

Nicki: I can’t stop thinking about you. Please, just come outside for a while.

A bitter sigh slipped from my lips.

My boyfriend is here, Nicki. There’s no way I would come out to see you.

But Nicki pressed on.

Nicki: Evric... you could, if you wanted to.

I clenched my jaw and typed my final message.

I won’t. He’s sleeping on my chest right now, and that’s where I want to be.

With that, I dropped my phone onto the desk. More messages buzzed in, but I didn’t bother to look anymore. My decision was final.

Just then, Zayn stirred on the bed, shifting to my side. He reached for me in his sleep, his hand brushing the empty space where I had been. His voice, soft and drowsy, tugged at my chest.

"Baby..." he murmured without opening his eyes.

Everything else vanished. I abandoned the files and the buzzing phone and slid back into bed. Wrapping my arms around him, I pulled him close until his breathing calmed again.

"Yes, love," I whispered against his hair. "I’m here."

And I stayed there, holding him, refusing to let anyone, past or present, steal even a second from the man I chose.

After a while, I too drifted to sleep, holding the man I loved close to my heart.

When morning came, I woke first. Zayn was still fast asleep, his chest rising and falling gently against mine. I couldn’t help but stare at him, at how peaceful he looked, at how long and delicate his lashes were. Waking up to this sight was enough to fill my heart with joy.

Leaning closer, I whispered softly against his ear, "Good morning, baby."

My lips brushed his, and I kissed him slowly. Even in his sleep, he instinctively responded, lips parting slightly as if his body knew mine. The kiss deepened without me realizing, my heart racing, until he made a soft, sleepy murmur... "hmm" ...a sound that told me he didn’t want it to go any further.

I stopped immediately, inhaling deeply before pressing one last kiss on his forehead. Smiling faintly, I whispered, "I love you," even though he couldn’t hear it.

Carefully, I slipped out of bed and headed downstairs.

The house was quiet, sunlight streaming in through the wide glass windows. I moved further inside the living room, searching for Nuala. I needed to discuss a few things with her before Karl arrived. She always made sure things ran smoothly whenever I traveled.

I asked one of the maids to call Nuala for me. A few minutes later, just as she entered the living room, the front doorbell rang.

The maid hurried to open it, and standing there was Mr. Karl, sharp as always, his presence steady and reliable.

"Good thing you arrived early," I said to him with a small nod of approval. "But wait for me a moment. I need to speak with Nuala first."

Karl bowed his head slightly in acknowledgment and stepped aside, waiting patiently as I turned my attention back to Nuala.

"I need you to do something for me once or twice a week while I’m gone," I told her.

Her brows furrowed, as if she expected something complicated. "What’s that you want me to do, Evric?"

"For the two weeks I’ll be away, can you stop by Zayn’s restaurant once or twice? That’s all, if you’re not too busy."

Her eyes widened. "Bro, once or twice? That’s too little. I could go every day if it’s not too much trouble."

I shook my head. "No, Nuala. Twice a week is enough. You know how he is, if you’re around too often, he won’t leave you sitting by yourself. He’ll try to spend time with you, and I don’t want his work getting disturbed because of that."

She pressed her lips together, then nodded. "Okay, I understand."

"What time’s your flight?" she asked.

"Evening," I replied.

"You’re going with Mr. Karl, right?"

"Yes. Mr. Karl, Vanya, and her team, we’ll all be flying together."

She gave me a small smile. "Alright, bro. Wishing you a safe trip in advance."

"Thank you," I said, smiling back before turning to Mr. Karl. "Come upstairs with me. There are files I was working on yesterday. I’ve finished most of them, but I need your help arranging them properly."

"Of course," Karl answered and followed me up.

Once everything was handed over and organized, Karl stepped out of the room, leaving me alone again. My eyes drifted to the bed. Zayn was still fast asleep, his breathing soft and steady.

I sighed quietly. Time is running so fast... I still want a little more with him. At least a talk before I leave.

Leaning closer, I reached out and brushed my fingers lightly against his shoulder. "Babe," I whispered gently, trying to wake him.

Zayn stirred at the sound of my voice, his lashes fluttering before his sleepy eyes opened. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the light, then turned toward me with a faint smile.

"Mm... babe?" His voice was low and rough from sleep. "You’re up already?"

I nodded, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Yeah... did you sleep well?"

He sighed softly. "Baby, my body feels tired. I still want to sleep more."

I leaned closer, whispering, "I know you need it... but please, baby, just spend a little time with me first. After I leave, you’ll have the whole week to rest."

He looked at me for a moment, then a soft smile curved his lips. "Okay."

With a slow, lazy movement, he shifted closer and rested his head on my legs, his arm wrapping snugly around my waist as I sat on the bed. His eyes lingered on me, warm and unguarded.

"Evric..." he murmured, voice still husky from sleep. "What do you need me to do?"

I chuckled, already holding up my phone. "Just stay like this. I’m recording how clingy you are to me."

When he realized I’d taken more than a few pictures, his cheeks flushed. "Babe, that’s enough."

Then he looked up at me, a little pout on his lips, and said softly, "Babe, send me those pictures you took."

I grinned. "Oh? I thought you didn’t like me taking them."

"Just send them to me, baby," he murmured, trying to sound annoyed, though I caught the fondness in his tone.

A quiet moment passed, then his voice softened, almost breaking. "I’ll miss you, Evric."

I lifted his head, meeting his gaze. "I’ll miss you more."

We stayed like that for a while, holding onto every second. I finally asked, "Tell me what you want. Anything you need, so I can bring it back for you."

He shook his head gently. "I’ll let you know if there’s something."

"Then let’s go downstairs for breakfast," I said, not wanting to waste the little time we had.

We ate together, talking in between bites, though the clock moved far too quickly for my liking. Just as I was enjoying the moment, a message buzzed on my phone. It was from Vanya. Arrive earlier.