CHAPTER 268: CHAPTER 268: THE KISS THAT SHOOK ME

~Nantam’s POV~

Evans chuckled, entirely unconcerned. "Don’t worry. You will like me later."

Never, I thought fiercely in my mind. I will never like you.

We drove the rest of the way in silence. His house was less a house and more a futuristic glass and steel monument to wealth. The moment the driver parked, I slipped straight into my dramatic performance.

"Wow, what a mansion!" I shouted, throwing my arms out and tilting my head back like I was admiring the gates of heaven. "Ah-ah! Bro Evans, you are so rich! Look everywhere! See lawn, see house—wow!"

I made a big show of turning in circles, praising every brick.

"Thank you, Nantam," Evans said as he opened the front door for me. "Now, come inside."

I stopped immediately and faced him, dead serious. "Come inside to do what? You’ve already shown me your fine mansion, and I’ve seen it. Very beautiful. Thank you."

I stepped back and reached for my pocket. "It’s time for me to go home. Let me order a taxi."

"Since you know I’m trying to show you my house, at least step inside and see it properly," Evans urged, still smiling.

"I’ve seen enough," I insisted. "The image is already in my head."

His voice dropped, his smile turning sly. "Hmm. Nantam... don’t tell me the real reason you won’t come in is because you’re scared of ending up on my bed."

My expression shifted instantly a flicker of embarrassment buried under stubborn defiance. "Why would I be scared of you?" I shot back. "I’ve already made it clear I’m not interested."

"If you have no interest in me, why are you being scared to come inside my house?" he countered, his logic infuriatingly simple.

"Because I don’t want any further closeness than this," I said, trying to push him away with the past. "Your brother already dated my brother."

Evans shrugged, dismissing the history with a wave of his hand. "My brother dating your brother is in the past. It already ended. I don’t think that should be a problem."

I forced a stiff smile, though irritation simmered beneath it. "Not a problem? Are you serious, Evans? Do you know how much your father put Zayn through? The endless tests, the judgment, the constant pressure to prove he was ’good enough’ for your brother? Do you even understand how suffocating that was for him?"

My voice tightened, the memory sharpening every word. "I’m not Zayn, Evans. I can’t survive that kind of scrutiny."

I shook my head, the unease crawling under my skin. "Evans. For all I know, this is some twisted payback for whatever happened between our brothers. And honestly? Maybe I’m just the easiest target in front of you. There are too many complications already. I don’t want to be close to you, because I don’t want anything beyond this to even start. Not with you."

Evans stepped closer, his voice dropping into something soft enough to steady my pulse. He held my gaze, warm and unhurried. "Please, Nantam... can we just put all that aside for now?" he murmured. "Please... come inside and have a proper meal. That’s all, I promise."

I narrowed my eyes. "Aren’t you the one who said you don’t keep promises?"

"I’m begging you now," he pleaded, his intensity suddenly real. "Please, trust me just this one time. I will keep my promise."

I stared at him for a long, calculating moment. My mind was exhausted, and I hadn’t eaten properly since I was detained. "Promise?"

"I promise," Evans confirmed, holding my gaze.

"Just then, he stepped toward me, attempting to touch my back to guide me inside. I quickly stepped back, maintaining the hard boundary."

Evans caught himself immediately. "This way, please," he said, using his hand as a direction marker without touching me.

I followed him inside.

Evans actually kept his promise. I had a proper, hot meal, not some hastily grabbed takeout. We talked for hours; he lectured, advised, and, begrudgingly, I had to admit, I admired his sharp intelligence.

When he started talking, I realized he wanted to address what I had done to Zayn, but he didn’t do it in a harsh or judgmental way. He broke down the principles of loyalty and trust one by one, dissecting my actions until I realized exactly how wrong I’d been. He wasn’t judging me through the past; he said he liked me before he even found out I was Nicki’s brother, and seeing my true character only reinforced it.

Despite how perfectly composed he was, even though I was still furious at him for trapping me, I felt a reluctant pull toward him. I liked him, I really did, but I didn’t think it could ever work, not with the mountain of reasons standing between us.

"Look, Nantam," Evans said, reading the resistance in my eyes. "What if we just start as friends? Just test the waters."

I shook my head. "You don’t have to be with me. You’re intelligent. You could find someone else easily."

I stood up, ready to say goodbye and end the excruciating politeness. Evans stood up with me, closing the physical gap between us. He stared straight into my eyes, and my breath hitched.

What happened next was a blur. He leaned down and kissed me.

I was shocked. For a split second, the shock melted into curiosity, and I kissed back, tasting the clean, sharp scent of him. Then reality slammed back. I pushed him away, stepping back quickly. "Please," I pleaded, my voice thin. "Can we not start any of this?"

"I know it’s complicated," Evans said, his voice soft. "But I’m asking you to try to give it a chance."

I didn’t give him an answer. I couldn’t. I only told him to take me home. He didn’t argue. He grabbed his car keys and drove me himself, leaving the driver behind.

When we arrived at my house, he didn’t try to touch me again. He just kept his eyes on mine.

"Try to see it from my perspective, Nantam," he said, his tone serious. "I don’t chase anyone who isn’t intelligent, driven, or aligned with my values. But I know you, I see the maturity beneath that stubborn pride of yours. Just... think about what I’m asking."

Then he unlocked the door, and I stepped out.

After he left, I stood on the porch, my mind spinning. I knew Nicki wouldn’t care; my brother had already said he had no problem if I wanted to date him— I could try.

But honestly, if you were in my shoes, would you date someone whose younger brother once dated your younger brother?"

I didn’t know what to think. Confusion twisted inside me, sharper than anything else.