CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43: THE KISS INTERRUPTED

"I’ll take this call first," Zayn said, sliding out of his seat as his phone rang.

"Hey," came the familiar voice through the speaker.

Zayn smiled and replied, "I saw the note you left."

Evric’s voice sounded apologetic. "Sorry, I couldn’t wait for you to wake up before I left the house."

"That’s okay," Zayn responded calmly.

"Are you at the restaurant already?" Evric asked.

"No, I’m still at home. Some friends came by," Zayn explained.

"Alright, then I’ll just order food," Evric said.

Zayn’s voice softened. "Do you need me to do anything?"

Evric paused, then said, "I was thinking... if you’re not too busy, could you help me bring lunch later? But since your friends are around, I can just order in."

Zayn’s voice dropped low as he replied, "If you need me to do anything, just ask, okay?"

Evric sighed softly on the other end. "Okay, can you help me bring lunch later?"

A sly smile curved Zayn’s lips. "You’re going to have to say please. Beg me."

Evric chuckled, the warmth clear in his playful tone. "Please," he teased, "baby please."

Zayn laughed quietly. "Alright, what do you want me to bring?"

"Just something you know I’ll like," Evric answered simply.

"Got it," Zayn said. "I’ll bring it over later and text you when I’m on my way."

"Alright," Evric replied. "See you soon."

I ended the call and slipped my phone back into my pocket, only to find Nantam and Dean staring at me like they’d just caught me in the middle of a rom-com scene.

They both coughed in unison, clearly trying to hold back their grins.

Dean was the first to break. "Someone’s in love," he sang out.

Nantam smirked. "I think someone’s heart has been stolen..."

They burst into laughter, and Dean leaned forward, eyes glinting with mischief. "So, who’s the lucky girl? Come on, let’s ask the lover boy."

"Mr. Lover Lover," Nantam chimed in, "who’s the lucky girl?"

I rolled my eyes, leaning back in my chair. "I’m not interested in your drama. It’s not love, and it’s not what you think."

Dean raised a brow, unconvinced.

"It’s just one of my clients," I continued, keeping my tone deliberately casual. "He... or she..." I caught myself quickly "always likes my special recipes and asked me to bring lunch over. That’s all."

Nantam tilted his head. "Hmm... a client who asks for you personally. Must be a special client."

"Right, Nantam," Dean agreed, both of them exchanging exaggerated winks.

"Ohhh," Dean said, dragging the word out. "So... a special client."

"Special enough to make you drop everything and go deliver it yourself," Dean added.

I shook my head and ignored their nonsense, pushing back my chair. "I’m going to prepare what my client asked for before you two make up an entire love story."

They laughed behind me, their voices still carrying teasing remarks as I headed to the kitchen.

I pulled on my apron and started preparing something I knew he’d definitely love. Lately, I’d noticed this strange sense of happiness whenever I cooked for him, not just because he enjoyed my food, but because I genuinely wanted to do it for him.

By the time everything was ready, Nantam had already declared he’d be staying home to sleep, and Dean had left my place not too long ago.

I wiped my hands, picked up my phone, and sent Evric a quick text: I’m on my way.

His reply came almost instantly: Alright, I’m waiting patiently for my wife to bring my food.

I stared at the screen and shook my head. Everyone around me seemed to be full of nonsense, Evric included. Wife? I was a man. How could he even call me that?

I left the message on read, grabbed the lunch bag, and headed out. Moments later, I was in my car, engine rumbling, driving toward his office.

When I reached the front of Dreavon Holdings, I tilted my head back to take in the towering glass building. The sight pulled me straight into the past, back to the first time I’d been here.

Back then, Evric and I weren’t this close. I’d told myself I didn’t want to see him... yet even then, I craved him. I’d been addicted to the way his voice wrapped around me, a dangerous mix of warmth and command.

Now, it wasn’t just his voice. It was every part of him, every glance, every touch, every unspoken word, that had me hooked.

I stepped inside, the cool air of the lobby brushing over me. The elevator doors slid open, and I pressed the button for his floor without hesitation. I’d been to his office before; I knew my way.

Still, when the doors parted, a young man was already waiting. "Mr. Dreavon asked me to escort you," he said with a polite smile.

Of course he did. Evric always had to make an entrance, even when he wasn’t the one walking into the room.

The moment I stepped into Evric’s office, I knew something was off.

He looked pale, like someone had just walked out after a heated argument, or like he was carrying the weight of bad news. Still, he held himself together, masking whatever storm had just passed through.

The instant his eyes found mine, he rose from behind his desk and crossed the room. "Ah, my man is here," he said warmly, though the tone felt forced, like he was piecing himself back together just for me.

He pulled me into a hug. I stayed still, my eyes studying him in silence. He knew that look, I didn’t need to speak for him to understand I was silently asking, What happened?

He only shook his head. "Nothing serious. Nothing else is important... as you."

I let the question go. Whatever it was, he didn’t want to talk about it now.

Instead, I set the bag on the table and began unpacking the flasks one by one. The familiar scent of my cooking filled the room.

Evric leaned closer, inhaling deeply. "This smells so good... It’s a blessing having a chef as a partner, you know."

I didn’t argue. I didn’t have the energy, and honestly, I didn’t want to ruin the moment.

Once everything was neatly set on the table, Evric didn’t waste a second. He dug in, his fork lifting to his mouth with eager anticipation.

"Oh..." he groaned in appreciation after the first bite. "Perfect. Absolutely delicious." His eyes lit up as he looked at me. "You really spoil me."

"Glad you like it," I said, watching him enjoy the meal.

"Eat with me," he urged, sliding a plate in my direction.

"I’m not hungry," I replied.

His lips curved into a playful pout. "If you don’t eat, I’ll stop too."

I rolled my eyes but eventually gave in, picking up my fork. He smiled in victory and even fed me a bite or two himself. We talked, we laughed, his earlier tension melting away in the warmth between us.

Then, as if the moment wasn’t intimate enough, he leaned closer. "Kiss me."

I blinked. "This is your office."

"It’s just a kiss," he teased, eyes glinting.

I hesitated, but the look in his eyes made me lean in. My mouth met his, soft at first, then deeper. His hand cupped the back of my neck, pulling me closer.

That’s when the door swung open.

We turned toward the sound, my lips still against his. Standing in the doorway was a strikingly beautiful woman.

Evric instantly pulled back, his voice sharp with surprise. "Mom!"