Chapter 175: Chapter 175: What I Never Saw Coming
~Zayn’s POV~
Then came the question that made my chest tighten.
"Do you regret it?"
"Regret? No, Evans. If I regretted it, I wouldn’t have done it in the first place. But this feeling I have right now... I think it’s normal. Everything is still fresh, and I’m still trying to get over it. I’ll be fine."
Evans inhaled deeply, stayed silent for a moment, then said, "So... have you thought of anything else to do? I could fund you, you know."
I chuckled. "Fund me? Why would you fund someone else’s boyfriend? My man has enough. If I needed money, I could simply ask him and he would give me."
Evans smiled. "I could still support you. You’re still part of our responsibility."
I raised an eyebrow. "Our? What are you talking about? Evans, please, I’m not in the mood for jokes. And besides, I’ll soon be leaving here, Evric will be back soon."
Evans chuckled and muttered, "Oh, please, Zayn. Everything you say always ends with ’my man, my boyfriend, Evric.’ Aren’t you tired?"
I smirked. "I’ll never get tired of saying it. My man, my man, my man."
Evans groaned dramatically and covered his ears. That little gesture made me smile.
Then he chuckled softly. "Your rude man..."
"He’s mine anyway," I replied. "I love him like that."
Suddenly Evans’ tone shifted, his voice deeper, serious. "Zayn."
"Yes?" I answered, curious.
"You lose nothing for anything."
I frowned. "What do you mean? I don’t understand."
"You’ll understand before I leave," he said. "But can I tell you something about that guy, Nicki? This is the second time I’ve seen him insulting you and wishing you bad. Can you just stop being friends with him or at least stay away from him?"
I let out a small laugh. "Evans, you don’t know him like I do. Nicki can be harsh, yes, but he’s not all bad. He just... speaks without thinking."
"Without thinking?" Evans scoffed. "Zayn, words cut deeper than you realize. That man doesn’t respect you. He’s toxic. I’ve seen enough to know."
I shook my head stubbornly. "Maybe he doesn’t mean it the way it sounds. He’s been there for me before. I can’t just throw him away because he has a bad mouth."
Evans leaned forward, "You call that being there for you? A real friend doesn’t spit poison in your face twice and pretend it’s nothing. Open your eyes, Zayn."
I added. "And besides, his brother has always been good to me."
Evans exhaled sharply, frustration flickering in his eyes. "Zayn, listen to yourself. You’re defending him because of his brother? That’s not a reason to keep someone who keeps cutting you down.
I smiled faintly, trying to brush it off. "Nicki isn’t that bad. He just has a sharp mouth."
Evans shook his head. "You’ve got a good heart, Zayn. But someone like Nicki doesn’t deserve to be anywhere near you."
"Okay, Evans. I understand. Just... let Nicki be."
Evans leaned back in his chair. "If you’re friends with his brother and not him, then why does his brother keep dragging him along whenever he comes to hang out with you guys?"
I sighed, my tone more serious now. "You see, Evans... Nantam and Nicki, only have each other. Most of the time, Nantam keeps Nicki close just to keep his eye on him. You might not get it but..."
"Okay, okay," Evans cut in, raising his hand. "I understand you."
I glanced at the time and stood. "I should start heading out now."
"Same here," Evans said, pushing his chair back.
"I’ll check if my friends are leaving too," I told him. When I walked over to them, they said they were ready.
So, all of us ended up walking together toward the car park.
While everyone was still chatting, Nantam and Dean were deep in conversation at the car park, I turned to Evans, ready to speak.
But he cut in first. "Wait—are you really in such a hurry?"
"Yes," I said firmly. Then Evans said, "Evric will be home soon."
Evans smirked. "Exactly what I thought you’d say."
I couldn’t help but smile back, because he had voiced exactly what was on my mind.
Just then, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then smiled to himself before looking back at me. "Remember what I told you earlier, that you lose nothing for anything?"
I nodded slowly. "Yes, you said that. But what does it mean?"
Evans’ expression softened, his smile holding a strange weight. "It means, Zayn... you’ve made me believe in the power of love."
Curious and confused, I frowned. "Evans, what are you trying to say?"
He took a step closer. "I just got approval from the person who told you to shut down your restaurant. You can open it again now. But..." he paused, eyes locking on mine, "...there’s a condition."
I stared at him, and I still couldn’t understand what he meant.
I looked at him, confused. "What are you saying, Evans?"
He leaned back casually and said, "What I mean is... you can open your restaurant again. It’s been approved by the same person who ordered it locked. If you don’t believe me, you can call him yourself."
His words hit me hard. Tension built up, and without thinking, I blurted out, "Who are you really, Evans?"
He only smiled. "I’m Evans. But wait... in a few minutes, you’ll know who I really am."
Before I could push further, the familiar sound of an engine rolled into the parking lot. Evric’s car. My friends all turned their heads at once, whispering and muttering his name. But my heart froze, because I hadn’t sent him the location.
How did he know I was here?
My eyes darted to Evans. "Do you... know Evric personally?" I asked slowly.
Evans stayed silent, lips curved in that same knowing smile.
And then it happened. Evric stepped out of his car, his presence pulling all attention towards him. Without hesitation, he walked straight to me and pressed his lips against mine. For a second, I kissed him back, lost in him, until Evans’ voice cut through sharply.
"Have some respect, will you?"
Evric pulled away just slightly, turning his head toward him. "Bro, easy. I’m not the one who told him to stay single."
My heart skipped. Bro? Did I just hear him right?
"Babe," I whispered urgently, looking at Evric. "What’s going on here?"
Evric leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. "Look at him. Look at me. And tell me what you see."
I turned my gaze between the two of them, Evans and Evric. My mind screamed no, but the thought forming inside me was undeniable.
Then Evans stood, his expression calm, almost regal. "Let me officially introduce myself to you, Zayn." He extended his hand. "Nice to meet you. I’m Evans Draevan Lucas."
My jaw dropped. "What?"
I spun to Evric for confirmation, my voice breaking.
He nodded once, steady, and said, "Yes, baby. He’s the first son of Rogan."
The world tilted under me. "What?"
My knees weakened. The noise of the park, the murmur of my friends, everything blurred into a distant hum. Evric and Evans... connected?