Chapter 178: Chapter 178: A Little Tease, A Lot of Love
~Zayn’s POV~
He reached for me then, his voice almost breaking. "Babe, everything just happened. Trust me, I didn’t tell you because I trust you."
I stared back at him. "Because you trust me?" I said slowly. "Or because you wanted to see for yourself if I’d cheat on you?"
Evric shook his head, his eyes soft but desperate. "Babe, no. I’ve never doubted you. Not once. I might get jealous when someone gets too close to you, but I would never believe you’d cheat on me."
"Why?" I asked, staring right into his eyes.
A slight smile curved on his lips. "Because I fill up that space too well, babe. Why on earth would you need someone else when I give you all of me?"
I shook my head, exhausted. "Evric, I have to be real with you right now, I’m tired of all this drama. Can we just... go and see your father together?"
His brows pulled together. "Why?"
"Evans said you need to go and apologize for the way you spoke to him last time," I added quietly. "And I need to have a word with your father."
That made him tense immediately. "What will you say to him?" he asked, worried.
I climbed onto his lap, facing him. His hands hovered uncertainly at my waist as if afraid to touch me. He looked at me, waiting.
"Babe," I said softly, "since the day I started dating you, my mind’s been running nonstop. I think it’s time I go and settle everything, so I can finally have peace."
He searched my face. "What do you mean?"
"I mean let’s go to him," I said. "I think after I see him, things will be better. Because honestly, I’m done with all this drama. All I want now is to enjoy my man."
For a moment, he just stared at me, like he was searching for something in my eyes. Then, slowly, he nodded.
"Okay, baby," he murmured.
I looked at him and said softly, "Babe, can I be realistic with you?"
In truth, I only wanted to tease him and see his reaction.
He leaned back slightly, curious. "Sure," he said. "I’m listening."
I crossed my arms, pretending to think. "You know, Evans is damn attractive and tempting. I thought Chrisly was the finest before, but no, Evans is on a different level. The aura, the confidence..."
As I spoke, Evric was already shaking his head, frowning.
When I finished, he asked, "What about me?"
I ignored his question and continued, half-smiling. "God, Evans is so fine. If I were single, I might have gone for him without even stressing. I just like the fact that he’s..."
"Babe," he interrupted quickly, his tone serious now. "What about me? I know Evans is handsome, but what about me?"
I tilted my head and added teasingly, "And God, Chrisly is also freaking good-looking."
Evric groaned, "Babe... what about me?"
I still didn’t answer. He looked frustrated, like a kid who’d been left out of a game. Finally, he blurted, "Am I not handsome?"
I kept a straight face, fighting a laugh.
He pressed again, "Between Evans, Chrisly, and me, who’s more good-looking? Someone you’d prefer to date?"
Before he could even finish, I replied flatly, "Evans."
He froze. "Okay."
I could see the way his jaw tightened, how his face turned red. Trying not to laugh, I said lightly, "Let me finish what I’m doing in the kitchen."
As I turned away, I felt his eyes follow me. Then his voice came quietly from behind, sounding hurt. "You really don’t like my looks, do you?"
I chuckled, walking back to him. "No, I don’t," I teased. "I prefer you to be more handsome."
He blinked at me, his voice shaky. "Should I... go for face surgery?"
I grinned. "Maybe."
Inside, I was laughing so hard. Evric is really easy to mess with.
He looked down, shoulders slumping. "I’ll book a session then," he murmured. "I want to be handsome in your eyes. I can’t..."
Before he could finish, I climbed onto his lap. He didn’t look up until I lifted his chin, forcing his eyes to meet mine.
His voice trembled. "Am I that ugly?"
"Babe..." I said softly.
He swallowed. "Am I not..."
I didn’t let him finish. I kissed him deeply, slowly and warm. When I pulled back, I smiled and said, "You’re damn handsome, baby. Everything about you captivates me. You should know I was just messing with you."
He sighed with relief, but his voice was still soft. "I know. But I don’t like it when you talk about other men like that, even if they’re my brothers. I still don’t like it. I want to be everything for you."
I brushed my thumb over his cheek. "You already are, babe."
He smiled faintly. "Do you love everything about me?"
I nodded without hesitation. "I love everything about you."
Then, quietly, I asked, "What about you? Do you love everything about me?"
He leaned closer, eyes half-closed as if my presence alone pulled him in. "You drive me crazy, baby," he whispered. "I fascinate you... I love everything about you."
Then he kissed me again slowly before quickly pulling away when he realized his body was reacting.
He exhaled sharply, embarrassed. "You can go cook now, babe."
I laughed quietly, noticing the obvious bulge. "Okay, baby," I teased, smiling as I walked back to the kitchen.
I tilted my head, watching him from the counter. "Evric, why is Evans thirty-one and you’re twenty-four? That’s a seven-year difference."
He smiled faintly, running his fingers through his hair. "My mom got pregnant with Evans right after high school. She had him young. Later, when she married my dad, she had me. That’s why there’s that age gap between us."
"Ohh," I said softly, nodding in understanding.
He stood, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Babe, should we go see my father today?"
After asking, he sank back onto the couch, his eyes searching mine as if waiting for an answer he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear.
I turned to face him, the corner of my lips curling into a teasing smile. "It’s fine. Let’s go. I’ll finally sign that breakup paper Rogan talked about, just to make it official that I’ve agreed to break up with you."
Evric’s reaction was instant. He jumped off the couch and came straight into the kitchen, wrapping his arms tightly around my waist from behind. "You better not do that," he murmured against my neck. "You want to break your baby’s heart."
I smiled, biting my lip to stop a laugh. "I dare not, Daddy."
At that single word—Daddy—Evric froze, then quickly released me as if his control might snap at any second. He rushed out of the kitchen, covering his ears dramatically.
I burst into laughter, shaking my head. "God... how did I fall in love with this man?"
A few minutes later, breakfast was ready, and we ate together quietly. When we finished, we both dressed and stepped outside. Evric’s driver was already waiting by the car.
As we slid into the back seat together, I caught his hand in mine. The moment our eyes met, I felt it again, that strange mix of chaos and calm he always brought into my world.
The car pulled away from the house, driving toward the Rogan mansion... and toward whatever waited for us there.