Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Between Laughter and Silence
~Zayn’s POV~
After I had tried countless times, calling, texting, and hoping, without a single reply from Evric, I gave up. I did nothing all day except sit in the room, stare blankly from the balcony, and drown myself in a few drinks. My mind kept circling the same questions: Why is he angry? What did I do wrong? Why won’t he just tell me?
Just as I was lost in my thoughts, a knock came at the door. One of Evric’s workers stood there with a large box in his hands.
"Sir, this is a package from Mr. Evric. He asked me to deliver it to you," he said politely.
I opened the door wider and let him drop it inside. The box was huge, and for a moment, I didn’t want to touch it. Maybe he had sent it before all of this coldness started. Maybe it wasn’t even meant for me. But curiosity got the better of me, and I found myself cutting it open.
Inside were neatly packed clothes, polished shoes, a wristwatch, and several accessories that whispered of luxury, belts, cufflinks, and ties crafted with impeccable detail. Every single item screamed exclusivity.
At the very top, resting like the final touch, was a folded note in his handwriting.
I don’t know which of these will be your favorite, but I’d love to see you in this one...
He had circled one particular outfit.
I picked it up and smiled, imagining the look on his face if he were here to see me wear it. But the smile didn’t last long. What good were these gifts if the man who sent them wouldn’t even speak to me?
Still, I checked every piece. They were beautiful, and I loved them all.
I grabbed my phone and typed quickly:
Babe, thank you. I just received the package you sent me. I love everything.
Minutes passed. Nothing.
I tried again:
I love the outfit you chose for me. I’ll wear it tomorrow and send you a picture.
This time, a single reply came through.
"Okay."
Just that single word. No affection, no warmth, nothing that showed even a trace of romance
My chest pulled taut. Questions crowded my head, but there was no one I could ask. So I stopped messaging, poured myself another glass, and drank until sleep claimed me.
**********************
I must have slept early, because when I woke up, the sun was already bright through the curtains. My phone buzzed with missed calls and unread messages, but none were from Evric.
The headache from last night’s drinking pounded behind my eyes. I thought of him instantly. If he were here, he’d already be fussing over me, making me hangover tea. The thought only deepened the ache in my chest.
But I pushed it aside. Today is my birthday. I wasn’t sure whether to feel happy or sad, but I knew I couldn’t let myself break.
Without replying to any of the other messages, I typed out a single one to Evric:
Good morning, babe.
I didn’t even wait for a reply. I pushed myself out of bed, showered, and dressed in something simple.
When I finally went downstairs, Nuala and Liana were waiting.
"Look who’s here!" they shouted in unison, their voices over-the-top dramatic. "It’s the birthday boy!"
I forced a smile, playing along with their act. Maybe, I could pretend for a while that everything was fine.
They pulled out a chair for me as though I were some kind of VIP.
"What do you need, sir?" one of them asked dramatically.
"We’ll both be the ones serving you today."
I laughed under my breath. "Then I’ll need hangover tea."
Liana immediately took charge of the kitchen, Nuala admitted she didn’t know how to cook, though she was eager to help with the little things. From the dining room, I could hear their voices drifting out.
Liana’s patient tone carried through first. "You should learn the basics, Nuala. It’s important, especially if you get married."
Nuala burst out laughing. "Married or not, I’ll just hire a chef."
"And what if your husband doesn’t allow it?" Liana teased.
"No way would I marry the kind of man who’d make me stress in the kitchen," Nuala shot back, still laughing.
Their laughter echoed, light and bright, filling the house with a warmth I hadn’t felt in days.
"Listen, Nuala," Liana went on, her tone softening, "in marriage, your husband usually takes the lead."
Nuala wasn’t having it. "There’s no such thing. If he won’t listen to me, I’ll call my brothers on him."
That earned another round of laughter. "Alright, alright," Liana said. "We’ll see when the time comes."
"Sis, you’re not wishing a bad husband on me, right?" Nuala pouted playfully.
"Never," Liana said warmly. "Our princess will marry the best man, someone who will cherish her, honor her, and treat her like the precious gem she is."
Nuala’s smile softened. "And you too, Liana. You’ll find the best man, someone who will treasure you, protect you, and love you like the queen you are."
I leaned back in my chair, just listening to the two of them exchange blessings for each other’s futures. It was a simple moment, but hearing them laugh and wish each other well eased something inside me.
Soon enough, the smell of food filled the air. Liana brought out the breakfast, plates steaming and carefully arranged. She announced that she had cooked for everyone in the house herself, insisting the maids take the morning off.
After we sat down to eat, I mostly listened as the girls talked, their laughter spilling across the table. Even with her mouth full, Nuala never stopped teasing or calling out to Liana. Their chatter filled the room, light and playful, and all I could do was smile quietly at their words.
When breakfast was finished, I lingered at the table for a while before my phone buzzed. Dean’s name flashed across the screen.
"Zayn, when are you guys coming?" he asked the moment I picked up.
"We’ll be on our way soon," I replied.
After the call ended, I turned to both Nuala and Liana. "Go get ready. We’ll be leaving shortly."
They hurried off, and I went upstairs myself, packing a bag with the things I’d need for the next few days. My hand hovered over my phone, tempted to send Evric a message: We’re leaving home now. But I stopped. What was the point? He wouldn’t reply anyway. The thought alone tightened something in my chest, so I tossed the phone aside.
Soon, the driver loaded our luggage into the car. The girls were ready, dressed and buzzing with excitement. We climbed in, and the long drive began. Hours dragged on, but eventually, we arrived at the resort.
Nantam was already waiting. Liana greeted him warmly, but Nuala instinctively clung to my arm. Nantam leaned in with a smirk.
"Who’s this? Your girlfriend?"
I shot him a sharp look. "Cut the crap, Nantam."
He opened his mouth to press further, but Dean appeared, stepping in smoothly. "Let’s help you guys settle first."
Liana and Dean exchanged polite greetings, and the driver carried our bags to the rooms. Mine was neatly placed inside the suite I’d be staying in. Once he was done, the driver bowed.
"Sir, I’ll take my leave now."
"Alright," I nodded, and he left.
The moment the door closed, Nantam was back at it. "Zayn, who was that driver? The one who dropped you off?"
Dean exhaled heavily, cutting him short. "Nantam, can you just stop with the questions? Focus on the party first."
Nantam threw up his hands. "Fine. You’re right. Celebration first." He clapped me on the shoulder with a grin. "Happy birthday, man."
"Thank you," I said with a small smile.
They reminded me the party would start in about three hours, toward the evening. I sat quietly in the corner, watching them move around, trying to make the day perfect.
But my thoughts kept drifting. I’d tried to write to Evric countless times, yet each time my thumb hovered over the send button, I froze. My heart couldn’t take more of the cold silence he’d been giving me.
As I sat there debating with myself, a familiar voice cut through the noise.
When I lifted my head, it was Evans standing there.