[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice Chapter 113: The First Temptation in Dubai

~Evric’s POV~

We ate together, talking in between bites, though the clock moved far too quickly for my liking. Just as I was enjoying the mont, a ssage buzzed on my phone. It was from Vanya. Arrive earlier.

I sighed and replied Okay.

Back upstairs, Zayn showered, and I blow-dried his hair, cherishing even the simplest tasks with him. We moved through small activities until there was nothing left to do but face the inevitable.

When it was finally ti to leave, I asked, "Will you co with to the airport?"

He nodded and helped dress, though I stole kisses every chance I got, not wanting to waste a single touch.

Downstairs, Nuala hugged tightly before I left. "Brother, take good care of yourself."

"I will," I assured her with a smile.

Mr. Karl and my driver were already waiting. Zayn and I sat together in the back, my hand gripping his like I’d never let go.

On the way, my phone buzzed again. It was Rogan, wishing a safe trip, but also warning to behave around Vanya and the dia. Iread it but didn’t bother replying. There was no need.

I wrapped an arm around Zayn’s waist, pulling him closer. He leaned into , his silence saying more than words ever could.

At the airport, Mr. Karl and the driver stepped out, giving us privacy. I turned to Zayn, ready to say sothing, but he surprised by leaning in first. His lips pressed to mine with urgency, and his voice trembled when he pulled back.

"Since the day I t you, this will be the first ti we’ll be apart for two whole weeks... I’m really going to miss you, Evric."

I forced a small smile despite the ache in my chest. "I’ll miss you too, babe. Even when I’m not here, go to my house... sleep in my bed. That way, it’ll still feel like I’m with you."

He gave a small, bittersweet smile. I kissed him again... slow, deep, unwilling to let go.

Just then, my phone rang, Vanya’s na flashing across the screen, cutting our kiss short.

I sighed and looked at Zayn. "Babe, I need to go now."

He nodded quietly, his eyes soft with understanding.

"I’ll talk to you whenever I get the chance," I promised, brushing my thumb over his cheek. "But listen, baby... I’ll be damn busy. If you can’t reach , just know it’s because I’m tied up with work, not because I don’t want to talk to you, okay?"

He nodded again, his voice low. "Okay."

I pulled him into a hug, holding him tighter than I ant to. "I love you, Zayn."

"I love you too, Evric," he whispered back, and the sincerity in his voice carved deeper into my chest.

I asked him to walk down, and to my surprise, he agreed without hesitation. That alone told how much he was already missing , because the old Zayn, the one who always hid his feelings, would never have walked openly with outside.

When we reached where Vanya and her team were waiting, I turned to Zayn. "You should head back now."

Since we were outside, I couldn’t hug him. Instead, I gave his hand a firm squeeze, a silent promise passing between us. He waved, and just like that, he left. I stood there, watching him walk away until he disappeared with my driver, the ache in my chest growing heavier with every step he took.

Mr. Karl ca to my side, and together we walked toward Vanya and her team. After a brief round of checks, security, and boarding formalities, we finally made our way onto the plane. The engines roared to life, the cabin lights dimd, and as the aircraft lifted off the runway, I sank back into my seat, staring out the window.

The city lights blurred beneath us, fading into darkness. My chest tightened as the thought struck , two whole weeks away from him.

Inside the plane, Mr. Karl sat beside . When I turned to glance at him, I caught a quiet smile tugging at his lips.

"What’s funny?" I asked, raising a brow.

He shook his head slightly. "Nothing really, Evric."

I nudged him gently. "Co on, just talk to ."

His smile deepened as he leaned back in his seat. "Evric, I’m really happy for you."

I frowned in curiosity. "Happy for ? Why?"

He exhaled slowly, his voice carrying the weight of mory. "I still rember the first ti I t you. You looked so miserable, so hopeless. Do you rember what I told you then? I said all you needed was patience, hope, and the will to keep living. That life had better things waiting for you, lessons you’d understand only with ti."

My chest tightened as his words brought back flashes of my past.

He went on, his eyes warm as they studied . "After you told about your ex then, I said what you felt for him wasn’t love. I told you you would co to understand that one day. And now..." He paused, tilting his head. "Do you understand?"

I smiled softly and nodded. "I understand clearly."

Karl’s expression gentled further. "I really hope you can stay like this, Evric. Happy. Because I like the way you look now, so alive, so different from before."

I lowered my gaze, hiding the sudden sting in my eyes, but my lips curved into a smile I couldn’t suppress. Thank you, Zayn, I thought silently. Thank you for bringing this much happiness.

For so long I thought love was ant to break , to strip of who I was. But sitting here now, with Karl’s words echoing in my head, I realized how wrong I had been. Love wasn’t ant to destroy, it was ant to heal. And Zayn... he was my proof.

After the long flight, we finally landed in Dubai. From the mont we boarded, I had been doing my best to avoid Vanya, but she never stopped looking for ways to catch my attention. Once we cleared the airport, a car was already waiting to take us to the hotel. Mr. Karl’s room ended up being a little further down the hallway, while Vanya’s was annoyingly close to mine. But that wasn’t my problem... I had no business with her outside of work.

Mr. Karl helped settle into my room before heading to his. The first thing I did once I was alone was connect with Zayn.

When his face appeared on my screen, I could tell he’d been waiting for my call. It was early morning back ho, but here, the Dubai sun was already blazing into the afternoon.

We talked softly for a while. He asked about my trip, how the flight went, and then confessed that he already missed . "I couldn’t sleep," he admitted. "I just kept hugging your pillow all night."

I smiled, warmth filling my chest. "Did you go back ho or stay at my place?" I asked.

"I stayed at yours," he replied without hesitation.

That made happier than I could explain. I told him I’d call again later, after I grabbed sothing to eat and got so rest. Work wouldn’t start until tomorrow, so I had ti. Reluctantly, we ended the call.

I rang Mr. Karl afterward, and he ca over to finish up so quick paperwork. We ordered food, ate together, and then he returned to his room.

Not long after, my phone buzzed. A ssage from Vanya.

Co to my room. I need you to sign so docunts we’re sending out today so we can defend them tomorrow.

I frowned at the text and quickly replied: Bring them to my room.

Her answer ca imdiately: I’d rather not. I’m not comfortable coming into a man’s room. Please co to mine instead.

I hesitated. It sounded like an excuse, but I didn’t want unnecessary drama on the first day. I told her she could easily send one of her team to drop them off instead.

She responded almost instantly: Evric, it’s just signing. Why are you making it difficult?

I exhaled sharply. Fine. If it was really that simple, I would just go, sign, and leave.

When I reached her door, she opened it quickly, standing there in nothing but a robe. I stepped inside, turning toward her with a calm but firm tone. "Where’s the file? Let sign it and get back."

But before I could take another step, I heard the soft thud of fabric hitting the floor.

Her robe had slipped away.

And there she stood, half-naked in front of .