[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice Chapter 118: 7 days with you, Zayn

~Zayn’s POV~

It had been three days since Evric left, and the only real conversation I’d had with him was on the first day he arrived in Dubai. Now, I barely get to see or talk to him, except through glimpses in the dia. Everywhere I looked, news articles, social dia posts, Evric, and Vanya dominated the headlines.

People who ca to my restaurant couldn’t stop talking about it. "Did you see them on the news?" one custor would whisper, glancing around as if sharing a secret. "They’re perfect together... like they were made for each other."

Another would add, "Powerful, beautiful, and so compatible... I wouldn’t be surprised if they beca a couple soon."

Even my regulars, the ones who usually only cared about the food, had opinions. They dissected every little interaction, the way Evric smiled, the confident way he presented, Vanya’s laughter, and the small playful touches they caught on cara.

I listened quietly, stirring the soup in front of , feeling a strange mix of pride and longing. Pride because Evric was being recognized for who he was, for his hard work, and charisma. Longing because all I wanted was to hear his voice again, see his smile in person, not just through the dia’s lens.

It wasn’t just the custors. Even the staff at the restaurant kept ntioning it. "Sir, did you see Evric on TV today? He looked amazing," one of them said.

I shook my head with a small smile, trying not to let the excitent, or the ache in my chest, show. Every word, every comnt, reminded of just how far away he was. And how much I missed him.

I pushed the thought aside for now. My birthday was coming up, and even though I had told my friends I didn’t want anything loud or flashy, just a simple celebration, they hadn’t accepted it.

Dean, of course, suggested a club. "We can party, make it loud, morable!" he said. I shook my head. That’s not what I wanted.

Then Nantam proposed sothing different a resort that had just opened near the beach in a new city called Nanom Resort. He added we could spend three days there: party a little, enjoy the beach, the views, and the sunsets. I actually liked Nantam’s idea, it sounded perfect.

But there was one problem. Evric. I didn’t know if he would be openly willing to go anywhere with after he returned from Dubai. And honestly... if he wasn’t there, the whole celebration wouldn’t feel complete.

I needed to find the right ti to tell him, but we hadn’t had a proper chance to talk on the phone. Most of our conversations were just ssages back and forth, and replies weren’t instant, he was busy, I understood that. Still, I wanted my man. More than anything, I needed to speak to him, hear his voice, not just short ssages on a screen.

I was lost in that thought when the front door suddenly creaked open.

The sound made snap my head up. Footsteps followed... slow, firm, almost deliberate. Then he appeared.

Nicki.

Ever since the argunt we had, he hadn’t been around. Days had passed without him showing up, and honestly, I thought he was giving space, or maybe avoiding altogether. Seeing him step inside now made pause.

I leaned back against the counter, watching him quietly. Why is he here now? What does he want?

He walked closer, his steps unhurried but heavy, and greeted , "Hey, bro."

I looked at him, my lips twitching as if to laugh. Hey bro? Really? The last ti I checked, you said I wasn’t your bro... not even your friend. But I kept the thought to myself and greeted him back instead.

"Hey, Nicki. How are you?"

I gestured for him to follow, and we moved to one side of the restaurant where it was quieter. After we settled into our seats, I leaned forward slightly.

"So, why are you here?"

Nicki smiled, a faint curve of his lips that looked almost forced. "Sounds like you don’t want here, Zayn."

I chuckled softly. "It’s not that I don’t want you here. It’s just... you’re not the type that cos around. That’s why I asked."

He nodded slowly. "You’re right, Zayn. Actually... I’m here to apologize for the way I spoke to you last ti."

I didn’t say anything. I just sat back, listening.

"I’ve been aning to co since the second day after it happened," he went on, his tone more serious now. "But I was so busy. Now I’m here. Can you forgive , bro?"

I narrowed my eyes slightly, studying him. "I know you’re not here willingly. Nantam must’ve forced you to co and apologize."

Nicki’s lips twitched again. "Maybe. But at least I’m here now, right?"

Before I could respond, one of my staff hurried over. "Boss, you have a package."

"A package?" My brows knitted. I wasn’t expecting anything, and I hadn’t ordered anything either. I excused myself from Nicki and walked to the counter.

When I saw it, I froze for a second.

A bouquet. Not big or flashy, just seven flowers, carefully arranged, simple but beautiful. Tucked between the petals was a small card.

Happy 7 days with you, Zayn

—From E only.

A smile spread across my face before I even realized it. Even when he’s drowning in work, he still thinks of ...

I carried the flowers back with and sat down. Nicki raised his brows. "Who sent you flowers?"

I smirked, hugging the bouquet closer to . "Mind your business, Nicki."

Before he could press further, my phone buzzed. The sight of the caller instantly made my chest warm, and I quickly answered.

His voice ca, low and tired but gentle. "Baby... did you get the flowers?"

"Yes," I said softly, my smile widening.

"Happy seven days with you, my love," he said softly, the warmth in his tone enough to lt every bit of the exhaustion I knew he was carrying.

"Thank you, baby," I whispered back, holding the flowers a little closer to my chest.

There was a small pause before he asked, "Do you love it?"

I laughed lightly, my heart aching with affection. "Yes, I love it. I love it so much."

"Good," he murmured, a faint smile in his voice. "I just wanted to make sure you love it and that you always rember, you’re loved by only."

My chest tightened, warmth spreading through at his words.

"I’m exhausted," he added softly. "I’ll head to bed now."

"Okay, baby," I murmured, not caring that Nicki was right there.

"I love you, Zayn."

The words squeezed my chest. I wanted to say his na back, but with Nicki sitting across from , I hesitated. "I love you too, baby," I whispered instead.

"Throw a kiss before I sleep," Evric teased, his voice playful despite the fatigue.

My face heated. "I’m not alone here..."

"Please," he begged softly, almost childlike.

I sighed, smiling despite myself, then leaned toward the phone. "Muah." I kissed the air.

He chuckled, content. "Goodnight, love." The line went dead.

I sat there, grinning like a fool, until I noticed Nicki staring at . His expression was strange... sharp, almost suspicious.

"What, Nicki?" I asked, raising a brow. "Why are you looking at like that?"

He leaned forward, his gaze narrowing. "Zayn, sothing’s not right here."

I tilted my head. "What’s not right, Nicki?"

He pointed at the flowers. "Aren’t you supposed to be the one sending flowers to your girlfriend? Not the other way around?"

I smirked. "And what’s wrong if she sends them to instead?"

Nicki’s eyes didn’t waver. His voice dropped, cutting through the air.

"Everything is wrong, Zayn... unless this bouquet you just received is from a man...not a woman..."