[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice Chapter 166: The Weight of Choices

~Zayn’s POV~

Without hesitation, I said, "I won’t co to your house for a whole month. And no sex for one month either. So this was our last ti, until after a month."

His eyes went wide. "What?!"

Then he broke into a smile, shaking his head. "Babe, I know you can’t be serious, right...?"

I t his eyes firmly. "Babe, I’m damn serious."

He sighed dramatically. "Okay, fine. If it’s because you don’t want sex, I’ll endure it. But don’t say you won’t co to my house. Didn’t you promise to move in with when I got back?"

I narrowed my eyes, smirking. "Evric, you’re so smart."

He grinned proudly. "I know. I’m a businessman."

"Well," I said, leaning closer, "I’m smarter than you. I did promise to move in but I never ntioned when. So yes, after a month, I’ll move in."

He groaned like a child denied his candy. "Please, Zayn, one month is too long."

I shook my head. "It can only be one month."

He stared at , then finally gave in with a soft chuckle. "Alright... one month. That’s it?"

"Yes. That’s it."

"No extra punishnt? No hidden rules?"

"That’s all," I confird.

"Fine." He sighed again, then leaned forward with a playful glint in his eyes. "But... can I at least get breakfast from you?"

"Sure," I tried to get up, but winced imdiately, my bottom was too sore. He quickly helped to my feet, steadying with gentle hands.

As I shuffled toward the kitchen, he wrapped himself around like a stubborn child. "I can still hug you, right?"

"Just a little," I warned, trying not to laugh.

"What about kisses?" he pressed, his lips already grazing my cheek.

"A little kiss," I said, pretending to be strict.

"Deal," he whispered, dropping a quick kiss on my lips before hugging again. "I’ll survive on hugs and little kisses until the month is over."

He helped into the kitchen, insisting on doing the little he could to assist, though I knew he just wanted to linger around .

He leaned back slightly, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "You know," he began, "I should tell you a story you’ve never heard before. Back when I was in high school, I wasn’t just another guy, I was the guy. Tall, rich, sharp, and brilliant. I had that whole... aura. Classic looks, the kind of charm people turn their heads for. Every boy and girl in that school wanted ."

I chuckled softly. "Who told you you were all that?"

"My father," he grinned. "You see, I look like my dad."

I smiled at the ntion. "Aside from his bad side, Rogan is actually a very handso man."

" You’re right about that."

He stepped closer, his arm sliding around my waist. His voice dropped, playful yet sure. "Even you, Zayn... if you hadn’t fallen for this handso man standing behind you, you wouldn’t have co searching for after our first night. You must have fallen for the mont you walked in."

I tilted my head at him but said nothing.

"Was I lying?" he asked, eyes glinting.

I dodged the question and threw it back at him. "What about you?"

"You know I’m always honest," he said, his tone suddenly softer. "The mont you walked into that room, God, Zayn... you shifted sothing inside . I knew right then, I wouldn’t let you go."

"So," he continued, his thumb tracing circles at my waist, "did you fall in love with the mont you walked in?"

I smiled faintly. "What do you think?"

His grin widened. "You must have fallen deeply. Wanted so badly in your bed..."

I rolled my eyes as he started laughing. "I can’t forget when I was still chasing you, God, Zayn. You’ve always been stubborn from the start."

"Then why didn’t you back off?" I asked, though my lips curved at the edges.

He hugged tightly, his voice rough with feeling. "Because I’d already gone crazy for you, baby. By then, it was too late."

I looked at him and couldn’t help but smile.

I finally served him, and after he finished eating, he went inside the room to shower and change. Soon after, his driver arrived to pick him up, and he left my house with a smile that lingered in my mind long after the door closed behind him.

Later, I dressed up and headed to the restaurant. The mont I stepped inside, the staff burst into teasing laughter.

"Finally, our boss rembered he owns a restaurant. Welco back, boss!" one of them joked.

I shook my head, hiding my smile, and moved past them.

Not long after, Doreen ca to update . He carefully went over everything that had happened while I was away, pointing out the important details. He also ntioned which supplies were running low in the store so I’d know what to restock soon.

The day passed faster than I expected, and before I knew it, it was ti to et Evans at the location he had sent .

When I arrived, he wasn’t there yet, so I waited. A few minutes later, he joined , apologizing that he had been busy.

"It’s fine," I told him with a small nod.

He looked at closely. "How are you doing?"

"I’m fine," I replied simply.

"Order sothing," he suggested.

I shook my head. "No, I’m fine. I don’t want anything."

He raised a brow, but I continued before he could press . "Let’s make this quick. I ca here because I need your advice about sothing."

"Shoot," Evans said, leaning back, waiting for to explain.

I took a breath, steadying my voice before I spoke.

"Have you ever been in a situation where you had to choose between soone you love and sothing you’ve spent your whole life building?"

Evans’s lips curved into a faint smile, but his eyes grew serious. "Yes, I have.’

I leaned in a little, my voice low. "Then... how did you handle it? What did you choose? And... what was the result later?"

His smile faded completely, and his tone deepened. "The first thing I’ll tell you is this before you make any decision, for any kind of reason, you need to be sure that the decision is truly worth it. Because once it’s made, you can’t take it back."

He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I’ll tell you sothing real quick. I once loved soone so much I couldn’t breathe without them. Then one day, I was given a choice similar to yours. I chose love... and I regret it to this day. But I learned my lesson, not everyone is worth losing the life you’ve built."

His jaw tightened, a shadow crossing his face. "If I could go back, I would’ve chosen differently. Because so people aren’t worth the sacrifices you make for them."

I swallowed hard, his words pressing against my chest.

"So," he continued, "if you’re being forced into that kind of choice, make sure the person you’re choosing is worth it. Every single piece of it."

I lowered my gaze, my fingers tightening around the edge of the table. "Right now... I’m stuck. I don’t even know who to share this with."

Evans studied quietly. Then his tone softened. "This is about Evric, isn’t it?"

I hesitated, but I couldn’t hide it any longer. I nodded slowly. "Yes."

He leaned back, expression calm but searching. "Who’s putting you in this position? His father or his mother?"

"His father," I admitted, my voice breaking slightly. "And I’ve been carrying this alone for so long."

"Then why not tell Evric?" Evans asked, his brow furrowed.

I shook my head quickly. "I was given strict instructions not to. I... I can’t just let him know."

Evans tilted his head, eyes narrowing in quiet thought. "But what makes you think that telling is any different from telling him?"

My head snapped up. "What do you an?"

For a second, I thought he was being serious but then Evans chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Relax, I’m just joking."