[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice Chapter 169: My Morning Begins with You

~Evric’s POV~

I moved into Zayn’s house with so much satisfaction in my heart. When he said he wanted to punish , I thought it would be sothing small, sothing I could easily handle. But when he said one month without sex and one month of not going to my house, I felt a pang in my chest.

I could survive not touching him, but staying away from Zayn for an entire month? That sounded more like breaking up than punishnt. I went ho confused, and when I told Nuala, she only smiled and said, "If the rule is that he can’t co to you, then you go to him. The rules didn’t say you can’t."

That was when it clicked. She was right. I packed my things imdiately and moved into Zayn’s house.

And now, lying here with him asleep in my arms, I know I made the right choice. Above everything, what I love most is simply having him close to . His warmth, his breath, the sound of his heartbeat, it makes feel safe. Complete. Whole.

I brushed his hair back gently and whispered, "Good morning, baby."

He stirred, his sleepy voice muffled, and instead of answering properly, he climbed on top of , resting his head against my chest. I smiled, pulling the duvet over him to keep him warm. He lay there quietly, his breathing soft and even, and I held him tighter, my heart steady and at peace.

In that mont, I realized, this was happiness. Just us, close, without needing anything else.

A few minutes later, he pressed a kiss against my chest and murmured softly, "Good morning, baby."

I stroked his hair and asked, "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes," he replied with a smile. "And you?"

"I slept peacefully with you beside ," I answered honestly.

After lazing around a little, he suddenly sat up, stretching. "Co on, let’s get ready for the day."

I took his hand and followed Zayn into the kitchen. As he moved around, he glanced at and asked, "So, what’s your plan for today?"

I leaned against the counter. "I’ve got a few things lined up. There’s a eting at one o’clock, and Rogan will be there too."

His brows lifted. "What’s the eting about?"

"Validation for a new project," I explained. "Just the usual proposals, updates... basically, it’s about making more money."

Zayn chuckled and shook his head, a slight smile tugging at his lips. "You love making money. I can see how excited you are whenever you talk about it."

I laughed quietly because he wasn’t wrong. "I’ve been in business for a long ti. And honestly, I’ve always been making money on the side. But aside from that, do you know my father puts all of us on a salary?"

Zayn looked at , curious. "Really?"

"Yeah," I said with a shrug. "So apart from what I earn myself, and the money I make as CEO of Draeven Holdings, I also get a salary from Rogan."

Zayn gave that warm smile again. "That’s cool."

For a mont, I paused, then sighed. "My father is actually a good man. He’s been supportive in almost everything... except one. The only part of he refuses to accept is the fact that I’m gay. He was hurt when he found out. And ever since then, it’s like there’s this wall between us. I just hope one day he’ll give us his approval."

Zayn stepped closer, brushing his hand against mine, his voice calm and steady. "Don’t worry, babe. It’s just a matter of ti. With the way you always talk about him, I believe he’ll co around. He’ll see how much you love and grant us his blessing."

I looked at him, my heart sank with both fear and hope. He made it sound so simple. And maybe, with Zayn by my side, it really could be.

After Zayn finished preparing breakfast, we both sat down at the dining table. I watched him take his first bite, his calmness making smile.

"Babe," I said softly.

He looked up, "Yes?"

"Follow to the office today," I asked.

Zayn chuckled, shaking his head. "Didn’t you say your father and so important partners will be there? If I show up, won’t that raise suspicion? I don’t want to cause you problems, Evric. I’ll pass—maybe so other ti."

But my heart clenched at his words. I reached for his hand across the table. "Please, babe. Co with . Eventually, they’ll all know. I won’t hide you forever. All you have to do is sit quietly in my office. That’s all I ask."

He sighed, searching my eyes. "Evric..."

I squeezed his hand tighter, my voice almost breaking. "Please, babe."

After a long pause, he finally nodded. "Alright. I’ll co."

Relief washed over . We smiled at each other, and then we finished our breakfast together.

When we were done, we both prepared for the day. He dressed with his careful hands, fixing my tie and smoothing my shirt. I styled his hair in return, brushing my fingers through it longer than necessary just to feel him close.

By the ti we stepped outside, my driver was already waiting. We got into the car, and he drove us to my office.

It was a little past eleven when we arrived. The mont I stepped out of the car, I saw Mr. Karl and Jas waiting by the elevator with anxious expressions on their faces.

"What’s wrong?" I asked imdiately.

"Didn’t you check your phone?" Karl asked, tense.

"No..." I frowned.

"They changed the eting ti. It started thirty minutes ago. Everyone is inside already, including your father."

My stomach dropped. What?!

Without thinking, I grabbed Zayn’s hand and hurried him into my office. "Stay here, I’ll be back," I told him quickly before rushing toward the boardroom.

The mont I entered, all eyes turned to . My father’s cold, sharp stare burned into my skin. I swallowed hard and bowed slightly. "I apologize for being late."

Jas quickly passed the file, and I sat down, forcing myself to focus. The eting continued, and though I kept answering questions and finalizing points, I could feel my father’s gaze on , heavy with disapproval.

When it finally ended, I apologized once more and slipped out, leaving him behind to chat casually with his partners.

Exhausted, I returned to my office. Zayn was waiting patiently, quiet, his eyes softening the mont I entered. I ordered food for him earlier, but I noticed the tray still untouched.

"Why didn’t you eat?" I asked.

He lowered his gaze. "Because I was alone. I didn’t want to risk eating sothing that might trigger my allergy. I was... afraid."

I walked closer and brushed his cheek. "I’m here now. Eat, babe."

He smiled faintly, relief in his eyes, and finally began eating. I sat with him, taking bites together, and for a mont the world felt calm again.

But then, without warning, the door to my office burst open.

"Evric, what—" My father’s voice froze when his eyes fell on Zayn. His expression hardened instantly. "I thought as much. So it was because of him you were late."

Zayn stiffened beside , lowering his fork.

My father stepped further inside, his words sharp and heavy. He began to lecture , his tone rising, his disapproval cutting deeper with every sentence.

Until he said it...

"Does being gay affect you both so much? You’re throwing away your dignity, your family na, just to..."

"Father, STOP!" I snapped, standing abruptly. My voice shook with anger. "Please, enough!"