[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice Chapter 319: A Chance for Redemption

~Zayn’s POV~

I finally walked over, feeling the profound exhaustion settle in my bones. I didn’t say a word, just collapsed into the empty chair next to Evric.

I looked at the people surrounding , my fiancé, my best friends, the people who were my true family.

"Well?" I asked, a huge, tired smile stretching across my face. "What did you all think of The JOL?"

They responded in perfect unison.

"Perfection."

We all laughed and smiled, sharing the mont.

We sat, talked, and drank celebratory glasses of champagne until the late hours. The conversation flowed easily, stories from the rush, jokes about clumsy custors, and predictions for the future.

One by one, they started saying their goodbyes. Nicki and Jaxon left first, followed by Dean and Clara, who promised to co back for a quiet, romantic dinner. Nantam was the last to leave, giving a final hug and a knowing look of pride.

Then it was just Evric and . We moved through the silent dining room together, checking the locks and setting the alarm. Evric, true to his word, had given his entire day, not once rushing away.

Finally, we locked the front doors of The JOL. I rested my head on his shoulder on the way to the car, completely spent but overflowing with happiness. We went ho.

~Evric’s POV~

Two days after The JOL’s grand opening, the phone on my desk rang with a restricted number. I almost let it ring out, but sothing in the back of my mind made answer.

"Mr. Draeven, this is Hudson Smith," the voice on the other end said imdiately. There was no arrogance, just a strained formality.

He didn’t waste ti. He begged . He pleaded with to see him, to grant him another eting.

"I’m ready to make things right, Evric," he said, skipping the formalities this ti. "And I’m truly sorry for everything that happened the last ti I ca to your office. It was inexcusable."

We spoke for several minutes, the conversation entirely one-sided as he poured out his regret and his need to connect with Zayn. I listened, my face impassive.

I finally agreed, not for his sake, but because if this was even a small way to give Zayn the closure he might need, then I was ready. Even if it ant he’d be angry with at first.

The call ended shortly after.

I buried myself in work for the next couple of hours, focusing on cold numbers until I could fully detach from the emotional weight of the upcoming eting.

Finally, the agreed-upon ti arrived. I picked up my jacket and my briefcase and left my office, heading for the neutral eting point we had set.

When I arrived at the restaurant, Hudson was already there, waiting. He stood up as I approached the table.

I walked closer and sat down without prompting.

Hudson began imdiately, his voice low and sincere. "Thank you for coming, Evric."

I sat down, crossing my arms over my chest. I didn’t offer him a greeting. "What is it you want, Mr. Smith?"

He leaned forward, placing his hands flat on the table, a stark contrast to his posturing last ti. "I want to talk to my son. I realize I handled that encounter poorly."

"Poorly is an understatent," I corrected him. "You treated him like a corporate asset to be acquired. Zayn is not a negotiation."

Hudson sighed, running a hand over the back of his neck. He looked genuinely regretful. "You were right. I’m a businessman, and that colors my interactions. I ca here today to plead for your help."

"I see the bond you two have. I see the protection you offer him. Zayn trusts you completely, and I respect that. I respect you."

The shift in his deanor was absolute. This was a mature man seeking guidance, not a rival trying to assert dominance.

"I don’t know how to talk to him without pushing him away, Evric," he admitted. "He’s spent his whole life disappointed by , and all I want is to tell him I’m proud of him. I want him to know that I see his life, that I respect it. I want to make things right... to tell him I’m sorry for everything. Please, Evric... I just want a chance with him."

I took a mont, letting his words sink in. "I have no reason not to consider your request now," I stated plainly. "The first ti I refused to help wasn’t because I didn’t want to. It was because I didn’t like the way you demanded it."

I looked him straight in the eye. "I want my man to be happy, and I will do anything for him. But this is where my commitnt ends."

I leaned forward. "My condition is simple, Mr. Smith. If I open this door for you, you must walk through it with zero expectations."

"You must respect his life, my position in it, and others. There is no business, no leverage. Just honesty. If he’s not ready or doesn’t want to see you, then you have to stay away until he is ready. No control. No demanding."

He nodded imdiately. "Agreed. Entirely. I just need to know how to start. How do I start without failing? Please, Evric, help ."

I considered his plea. "I already have your number," I said. "You’ll have to give ti, enough ti to speak with him first. This isn’t an easy request for to make either."

"So have enough patience, and await my call anyti."

Hudson stood up, his face filled with relief, and clapped my shoulder lightly. "Thank you so much, Evric. I really appreciate this."

"It’s okay," I replied. I stood, offered a simple farewell, gave him a small, respectful nod, and left the place.

The initial plan had been to return ho, but the emotional weight of the eting changed my mind. I knew I couldn’t just drop this news over the phone.

I told my driver to change course imdiately. "Drive to Zayn’s house."

When we arrived, I rang the bell. Within a minute, Zayn opened the door, his expression turning to surprised delight when he saw .

He hugged tightly. "Babe! You called earlier, but you didn’t ntion you were coming over."

"I just wanted to surprise you," I lied easily, the truth still too heavy to share.

"Great! You really got ," he said, smiling widely. He pulled inside.

"Have you eaten?" he asked, already steering toward the kitchen.

I told him I hadn’t. He instantly brightened. "Perfect. I have sothing delicious I want you to try. It’s an experintal dish from The JOL."

"Okay," I agreed, needing the distraction.

After I ate his truly delicious, comforting al, and after the plates were cleared, I started looking for the right mont. The comfortable silence of the night made the task seem impossible.

I needed to tell him that his father...