[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice-Chapter 251: When Boundaries Are Tested

~Zayn’s POV~

My eyes went wide. I clapped a hand over my mouth, utterly aghast. "Babe!" I whispered, horrified that I had forgotten to check on our two beloved babies.

"Don’t tell me you forgot about them totally," Evric asked, barely containing his laughter.

"I didn’t!" I stammered, my heart twisting with guilt. "I texted the housekeeper, I just didn’t... talk about them with you," I admitted, scrambling to save my reputation.

Evric tilted his head, pretending to interrogate me. "So, what did the housekeeper say? Did they confirm our babies are doing okay?"

"Babe," I pleaded. "I’m being sincere. I did ask about them!"

"When last did you ask about them, my sweet forgetful boyfriend?" he pressed, his voice soft but relentless.

I sighed in defeat. "Fine. It’s been a while since I checked, but the last time I asked, the housekeeper said you took them to the pet boarding house to stay for a while since you were too busy to take care of them."

Evric smiled softly, a hint of guilt in his eyes. "You’re right, baby. But it’s been quite a while since you asked, they’re back home for some time now."

Feeling genuinely terrible, I quickly scooted out of my chair and climbed right onto Evric’s lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Babe, I’m sorry! I was wrong to forget about my babies."

Evric immediately pulled me into a tight, comforting hug, dropping the act entirely. "I’m just teasing, my love. However, you must know that they miss you desperately. They haven’t stopped whining by the door. Miso keeps checking your spot on the bed."

I buried my face in his shoulder, smiling against his suit jacket. "I miss them too. I promise, I will visit them soon."

Evric squeezed me tighter, his tone turning serious and hopeful. "Not just visit," he corrected gently. "Soon you’ll be moving in back to stay with them. And be with me forever, until death do us part."

I didn’t reply, too overwhelmed and shy by the certainty of his words. I only hugged him tighter, letting the promise settle deep in my heart as he started stroking my back.

The day ended as all days at the restaurant do: busy, then quiet. Evric drove me home and walked me to my door. The farewell was simple, a gentle hug and a sweet, lingering kiss on the forehead. The commitment was now quiet, solid, and built on trust, not spectacle.

The next evening, I was settling in at home when I messaged Evric.

Zayn: Hey, babe. Heading out later tonight. Meeting Nantam and Dean at a new bar in the West End. Just letting you know.

The reply was instant.

Evric: Can I join you later? I’d love to spend some time with you before heading back home.

I teased him briefly.

Zayn: Hmm. Let me think about it...

Evric: Please, my love.

Zayn: Okay. You can come.

Evric: Thanks, babe. I’ll meet you there later. Send me the location when you arrive.

**************

I drove my new car—still a thrill—to the West End. The bar was chic, dark, and thankfully not too crowded. I found Nantam and Dean already settled into a corner booth.

"Look at you, pulling up in that beast!" Dean teased immediately as I sat down.

"And congrats again, Zayn," Nantam added, raising his glass. "That car is serious. Evric doesn’t mess around."

We talked for about an hour, mostly about Evric’s viral post and my newfound celebrity status, which made me laugh.

Just as I was telling them about my new restaurant, I saw a few heads in the bar turn. Evric arrived. He looked immaculate and stressed, clearly coming straight from the office, but the sight of me brought a genuine smile to his face.

"Well, look who decided to grace us with his presence," Dean murmured to me. "You didn’t tell us you invited your man."

I laughed, feeling proud. "You know he’s my man. He’s always going to be wherever I am."

As Evric started making his way toward our table, navigating a narrow gap between the bar and a pillar, I watched him. But he never made it to me alone.

Thorley appeared out of nowhere, seemingly having materialized from the shadows near the bar. He moved quickly, grabbing Evric’s forearm with a familiarity that made my stomach clench.

Dean leaned over and whispered to me, "Zayn, who is that holding your man?"

I turned to Dean and said, "Evric’s friend, his name is Thorley."

Evric, who was already focused on me, ignored Thorley’s grip for a moment. He reached our booth, leaned down, and kissed my cheek for a greeting, his lips lingering just a moment longer than necessary, a silent reassurance.

But as Evric tried to slide into the seat next to me, Thorley grabbed his arm and tugged him back, making Evric sit on the outer side, right beside him instead.

I was genuinely shocked. Evric looked uncomfortable and unable to speak, trapped between the watching eyes around him and a determined Thorley.

Thorley immediately took charge of the conversation, leaning across Evric to address the table, but touching Evric’s knee as he did so.

"Evric was just telling me about his day," Thorley began, giving him a proprietary pat on the shoulder. Evric nodded politely, though his eyes already glazed over, clearly not interested in hearing a single word.

I tried to focus on Nantam and Dean, but my eyes kept darting back to the two of them. Thorley kept finding excuses to touch Evric: a hand resting on his thigh while making a point, a finger tapping his wrist to get his attention, and constantly leaning in to whisper directly into Evric’s ear, effectively creating a barrier between us.

The jealousy I had joked about the day before was real and hot in my chest now. This wasn’t a corporate rival; this was a romantic rival trying to make me jealous.

Thorley kept doing it, ignoring me, monopolizing Evric’s time, and using subtle physical cues to send a clear message. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. My hands were balled into fists under the table.

He was creating a visible barrier between us, making it clear he felt entitled to Evric’s presence.

The breaking point came when Thorley picked up Evric’s drink and tried to put the straw to Evric’s lips. Evric quickly pulled back, shaking his head and clearly rejecting the gesture, but Thorley just laughed and shrugged it off, leaving his hand resting on Evric’s arm.

Nantam and Dean both glanced at me. They could see the rigid tension in my shoulders and the forced calm on my face.

I snapped.

I slammed my palms on the table, the noise cutting through the bar’s low hum. I didn’t yell loudly, but the sudden, sharp rage in my voice made everyone freeze.

"Stop!" I commanded. "You clearly see me sitting right here, and yet you’re doing this. You clearly see he is uncomfortable!" I pointed directly at Thorley. "Who the hell are you showing zero respect, especially when you openly know he’s in a relationship?"

Dean started to rise. "Calm down, Zayn..."

"No," I cut him off, my voice trembling with anger. "That is unacceptable! You all clearly see him, it was intentional!"

Thorley leaned back, his handsome face frozen in stunned disbelief. He couldn’t believe I was fighting back, that I was vocalizing the boundaries he thought he could easily cross.

"You’re not blind," I continued, pushing myself closer to the edge of the table. "Respect his boundaries and mine. Show some damn respect! He’s my man, and only I get to touch him that way!"

I reached across Evric, who was frozen in surprise, and grabbed Thorley’s hand where it rested on Evric’s arm. I yanked it away with a sharp pull. "Get your stinky hand away from my man!"

"Calm down, Zayn," Nantam said quietly.

Thorley sat there, truly shocked. Evric, who rarely saw me angry, watched with a stunned expression. I hated myself for losing control, for making a scene, but I couldn’t watch someone else touch my man like that.

Flustered, I turned and walked quickly toward the restroom, eager to escape the embarrassment and the sharp sting of jealousy.