[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice-Chapter 252: Taken Without a Trace

~Zayn’s POV~

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

I leaned against the cool tile wall of the restroom, breathing hard, replaying the scene, and hating my loss of control. I knew I was wrong to lash out at Evric’s friend, regardless of the provocation.

The door burst open instantly, and Evric rushed in, his eyes wide and concerned. The moment I saw him, the last shreds of my composure dissolved, and I ran to him, throwing my arms around his neck in a desperate, clinging hug.

"I’m sorry!" I choked out, the panic making my voice tremble. "I’m so sorry, babe! I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry for shouting at your friend, for losing my temper, and for getting angry. I know I was wrong."

Evric’s hands immediately cupped my face, forcing me to look at his gentle, reassuring eyes. "Hey, sweetheart, it’s okay. You did nothing wrong. Not one single thing."

"I’m really sorry," I insisted, grabbing his wrists. "Trust me, I regret it. You know I’m not the type to make a scene—I just lost it, I don’t know why. Please, babe, forgive me." I wrapped my arms around him again, holding him as tightly as I could.

Evric pulled back just enough to frame my face in his hands, wiping a tear I didn’t realize I’d shed. "Baby, look at me. You did nothing wrong."

He shook his head, his eyes full of regret. "I failed you. I should have been the one to tell Thorley to stop the second he touched me, but I didn’t know how to handle the situation without causing a bigger scene. Please forgive me, my love. I am the one who needs to apologize."

He pulled me into the tightest, sweetest hug. But the guilt still clung to me. I slowly pulled away and turned to face the wall. "You probably think less of me now... for shouting at your friend like that," I whispered, my voice trembling with shame.

Evric didn’t hesitate. He closed the distance instantly, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me back against his chest. His lips brushed the back of my neck in a tender kiss. "I would never, ever think ill of you," he murmured, his voice deep and soothing. "Thorley was wrong, baby. He was being disrespectful, and you were just defending us. I promise you, anything that upsets my man, I’ll remove it from my life. I love you so much, baby. You’re the best man in the world."

He showered my neck and shoulder with gentle kisses, speaking the sweetest reassurances until the anxiety finally melted away. I turned in his embrace, looking up at him. The relief was overwhelming, and the need to connect was primal. Our lips met, and the kiss was hot and consuming, our tongues flickering together instantly, communicating everything that words couldn’t.

When we finally separated, Evric pulled me into a long, silent hug, holding me tightly against his heart.

"It’s okay, baby," he whispered, stroking my back. "Your man is here with you."

Then, Evric pulled back just enough to look me in the eye.

"Your man loves only you, okay?" he said, his voice husky with sincerity.

I looked at him, feeling the truth of his words settle deep within me. I nodded slowly. "Okay."

Evric apologized one final time, his hands slid gently up and down my arms, grounding me. "I’m so sorry for letting things go the way they did tonight," he murmured. "I should’ve stopped it sooner. I promise you, it won’t ever happen again."

He then lowered his head, pointing to his forehead. "Now, give your man a proper kiss."

I smiled, relieved that he was back to teasing, and pressed a tender kiss to his forehead.

He shifted, pointing next to his nose. I kissed it. Then his cheek, then the corner of his jaw, every touch I gave, he received with a soft smile and closed eyes. Finally, he pointed to his lips, a clear challenge in his eyes.

I laughed softly, recognizing the game, and leaned in, kissing him deeply and sweetly.

After another long, silent hug, we composed ourselves and walked back into the bar. Thorley was gone. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Nantam and Dean looked relieved and immediately moved to make space for us. I slipped onto the seat right next to Evric, our shoulders touching. We were a little too touchy, a little too close, unable to stop stealing quick kisses and being overtly cute in front of them, a necessary overcorrection after the public drama.

Dean groaned dramatically. "Alright, you two! At least get home first. Don’t make me regret that I’m still single!"

Nantam just laughed and shook his head at Dean’s antics.

After a little while longer, I announced to my friends that I needed to leave. We said our goodbyes, and as Evric and I walked out, his hand found mine, and he laced our fingers together, keeping my hand visible to anyone watching.

"I’m going to leave now," I said when we reached the car.

"I’ll drive you home," Evric insisted. "My driver can bring my car along behind us."

I agreed and slipped into the passenger seat. Evric started the engine, and his driver followed close behind in his car.

When we arrived at my house, it was already late. Evric walked me to the door, giving me one last long, quick hug. He watched me enter, waved once, and then climbed back into his own car and drove off, leaving me warm, safe, and loved.

~Evric’s POV~

The next morning, I woke up with one thing on my mind: making sure Zayn was okay. I sent him a casual text before starting my day. No reply. I assumed he was still sleeping after last night’s late hours and the emotional turbulence with Thorley.

I finished dressing for work, suit jacket on, tie straightened, and tried reaching him again. I sent a second message and then called his mobile. The call went straight to voicemail. The casual worry of the morning snapped into cold certainty. Zayn always answered or replied quickly, especially after an argument or a dramatic night.

I needed him to prepare lunch, but the real reason I drove off my route was a need for confirmation. I pulled up to his restaurant first. His manager confirmed he hadn’t come in.

Worry clouded my eyes. I slipped into the car and ordered my driver to take me straight to his place.

I rang the bell, and after a short delay, Kai opened the door. He looked slightly disheveled.

He looked at me, his eyes widening marginally. "You didn’t call Zayn before coming, did you?"

"That’s why I’m here," I admitted, cutting straight to the point. "Is he awake?"

Kai rubbed the back of his neck. "I just checked his room, he’s not there. I assumed he went to the restaurant already."

"Restaurant," I repeated flatly. "I just stopped there. They said he isn’t in."

Kai frowned, looking genuinely confused. "That’s strange. Zayn usually doesn’t go to work this early. He’s meticulous about his schedule."

Kai went to grab his phone and tried calling Zayn’s number. He held the phone away from his ear, shaking his head. "Not reachable."

A sickening dread churned in my stomach. I stepped outside, my eyes scanning the driveway. Both of Zayn’s cars were parked exactly where they should be. If he wasn’t at the restaurant and both vehicles were here, then where could he be?

My mind raced through every possible scenario: an unexpected trip, a sudden panic, but the real threat, the one that made my chest tighten, was the looming danger I couldn’t yet see.

As the panic truly began to seize me, my phone vibrated with a notification from an unknown number.

I gripped the phone and opened the message. The screen seemed to glow with malice.

Anonymous: Zayn is with me. You have nothing to worry about. I will take care of him from now on.

Shock slammed into me, leaving my chest tight and my breath caught, my face ashen with sudden fear.