Chapter 40
Erica responded, “Alright, I’mecoming nut now
frei
She hung up the phone and found that Zack and Rachel had already gotten in their feet, looking ready to leave.
Enrica Biched a smile and said, “Come on, I’ll introduce you in a new.
As they stepped out of the lounge, they spotted a man standing beside a tast. He was dressed in a sleek black suit, his posture straight and composed
The moment Badelsanchin, she sucked in a diapbreathi
Zayne was tali, strikingly handsonne, and carried himself withelegance. His entle présence eculed authority. He was someone who naturally commanded attention. She couldn’t believe a man like him weld leper trouble finding a wife. Den if he were gay, there had to be a line of people willing to take a marriage
with bim
Zark, axxomeone who was part of the gay community, knew better. Zayne halacold and reclusive demeanor. His hair was neatly styled, with not a single endra arcessory mhim. This man was definitely not pay.
That would be an insult to the entire gay community. It this man was
as actually gay, Zack would eat his own shoe
At the same time, Tayne subtly assessed the two people beside Emica.
He had already locked into them before, Rachel was simple–minded–not much of concem. Zack, though, was different Supposedly, he had come out of the closet, but Zayne had always been wary of him. Who knew if he was actually pretending, just like he was.
Now that he was seeing him in person, Zayne really relaxed. With that slicked–back hair, flashy style, and earrings, Zayne lonew his concems were unwarranted.
Lunca beamed as she made introductions. “Zack, Rachel, this is Zayne. You can just call him Žayne. Zayne, these are my two best friends.”
imperfect unison, Zack and Rachel greeted him, “Mr. Fulcher, nice to meet you.”
Like hell they were calling him Zayne. That was way too intimate.
Zayne, ever polite, offered a friendly smile. “Nice to meet you, too.
Zack and Rachel had planned to joke around a bit, but somehow, they found themselves tongue–ned. Not a single snarky remark made it out of their mouths.
Zayne kept hosile “It’s late tonight, I’ll take Enrica home first, but let’s have damer together sometime.”
Jack and Rachel nodded enthusiastically. “Take care on the way home,“
Entza rolled her eyes playfully. “The taxi is dropping me right at my doorstep–what’s there to be careful abour?”
She got into the car with Zayne, waved at her friends from the window, and then they drove elf.
As soon as the car was out of sight, Zack and Rachel exchanged glances. Almost simultaneously, they asked each other, “What do you think?
Rachel paused before saying, “He’s good–looking, and he’s got a strong presence. I just wonder if he’s interested in Enrica”
Zack wood silent. He was willing to bet on his life that Zayne wasn’t pay.
He was a straight man pretending to be gay to lure a woman into marriage. There were only two possibilities for his actions; either he liked her, or he had an
Conce and this guy hadn’t known each other before, which ruled out the first option. That only meant Zayne had something to gain from Enriça.
But Zack couldn’t figure out what. Was it really just to appease his family?
On that point, Zack and Rachel’s thoughts aligned—if Zayne really needed a fake wife, even as a gay man, all he had to do was snip his fingers, and countless women would -lining up for the role. And lie wasn’t even gay. So what did Perica have to offer him?
Zack glanced at Rachel, who seemed utterly unconcerned, and sighed. In the end, he decided not to tell her. It’d better not tell her. If she freaked out, he’d be the me stink dealing with it.
Me
nide home was quiet. When they arrived, Enrica set her bag down in the entryway and went straight to take a shower.
Halfway Humughi, she suddenly realized she had forgotten to bring in a towel
Her dirty clothes were already in the washing machine. Was she supposed to just put on her pajamas while soaking wet?
If this were her own place, she’d just walk out naked, no problem. But this wasn’t her house.
With no other choice, Enrica tracked the bathroom door open and called out, “Zayne
Zayne had been sitting on the couch when be ward her voice. His body teed slightly, and his heart began to race. Why was she calling for him in the shower?
A few seconds later, he stood up, keeping his expression composed as he walked over. “What is it?”
Kurica hesitated, a little embarrassed. “Can you grab my towel ? (I’s hanging on the drying rack outside,”
Zayer’s voice dropped slightly intone, and he steadied himselt. “Alright.”
A moment largi, he retinued with the towel. “How do you want mar togive it to you!!!
Her skin was fair, soft, and smooth, glittreding with water droplets & falit scent of body wash lingered in the alc
Chapter 40
Chapter 49
Enrica responded, “Ainghi, I’m coming out now.”
She hung up the phone and found that Zack and Rachel had already gotten to their feet, looking ready to leave
Enrica flashni a unile and said, “Come on, 1’11 introduce you to a new friend.”
As they stepped out of the lesinge, they spotted a man standing beside a tad. He was dressed in a sleek black suit, his posture straight and composed.
The moment Rachel saw him, she sucked in a sharp breath
Zame was tall, strikingly handsome, and carried himself with elegance. His entire présence exuded authority. He was someone who naturally commanded attention. She couldn’t believe a man like him would have trouble finding a wife. Even if he were gay, there had to be a line of people willing to fake a marriage
Zack, as someone who was part of the pay community, kw better. Zayne hail a cold and reclusive demeanor. His hair was neatly styled, with nor a single extra accessory on him. This man was definitely not pay
That would be an insult to the entire gay
y community. If this man was actually pay, Zack would eat his own shor
At the same time, Zame subtly assessed the two people beside Enrica.
He had already looked into them before Rachel was simple–minded–not much of a concern. Zack, though, was different. Supposedly, he had come out of the closet, but Zayne had always been wary of him. Who knew it he was actually pretending, just like he was
Now that he wassering him in prison, Zame tusally relaxed. With that slicked–back hair, flashy style, and earrings, Zayne knew his contems were unwarranted
Entica beamed as she made introductions. “Zack, Rachel, this is Zayne. You can just call him Zayne, Zayne, these are my two best friends.”
In perfect unison, Zack and Rachel greeted him. “Mr. Fulcher, nice to meet you.”
Like hell they were calling him Zayne. That was way too intimate.
ever polite, offered a friendly smile. “Nice to meet you,
zavne, eve
Zack and Rachel had planned to joke around a bit, but somehow, they found themselves tongue–tied. Not a single snarky remark made it out of their mouths.
Zayne kept his smile. “It’s late tonight. I’ll take Enrica home first, but let’s have dinner together sometime.”
Zackand Rachel nodded enthusiastically. “Take care on the way home.”
Ennca rolled her eves playfully. “The taxi is dropping me night at my doorstep–what’s there to be careful about?”
She got into the car with Zame, waved at her friends from the window, and then they drove off.
As soon as the car was out of sight, Zack and Rachel exchanged glances. Almost simultaneously, they asked each other, “What do you think?”
Rachel paused before saying, “He’s good–looking, and he’s got a strong presence. I just wonder if he’s interested in Enrica”
Zack were silent. He was willing to bet on his life that Zayne wasn’t gay,
He was a straight man pretending to be gay to hare a woman into marriage. There were only two possibilities for his actions; either he liked her, or he had an
Enrica and this guy hada’i kuwn each other before, whoch ruled out the first option. That only meant Zayne had something to gain from Enca
Bui Zackcouldn’t figure out what. Was it really just to appease his family?
On that point, Zack and Rachel’s thoughts aligned–if Zayne really needed a fake wife, even as a gay man, all he had to do was snap his fingers, and countless women would be lining up for the role. And he wasn’t even gay. So what did Enrica have to offer hien?
Zack glanced at Rachel, who seemed utterly unconcerned, and sighed. In the end, be decided not to tell her. He’d better not tell her. If she freaked out, he’d be the one stuck dealing with it.
Meanwule, the ride borne was quiet. When they arrived, barica set lier bag down in the entryway and went straight to take a shower,
Halfway through, she suddenly realized she had forgotten to bringinatowel.
Herduty clothes were already in the washing machine. Was the supposed to just put on her pajamas while soaking wet?
If this were her own place, she’d just walk out naked, no problem. But this wasn’t her house.
with no other chice, Enrica macked the bathroom door open and called out, “Zayne?”
Zayne had been sitting on the couch when he heard her voice. His body tensed slightly, and his heart began to race. Why was she calling for him in the shower!
A few seconds later, he stood up, leping his expression composed as he walked over.
Entira lesitated, a little embarrassed “Can you grabiny towel ? it’s hanging on the drying rack outside.”
Zayor’s voice dropped sliplariyantone, nd be steadied himself. “Alright.”
A moment later, be returned withthe towel. “How do you want me to give it to you?
Ennita tracheout her anni from behind the doos.
Her skin was fair, soft, and ammoth, glistening with water droplets. A lalit sernt of body wash lingered in the alc
Zayne’s breathing deepened slightly as his gaze lingered on that delicate wrist and forearm, silently reminding himself not to look or think about it.
Enrica had been waiting for the towel and asked in confusion, “Zayne?
Snapping back to reality, he quickly shoved the towel into her hand.
“Thanks” she chirped
It is voice was tougher than usual as he muttered, “You’re welcome.”
Then, he tumed on his heel and practically fled..
When Enrica stepped out of the bathroom later, Zayne’s bedroom door was already shut tight. She didn’t think much of it and simply went to bed.
Once the apartment fell silent, Zayne sat on the bed in the master bedroom and sighed.
27
As the music faded in Midnight Lounge, Rohana swayed her way toward a VIP booth. A drink was handed to her as soon as she got there. Clinking glasses with the person next to her, she downed the liquor in one go..
she wore only a thin camisole up top and a pair of cut–off denim shorts that accentuated the curve of her hips. Beside her, Lorelai was dressed just as
ust as provocatively. moving to the rhythm of the music as she leaned in and shouted, “Rohana, did you get rid of that person your mom wanted gone?”
Ch
