Chapter 17 Drowning in Eachary’s Tendemess
Zachary pushed Aether away, but she clung to him and even started to touch him inappropriately. Zachary’s expression instantly hardened, “Don’t push it, Arther
[Zachary Conner’s faminibility–LOimein favorability: -73.)
However, it seemed like Aether didn’t hear him, as she just kept going. Exasperated, Zachary sighed. “Forget it. Why am even trying to reason with a drunk?”
He had the driver get a rope from the tronk and tied Aether up. Only then did she finally stop.
On the way back to school, Mether started squirming and whimpering. “It’s so hot. I don’t feel so good…
Zachary med his attention to Aether and noticed that she was sweating profusely. He immediately had the driver crank the ale conditioning, but Aether still grumbled about the hear
“Is it really that hot?” zachary asked, condused. He reached out to loosen Arther’s clothes, but when his hand brushed her skin, he realized that her skin was brigh red, almost purple.
His worry spiked. “Tum around Takes to the nearest hospital right now
The driver immediately tumed the vehicle around. Zachary touched Aether’s forehead and noticed that it was scaldingly hot. Her face was fhnhed, and her whole body felt like it was on fire.
As soon as they reached the hospital, Zachary scooped Arther into his arms and stormed into the doctor’s office without even bothering to register. He pulled out a gun from his jacket and pointed in straight at the nearest doctor
“If you can’t treat him, you won’t be walking out of here either.”
The doctor paled and immediately rushed to examine Aether. He gave Aether some medication and had a nurse hook her up to an IV. Then, he told Zachary, “It looks like he was drugged but don’t worry. We’ve stabilized him. He should be fine after getting some rest”
Zachary put his gun away and stayed by Aether’s side. After a moment, he remembered something and rose from his seat. He stepped outside, called his assistant, and ordered, “Pull the surveillance footage from this aftemoon at The Ivy and send it to me.”
His assistant hurriedly agreed and went to retrieve the footage, while Zachary hung up and retomed to Aether’s side
Later that night, Arther awoke to find Zachary beside her. She looked around grogely and noticed the TV in her hand, Was she in a hospital?
Aether checked her clothes and subtly reached up to feel berchest. She realized that she was still wearing her strapless bra. She thought that Zachary perhaps hadn’t noticed.
“Zach. “she called out tentatively. “Nothing happened between us, right?”
Zachary thought about that kiss but reminded himself that it wasn’t the first time. Aether had kissed him once when she was drunk and another time when she was
He tried to convince himself that it only happened because she was drunk and drugged, unable to control herself. At least she was normal when she was sober. Moreover, she’d never tried anything funny when he fell asleep in the dorm
Hence, he decided to forgive Aether. “If you drink again without my permission, we’re done
“I don’t even like drinking that much,” Aether grumbled. “The first time was because you tricked me. I looked into it and found out that it was wine. The second time..” she trailed off.
She knew exactly what had happened, but she knew that it she told Zachary the truth, he would go after Vivian.
To be honest, she didn’t want to get involved with Vivian. But Zachary didn’t just retaliate when he was mad; he destroyed people. Archer couldn’t bear to watch Vivian’s family fall apart, her body sold off to men like a plaything and eventually left to rot, forgotten and alone.
Arther knew that she was being nosy and overly righteous. But she couldn’t forget the image of Vivian’s tragic end, filled with regret, dying unrestfully, and left in the wild. Hence, instead of explaining, she changed the subject. “I have evening classes, Zachary. When ase we heading back?”
Zachary glanced at the IV drip. “When that bag is empty”
Arther followed his gaze and noticed that there was still half a bag left. “Oh, alright.”
Just then, her stomach growled she was so embarrassed that she wished the ground would swallow her whole Zachary misunderstood and reassured her, worry. Silent ones don’t stick.”
“I didn’t fan!” Aether herrtedly explained, “I’m hungry! I haven’t had dinner yet? Honestly, she’d rather admit to hunger than let him think it was a fart
“I’ll take you out to diner in a bit,” Zachary sad gently. “We’ll go somewhere close by.”
“Thanks, Zachary!”
The two of them waited quietly for the IV drip to finish. After the nurse had taken it out, they went to The Ivy again. After receiving the menu, Aether looked at the prices and hesitated to order.
before coming to this world, her family was well–all, so she could eat whatever she wanted without worrying about the price. But now one dish hese cost as much as what she made at the school cafeted.
Zachary noticed her hesitation and asked, “What’s wrong? Do you not see anything you like?”
“Honestly, I’d be fine with just a hotdog from a street vender.”
“What? Why?” Zachary asked with a bit of disdain. That stuff’s litry.”
Η
He sotched the men from Arther a hand. “We’ll get one of everything on here.”
kiner 17 Drowning in Zachary Tandone
Wether wanted to stop him, but the waiter had already walked away, so all she could do was try to reason with Zachary. “That’s too much food. We can’t eat all that I would be such a waste!”
“It’s my money. If I want to waste it, I will,”
Zachary said matter–of–factly. “What are you trying to control my finances now? That’s a bit rude, don’t you think?” Acther fell silent, realizing that Zachary had a point. It was his money. Who was she to lecture him like she had a say in how he spent it? They were only roommates,
afterall
More and muie dishes were brought to the table, and Aether couldn’t stop herself from inhaling the mouthwatering aroma. Her eyes were fixed on the food, and she swallowed hard, almost mesmerized by it.
Zachary noticed the way her eyes sparkded and smiled. “Dig in ”
“It’s your money, so you should eat first,” she said.
Zachary chuckled and started eating slowly. As soon as he started eating, Aether plated some food and started inhaling it. She took one small bite after another, chewing for just a second before swallowing. It didn’t seem like much, but soon, her plate was empty.
Zachary felt amused as he watched Aether eat like a squirrel parking in winter supplies. He thought that there was something ridiculously adorable about the way she ate. He didn’t have much of an appetite, but he managed to take a few more bites after watching Aether eat.
While stuffing her face, Aether got sauce on her mouth. Zachary, without a second thought, reached over, grabbed a napkin, and gently wiped her lips clean before casually tucking her loose bangs behind her ear
Aether froze as she stared at the handsome man in front of her His thoughtfulness left her a little spellbound, her heart thumping in her chest
She thought that Zachary was absurdly beautiful up close. It was no wonder so many women would go above and beyond for him. Even knowing that he was bad news, they still jumped in headfirst.
Zachary chuckled and tapped Aether’s nose. “You eat like a young kid, you know that?”
