Ch. 141..150

Chapter 141

Zeno’s feet couldn’t even move from their stand, he felt like lead had been deposited into his feet, his whole body too, especially his heart.

His heart felt so heavy, the silence in the living room winged down on him like a ton of bricks.

He could feel Sandra’s surprised gaze on him, but that was not his priority at that moment, his priority was the man, who was yet to look at him.

Zeno never imagined he would be in this kind of situation; he never thought Sebascoukd do this to him.

He sniffed and took a step forward, too sacred to walk closer to Sebastian; maybe it might become true if he went too close; staying far from him still gave him hope of a change; maybe he was misunderstanding everything.

"Sebastian, please... tell me this is a joke, tell me this is some kind of prank, if it is, you can stop playing now because you really got me, please. Seb -"

"It’s not a joke, Zeno," Sebastian’s emotionless voice cut Zeno off.

Finally, Zeno felt Sebastian’s eyes on him, but this time, it wasn’t as it used to be. It was no longer filled with love, longing, and lust, it wasn’t even filled live; it was... dead.

Zeno would have even preferred it if he felt hatred from his stare, at least he would know that Sebastian might be reacting to what he had done earlier with Bison, but, no, it wasn’t. It was simply dead, as if Sebastian had completely removed every memory of him from his mind, as if Zeno never existed in his life before and was just some random stranger barging into his house.

Zeno slowly shook his head; he glanced at Sakura and took another step forward; he wanted to fall into Sebastian’s arms and listen to him and listen to his words of reassurance, telling him that all these were lies.

"Seb, y-you’re breaking up with me?" Zeno asked, his voice cracking.

Sebastian slowly stood; he walked toward Zeno but shocked Zeno by walking past him and going to Sakura, "You can go sit down, baby girl; I’ll handle this," He kissed her cheeks.

"No," Zeno staggered as he witnessed the scene; he was hyperventilating, and cold sweats broke out of his forehead; he was losing his breath fast.

’Baby girl?’ He thought that was only for him, he felt so wronged hearing Sebastian use that endearment for someone else. This was all wrong.

"Okay," Sakura replied and walked back to the living room, giving Zeno a confused look.

Sebastian turned to face Zeno, his face, cold.

"I need you to leave, Zeno. You’re interrupting my time with my girlfriend," Sebastian informed and walked past Zeno but Zeno grabbed Sebastian’s hand with his good hand.

Sebastian removed Zeno’s hand from his, "I’ll be calm about this, Zeno. Whatever Nicholas told you at the hospital is true, so don’t bother asking," He informed, his voice made, void of any emotion.

"I don’t believe you, Sebastian, just tell me something, please, this is me begging you, Sebastian, I’m hurting, please, make it stop, I really losing it in here," Zeno pointed at his chest, breathing harshly.

Sebastian held Zeno’s gaze for only a second before scoffing, "I don’t care, Zeno, I’ve made my choice, a choice I should have made a long time ago," He replied.

Zeno smiled a painful smile, "Then... you should have told me all this a long time ago. You should have told me yourself, not asking Nicholas to tell me. Don’t you think I deserve that much?" He questioned, anger mixing up with the already whirling emotions within him.

Sebastian shrugged, "You deserve nothing, Zeno. All you’ve given me is trouble after trouble. I was kind enough to ask Nicholas to inform you, for all I care, I could have chosen to go on with my life. I can’t trust you, and if I can’t trust you, and if I can’t trust you, I can’t be with you, at least, I know now that I should have been with someone of the same class and status as me, the same goals, and the same purpose, not someone who is easily convinced by a little threat to against the people he claimed to love." He calmly stated.

"I never betrayed you! Not even for once, Sebastian!" Zeno’s tears fell freely; he wasn’t stopping them anymore; his heart was wrenching.

"I might have faked a lot of things, Sebastian, but I’ve never faked loving you! You know this!" Zeno crumpled his chest with his hands, transferring his angry energy to the poor shirt.

"Leave, Zeno," Sebastian ordered.

"No! I’m not leaving; you’re hurting me, Sebastian; I... I feel like I’m going to die; please, just forgive whatever I might have done, give me a second chance; I’ll do better, I promise," Zeno limped over to Sebastian and held his hand, but he groaned immediately as Sebastian pushed him away.

Sebastian had pushed Zeno’s injured arm, hurting him.

Zeno bit down on his lip, fresh tears rolling generously down his cheek; he wasn’t hurting from the physical pain; it was the emotional pain that hurt more.

Sebastian turned away and walked back into the living room, but Zeno’s voice stopped him.

"Yes, I might have agreed to work for your father, but I never tried to set you up with any woman. Yes, I might have met with Bison, but I never searches for that fucking pen, not even once! And I planned on telling you, Sebastian, I promise I did," Zeno cried.

Sebastian sighed and slowly turned to look at Zeno’s flushed face, but he didn’t care, his decision was made.

"You’re making a scene, Zeno. Leave, please, I don’t want you ruining my perfect relationship. Honestly, I tried, Zeno, I tried to see if I could stay in a relationship with you, but in the end, you were the wrong choice. Dating a woman is more peaceful. I prefer the peace and quiet that comes with her," He pointed at Sakura, "That’s something I could have never had with you, with Sakura, I don’t have to hide my relationship from people, from family, from -"

"That’s what all this is about, right? This is all your father’s decision, right? What happened to fighting for us?" Zeno slowly walked closer to Sebastian.

"There is no us, Zeno!" Sebastian barked; he glared at Zeno, walked over to Sakura, and held her hand up for Zeno to see the ring shining bright on her finger, "I’m sure Nicholas told you I’m already engaged. Have some dignity for yourself and leave, don’t stay where you’re not wanted; it speaks low of your self-esteem," He dropped Sakura’s hand gently and faced Zeno.

"No, it wasn’t my father’s idea, it was at first, just like you planned with him. But after discovering that I couldn’t settle with a snitch, I had to protect my family first; that’s why I’m letting you go, Zeno. You’re not meant for me, perhaps for Nicholas or Ezra, maybe both of them; I don’t really care. I just don’t want you; learn to accept rejection and move on," Sebastian slowly dished Zeno his heartless speech.

Zeno’s lips were trembling, it was true, he was losing his self-value by begging like a fool, but he didn’t care, as he stared at Sebastian, he couldn’t believe he was the same man that had treated him as if he was the most important thing in the whole world, as if he were his treasure, his life. Now, he was staring at him as if he was a filth.

Zeno didn’t reply; he covered the distance between them and held Sebastian’s hand, silent tears falling down from his eyes, "I love you, Sebastian. I don’t know what else to say, I don’t know how else to convince you that I can be whatever you want for you... I love you, please, give me a second chance, we can work this out," Zeno was lowering his hand to Sebastian’s hand when Sakura stood and pushed him away.

"That’s enough, Zeno, please, step away from my fiancé. I think that’s too close," She wrapped her arms around Sebastian’s arm and drew him away from Zeno.

"Sakura... Let me just -"

"Zeno! Zeno!" Ken’s voice rang behind them and before they knew it, he flew toward Zeno, hugging him.

"I missed you so much, Zeno. Daddy said I’ll never see you again, but I never believed him. Let’s go to my room; I have something to show you," Ken tugged Zeno’s hand, but Zeno gently held him.

Zeno winced in pain as he lowered himself to Ken’s level, "Hey, little man," He snowed through his teary eyes.

Ken immediately hugged Zeno, "Don’t cry, Zeno, do your wounds hurt? Daddy will call Ezra to take care of you, okay?" He patted Zeno’s back.

Nicholas walked into the house, Ezra standing beside him as they quietly witnessed the heartbreaking scene.

Sebastian turned away from the scene and saw Butler Nicole standing by the side and he gave the butler a meaningful look.

Butler Nicole quickly walked over and apologized, "I’m sorry, boss, I tried to stop him but he ran out the moment he heard Zeno’s voice," he bowed his head.

"Take him to his room," Sebastian ordered.

Butler Nicole nodded, "Yes, boss," He replied and walked over to Ken and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Ken, it’s time to return to your room," Butler Nicole informed gently.

Zeno slowly withdrew from Ken’s hug, wiping his tears on his sleeve, "It’s alright, Ken, you can go up, I just want to discuss something with your daddy," Zeno said to the boy, glancing over at Sebastian and Sakura who were looking so comfortable in each other’s arms.

"No! Leave me alone, leave me, Nicole! Put me down! I don’t want Sakura to be my Mummy! Daddy, please, don’t make Zeno go! Please!" Ken cried loudly as Butler Nicole lifted him off the floor and up the stairs.

Zeno’s tears fell harder as he heard and watched Ken, he’d become so attached to the boy, and his heart broke all over again when he realized that this meant he couldn’t see Ken anymore.

"Zeno, Sebastian had told me all about your relationship, from what he said, he never seemed to be happy in it. He chose me, and I’m sorry I can’t do what you’re asking, I can’t leave him, you already know I’ve loved him for quite some time, even before your relationship with him, I’m sorry, but you just have to accept it," Sakura kissed Sebastian’s cheeks, very close to his lips.

Before Zeno could even understand that he was moving, he saw Sakura falling on top of the sofa with his fist landing squarely on her face.

"Argh!" Sakura screams while blinking her face with her hands.

"Enough!" Sebastian drew Zeno back by his collar and pushed him away from Sakura.

Zeno fell to the floor with a painful groan, gritting his teeth, he lifted himself immediately just to find a gun pointed to his face.

"Enough, Zeno! Get out!" Sebastian’s growled, holding the gun tightly.

 

Chapter 142 "DO NOT UNLOCK !"

Zeno’s feet couldn’t even move from their stand, he felt like lead had been deposited into his feet, his whole body too, especially his heart.

His heart felt so heavy, the silence in the living room winged down on him like a ton of bricks.

He could feel Sandra’s surprised gaze on him, but that was not his priority at that moment, his priority was the man, who was yet to look at him.

Zeno never imagined he would be in this kind of situation; he never thought Sebastian could do this to him.

He sniffed and took a step forward, too sacred to walk closer to Sebastian; maybe it might become true if he went too close; staying far from him still gave him hope of a change; maybe he was misunderstanding everything.

"Sebastian, please... tell me this is a joke, tell me this is some kind of prank, if it is, you can stop playing now because you really got me, please. Seb -"

"It’s not a joke, Zeno," Sebastian’s emotionless voice cut Zeno off.

Finally, Zeno felt Sebastian’s eyes on him, but this time, it wasn’t as it used to be. It was no longer filled with love, longing, and lust, it wasn’t even filled live; it was... dead.

Zeno would have even preferred it if he felt hatred from his stare, at least he would know that Sebastian might be reacting to what he had done earlier with Bison, but, no, it wasn’t. It was simply dead, as if Sebastian had completely removed every memory of him from his mind, as if Zeno never existed in his life before and was just some random stranger barging into his house.

Zeno slowly shook his head; he glanced at Sakura and took another step forward; he wanted to fall into Sebastian’s arms and listen to him and listen to his words of reassurance, telling him that all these were lies.

"Seb, y-you’re breaking up with me?" Zeno asked, his voice cracking.

Sebastian slowly stood; he walked toward Zeno but shocked Zeno by walking past him and going to Sakura, "You can go sit down, baby girl; I’ll handle this," He kissed her cheeks.

"No," Zeno staggered as he witnessed the scene; he was hyperventilating, and cold sweats broke out of his forehead; he was losing his breath fast.

’Baby girl?’ He thought that was only for him, he felt so wronged hearing Sebastian use that endearment for someone else. This was all wrong.

"Okay," Sakura replied and walked back to the living room, giving Zeno a confused look.

Sebastian turned to face Zeno, his face, cold.

"I need you to leave, Zeno. You’re interrupting my time with my girlfriend," Sebastian informed and walked past Zeno but Zeno grabbed Sebastian’s hand with his good hand.

Sebastian removed Zeno’s hand from his, "I’ll be calm about this, Zeno. Whatever Nicholas told you at the hospital is true, so don’t bother asking," He informed, his voice made, void of any emotion.

"I don’t believe you, Sebastian, just tell me something, please, this is me begging you, Sebastian, I’m hurting, please, make it stop, I really losing it in here," Zeno pointed at his chest, breathing harshly.

Sebastian held Zeno’s gaze for only a second before scoffing, "I don’t care, Zeno, I’ve made my choice, a choice I should have made a long time ago," He replied.

Zeno smiled a painful smile, "Then... you should have told me all this a long time ago. You should have told me yourself, not asking Nicholas to tell me. Don’t you think I deserve that much?" He questioned, anger mixing up with the already whirling emotions within him.

Sebastian shrugged, "You deserve nothing, Zeno. All you’ve given me is trouble after trouble. I was kind enough to ask Nicholas to inform you, for all I care, I could have chosen to go on with my life. I can’t trust you, and if I can’t trust you, and if I can’t trust you, I can’t be with you, at least, I know now that I should have been with someone of the same class and status as me, the same goals, and the same purpose, not someone who is easily convinced by a little threat to against the people he claimed to love." He calmly stated.

"I never betrayed you! Not even for once, Sebastian!" Zeno’s tears fell freely; he wasn’t stopping them anymore; his heart was wrenching.

"I might have faked a lot of things, Sebastian, but I’ve never faked loving you! You know this!" Zeno crumpled his chest with his hands, transferring his angry energy to the poor shirt.

"Leave, Zeno," Sebastian ordered.

"No! I’m not leaving; you’re hurting me, Sebastian; I... I feel like I’m going to die; please, just forgive whatever I might have done, give me a second chance; I’ll do better, I promise," Zeno limped over to Sebastian and held his hand, but he groaned immediately as Sebastian pushed him away.

Sebastian had pushed Zeno’s injured arm, hurting him.

Zeno bit down on his lip, fresh tears rolling generously down his cheek; he wasn’t hurting from the physical pain; it was the emotional pain that hurt more.

Sebastian turned away and walked back into the living room, but Zeno’s voice stopped him.

"Yes, I might have agreed to work for your father, but I never tried to set you up with any woman. Yes, I might have met with Bison, but I never searches for that fucking pen, not even once! And I planned on telling you, Sebastian, I promise I did," Zeno cried.

Sebastian sighed and slowly turned to look at Zeno’s flushed face, but he didn’t care, his decision was made.

"You’re making a scene, Zeno. Leave, please, I don’t want you ruining my perfect relationship. Honestly, I tried, Zeno, I tried to see if I could stay in a relationship with you, but in the end, you were the wrong choice. Dating a woman is more peaceful. I prefer the peace and quiet that comes with her," He pointed at Sakura, "That’s something I could have never had with you, with Sakura, I don’t have to hide my relationship from people, from family, from -"

"That’s what all this is about, right? This is all your father’s decision, right? What happened to fighting for us?" Zeno slowly walked closer to Sebastian.

"There is no us, Zeno!" Sebastian barked; he glared at Zeno, walked over to Sakura, and held her hand up for Zeno to see the ring shining bright on her finger, "I’m sure Nicholas told you I’m already engaged. Have some dignity for yourself and leave, don’t stay where you’re not wanted; it speaks low of your self-esteem," He dropped Sakura’s hand gently and faced Zeno.

"No, it wasn’t my father’s idea, it was at first, just like you planned with him. But after discovering that I couldn’t settle with a snitch, I had to protect my family first; that’s why I’m letting you go, Zeno. You’re not meant for me, perhaps for Nicholas or Ezra, maybe both of them; I don’t really care. I just don’t want you; learn to accept rejection and move on," Sebastian slowly dished Zeno his heartless speech.

Zeno’s lips were trembling, it was true, he was losing his self-value by begging like a fool, but he didn’t care, as he stared at Sebastian, he couldn’t believe he was the same man that had treated him as if he was the most important thing in the whole world, as if he were his treasure, his life. Now, he was staring at him as if he was a filth.

Zeno didn’t reply; he covered the distance between them and held Sebastian’s hand, silent tears falling down from his eyes, "I love you, Sebastian. I don’t know what else to say, I don’t know how else to convince you that I can be whatever you want for you... I love you, please, give me a second chance, we can work this out," Zeno was lowering his hand to Sebastian’s hand when Sakura stood and pushed him away.

"That’s enough, Zeno, please, step away from my fiancé. I think that’s too close," She wrapped her arms around Sebastian’s arm and drew him away from Zeno.

"Sakura... Let me just -"

"Zeno! Zeno!" Ken’s voice rang behind them and before they knew it, he flew toward Zeno, hugging him.

"I missed you so much, Zeno. Daddy said I’ll never see you again, but I never believed him. Let’s go to my room; I have something to show you," Ken tugged Zeno’s hand, but Zeno gently held him.

Zeno winced in pain as he lowered himself to Ken’s level, "Hey, little man," He snowed through his teary eyes.

Ken immediately hugged Zeno, "Don’t cry, Zeno, do your wounds hurt? Daddy will call Ezra to take care of you, okay?" He patted Zeno’s back.

Nicholas walked into the house, Ezra standing beside him as they quietly witnessed the heartbreaking scene.

Sebastian turned away from the scene and saw Butler Nicole standing by the side and he gave the butler a meaningful look.

Butler Nicole quickly walked over and apologized, "I’m sorry, boss, I tried to stop him but he ran out the moment he heard Zeno’s voice," he bowed his head.

"Take him to his room," Sebastian ordered.

Butler Nicole nodded, "Yes, boss," He replied and walked over to Ken and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Ken, it’s time to return to your room," Butler Nicole informed gently.

Zeno slowly withdrew from Ken’s hug, wiping his tears on his sleeve, "It’s alright, Ken, you can go up, I just want to discuss something with your daddy," Zeno said to the boy, glancing over at Sebastian and Sakura who were looking so comfortable in each other’s arms.

"No! Leave me alone, leave me, Nicole! Put me down! I don’t want Sakura to be my Mummy! Daddy, please, don’t make Zeno go! Please!" Ken cried loudly as Butler Nicole lifted him off the floor and up the stairs.

Zeno’s tears fell harder as he heard and watched Ken, he’d become so attached to the boy, and his heart broke all over again when he realized that this meant he couldn’t see Ken anymore.

"Zeno, Sebastian had told me all about your relationship, from what he said, he never seemed to be happy in it. He chose me, and I’m sorry I can’t do what you’re asking, I can’t leave him, you already know I’ve loved him for quite some time, even before your relationship with him, I’m sorry, but you just have to accept it," Sakura kissed Sebastian’s cheeks, very close to his lips.

Before Zeno could even understand that he was moving, he saw Sakura falling on top of the sofa with his fist landing squarely on her face.

"Argh!" Sakura screams while blinking her face with her hands.

"Enough!" Sebastian drew Zeno back by his collar and pushed him away from Sakura.

Zeno fell to the floor with a painful groan, gritting his teeth, he lifted himself immediately just to find a gun pointed to his face.

"Enough, Zeno! Get out!" Sebastian’s growled, holding the gun tightly.

 

Chapter 143

Zeno stared at Sebastian, holding a gun to him, and chuckled, "Go ahead, Sebastian, shoot me for loving you. You shouldn’t have bothered saving me from Bison if I was doomed to die anyway. I mean, I would have preferred to die than face this shit you’re putting me through right now," He boldly marched forward, stopping right in front of Sebastian’s gun.

"Shoot me, Sebastian, stating slave already feels like being in hell, do me a favor and put me out of my misery," Zeno urged.

"You want to die that much, huh?!" Sebastian asked through gritted teeth.

Zeno raised his hand, reaching for Sebastian’s face, but Sebastian stepped back, "Leave while you still can, Zeno, it’s a warning," Sebastian told him in a dark tone.

Zeno chuckled, looking over at Sakura, "I’m sorry for punching you, but I’ll do it again if you try coming close to my man," He smiled at her.

Zeno was losing it; he didn’t care how he looked; he was simply a man trying to salvage a relationship with the man he loved.

He looked at Sebastian and sighed, "I’m not leaving. I’m going up to my room, and we will talk when you’re in a better mood," He told Sebastian and tried walking past him, but he felt his shoulder being held and pulled, spinning his whole body to face Sebastian.

*Click *

Zeno heard the sound of Sebastian’s gun cocking, he froze as he saw Sebastian’s finger moving to pull the trigger as the gun faced his forehead.

"Fuck!" Sebastian groaned as he fell to the floor.

"Have you lost it?!" Ezra was the one to push Sebastian away, causing the gun to fall off his hand.

He kicked the gun far away from Sebastian’s reach and glared at him.

"This is none of your business!" Sebastian stood and pointed angrily at Ezra.

Ezra scoffed, "Right, so you just want me to stand and watch you kill a human in front of me?" He turned and held Zeno’s hand.

Zeno was still too shocked to speak; he couldn’t believe that Sebastian was really going to shoot him; it was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Killing someone takes a lot; it meant that the person who wanted to kill another had absolutely no feelings for his target, no love, no companion, nothing, just hatred and... hatred.

It dawned on him that he truly had been making a fool out of himself in front of Sebastian.

"Then get him out of here! Or I promise next time he will be standing," Sebastian threatened.

Zeno’s lips wobbled, but he held it in; he tightened his hand on Ezra’s and moved closer to him, "Let’s go," He muttered quietly.

Ezra sighed and put his hand around Zeno’s waist, Nicholas immediately came over and placed Zeno’s other hand around his shoulder, giving Sebastian a nasty look.

"Don’t worry, Zeno, you’ll get over him soon, I promise; he’s not worth it; it’s a good thing you’re letting him go; he’s a waste of time," Nicholas purposely said these words while keeping his eyes on Sebastian.

They helped Zeno walk toward the door; as they passed Sebastian, Zeno no longer looked at him; he kept his eyes focused on the exit; looking at Sebastian would only sharpen his pain; he wouldn’t do that to himself.

Sebastian had told him to have some dignity for himself, as they passed Sebastian, Zeno no longer looked at him, he kept his eyes focused on the exit, looking at Sebastian would only sharpen his , and that was what he was doing; Nicholas had told him to love himself from now on, that was exactly what he was going to do from now on.

Sebastian gritted his teeth as he watched Sebastian Zeno walk past him without sparing him a glance; he was so angry, fuming.

Zeno left. The door closed. Everything was quiet, just as he wanted it, right?

Sebastian sighed and raked his fingers through his hair, feeling his anger raging higher and higher, he couldn’t tone it down anymore.

"Fucking bastard," He cursed, walking toward the kitchen.

He grabbed water from the kitchen and was about to drink it when he suddenly recalled the water incident with Zeno in that same kitchen.

He threw the water on the counter and placed his hand on top of it, his head lowered as head as he allowed his head to play all the memories in his head for the last time before he finally abandoned them.

"Hey..." Sakura came and placed a gentle hand on his back.

"Hey," He raised his head and smiled at her.

"I’m sorry you had to witness that, and I’m sorry for this," He touched the cheek where Zeno had punched.

"It’s okay; I understand it’s hard for him to come to terms with your breakup; anyone would feel devastated in that position, even I. Promise me you’ll never break up with me, Sebastian, please; I’m not as strong as Zeno, I can’t bear it," She hugged Sebastian.

Sebastian sighed heavily, "I promise," he kissed her head.

***

Zeno was hugging Nicholas tightly as the car sped across the street; he was crying, loudly.

Nicholas hugged him back, gently patting his shoulder and rubbing it soothingly. He didn’t even try to stop him; he wanted him to let it all out; that way, he would feel lighter from the inside. Holding in your hurt could break someone to an unimaginable extent, he didn’t want that Zeno, he didn’t want Zeno to become a shell of what he used to be, he wanted Zeno to return to his usual easy-going self, the person he had met in the boxing gym, he had fallen in love with him since then and was very devastated when he learned about he and Sebastian’s relationship.

But, now, maybe he could be his remedy; he knew it wasn’t advised to make yourself a rebound, but he didn’t care; if that was what would make Zeno feel better, he would be just that.

Ezra glanced at them through the front mirror and felt conflicted; on one hand, he felt sorry for Zeno, and on the other hand, he was worried for Nicholas, he just hoped they wouldn’t hurt themselves more in search of easy comfort.

Again, he knew he once romantically liked Zeno, but the unsettling feeling he was getting as both of the guys hugged each other wasn’t from seeing someone he once liked hug someone else, it was... he couldn’t even tell what it was, but it wasn’t the best time to think about what he was feeling.

It was time he took Zeno back to the hospital and showed him something that would brighten his spirit.

"We’ve arrived, Zeno; you don’t need to walk up by yourself; you’ve already exhausted all your strength; I’ll get a wheelchair.

"Okay," Zeno’s voice was hoarse as he responded, he didn’t even feel like walking; he felt dead; he just wanted to be left alone to wallow in his pain.

This was his hardest breakup, and he was very sure he was never going to date again. If Sebastian could hurt him, then anyone could, too.

He had received so much love from Sebastian, so much reassurance, so much attention, so many promises, yet, it all ended in a matter of a few seconds. His trust for everyone was shattered, there was no such thing as love; to him, love was the biggest feeling of deception to get you to open up to someone and become very vulnerable to that person, it was a feeling that readers you powerless to another being, and from then on, he wasn’t going to give anyone that kind of power over himself again.

He knew it was going to be hard, and long before he got over Sebastian, he wasn’t going to deceive himself by pretending to be over him the next day while he was still hurting inside.

He was going to take it slow, one day at a time; the said time healed, but that was a lie, time only taught us how to live with the pain, and with more time, the pain just gets numbed whenever we think about it.

It’s never healed, it’s never forgotten, it’s just accommodated.

"Here," Ezra and Nicholas helped him sit in the wheelchair, and Ezra gently pushed him inside the hospital.

He was going to accommodate this pain, learn how to live with it until it becomes numb, and with every pain a person undergoes, a new him is borne, he couldn’t wait to embrace his new self, he wasn’t going to fool himself and think that he was going to go back to his usual self, that was just impossible.

Pain changed people, and he wasn’t going to be an exception.

"I have something to show you," Ezra said when they were reaching Zeno’s hospital room.

Zeno wasn’t interested, "I just want to sleep," He told Ezra.

Ezra nodded, "Okay then, I’ll just drop you off in your room and ask the nurse to help you out with whatever you want, alright?" He calmly asked, pushing him closer to the door.

"Yes, Thank you," Zeno replied dryly, gently turning his face to look at Nicholas beside him.

He knew Nicholas still liked him, but that was no longer his business; he was never going to date, and even if he ever reconsidered, it would never be Nicholas.

He wanted nothing to do with anything or anyone connected to Sebastian Orion.

"Here you are," Ezra announced as he pushed Zeno inside the room.

Zeno looked forward and prepared to stand from the wheelchair, but he felt the air leave his lungs when he saw the person sitting on his bed.

"N-Nana?" He stammered.

He believed his pain must have made him start imagining things because there was no way!

 

Chapter 144

Zeno temporarily forgot his heartbreak, he stood from his wheelchair and limped over to his Nana, who was sitting on the bed, smiling at him with her hands spread beside her.

"Nana!" Zeno hugged the old woman gently, afraid of hurting her if he used too much h force; she still looked a little weak, but definitely better than the last time he saw her.

"Zeno... my baby," Nana hugged Zeno, kissing the side of his head.

Zeno once again let his tears fall, the soft and warm love he received from his Nana broke down all the tough walls he’d built around himself since his parents died.

He cried and cried, and cried.

He cried for his parents; he cried for all his Nana had gone through, and he cried for himself, for his failed relationship with Sebastian; he let it all out.

Nana’s single touch unleashed his dam.

"You’re alright, Zeno, you’re alright," Nana whispered.

Zeno slowly withdrew from the hug and stared at her face in disbelief; he turned and saw Ezra and Nicholas staring at him with knowing eyes; their faces told him they were aware of his Nana’s consciousness.

He looked back at her and chuckled, "This is unbelievable, Nana, you’re here," He laughed lightly.

Nana’s lips curled up in a fond smile, "Of course, I’m here, did you think I would die that easily?" She narrowed her blue eyes at him.

Zeno chuckled, placing a kiss on Nana’s forehead, "No, never, I always wish for you to come back to me; you’re the only one I have now, Nana... Mom and Dad... they -"

"Shh, it’s okay, I know, Doctor told me," She patted the space beside her, "Sit down, dear child, you look so skinny, haven’t you been eating?" Nana questioned with a frown.

Zeno chuckled, sitting beside her. He could ask her the same question, but that would just be rude; he knew the reason she lost weight, and asking her about it would just dampen her mood.

He sat very close, hugging her arm like a child, she chose the best moment to come back to him, and he would forever be thankful for that. He would have been lying on his bed, bawling his eyes out over an insignificant human.

"When?" Zeno asked Ezra.

Ezra smiled at the old woman, "Well, I and Anita have been good friends for a month and two weeks now, right, Anita?" He asked in a friendly voice.

"Yes, Doctor, you’ve been the best," Nana replied, patting Zeno’s hand.

"No way, Nana? You’ve been conscious for a month? Plus? Why didn’t you let keep know, Ezra? All these while I’ve always believed she was still comatose, that’s not fair," He hugged her again from the side.

"Don’t be sad, dear child, The Doctor said it was my nurturing time. He said I didn’t need any disturbances or visits while I recorded mentally and physically, and I’m glad I didn’t lose my memories; you were the first person I thought of. I knew my son and his wife were no more, I saw them go, Zeno, I saw my..." She teared up, holding it in for Zeno’s sake.

Zeno noticed it and immediately wanted to change the topic.

"Ezra, you should at least send me a text; I promise I would have stayed away and let her heal properly," Zeno said to Ezra.

Ezra shook his head, "Well, I did tell you, you just never watched the video," He shrugged.

Zeno frowned, "You mean, the Flash you gave me?" He questioned.

Ezra nodded, "Yes. Her room had a record monitor where we could easily monitor the patient’s condition, and what I gave you was the very moment she moved her finger and opened her eyes, but you failed to view it, so don’t blame me for not telling you," He smiled.

"But you knew that was sensitive, Ezra; you should have told him; I see nothing funny; why are you smiling?" Nicholas asked beside Ezra, eying in disapproval.

"Oh, boy, boy, calm down, I’m fine now, I can walk some steps on my own without aid. It’s all thanks to the Doctor and that gentleman who paid my hospital bills; how was my poor grandson going to pay all these huge amounts of money? So," She smiled at Zeno who was already staring at her as if she was now speaking gibberish.

"Everything will be alright, Zeno. I just have to stay here for one more month as instructed by the doctor, and we can go home. You should also stay here, Zeno, whatever happened to you? You look like you’ve been run over by a train," She smoothed Zeno’s hair and patted his cheek.

"Um, yes, I’d like to stay here with you, Nana, we can leave whenever the Doctor tells us that you’re fit to leave," Zeno agreed.

There were a lot of questions he wanted to ask her regarding what she had previously said, but he knew she wouldn’t have an answer to any of them. If he wanted answers, he would have to ask Ezra directly.

"Zeno, we’ll have to take your grandma back to her room. Don’t worry; it’s just right next to yours. We moved her out of the ICU. She’s showing a great sign of improvement, so there was no need to keep her there; you can now visit her room whenever you want; I won’t stop you," Ezra informed.

A knock sounded on Zeno’s door, and Nicholas opened it to let a female nurse in.

The nurse pushed the wheelchair toward the bed and offered a hand to Nana. "I’ll take you back to your room now, Anita," She spoke softly.

Nana slowly nodded, "I’ll see you soon, right, Zeno," Nana asked; she didn’t want to leave her grandson; she could feel that something serious was bothering him.

Zeno smiled, "Of course, Nana, I’ll always come see you; even if you’re sleeping, I’ll just sit there and watch over you," He replied.

"Oh, my sweet baby," Nana kissed his cheek before letting the female nurse help her up and onto the wheelchair.

"Bye, Nana," Zeno waved as she was pushed away from his room.

"Bye, Anita," Ezra and Nicholas waved to her as well.

Once the door closed, the room went silent; Ezra and Nicholas slowly faced Zeno, who was already staring daggers at them.

"My Nana... she said something, about some gentleman paying up her hospital bills. I know I’m yet to complete the payment, so Doctor Ezra, Nicholas, does any of you know what she was talking about? Or perhaps the comatose she had just come out of is still affecting her reasoning?" Zeno questioned quietly.

Ezra looked at Nichand and sighed, "No, Zeno, your Nana is very articulated. What she said was true," He answered.

Zeno frowned, "I’m sorry, for the first time, you’re not making sense, Ezra... what the fuck do you mean she is right? Don’t tell me it is what I’m thinking," He asked.

Ezra was quiet.

Nicholas stepped closer to Zeno and stood in front of him.

"As the story goes, Mr. Orion was the one who asked Anna, your friend at the boxing gym, to show you the ads for a Nanny. Sebastian was looking for a Nanny at that time, and Mr. Orion wanted to protect you from Bison too. So, he decided to keep you under the watch of his son. You know how the whole story went, and you ended up becoming Sebastian’s Manny," Nicholas paused and lowered himself beside Zeno.

"Sebastian had treated you badly because he told his father that he didn’t want to take in anyone who came from him due to the history between them. However, when he finally agreed to take you in, he treated you badly just to spite his father, but, well, he ended up falling in -"

"He never loved me, Nicholas, let’s say it was all part of his way of spiting his father," Zeno cut Nicholas off.

Nicholas cleared his throat and nodded, "I can’t say much about that, but I’m sure that before you even got together with Sebastian, he had long cleared your Nana’s bills. The money you paid every month was being deposited right back into your Nana’s account that was opened by Mr. Orion, plus the money he’d paid into the account as an apology for your parent’s death," Nicholas explained.

"Sick. Sebastian and his father are sick. Firstly, does Mr. Onion -"

"Orion,"

"I don’t give a fuck," Zeno rolled his eyes at Ezra.

"Does he think that his money could ever replace my parents? And for his sadistic stuck-up son, why did he pay? Why did he act like he cared when all I’ve been to him was an experiment? He never loved me, that’s clear, then, why did he bother?" Zeno’s voice cracked at the end and he bit down on his lips to stop himself from crying.

The thought of Sebastian broke his fragile heart; he wondered why Love had to be so unfair; why couldn’t the person we chose choose us right back?

"I can’t answer any of those questions, Zeno. No one can. From now on, we’ll be your friends and family. I don’t care what you say, but I’m not leaving you at this point, just so you know. You’re not alone, Zeno; the world is really not that bad; we can still see it differently, you and I. I’m leaving the country next month, I don’t mind if you come, and with Nana too, of course," Nicholas suggested.

Zeno smiled, "Why not?" He looked at Nicholas and hugged him.

What better way to heal than to move to somewhere totally new from where you got hurt?

 

 

Chapter 145

Zeno was walking toward Ezra’s office; he was going to give him some file which he had taken from his nurse and promised to give it to the doctor himself.

He was bored of staying in the hospital room for the day. Nicholas had just left his side, too; he was busy making plans for their travel, so he didn’t have much h time to spend and chat with Zeno.

Zeno couldn’t believe it’s been a month since his breakup with Sebastian and he was yet to completely come to terms with his harsh reality.

Sebastian had really abandoned him, but he was healing, slowly but surely; after Nicholas was done making their travel plans, he was super sure he’d completely forget Sebastian like he never existed.

He reached Ezra’s door and was about to knock on it when he realized it was slightly open, but just before he could open it, he heard a familiar voice speaking to Ezra.

Zeno froze beside the door, listening to what they were discussing inside the office.

"Congratulations, you’re pregnant, Sakura. Do you want me to tell Sebastian?" Ezra questioned.

Zeno’s blood drained from his face; he knew it was over between him and Sebastian, but somewhere in his stupid heart, he had hoped it wouldn’t work out between Sebastian and Sakura, Sebastian would come begging him, but pregnant?

Sebastian really slept with someone else?

His soul died, and he felt betrayed all over again. He wished he had left the nurse to bring over the file to Ezra; at least, he would have lived with only the thought of Sebastian’s breakup with him, but bow, he had to add the image of Sebastian getting naked with Sakura to his torture, plus, he fucking got her pregnant!

He slowly took a deep breath, waiting to hear Sakura’s reply.

"No, no, I’ll tell him myself; thank you for your assistance, Doctor Ezra; I appreciate it,," Sakura said.

Zeno heard the sound of the chair being pulled back, and he knew that Sakura was preparing to leave.

"You’re welcome, Sakura. Do not forget to come for your monthly antenatal, or you can just call me to come over whenever you don’t feel like coming to the hospital," Ezra suggested.

"Alright, thank you, I’ll be leaving now," Sakura replied.

Zeno quickly stepped away from the door and took a few steps back to make it look like he had just arrived.

The door opened and Zeno was surprised to see Ida holding the door for Sakura to walk out.

He paused and waited for them to just leave, he didn’t want to speak to them. However, Sakura was the one who turned her head and saw Zeno standing a few steps away from them.

"Zeno?" She called.

Zeno clenched his jaws before looking over at her; he slowly turned his face to Ida, who was staring unblinkingly at him.

Ida looked like he had a million words to say; he looked apologetic, and Zeno knew that Ida must have understood by now that he’d never betrayed Sebastian as he boldly accused.

He tightened his hand on the file and walked toward them.

Sakura saw Zeno coming toward her and opened her mouth to say something but was left gaping like a fish when Zeno easily bypassed her and entered Ezra’s office, shutting the door on their faces.

Ida felt horrible, he stared at the door and sighed. He had just lost his very good friend, and to an extent, he blamed himself for Sebastian’s and Zeno’s breakup; if he had just asked Zeno first before going to Sebastian with Bison’s messages, everything might have been fine between them. But he had wanted to be a hero, now; he ended up being a bad person, the enemy.

He missed Zeno in the mansion; everything wasn’t the same without him; he couldn’t speak for Sebastian because no one saw him anymore; he was always indoors with his fiancée. However, in the bodyguards’ building, everyone was on Zeno’s side, and most of them had turned against Ida, blaming him for what was happening, even Cody.

Ida knew he had fucked up, and from Sakura’s condition, he saw no more future with Sebastian and Zeno. This kind of situation was the type that one would leave in regret for the rest of their lives. He could only wish Zeno great happiness. Hopefully, he found someone who would treat him just the way he deserved.

Sakura cleared her throat, "Let’s go, Sebastian might be getting worried," She said and slowly walked off.

Inside Ezra’s office, Zeno placed the file on Ezra’s desk and stared at him without saying anything.

Ezra sighed, "How are you feeling today, Zeno?" He asked.

Zeno shrugged, "How else should I feel? I’m awesome, why? Do you expect me to bawl my eyes out each day?" He raised his brows at Ezra.

Ezra shook his head, "No, Zeno..." He stood and walked over to Zeno.

He gently held Zeno’s hand, looking into his eyes, "I know you heard about Sakura’s condition, and I’m happy you’re not beating yourself up about it. Sebastian might be my friend, but trust me, I don’t support what he did," Ezra said in a serious tone.

"Don’t worry, Ezra, enough about Sebastian. He’s old news; I’m over him; it’s not something I want to spend my life and time thinking about," Zeno shrugged.

Ezra chuckled, "Yeah... he totally missed a great package like you... There are plenty of guys out there wishing you were theirs, Zeno, trust me," he gently squeezed Zeno’s hand.

Zeno smirked, "Even you, Doc?" He narrowed his eyes at Ezra.

"Well, I would lie if I said I wasn’t interested, but I know you’re teasing me, Zeno. You’re human, and even though you claim you’re alright, I know you’re still hurting and healing slowly. Forcing yourself to accept another relationship is going to end in premium tears, for me, or for whoever it is you end up with within this period. And, trust me, Zeno, I’m not like Sebastian; if you ever dare me onto daring you, I’m not letting you leave; I don’t care if you used me as a rebound or something else; I’m keeping you with me forever. Am I making sense?" He tapped Zeno’s head.

Zeno chuckled, "Ah, yeah, you are... that’s what they all say but still end up leaving you. It’s good to hear such sweet words again, it just confirms that I’ve become immune to them because I felt nothing," He smirked.

Ezra slapped Zeno’s hand away, "Ouch, leave my office, Zeno," He frowned.

Zeno laughed, "Don’t sulk, Doc. You’re right; I’ll probably just end up hurting the next person I date; that’s why I’ve decided never to date again, not even after many years," he lowered himself on the chair in front of Ezra desk.

"Huh?" Ezra paused his feet that were returning to his chair.

"What did you day?" He asked Zeno.

Zeno looked up at him, "I said, I’m never dating again," He shrugged.

Ezra scoffed. "Not even after I’ve given you a year’s break? You’d still turn me down after a year? Am I not your type?" He questioned.

Zeno was holding in his laughter, "Chill, Doc. You’re taking this too personally; it’s not about you, it’s just something I’ve decided for myself. Of course, you’re hot, and a doctor, a fair catch, but not for me, Doc, I’m done," He explained calmly.

Ezra hummed, "We’ll see about that,"

"What are you planning to do, Doc? Force yourself on him?" Nicholas suddenly opened the door and walked into the office.

"This is my office, Nicholas. You should knock before entering, and you shouldn’t be eavesdropping," Ezra returned to his seat with a scowl.

"No means no, Doc, learn to accept rejection," Nicholas told him.

"Right, I know what this is. If you can’t have him, then no one can, right?" Ezra chuckled.

"You can say whatever you want," Nicholas looked at Zeno and handed him a paper.

"What’s this?" Zeno asked, looking at the paper.

"Really? Paris?" Zeno asked in disbelief.

Nicholas was smiling and nodding. "Yeah... we’re leaving in three days," He announced.

Zeno was excited; he couldn’t stop smiling, "That’s a place I’ve always wanted to go; Nana would love it," He said.

"She would," Nicholas agreed.

"You guys, really? Now I feel like quitting my job and traveling with you both," Ezra sighed.

"What? No, no, please, don’t. It’ll ruin the whole purpose of traveling; we want to start afresh, not move on with the past," Nicholas replied.

Ezra slowly nodded, "I see, so, I’m your past, Nicholas?" He asked.

Nicholas nodded, "Most definitely," he smiled.

"You’ll miss me when you’re gone," Ezra teased.

"No, I won’t," Nicholas blurted out.

Zeno frowned, looking from Nicholas to Ezra.

Why was he getting a feeling that this was how he and Sebastian started?

He might be overthinking it, but if he wasn’t, then it means that these two were missing something between them, or they were purposely avoiding it.

Whatever it was, it was never going to manifest because they were leaving in three days, no one will ever know if Ezra and Nicholas would have been a great couple.

For him; he couldn’t wait to leave, he was filled with anticipation to leave, and he was never coming back; there was nothing left here for him to look back to.

 

 

Chapter 146

The moon was bright that night, and the wind gently ruffled the tree leaves; the place was quiet, lifelessly quiet.

Zeno stood beside his Nana, silently staring at the two graves lying before them, they had placed beautiful flowers on each grave, silently wishing their last goodbyes to the dead.

Zeno moved closer to his Nana and placed a hand over her shoulder, a silent reassurance.

He was patient, waiting for her to wish his parents her final goodbye, he had told her that they were never returning again. He sold the house Mr. Orion had renovated; after all, there was nothing left there to remind him of his parents; Bison had destroyed everything.

So, this was them trying to gather all the memories they could before leaving the the next morning.

Nana slowly looked up at Zeno and nodded at him, "I’m ready to leave," her voice was cracked.

Zeno nodded, smiling at her.

He gently held her hand and led her away.

Life had to go on no matter what; people are born, and people die; that’s what life is all about.

Regardless, life goes on.

Ezra and Nicholas were waiting for them inside the car and when Ezra saw they saw them approaching the car, he slowly moved it to meet them.

"Go in, Nana," Zeno held open the door for Nana.

"Thank you," Nana smiled before entering the car.

Zeno entered the car from the other side of the door, helping Nans fix her seat belt.

"Let’s grab something to eat, yeah?" Ezra asked as he moved the car.

"Yeah, that’d be nice, Doctor, Zeno must be very hungry by now," Nana replied.

Zeno chuckled, "I’m not a kid anymore, Nana," He reminded her.

"You will always be my baby, Zeno," She patted his cheek.

After eating dinner, Ezra drove them back to his house, where they would all sleep for the night.

He had finally cleared his guest room for Nana’s sake so she could sleep in it.

Zeno was sitting on Nana’s bed as she walked over with a book in her hands, he smiled, happy that she still had her old habit of reading before sleeping.

"I dressed your bed for you, you’ll sleep just fine and be ready to fly tomorrow morning," He informed her.

Nana smiled. She walked over to Zeno and sat beside him, taking his hand in hers, "Zeno..." She called gently.

"Yes, Nana," He replied, placing his head on her shoulder.

She was quiet for a while before speaking, "I might be old, but I’m no fool.... who hurt you?" She asked softly.

Zeno paused and slowly raised his head from her shoulder, "What do you mean?" He asked like he had no idea what she was talking about.

Nana smiled, "Who hurt you, Zeno? You look heartbroken; I’ve never seen you like this before, not even when you broke up with that Hispanic girl; you were rather happy if I recall correctly, but this time, you look different; you look so hurt, dear child. Who was it? Did you love her so much? Nana can help you speak to her if you want," She looked at his face, watching him try hard to mask his expressions but she could see right through him.

Zeno sighed, "Don’t worry, Nana, I’m a grown man, you don’t have to help me out with everything anymore, especially not in relationships. That person doesn’t matter anymore, I’m over it, I’m just... healing," He assured with a small smile.

"I’m hurting, as you said, Nana, but I’m getting g used to it, and with time, I’ll be numb to it, it’s just a matter of time," He hugged her.

There was no need to mention Sebastian to her; after all, he wasn’t even sure if she would be accepting of him having a male partner, in a way, he was glad everything ended before Nana regained consciousness.

Nana sighed, "It’s alright, Zeno, I’ll be right here beside you, I’m not going anywhere, okay?" She asked.

Zeno nodded, "Okay, Nana, I love you," He smiled.

"I love you too, mi Nieto," She kissed his head.

"Get some sleep, Nana; we have a long flight tomorrow morning," He said and stood from the bed.

Nana was looking at Zeno as he walked toward the door, smiling.

"Leave the light on, child, you know I love sleeping with the lights on," She said when Zeno was about to turn off the light.

"Okay," Zeno replied.

He was about to open the door when Nana stopped him again.

"Zeno?" She called.

"Yes, Nana?" He answered and turned to look at him.

"The man who paid my bills, I’m yet to meet him, maybe we can go say a thank you before leaving for the airport in the morning?" She suggested.

Zeno’s hand tightened around the door handle; go see Sebastian? No fucking way!

He cleared his throat, "Unfortunately, we can’t see him, Nana. We don’t even know who he is and we can’t know him. Ezra said the man had asked to remain anonymous forever. He’s just used to going around and doing charity without asking the praises, he’s such a kind man," Zeno lied through his teeth.

"Oh, I see, his kind is so rare, bless his soul," She smiled.

"Yeah, bless his soul," ’More like curse his soul! He thought quietly.

"Good night, Nana," Zeno said and left the room.

That night, he tried to sleep without thinking about Sebastian, but the brain was a treacherous organ so he failed to sleep without thinking about Sebastian.

He was hurting himself on purpose by creating all kinds of scenarios in his head where Sebastian was being all loving and clingy to Sakura, He wanted to hurt himself so much that when next he thought of it, he’d feel nothing.

Zeno didn’t realize when he finally fell asleep; all he knew was that he woke up when he heard the door of Ezra’s office being opened, followed by Ezra’s footsteps.

Ezra had slept in his office, leaving his room for Nicholas because wanted to be away from him.

"Good morning, Zeno, ready to leave?" Ezra questioned Zeno, who had his eyes half opened.

Zeno hummed, "I think so," he smiled and pulled himself up from the couch.

"I’ll get Nana ready first," He said to Ezra before walking toward the guest room.

Ezra stretched himself before walking over to his room, he would just wake Nicholas up and let him get ready.

He had work to do at the hospital later that day, so he just wanted to drop them off at the airport and go back to work.

He opened the door and entered his room and was surprised to see Nicholas all ready and waiting.

"Oh, hi, good morning, Nick," Ezra greeted the quiet guy.

Nicholas raised his head to look at Ezra, "Good morning," He said and stood from the bed.

"I’ll be in the living room,l; hurry up and take us to the airport," Nicholas said before pushing his bag out.

"Nicholas..." Ezra called.

Nicholas paused at the door, "Yes, Doc?" He replied without looking back.

Ezra sighed, "Never mind, I’ll just hurry up," He dismissed.

"Yeah..." Nicholas said and walked out of the room.

***

They were almost at the airport; the car was moving at a steady pace while Nana was comfortably napping behind the car.

Zeno was silently staring out of the window, he was wondering what awaited him in Paris; he hoped it was all good things. They say Paris is the city of love, but he wasn’t going with that motto, he was going with a different motive: Independence.

Paris was a place where he wouldn’t be bound to anyone through threats or contracts, where he could be himself after so long of being a shadow of himself, a place where he could start life afresh without encountering the footprints of his pasts.

Ezra’s phone suddenly rang and disrupted the silence.

He pressed a button in his dashboard without looking at it and Zeno suddenly heard the voice he dreaded the most at the moment.

"Hello?" Ezra asked as he didn’t know who was calling, he didn’t take his eyes off the road to check.

Sebastian’s voice rang out in the car. "Ezra, I need you to come over to the house," He said.

Zeno shrank back into his seat, his heart beating faster than usual. He hated it; he hated that he still reacted to that bastard’s voice; he hated that Sebastian might still have a little hold on him; he didn’t want that.

"I’m sorry, friend, I can’t. I’m currently taking N... a friend to the airport," Ezra informed.

Sebastian was quiet for a while, "Who are you taking to the airport, Ezra?" He asked in a brooding tone.

"I’m taking my cousin, Sebastian, why do you need me to come over?" Ezra questioned.

Zeno was thankful that Nana was sleeping, she might have just ruined the lie and spoken up.

Sebastian could be heard sighing, "When you’re done dropping off your cousins, come over to the house and check Sakura out, she’s complaining about something being wrong with the baby," He said.

Ezra nodded, "Alright, I’ll be there in an hour, bye," The call was disconnected.

Zeno sighed in relief, hearing his voice again reopened all the wounds he’d been healing for a month. But as they drove inside the airport, Zeno smiled; soon, all this would be history.

Fuck Sakura.

Fuck Sebastian.

Respectfully.

 

 

Chapter 147

 

"You think I can’t?" Zeno asked, holding the gun tighter.

He glared at Sebastian, seeing no fear in his eyes. He knew Sebastian believed that he could never shoot him.

But, could he?

"I know you can, but... I have a better idea," Sebastian walked closer to Zeno, he cautiously raised his hand to the gun and slid his fingers over Zeno’s hand, gently lowering the gun.

Zeno watched as Sebastian closed the distance between them; he went from holding a gun to shoot Sebastian to being drawn into Sebastian’s arms; his body thrummed with desire, his skin aflame with a burning need that threatened to consume him. Sebastian gently held around his finger

"I have a better option," Sebastian’s whisper grazed Zeno’s ear, causing him to gasp very softly.

"What do you mean?" His voice was low and breathy.

Sebastian gently took the gun away from Zeno’s hand, using it to tilt Zeno’s head up to look at him, "How about we reverse..." He smirked.

Zeno tried to push him away but Sebastian tightened his hand on his waist. "Since you want to play with guns, then let’s play with mine," He tested the waters by slowly biting Zeno’s earlobe, smirking sexily when he heard Zeno’s fast breathing and his slight body tensing.

"I don’t -"

"How about you bend over and I’ll give you shots, Zeno, shots we’ve both missed, I promise, I’ve become better at it," Sebastian lowered his nose to Zeno’s neck and sniffed his scent into his nose, "Damn, Zeno, I’m still addicted to you..." he whispered fervently.

"You’re mad," Zeno’s chest rose and fell as he breathed sharply and hotly, he was slowly losing connection with his brain, tilting more to his stupid heart.

Sebastian raised his and stared at Zeno, "Yes, Zeno, I’m mad over you," He leaned down to kiss Zeno but Zeno turned his face away.

He caught a glimpse of tears beside Zeno’s eyes, and his heart broke, "Zeno," He called quietly.

Zeno shook his head and slowly pushed him away; he locked his eyes with Sebastian as he spoke, "Fine, you’ve proved your point, but still, I can’t get back together with you, Sebastian; you hurt me, don’t you understand that? I... I loved you and trusted you, and when I needed you the most, you hurt and abandoned me. It hurts Sebastian, it fucking hurts. That’s why I’m chasing myself this time; no matter how attracted to you I think I am, the hurt you’ve caused me will always override my attraction; Goodnight, Seb," He said and turned to open the door; he couldn’t be in the same room with Sebastian.

Sebastian watched speechlessly as Zeno walked out of the room. Hearing him call him ’Seb’ after a long time made the whole thing hit home. For the first time since he’d found Zeno, he showed him how he truly felt, and it stung him so hard.

He could see from Zeno’s eyes that he was still hurting, badly, all because of him.

"I’m such an idiot," He muttered and went to sit on the bed.

The door suddenly opened, and he snapped his head toward it to find Nana and Zeno in front of it.

He immediately became alert.

Had Zeno told his Nana what happened between them, that meant he was about to lose his spot as Nana’s best person because she was not going to be happy with someone who hurt her grandson the way he’d done.

"What happened, Sebastian? Why did you ask Zeno to sleep on the couch?" Nana asked, frowning.

"I thought you were comfortable sharing a bed," She looked from Sebastian to Zeno.

"Nana, I’ve told you, no one asked me, I just wanted to sit there for a while," Zeno replied.

Sebastian immediately stood from the bed, "No, Nana, it’s just a misunderstanding, Zeno said he needed some time to attend to something on his phone, right, Zeno?" Sebastian asked, looking right at Zeno.

Zeno had no choice but to cooperate, "Yes, Nana,"

"There, but he’s done now, and he can come right to bed; I’m a heavy sleeper. He wouldn’t even know someone is lying beside him," Sebastian smiled as he promised.

"Good, no one sleeps on my couch, Zeno, you know that; it’ll get old, please, refrain from doing that; goodnight, kids," She gently pushed Zeno in and closed the door as she left.

Zeno sighed quietly and walked toward his wardrobe; since he was sleeping in his room, he might as well buy some time by taking a shower; Sebastian would be asleep before he finished.

"Zeno," Sebastian called as Zenon was about to enter the bathroom.

He paused not answering and not speaking.

"You can sleep on the bed when you come out, I’ll sleep on the chair beside the mirror," Sebastian assured.

Zeno moved without responding; he didn’t need to; he already heard what he’d said, and there was no need to talk back.

After his shower, Zeno peeked his head into the room and saw Sebastian relaxing on the chair with his eyes closed, sleeping.

’Good, he kept to his word,’ Zeno thought as he walked into the room.

He’s already dressed in his bedroom, he couldn’t risk getting naked in front of that corny wolf.

He quietly went and switched off the lights, walking over to his windows to push them open, letting the bright moonlight stream inside the room.

He loved sleeping with the moonlight shining inside his room; it helped calm him down countless times, and he needed that calmness tonight.

He took a deep breath and walked over to his bed, gently getting on it. He dragged his pillow to his side and placed his head on it, facing away from Sebastian as he lay down.

His thoughts were all over the place; he wasn’t comfortable at all; how could he be? The man he’d been running away from was sitting right next to his bed; how was he expected to stay calm and comfortable?

He let his brain wander off to things that didn’t matter, like random members of his gym, it worked because after a few minutes, he found himself falling deep in sleep.

Zeno was unconsciously enjoying his sleep, contrary to how he felt before sleeping; he felt so calm and at peace, and his pillow was so warm and snuggly...

’Warm and snuggly?’ His brain immediately alerted him of danger.

Hid pillows were never warm and snuggly; rather, they were cool and comfortable; why was he feeling so warm?

Zeno slowly moved his leg, and that was when he felt an arm around his waist and the warm breath fanning his cheeks.

’It couldn’t be,’ He thought in fear.

He slowly opened his eyes and realized that his fear was real.

Sebastian had gotten on his bed. How?

With the aid of the moonlight, he stared at Sebastian’s sleeping face; his perfect, smooth jawline was defined by the soft light, and his nose was sculpted to perfection.

Zeno deliberately leaned his head closer and sniffed Sebastian’s warm, natural scent, ’Damn, he’s fucking sexy,’ Zeno let his thoughts go crazy.

He stared at Sebastian’s smooth, exposed chest and imagined how good it would feel under his fingers.

"Can’t sleep?" Sebastian’s groggy voice asked.

Zeno immediately bit his lips, his breath hitched as he returned his eyes to Sebastian’s face and found him looking at him with those darkening grey eyes of his.

"I..." Zeno didn’t know what to say, he’d been caught staring.

No one said a word, afraid to ruin the charged moment between them; their nerve endings pulsed with raw hunger, their bodies hummed with anticipation, and their senses heightened as they got undeniably aware of each other’s presence and thoughts.

"What are you doing on my bed? Why am I in your arms?" Zeno asked, his voice barely a whisper.

Sebastian’s hand that was holding Zeno’s waist slowly caressed its way up his sides and stopped on the sides of his face.

"You couldn’t sleep, I had to hold you before you calmed down and slept," his voice was grazing Zeno’s walls, slowly pushing them down.

Zeno shivered slightly, "I didn’t ask you to," he frowned slightly, his eyes unable to leave Sebastian’s.

Sebastian’s thumb caressed Zeno’s cheeks, his eyebrows, his nose bridge, "I couldn’t help it, Sweetheart, I wanted to hold you... needed to hold you, Zeno," he whispered hotly, his eyes roaming all over Zeno’s face.

Zeno gulped quietly, feeling his throat drying up, "Leave my bed, Sebastian... I don’t want you here," he managed to control his breath that was getting out of control.

Sebastian shook his head and leaned his face closer to Zeno’s, his thumb finding Zeno’s smooth and luscious bottom lips, caressing it.

"There are only two things I’d let you do to me for getting your bed, Baby girl," His thumb on Zeno’s lips circled it, his skin flaming as he felt Zeno’s hit breath on his hand.

"What?" Zeno questioned.

"Kiss or slap, baby girl. What’s it going to be?" Sebastian’s intense gaze gave Zeno tingles.

"Kiss or slap?" Sebastian’s deep, sexy voice asked again.

Zeno’s breath was hot, and so was his body. He stared at Sebastian’s handsome face and bit his lips, his eyes openly lowering to Sebastian’s chest, ’Fuck,’ his eyes immediately found Sebastian’s lips, just there, looking all kissable and waiting for him to press his lips against it.

He slowly started to lean in, his breaths turning into soft gasps.

Sebastian saw Zeno leaning in, but he maintained his position; he wanted him to be the one who initiated it; if he moved, Zeno might back off, feeling like he wanted to take advantage of him.

Zeno paused, a whisper away from Sebastian’s lips, his hand went up to Sebastian’s face, sneaking behind his head, "Kiss," He whispered and pressed his lips on Sebastian’s.

Sebastian’s reaction was instant, he moaned and grabbed Zeno’s face, hungrily devouring his lips.

They burned with unrelenting passion, their very being seemed to vibrate with an insatiable longing as their mouth, tongues, and lips sought for that invisible satisfaction, their hearts pounding in their chest like a drum.

Sebastian gently pushed Zeno to lay on his back and immediately got above him, positioning himself between his legs.

Zeno moaned as Sebastian pushed his shirr aside and attacked his neck with a raw, hungry kiss.

"Seb..." Zeno called, feeling euphoric.

"Yes, baby girl, tell me what you want," he whshuskily above Zeno’s lips, slowly lowering his hips to Zeno’s, causing both of them to gasp as their erect cocks rubbed together.

"I want you, Seb," Zeno huffed out.

Zeno’s words were like music to Sebastian’s ears, he’d been dying to hear those words again.

"You’ve got me, baby girl, I’m yours," He crashed his hungry lips on Zeno’s, both of them surrendering to their primal urges.

 

Chapter 148

 

Zeno was standing in front of the mirror, unbuttoning his suit.

He stared at his face and frowned; he moved closer to the mirror and saw the little scratch on his cheek.

He was worried for a second about how he got that scratch but suddenly remembered he had practiced boxing with Zen last night at his gym.

Yeah, he had built himself a portable boxing gym that fetched him a decent amount of money; he wasn’t involved in any kind of shady business; no, he was done with all that kind of lifestyle.

However, owning a gym was cool, but Zeno needed some adventuring in his life, so he had two extra jobs he did.

He had just returned from one, and that was why he was taking off his suit; his job always required him to dress professionally.

"Yes, he’s right in there, Nicholas," Zeno heard Nana’s voice in front of his room.

He smiled, she was fond of sending Nicholas right into his room whenever he came looking for him.

It was as if they lived together, in fact, they did.

They lived in the same high-end apartment complex, and Nicholas’ apartment was right opposite his own; he was either in Nicholas’ house or Nicholas was in his.

"I’m coming in, Zeno," Nicholas announced before pushing Zeno’s door open.

"Hi, gentleman," Nicholas greeted as he went over to sit on the chair beside Zeno’s mirror.

"Hey, Nicholas. Time for work?" Zeno asked, removing the tie around his neck.

Nicholas sighed, "I was thinking of letting you skip tonight since you worked all day as an escort. Maybe rest tonight?" He suggested.

Zeno shook his head, "Really? You already know I can’t miss the entertainment at your club, especially on Fridays," he walked over to his wardrobe and pulled out a white shirt, "You don’t have to worry about me, I love all my three jobs," He assured.

"I know... you own a boxing gym because you love the adrenaline, you asked to work as an escort in my firm because it keeps you in the j and reminds you not to fall in love, and you work as a bartender in my bat because, well... it’s fun," Nicholas shrugged.

"Yeah," Zeno replied.

Among all the listed, even if he were to drop others, he’d never drop being an escort; it wasn’t even for the money; it was the experience.

He wasn’t restricted to genders either, he could escort whoever booked his services. He didn’t need to worry about doing business with pleasure either because his services were not concerned with emotional support, no intimate services, just companionship.

He was available for official meetings, family meetings, social parties, and any events, as long as what you only sought was a companion. With his lifestyle, he had no time to catch feelings; it was all business for him; it showed him the other aspect of life that categorized every human interaction into fleeting moments; nothing lasts forever, and it was better to condition one’s mind that way; no expectations, no disappointments.

"Ready to leave?" Zeno asked, all dressed like a sexy bartender.

Nicholas smirked, "You’re running away from love, yet you go to a club every night looking like this," He sighed, shaking his head.

"Trust me, even if I looked, there’s no way I’m finding love in a club, that’d be shooting myself in the foot," He gave Nicholas his hand and dragged him up from the chair.

"Nana’s not going to be happy; she actually asked me to ask you to stay home tonight; she says you’ve been working a lot," Nicholas whispered as they left the room.

"She’ll be fine, even if I stayed, she’d abandon me for some classical old movie," Zeno said, walking out of the room.

He loved the way his apartment was; his room was located behind the living room, and his Nana’s room was on the other side, kind of beside the kitchen, but still far away from it.

He loved their new space, it was comfortable and homely.

"Zeno, are you leaving again?" Nana walked out of her room and into the living room.

She looked so much healthier and beautiful; a year was enough for her to regain all she’d lost during her comatose state.

Zeno went over to her and hugged her, "Yes, Nana, I have to, you know I have to -"

"Don’t give me that bullshit of having to work hard so you can put food on the table, you think thud old woman doesn’t know how much your boxing gym fetches you?" She asked sternly with narrowed eyes.

"Ah... Nicholas, you tied her?" He scratched the back of his neck and turned to look accusingly at Nicholas.

"Don’t look at me that way. She made me a really good pasta, so I had to spill it; plus, the young lady was worried," Nicholas winked at Nana.

"Thanks, Nickie," Nana blushed because Nicholas called her young. "He always makes me feel so young," She giggled.

"Now, back to you!" Nana slapped Zeno’s arm, who was smiling as if he was the one Nicholas was flirting with.

"Ouch! Nana, that hurts," He rubbed his arm.

"You’re staying home," She pointed at him.

Zeno sighed and gently held her shoulders, "Nana, I find it absurd that I still have to beg for your consent before I leave the house, but this is me, a full grown man, kneeling and pleading with his Nana to let him go to work, please?" He lowered his knees to the floor and looked up at her, blinking cutely.

Nana sighed, "You... just get up already, Nieto," She dragged him up by the collar.

"Oh, no, Nana, that’s my favorite bartender shirt -"

"Want to go to bed now?" Nana put her hands on her waist and gave him a stern look.

"No, of course not... I’m sorry, Nana... does this mean I can go?" He asked cautiously.

Nana nodded.

"Yay, thank you, I love you, you’re the best, I’ll get you something nice gift tomorrow and -"

"Just go or I’ll change my mind," She warned, pushing his face away that was leaning in to kiss her face.

"Alright, Nana, goodnight, sleep early, and drink enough water before bed," He waved as he hurried over to the door before she changed her mind.

Nicholas waved before walking behind Zeno, a broad smile on his face.

As they went down the lift, Zeno ignored Nicholas, knowing he would mock him if he spoke to him.

Zeno and Nicholas were now like brothers; they made fun of each other, went into each other’s room when they felt like, and hung out together. Here in Paris, there were literally the only friends they had; any other person was either a colleague, an acquaintance, a customer, or a business partner.

They were individually healing from something, and starting another relationship was a huge drama to them. They weren’t ready to deal with the ups and downs that came with associating at a deeper level with people.

"Your car or my car?" Nicholas asked.

Zeno stood in front of the apartment complex and looked toward adjacent the parking garage, "How about my bike? Feel the breeze on your face?" He raised a brow at Nicholas.

Nicholas thought for a little while and shrugged, "Why not?" He smiled at Zeno.

"Awesome," Zeno nodded and walked into the parking garage while Nicholas waited for him.

As the bike sped out of the Parking lot, Nicholas moved out of the way, starting to regret why he chose to go in Zeno’s bike.

"Hop in, Handsome, I’ll take you for a ride," He winked at Nicholas and patted on the seat of the bike behind him.

"We’re going easy, right?" Nicholas questioned as he climbed on behind Zeno, fixing the helmet on his head and holding onto Zeno’s waist.

"Of course, I always go easy," Zeno assures.

Nope! He didn’t go easy.

Nicholas sat behind Zeno, clutching his hands around Zeno’s waist as he flew the buildings flashing past his eyes due to Zeno’s speeding. He could barely make out where they were.

He always falls for Zeno’s trick; he doesn’t know why he always agrees to use the bike when he ends up with a churning stomach and dizzy eyes.

"Ahh!" Zeno sighed happily, "Wete here, boss, do you need me to carry you in!" Zeno asked as he parked his bike beside a white building with luxurious lights shining all around it.

Nicholas had chosen a bright color for his club, and Zeno loved it; it stood out.

"No, I’m good," Nicholas staggered as he came down from the bike.

"Fuck you, Zeno," Nicholas cursed as he walked toward the entrance of his club, his arms holding onto his tummy.

Zeno chuckled; he got down from the bine and took a deep breath; it was time to mask his real face.

He had never appeared friendly at work; he was known as the brooding bartender with few words to offer; he liked it that way; it kept people away most of the time.

He stared down at the beautifully lighted streets and smiled faintly.

The world was so loud, beautiful, and adventurous, yet at the end of the day, he was lonely, and he loved it that way.

He turned and slowly started to walk the club; thus was another night of serving people who thought they were happy only when the alcohol went in.

He enjoyed the show, so, why not?

 

Chapter 149

Zeno walked into the club and as usual, m6sic was booming.

He never used the ’staff only’ entrance, he’d miss all the fun.

As he walked around the gyrating bodies and drunken laughter, he realized that people were already getting wasted, and the night was still very young.

He passed the general section and entered through a long passage that led to the VIP section, which was where he worked.

Where he’d just passed the gyrating bodies was for the masses, anyone was allowed there, straight, gay, lesbian, you name it. But he especially chose to work in the VIP gay section because why not? He was gay.

There was no denying that anymore, instead of working where he’d have to endure advances from women he knew he would never have anything to do, it was better he worked with only men who knew what they wanted and knew how to take rejection when faced with one.

He’d never had anything to do with any of them, but he enjoyed watching them interact; it showed him how much of a deception a man can put on just to bed another man in the name of love.

He entered the club; it was quieter than the previous one but by no means considered quiet. It was still loud, just in moderation to let people speak to each other.

Nicholas’ club reflected him, he made it open for everyone who believed in openness. He could have chosen to make it an only-gay club, but he didn’t, he wanted everyone to be equal with no discrimination.

In this VIP section, paintings from his favorite artist decorated the dark wall, with dim lights illuminating the paintings from within, Zeno had already gotten used to this kind of erotic painting after Nicholas took him to that art gallery a long time ago, he didn’t mind them now though, in the past, he had wished to find someone who could stare at him in the same way the men in those paintings stared at their partners but he’d been wrong.

All he needed was to stare at himself in the mirror in that manner; there was no love greater than self-love; one can never betray himself, never.

"Hey, handsome, checking in for the night?" A girl met Zeno, who was standing beside an empty booth.

He turned to face the girl the multi neon lights helping him see who it was.

He smiled when he saw the shirt girl in a pink ponytail, her modern gothic style making her look fierce yet cute, "Hi, baby," He kissed the back of her hand.

Baby blushed, "Hey, Zeno, you’re early tonight, got off early from the other side?" She asked, leading him toward the bar.

They walked past the filled booths, right through the dancing stage, and finally reached the luxury bar.

"Yeah, you know me, it’s all business, not pleasure. I left immediately after the party was over," He winked at her and walked inside the bar.

"Mm..." Baby hummed, standing on the other side of the counter.

"Evening, Zeno, I was just about leaving," A guy said to Zeno.

"I got you, Luke. Have a good night," Zeno replied to the guy.

"Bye, Baby, You better get to serving the customers before the boss sees you flirting with his friend," Luke warned before leaving.

Zeno chuckled, "He has a point," He smiled as he used a clean white towel to wipe the shiny black countertop of the bar counter.

"Nah, don’t worry, Nicholas is not coming in yet, he’s probably in his office checking his daily data," She replied.

She suddenly held Zeno’s hand that was wiping the counter and smirked at him.

Zeno didn’t even try to stop her, she was his nightly entertainment, "What’s it this time, Baby?"

"How about I book you for your services? I know you’re gay, but, who knows, I might be able to get through your thick skin... you’re too hot to be single, Zeno," She traced her fingers up his arm, to his shoulder, and slowly traced it down his unbuttoned chest.

Zeno smiled, "You don’t give up, do you? You’re allowed to book for my services, but you’re guaranteed to get what you want in the end," He replied in a low tone.

Baby’s hand went up his defined jaw, tracing along it, "Trust me, I have a lot of tricks up my sleeves, I -"

"How about putting those tricks to use by getting more money out of the customers?" Nicholas’ stern voice spoke behind Baby.

Baby immediately withdrew her hands from Zeno, smiling awkwardly, "Good evening, my handsome boss, how my night lights up each time I stare at your bright -"

"Don’t patronize me, Baby; go use your poems and tricks on the customers, or believe me, I’ll use these tricks on your pay, and give you a very nice poem on why I did it," Nicholas threatened.

"Oh no, no. I’m leaving now, I was never here... so mean," She muttered the last part and ran off, not before giving Zeno a secret wink.

"You’re scaring the poor girl," Zeno chuckled.

"Serves her right," Nicholas replied and sat on the stool in front of the bar.

"A Martini, please," He asked.

"Pay up, my dear friend, this ain’t a charity event," Zeno gave him an innocent smile.

Nicholas smiled, "You’ve got to stop doing this, I own this pla -"

"What would you like?" Zeno ignored him and went over to the guy who had just come to stand beside Nicholas.

Nicholas was speechless, Zeno had just ignored him, his boss!

Nicholas was about to speak to Zeno again when he received a call from an unknown number, he immediately ended the call. No identification, no answering of calls, that’s been his policy for the past year.

However, his phone rang again, and he still ended; the cycle continued about six times before he decided to turn his phone off for a while; if the person realized that his call wasn’t going through, he’d quit and find something else to do.

He had almost turned it off when he saw a message from the same unknown number, "Huh?"

He tapped it to read, "Hi, it’s Ezra, Sebastian is coming to Paris. He knows about your club," He read loudly, suddenly putting a hand over his mouth when realized that Zeno might hear him.

"Talking to me, Nick?" Zeno questioned, focused on making a drink for a customer.

Nicholas immediately shook his head, "Uh, no. I’ll be right back, see you later tonight," He told Zeno and left.

"Your drink, sir," He pushed a smoking glass toward the man, his eyes staring at Nicholas.

Zeno felt that something was wrong; this was the first time since they traveled that Nicholas was acting this suspiciously, and Zeno had mastered the act in the past to know when something was off.

Currently, he wasn’t in the mood for surprises, so he decided he would ask Nicholas what the problem was when they got home.

Nicholas went up to his office and stared at the message again.

Firstly, how did Ezra get his number?

He and Zeno had made sure to change their numbers when they got here, so, the message was very fishy since it was unlikely that Ezra could have their new numbers.

Secondly, even if Sebastian was coming to Paris, how was it he or Zeno’s business?

Sebastian was free to go wherever the fuck he wanted, he just had to stay away from them. However, Ezra clearly stated that Sebastian knew about his club, does it mean he was coming to his club? Why?

Nicholas chuckled as he thought of something ridiculous. Could it be he wanted to see Zeno? To get him back? He couldn’t help the mocking laughter that escaped his mouth.

If what Nicholas thought was true, then it meant that Sebastian had lost the one atom of regard he had left for him.

The last time he checked the headlines, which was in the morning, Sebastian was still very much with Sakura, who now had a few months old baby.

They looked like a happy family; he saw only a few pictures of an unhappy Ken, and he knew that the boy would always refuse to join in their family pictures.

So, why was Sebastian coming to Paris?

Nicholas knew that Zeno would rather shoot himself between the eyes than get back with Sebastian. However, if Sebastian somehow managed to trick Zeno into listening to his bullshut, he would pull a bullet at Sebastian.

He was never going to all Zeno make the same mistake twice, he’d watched him heal, and it was hard, it was months of pretending to be happy while he was hurting, it was months of pushing friends away and choosing to be alone even when he needed the companionship, it was the silent tears at night a d smiles on the morning, it was pushing himself harder to do better and become a better person while denying himself the rest he needed; the list could go on forever and never end.

So, that was why he’d decided to protect Zeno, protect his hardworking, his independence. He might not be his boyfriend as he thought he would, but he’d be that friend that forced him to make the right choices.

Sebastian might have gotten bored of Sakura and thought that Zeno was still available to be his dirty little secret; he thought wrong then because he didn’t know what was in store for him.

He thought he’d just waltz back and claim Zeno? Then he must be on some very cheap weed, unfortunately.

Nicholas sighed, he plumped down on his chair and stared down at his club through the glass wall.

"I might just be overthinking this; maybe Sebastian doesn’t even know that Zeno is here; even if he knew, he might not even be coming for Zeno; he still had Sakura... it might just be for business as always," Nicholas rubbed his face and groaned.

He wished Sebastian wouldn’t come, he was already getting a headache for the upcoming drama.

 

Chapter 150

Zeno tries to make time to speak to Nicholas that night, but Nicholas just seems to be too busy, which makes him more suspicious of Nicholas.

The club was open till morning, but he never stayed till daybreak; Nicholas provided special rooms for them to sleep in till the next morning, so he didn’t need to go through the hassle of driving when he was sleepy.

"You got this, Morgan?" He tapped the shoulder of a tomboyish girl, mixing a drink for someone.

"Sure, dude, get some sleep," She replied.

Zeno nodded and went through the door behind the bar.

He was walking toward the stairs that led to their rooms when he saw Nicholas standing idly at the top of the stairs.

He looked to be busy on his phone, Zeno carefully climbed up so he didn’t alert him of his presence.

"What are you hiding?" He asked as he stood behind Nicholas, peering into his phone.

Nicholas immediately put his phone away and snapped his head to Zeno.

"Huh? Hiding? I don’t know what you’re talking about," He tried to sound as convincing as possible but Zeno didn’t buy it.

Zeno folded his arms on him, regarding Nicholas with suspicious eyes, "If you’re not hiding anything, then give me your phone," He stretched out his hand to Nicholas.

Nicholas moved back, "Come on, I’m not hiding anything, here," He put his phone in Zeno’s hand, "You can check it, I was just speaking with Cassian, who, by the way, has booked you for tomorrow night, so I was just about to tell that you won’t be coming to the club tomorrow night," Nicholas shrugged.

Zeno frowned, he was now confused. Nicholas wouldn’t have given his phone, and if he was hiding something, maybe he was just being paranoid; he’d been at peace for a long time, which wasn’t normal for him, so his brain decided to cook up some trouble for him.

"Fine," Zeno sighed, "Here’s your phone; I don’t need to check it. Promise to tell me whenever something is up, yeah?" He asked Nicholas.

Nicholas nodded, "Yeah, I promise," he replied.

Zeno nodded, "Better, bye, I’m off to sleep, and tell Cassian I’ll see him tomorrow night," Zeno waved and walked past Nicholas.

Nicholas smiled, "Sure, goodnight," He said.

He released the breath he was holding as Zeno entered the room.

"Damn, that was close," He raked his hair with his fingers.

He had risked Zeno’s trust by trusting that Zeno would trust him if he agreed to give him the phone, thankfully, it worked.

If not, if Zeno hadn’t trusted him and unlocked his phone, he would have seen Ezra’s message glaring at him, and Zeno would never trust him again.

He sighed and walked toward his own room. About Cassian though, he hadn’t lied.

Cassian was Zeno’s most frequent customer, he never liked to go out with any other Escort apart from Zeno. He liked that Cassian had booked Zeno for tomorrow night, that way, when Sebastian comes, he’d not have the privilege of seeing Zeno

Served him right.

He entered his room and locked the door; his manager would take care of the club until morning.

After taking a shower, Nicholas got in bed and prepared to sleep, but his phone rang once again. He checked and saw that it was the same number Ezra had used to text him earlier.

He ended the call and sent him a reply, "Text me."

He eagerly waited for Ezra’s reply, moving his feet. Soon enough, he received a text.

"Sorry, false alarm. He’s not coming to your club, I mistook your club for another one with a similar name. He’s on a business trip. Bye, Nicholas."

Nicholas frowned.

He was almost done typing his numerous questions to Ezra but decided to delete it and drop his phone.

He wanted to ask Wzra how he knew about his club. They’ve not been in contact for a year plus, so does he mean that Sebastian wasn’t even the one spying; it was Ezra?

"Ugh!" Nicholas groaned, frustrated.

He didn’t need this kind of headache.

Whatever, it’s a good thing Sebastian still doesn’t know about his club; as long as he stayed away from Zeno, there was no need to worry about him coming to Paris.

That night, Nicholas slept with questions churning inside his head, questions he’d never ask because the only people who could answer those questions were Sebastian and Ezra.

He just wished Sebastian would quickly finish with whatever business he was coming for and be gibe before he accidentally met with Zeno.

***

"Harder, Zen! Harder!" Zeno shouted to the guy in front of him, holding his gloved hands up in front of the blonde guy.

Zen grunted as he pushed Harder into Zeno’s gloved palms.

"Nice. Period?" Zeno asked, stepping back.

Zen went over to the corner of the boxing ring to check the timer he’d set on his phone, "Ten minutes," He told Zeno.

Zeno nodded, "Good, come on, it’s time for the real deal," He beckoned Zen for a match.

Zen took a deep breath and bounced around on his feet, his gloved hands protecting his face as he went closer to Zeno to attack him with a punch.

Zeno watched Zen and held his smile, the moment Zen moved his hand to attack Zeno’s face, Zeno immediately landed a punch below his ribcage.

"Fuck!" Zen fell to the floor, wincing as he glanced down at his stomach.

Zeno was about to order him to stand up when his eyes caught someone walking in through the entrance. He raised his hand and waved.

Baby waved back excitedly before running off to the treadmill section. She was a cardio person, and she never missed coming to Zeno’s gym every Saturday morning. She had once told Zeno that it was the partner of her seduction plans; maybe Zeno would stare at her curves one day and decide to tap that... who knows?

Zeno was still smiling at Baby when he saw Zen’s hand coming at him at an incredible speed. He immediately moved his upper body to the side and dodged it, "That’s sabotage, Zen, you want to take me down when I’m unaware, huh?" He chuckled.

They sparked around the boxing ring, hitting and missing each other; their body sweating, proof of their intense activity.

Zeno was shirtless; his sweat made his skin shiny and glowing, defining his toned muscles.

Zeno was sure he was going to win against Zen, as he always did. However, he suddenly paused when he saw something annoying that made his brain stop functioning for a second, causing Zen to successfully land a punch to the side of Zeno’s lips.

"Uh!" Zeno staggered back and realized he’d lost focus for a second there.

"Shit, are you okay? I thought you’d block that, what were you strong at?" Zen asked as he walked over to Zeno to check the extent of his wound, seeing that the side of Zeno’s lower lip was bleeding.

Zeno stepped back, removing his boxing gloves, "I’m fine, but we have someone to get rid of," He pointed behind Zen and walked off.

Zen frowned and turned to see who Zeno was talking about, and once he saw it, his own anger overtook him, he immediately removed his boxing gloves and followed Zeno out of the boxing ring.

Zeno marched forward to the treadmill section, his face twisting in anger as he watched the tall guy corner Baby to the side where he believed no one would see and tried to touch her inappropriately even as Baby tried to push him away.

He saw the unshed tears brimming in Baby’s eyes, making him angrier.

He quietly reached behind the man and easily carried a heavy dumbbell and released it above the man’s leg.

The screamed from the unexpected pain, jumping back with his good leg, "The fuck did you do that for?!" He barked at Zeno.

Zeno and Zen shared a look before grabbing the man’s arms and facing him down on his knees.

"Come on, Baby, don’t be shy," Zeno nodded at Baby, who was still standing by the wall, crying and adjusting her clothes.

"Come on, princess, don’t hold back," Zen urged with a malicious smile.

"Let go of me, you fools, I was just having fun with the whole!" The man struggled to get up.

His words seemed to fuel Baby’s anger, and he suddenly marched and stood in front of him.

"Go ahead, show him how to truly have fun," Zeno winked.

Before the man could say another word, he felt a stinging slap on his left cheek, making his ears ring with a high note, and before he could actually come to terms with the fact that a girl had slapped him, he received another slap on his right cheek, sending him completely into darkness.

What scared him was that he heard Zeno clicking his tongue in disapproval, "Come on, Baby, give him your best, and I’ll save a kiss for you," He winked at her, knowing it would fuel her on.

Baby’s face lightened up; she stepped back, raised her hands above her head, and brought them down with speed on the man’s face, slapping both his cheeks at the same time. She finished it off with individual slaps, smiling happily when she heard a crack from his neck with her last hit.

"I knew you had it in you," Zeno and Zen let go of the man, who fell to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

"Aww, I think he passed out," Zen announced.

"Good for him, I was about to show him my own side of fun," Zeno frowned.

"Get the security to get him out of here, and make sure you terminate his membership, he’s never allowed here," He ordered Zeno and led Babe out of the scene.

"Come on, enough training for the day, let’s go eat," He said as he led her out of the gym.