[BL] CRAVING HIM: Addicted to His Voice-Chapter 318: The Journey of Love Begins

~Zayn’s POV~

I chuckled softly, relief washing over me. "You are welcome, baby."

I gently stroked his hair, waiting for him to pull back.

When he finally did, I asked softly. "Do you want anything at all? Food? A long bath?"

Evric chuckled softly, his arms warm around me. "You are welcome, baby."

He gently stroked my hair, waiting for me to pull back. The safety I felt in his embrace was instant relief from the day’s terror.

When I finally did, he asked softly, "Do you want anything at all? Food? A long bath?"

I shook my head. "I’m not hungry, Daddy. I’m fine." The adrenaline was gone, replaced by bone-deep exhaustion.

He said he was fine too. We only took a quick shower together, and then we went straight to bed, needing nothing but rest.

We went back to the hospital first thing the next day. Seeing Liam awake and laughing gave me the strength I needed.

The doctor confirmed Liam was fully recovered. The allergic reaction had subsided, and he was ready for discharge.

Evric took charge of the details, easily settling the necessary bills and making the arrangements. His presence made the chaotic hospital bureaucracy disappear.

Once Liam was ready, I followed Meera and my son out. Evric told us he would head back to the hotel.

I haven’t gone to the hotel yet. I followed Liam and Meera straight to her house. I just needed to be sure he was truly safe.

I spent hours playing with Liam, laughing when he got fussy but then giggling when I tickled him. He was tired but otherwise back to his normal, energetic self.

As the late evening approached, Meera pulled me aside. "Zayn, I know you want to take him back with you, but he’s just recovering."

"Maybe next weekend you could come for him. Let him have a few more days of quiet here."

I couldn’t argue with her caution. I nodded. "You’re right. I will."

I stayed until it was late, past Liam’s usual bedtime, waiting until his eyes drooped and he finally fell asleep in his crib. I kissed his tiny cheek, whispering a promise to return soon.

I called Evric to tell him I was done, and he came back for me. The driver took us back to the hotel, and the ride was exhausting, but I finally felt calm.

The next morning, Evric and I left Meera’s city.

The silence in the car was different this time. It wasn’t the silence of panic; it was the quiet, profound comfort of shared trauma and unwavering love.

We were heading home, stronger than we were before.

That feeling carried me through the following days until the day arrived: the grand opening of my restaurant, The Hearth, scheduled perfectly for the second day of Father’s Day weekend.

The air outside The Hearth was electric. A massive red ribbon stretched across the double glass doors.

Large floral arrangements, flanked the entrance, and a live jazz trio was set up on a small stage inside, filling the street with upbeat, celebratory music.

The scent of freshly prepared food, something rustic, warming, and distinctly mine, mixed with the clean smell of new paint and polished wood.

The street was bustling. It wasn’t just my close friends; there was a genuine crowd. Neighborhood regulars curious about the new spot, business partners, and, most importantly, actual paying customers who had lined up early. I felt a surge of pride so strong it made my eyes water. This was real.

Evric was, predictably, the anchor of the day. He stood right beside me, looking immaculate in a tailored suit. He wasn’t just my partner; he was my silent, highly influential business shield, greeting key contacts with a confident smile that signaled his unwavering support.

Then my friends started arriving, walking up in a celebratory wave.

Nicki showed up first, radiating happiness, his arm linked with his new boyfriend, Jaxon.

Yesterday, after leaving Evric’s father’s mansion, I went straight to Nantam’s house and unexpectedly ran into Jaxon there. Nantam lit up immediately and said, "Zayn, meet Nicki’s boyfriend—Jaxon."

He looked genuinely overjoyed. Nantam had always worried about Nicki being alone, and now that Nicki finally had someone who cared for him, Nantam finally seemed at peace.

When Dean heard Nicki introduce Jaxon, he couldn’t keep his own relationship private anymore. He dropped a picture of his girlfriend in our group chat yesterday and said she’d be coming with him today.

Nicki and Jaxon approached, laughing about something private. The way Jaxon looked at Nicki was unmistakable, pure adoration.

Dean came in soon after, his girlfriend Clara beside him. Wow—she was just as beautiful in person as she was in the picture.

I was still smiling at her when I turned to Evric, who was already watching me with those familiar, jealous eyes.

I leaned closer to him and whispered, "My baby is still the cutest of them all."

He instantly smiled, the jealousy melting away into smug affection.

Then Nantam arrived last, alone, looking incredibly handsome and chic in an effortless black jumpsuit. He was the only one in the group who arrived unaccompanied.

They all gathered around me, congratulating me with genuine warmth.

Dean was the first to speak. He clapped me hard on the shoulder. "Zayn, I’m so happy for you. Look how far you’ve come from those tiny pop-up kitchens! This is huge, man. I wish you nothing but bigger and better things."

"Thank you, Dean."

Nicki embraced me tightly. "This place is gorgeous. You deserve this success more than anyone. You’ve worked so hard, and I’m just so proud to be your brother." Jaxon nodded in agreement, giving me a sincere thumbs-up.

"Thank you, Nicki."

Nantam stepped forward, his expression serious but warm. "This isn’t just a restaurant. This is a monument to your persistence, Zayn. I’ve always known you’d make it here. Be proud of what you’ve built."

"Thank you so much, Nantam."

Finally, Evric stepped close, putting his arm around my shoulder to address the crowd and my friends. He kept his speech short, direct, and completely heartfelt.

"To the guests, thank you for supporting Zayn’s dream," Evric said, his voice carrying easily. "To Zayn, my fiancé, this is not the end of a journey, but the beginning of an empire built on passion."

He looked only at me. "Every plate you serve is a piece of your heart. I am more proud of you today than I can ever say. May The JOL be successful, warm, and full of everything you love."

The cheers were loud. Evric handed me the oversized, gleaming silver scissors.

I stood on the small step, the crowd cheering, the flash of cameras going off, and with a swift, satisfying snip, the ribbon fell.

The Journey of Love (JOL) officially opened.

The rope was immediately pulled aside. A wave of excitement and chatter rushed through the crowd as everyone began filing inside, eager to claim a table and taste the first dishes served by my new establishment. The grand opening had truly begun.

The noise level immediately spiked, a beautiful sound of success. I had to plunge straight into the organized chaos. I was everywhere—briefly checking in with customers, shaking hands with journalists, and most importantly, overseeing the kitchen.

My friends claimed the large corner booth near the windows. They quickly ordered half the menu, treating it like a personal tasting session. I saw Dean laughing with Clara over a shared appetizer, while Nicki and Jaxon were deep in conversation. Nantam sat back, observing the entire joyous scene.

The hours blurred into a happy, exhausting marathon. Plates flew out of the kitchen, returned clean. The compliments were endless, validating every sleepless night I had endured.

I focused on the general public and the industry guests. I wanted their experience to be flawless. I greeted every customer, asked for feedback, and thanked them for coming on our first official day.

Slowly, the peak rush subsided. The buzz softened from a roar to a comfortable hum. Customers began to filter out, thanking me again as they left.

By the time the sun had completely set and the streetlights were glowing, the dining room was nearly empty. I dismissed the last of the opening staff, telling them to get some much-needed rest.

The final staff members finished clearing the last tables, locking the kitchen down for the night. The jazz trio had packed up hours ago.

The restaurant was quiet, bathed in the soft, intimate glow of the wall sconces. Only my core group remained, huddled in their corner booth, the table covered in the remnants of a successful feast.

I finally walked over, feeling the profound exhaustion settle in my bones. I didn’t say a word, just collapsed into the empty chair next to Evric...