"So? What's your next move?" Maya asked after finally hearing the full story between Zara and Ethan.
"'I don't love you anymore'... can it get any clearer than that?" Zara replied bitterly, finishing her drink in one go before placing the glass down harder than necessary.
Maya sighed, unsure how to respond. She wanted to help, but nothing felt right.
"I just hope you find someone new," she said quietly.
Before Zara could reply, Maya's boyfriend, Nathan, arrived. He pulled her into his arms, and within seconds, they were lost in each other, completely forgetting the world around them.
Zara looked away.
Her gaze drifted across the club—the flashing lights, the loud music, bodies moving too close, laughter blending with whispers. Everyone seemed to belong somewhere.
Except her.
"The bartender over there knows me," Zara said, standing up. "I'll go talk to him. Don't leave without me. I told my parents I'm staying with you tonight."
"Okaaay..." Maya hummed absentmindedly.
Zara leaned against the bar as the bartender kept her glass filled.
She didn't count how many. At first, the alcohol burned.Then it softened everything.
Her thoughts.
Her pride.
Her pain.
"Hello, Zara."
She turned.
David.
He sat beside her like he had every right to be there.
"Oh no., David. What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that," he replied calmly. "It's been a long time."
"We agreed not to see each other again."
"Zara... why are you ignoring my calls?" he continued. "I still love you."
"I'm not in the mood for this."
She pushed herself up—but the room tilted. Her balance slipped, and David caught her, pulling her closer than necessary.
"You're drunk," he said. "I've never seen you like this."
"I'm fine," she snapped, pushing him away.
She tried to walk again, but his hand closed around her wrist.
"Let's talk."
"I said I have nothing to say."
"Zara," he insisted, tightening his grip, "we can fix this. We're meant to be—"
"Let go of me!"
She looked around for Maya—but the crowd had swallowed everything.
David pulled her closer, lowering his face toward hers.
Zara struggled weakly, her strength uneven, her mind slow.
Then—
"Let her go. Now."
The voice cut through everything.
Zara froze.
Ethan stood a few feet away, his expression dark, his eyes locked on David.
"Who the hell are you?" David snapped.
"I'm the one she loves," Ethan said coldly.
For a second, everything went still.
Then Ethan stepped forward, took Zara's hand, and pulled her away without hesitation.
The night air hit them the moment they stepped outside.
Cool. Sharp. Real.
Zara yanked her hand back.
"Who do you think you are?"
Ethan didn't look at her. "I'm the one who just saved you. You're welcome."
She let out a dry laugh. "Mr. Gentleman. Mr. Painter. Now Mr. Savior? Thank you. I'm going back inside."
She turned—
—and nearly collapsed.
Ethan caught her instantly.
"Look at you," he muttered. "You can't even stand."
"You don't get a vote," she mumbled, trying to push him away.
That was enough.
Without another word, Ethan lifted her over his shoulder.
"Ethan—put me down!" she protested weakly, hitting his back, but he ignored her and carried her toward his bike.
He set her down carefully and pulled her phone from her bag, unlocking it using her face.
He found Maya's number and called.
"Hello? Zara? Where are you? I've been looking everywhere—"
"She's with me," Ethan said shortly. "She's too drunk. Don't worry."
He hung up before Maya could reply.
He got on the bike and helped Zara sit behind him.
"Hold on."
He placed her hands around his waist, but she immediately pulled them away.
Ethan grabbed her wrists and forced them back into place.
"Either you hold on," he said sharply, "or I leave you here for your ex to find you."
Zara went quiet.
A moment later, she leaned forward, her forehead resting against his back as her fingers finally gripped his jacket.
M
Ethan adjusted her hands once more, making sure she wouldn't fall.
Then he started the engine.
The road stretched ahead, empty and quiet.
Above them, the moon hung bright in the sky, silent and distant.
Zara's voice drifted behind him—
"'I'm the one she loves'... hah..."
A soft, broken laugh followed.
Ethan said nothing.
For a while, she stayed like that—tense, holding on just enough.
Then slowly...
her grip tightened.
Her body leaned closer.
Her forehead rested gently against his back.
Her arms slipped around him more naturally this time, no hesitation left.
She let out a quiet breath.
And without even realizing it—
she settled there.
When they reached his apartment, Zara stumbled again, barely able to stand.
Ethan caught her before she could fall.
Without a word, he lifted her and carried her inside.
Zara looked up at him with tired, half-open eyes.
He dropped her onto the bed, not bothering to be gentle.
Zara blinked slowly, trying to focus.
"Are you... angry, Ethan?" she murmured.
Ethan exhaled, grabbing a glass of water.
"Why would I be angry just because you made a mess of yourself?"
She gave a faint, uneven smile.
"You are... but I can fix it."
Before he could react, she stood and stumbled toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
They were suddenly too close.
Her breath brushed against his skin.
Her eyes searched his.
She leaned in—
Slowly.
Ethan didn't move.
Didn't stop her.
Didn't step closer either.
He just watched her.
But just as their lips were about to meet—
Zara gagged.
She covered her mouth and rushed toward the bathroom, knocking into things along the way.
Ethan followed immediately, holding her steady as she struggled through it.
When it was over, he carried her back to the bed.
The moment her head touched the pillow—
she fell asleep.
Silence filled the room.
Ethan stood there, looking at her.
She looked smaller like this.
Quiet.
Nothing like the storm she had brought into his life.
Zara was damp with sweat, her clothes clinging uncomfortably to her skin.
Ethan hesitated, then turned away before helping her change into something dry.
He worked quickly, avoiding looking at her for too long.
When he finished, he stepped back immediately.
"Dammit..." he muttered.
He exhaled slowly, staring at her again.
"This was a mistake..."
Not bringing her here.
Not helping her.
But staying.
His eyes drifted back to her.
Just for a moment.
Too long.
His jaw tightened.
His body reacted in a way he didn't want to acknowledge.
And he hated it.
Not because of the desire—
but because it was her.
Always her.
Ethan shut his eyes briefly, forcing himself to breathe, to regain control.
He stepped back, putting distance between them like it actually mattered.
Then he pulled the blanket over her, making sure she was covered.
Properly.
Safely.
Untouched.
He didn't look at her again.
Couldn't.
Not if he wanted to keep whatever control he had left.
"Damn it..."
Without another glance, he turned and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.