Chapter 8
It was nighttime. At the university entrance, Megan begged Zayn, “Zayn, what I did today was wrong. Please don’t be mad.” Her eyes were red-rimmed, and she held his arm pleadingly, a helpless look on her face. Zayn had been upset since they left Peyton Residence, remaining silent despite offering to drive her back to the university. He pried her hand from his arm. With a poker face, he said, “Let’s break up, Megan. Don’t ever show up in front of me again.”
His words stung, tears instantly streaming down her cheeks. Her lips trembled as she asked, “W-Why?” He sneered coldly, “Who do you think you are? What made you think you could plot against Julie?” Megan’s expression froze. He was breaking up with her for Julie? Didn’t he hate her? Zayn ignored her, returning to his car. Without hesitation, his red car sped off noisily. While driving, he called Hans. “Hans, get the boys. Let’s go for a drink.”
Hans chuckled, teasing, “Aren’t you sending your girlfriend home? Why are you still in the mood for a drink?” Mildly irritated, Zayn said, “Are you coming? Forget it if you’re not.” “You bet I am! Prince Peyton has summoned me, so I must go.”
Half an hour later, Zayn arrived at the VIP room. Hans was surprised to see him alone. “Huh? Where’s your girlfriend?” “Got sick of her,” Zayn replied, moving deeper into the room. Hans was stunned. “Already? It hasn’t even been that long!” The others started teasing him. “Girlfriends may come and go, but Julie is forever.”
Zayn slumped onto the couch, frustrated. He lit a cigarette. Hans looked at him, puzzled. Zayn clearly cared for Julie, yet he kept hurting her. No matter how much she liked him, she wouldn’t last much longer if he continued. Hans sat beside him, cautiously asking, “Zayn, why don’t you give Julie a call?”
Zayn refused. In a languid tone, he asked, “Why should I give her a call?” Hans paused, then gave a thumbs-up. “You’re the man, bro. Just keep at it and don’t look back, or Julie’s gonna glue herself back to you.” Zayn scoffed, “What’s there to look back at? Is she a goddess or something? Hah.” His words contradicted his gaze, which kept drifting to his phone on the table. As Zayn’s roommate and close friend, Hans knew his true feelings. Classic Zayn, stubbornly mule-headed.
Hans grabbed Zayn’s phone. Zayn immediately asked, “What do you think you’re doing with my phone?” “I’m calling Julie to invite her over.” Zayn looked annoyed. “What for? Just looking at her makes me frustrated.” He didn’t stop Hans, however. Hans found Julie’s contact and called. The call went straight to voicemail. “I’m sorry. The number you have dialed is unavailable. Please try again later.”
Hans was confused. “Huh? Why can’t it get through? Did she block you?” Zayn’s expression soured at this news. He snatched the phone, his tone cold after learning his call was rejected. “Who said you could fucking touch my phone?” Hans was stunned. “I was just trying to help you.” “And that grand idea was to make me feel repulsed by using my phone to call her? Don’t you know that I hate her a lot?” Hans was speechless. He hoped Zayn wouldn’t regret this.
When Hans didn't respond, Zayn angrily slammed his glass to the ground. “Listen carefully. If anyone contacts Julie from now on, it’ll be the end of our friendship.” The shattering glass scattered across the floor, some pieces hitting Zayn’s cheek, unnoticed. Silence fell. Zayn coldly demanded, “Speak! Or is every one of you suddenly deaf?”
The guys nodded. “Yes, yes. We heard you.” Zayn stood, grabbed his coat, and slammed the door. One guy approached Hans. “Hans, how deep is Zayn’s hatred toward Julie?” Hans shrugged. “Who knows?”
“Julie’s actually pretty great. She’s pretty and has a good figure and temper. Most importantly, she likes Zayn. It’s just too bad…” Hans remained silent. The guy continued, “For the past few years, we’ve all seen how well Julie’s been treating Zayn. I remember there was once when Zayn got injured. It was just a minor wound, yet Julie was very heartbroken about it.”
“Tell me about it. I remember another time when Zayn drank too much and Julie took care of him the entire night. She even made hangover tea and oatmeal for him.” “If I had such a beautiful and caring girlfriend, I’d be very happy.”
Zayn, standing by the door, heard this and grew more irritable. They weren’t helping. Why praise her now, after the breakup?
A week passed. Julie hadn’t contacted him; she’d blocked his number. She was bold. He wanted to see how long she’d last, refusing to give in if she begged him. He wanted to teach her a lesson.
He drove home, freezing momentarily at the sight of his mother in the living room. “Mom.” Martha went straight to the point. “I don’t like that girl, Megan.” Zayn sneered, sarcastically saying, “You’ll never accept anyone I like.”
Martha’s expression darkened. “I’m just looking out for you.” “I know,” Zayn mocked. “That’s why I broke up with her. I bet you’re happy now, huh? For some weird ass reason, you’re never satisfied with whoever I like. I’m just an ordinary person. I’m not some freaking prince, and you’re not the queen.”
Martha said coldly, “I think you’ve had a lot to drink. Doris, get the hangover tea for Zayn so that he can sober up.” “I didn’t drink that much.” Martha continued, “I’ve already made an appointment with the blind date I mentioned to you previously. I’d like you to go meet her tomorrow.”
Already in a foul mood, Zayn exploded. He kicked the flower vase violently. “During my senior year, you said you’d like me to join the company. I did as you said and even took up Finance Management at university. I’ve graduated and joined the company, and now, you’re asking me to pursue a career in politics to keep me under a tight rein. You just want me to be your puppet, asking me to break up or go on blind dates whenever you say so. I’m a human being, not your property!”
Martha was startled, but maintained her composure. “What’s wrong with getting into a marriage with the Fuller family? Why? It can’t be that you’re still hung up on that gold digger, Julie?” Zayn remained silent. Martha continued, “You’d better not forget the reason why Julie stayed by your side.”
Zayn bellowed, “Isn’t it for the money? Well, it’s too bad I’m loaded!” He entered the elevator.
Lying on his bed, feeling discomfort, his eyes stinging slightly, Zayn whispered, “Jules, my stomach hurts.” He massaged his stomach, unknowingly dialing Julie’s number.