His Unveiled Passion

Chapter 3

It wasn't until that moment that Zachary seemed to realize Tessa was still there. As if snapping out of a daze, he quickly withdrew his arm from around Wendy's waist and stepped back, distancing himself by a couple of paces.

Noticing the shift in his gaze, Zachary's friends finally registered Tessa's presence. They jumped in quickly, eager to defuse the growing tension.

"Alright, let's keep going. Wendy, if your stomach's acting up, you don't have to drink. If you lose, we'll switch to Truth or Dare instead."

"Great idea. Truth or Dare, it is!"

After steadying himself, Zachary returned to the couch.

He was expecting Tessa to react-perhaps show some jealousy or make a scene, but to his surprise, she said nothing.

Her indifference unsettled him, a nagging unease creeping into his mind.

He couldn't shake the feeling that Tessa was somehow different from how she used to be.

An uncomfortable silence settled between them.

Just as Zachary was about to say something, the teasing voices from across the room interrupted him. "Wendy, you lost again! Truth or dare?"

Zachary's attention snapped back to Wendy, his eyes locking onto hers.

"I choose Dare."

Wendy turned to face him, her gaze meeting his as she flashed a playful, enigmatic smile.

"Alright, here are the dares," someone called out, holding up a stack of paper slips. "Go ahead and pick one!"

Wendy casually grabbed a slip, and as the person unfolded it, his eyes widened in disbelief.

He shot a nervous glance between Wendy, Zachary, and Tessa.

A curious woman leaned in to take a look. "What does it say? Let me see!"

She gasped loudly, clearly shocked by what was written on the note.

A wave of curiosity spread through the group.

"What did it say?"

"Come on, tell us! What's on the note?"

"Randomly choose someone of the opposite sex and kiss them," the man read aloud, his eyes darting toward Zachary.

The moment Zachary heard those words, his face froze.

A chill seemed to fall over the room as if the temperature had dropped.

changed. With a carefree smile, she stood up

if I kissed

glanced at Zachary, whose face was twisted in a storm of anger. He

the tense silence, Wendy leaned in closer, slipping her arms around

enough!" Zachary's voice

stormed out of the room, pulling her along. The others exchanged nervous glances, and soon,

of the juice on the table, flashing a casual smile. "What are you all staring

her juice, a coldness settled in her heart

if nothing could ever disturb

stood up and

could hear the voices of several women chatting

left his girlfriend here and took

like Wendy's the one he cares

face? When Wendy was about to kiss Andy,

it. Her girlfriend is really pitiful, having to watch her boyfriend fall apart over another

thing. It's obvious she's just there to fill the

on their way out. It's pretty clear he's in love with Wendy." "Yeah, I

froze, her gaze meeting Tessa's reflection as

Without another word, they

the mirror, washing her hands with an air of composure. Indeed, she and

be because he had decided it, or because he

be because she didn't love him anymore

...

back to Zachary's villa,

crawled into bed and fell asleep almost instantly. Zachary didn't

immediately fell on a suitcase sprawled open on the floor. "What's this about?" he asked, confusion flickering

out from behind the wardrobe. "You're back. I'm planning

she had collected quite a bit-clothes, shoes, and various odds and ends. While some things weren't worth taking back to Rivertown, everything still had to be

time she left, there would be nothing left

for a moment, then quickly averted her eyes, pretending she hadn't seen them at all.

else didn't matter

"Why the sudden urge to go back home? Are you still upset about last night? Is this your way of

just miss my parents

softened at her response. "I guess going home for a visit isn't such

been together, Tessa had never

the holidays, she spent

be with her, nor had he ever taken her home for the

pause, he spoke again. "I've been really busy lately, so I won't be able to go with you. When's your flight? I'll have the chauffeur take you to the

out a few of her favorite clothes and laid them neatly on the bed. She folded each

ride. Someone will be there

her response, Zachary couldn't help but let

ask him

together for three years now, and for most