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.

acted as if nothing had changed. With a carefree smile,

if I kissed you?"

was twisted in a storm of anger. He froze,

her arms around Andy's neck

voice boomed

the room, pulling her along. The others exchanged nervous glances, and soon, all eyes turned to Tessa, full of

juice on the table, flashing a casual smile. "What are you all staring at?" The others quickly turned away, pretending to focus on

settled in her heart

as if nothing could ever disturb him. This was the first time

glass was empty, Tessa stood up and headed toward

the door, she could hear the voices of several women

it! I can't believe he left his girlfriend here and took

Wendy's the one he

did you see his face? When Wendy was about to kiss Andy, Zachary looked absolutely

is really pitiful, having to watch her boyfriend fall apart over

thing. It's obvious she's just

way out. It's pretty clear

meeting Tessa's reflection as she stepped out

two women noticed Tessa too. Without another word, they quickly lowered their

her hands with an air of composure. Indeed, she and Zachary were likely

it wouldn't be because he had decided it, or because

didn't love him anymore

...

to Zachary's villa, it was already past 11:00

crawled into bed and

gaze immediately fell on a suitcase sprawled open on the floor.

behind the wardrobe. "You're back. I'm

the past two years, she had collected quite a bit-clothes, shoes, and various odds and ends. While some things weren't worth taking

time she left, there would be nothing left of

soon as she finished speaking, Tessa's gaze fell on the unmistakable red marks on Zachary's neck. She paused for a moment, then quickly averted her eyes, pretending she hadn't seen them at all.

else didn't matter to her

back home? Are you still upset about

I just miss my parents and want

"I guess going home for a visit

three years they'd been together, Tessa had

during the holidays, she spent

with his family to be with her, nor had he ever taken her home for

background. After a brief pause, he spoke again. "I've been really busy lately, so I won't be able to go with you. When's

clothes and laid them neatly on the

ride. Someone will be

response, Zachary couldn't help but let

him

years now, and for most couples, it