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.

a carefree smile, she stood

would you mind if I

face was twisted in a storm of anger.

tense silence, Wendy leaned in closer, slipping her arms around Andy's neck as if

Zachary's voice boomed through the

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

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

settled in her

her mind, Zachary had always been calm and composed, as if nothing could ever disturb him. This was the

her glass was empty, Tessa stood up and headed

hear the voices

left his girlfriend here and took off

like Wendy's the one he cares about

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

her boyfriend fall apart over another woman

she's just

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

meeting Tessa's reflection as she stepped

too. Without another word, they quickly lowered their heads and hurried

composure. Indeed,

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

because she didn't love him anymore and

...

Tessa got back to Zachary's villa, it was already

bed and fell asleep almost instantly. Zachary didn't come

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

from behind the wardrobe. "You're back. I'm planning to head home for a

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

she left, there would

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

did with anyone else didn't matter

home? Are you still

I just miss my parents and want to

guess going home for a visit isn't

they'd been together, Tessa

the holidays, she

the New Year with his family to be with

After a brief pause, he spoke again. "I've been really busy lately, so I won't be able to

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

I'll call a ride. Someone will

response, Zachary couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh

she might ask him to go with

together for three years now, and for most couples, it