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.

carefree smile, she stood

mind if I kissed

whose face was twisted in a storm of anger. He froze, barely

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

Zachary's voice boomed

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

sip of the juice on the table, flashing a casual smile. "What are you all staring at?" The others quickly turned away, pretending to focus on their drinks or conversations, acting as if nothing had

drank her juice, a coldness settled in her heart with

always been calm and composed, as if nothing could ever disturb

stood

voices of several

believe he left

like Wendy's the one

When Wendy was about to kiss Andy, Zachary

really pitiful, having to watch her boyfriend fall apart over another woman right

she's just

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

froze, her gaze meeting Tessa's reflection as she stepped out of one of

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

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

because he had decided it, or

didn't love him anymore and because she no longer wanted

...

got back to Zachary's villa, it

was completely drained. After a quick shower, she crawled into bed and

a suitcase sprawled open on the floor. "What's

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

ends. While some things weren't worth taking back to Rivertown, everything still had to be sorted, packed, or

there would

the unmistakable red marks on Zachary's neck. She paused for a moment, then quickly averted her

anyone else didn't matter

as he processed her words. "Why the sudden urge to go back home? Are you still upset about last night? Is this your way of

just miss my parents and

softened at her response. "I guess going home for a

they'd been together, Tessa had never

during the holidays, she spent

be with her, nor

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

of her favorite clothes and laid them neatly on the bed. She folded each piece meticulously before packing them into her

okay. I'll call a ride. Someone will be there to pick

help but let out

worried she might ask him to go with

years now, and for most couples, it would be the time to