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 up and walked over to

if I kissed

was twisted in a storm of

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

voice

and stormed out of the room, pulling

all staring at?" The others quickly turned away, pretending to focus on their drinks or conversations, acting as

settled

been calm and composed, as if nothing could ever disturb him. This was the first time she

Tessa stood up

door, she could hear the voices of several women chatting near

believe he left his girlfriend here and took off with

like Wendy's the one

Wendy was about to kiss

pitiful, having to watch her boyfriend fall apart over another woman right in front of

obvious she's just

their way out. It's

gaze meeting Tessa's reflection as she

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

of composure. Indeed, she

because he had decided it, or

didn't love him anymore and because she no

...

time Tessa got back to Zachary's villa, it was already past 11:00

was completely drained. After a quick shower, she crawled into bed and fell asleep almost instantly. Zachary didn't come home

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

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

quite 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 be

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. She

did with anyone else didn't matter to

to go back home? Are you still upset about last night? Is this

I just miss my parents and want

guess going home for a visit isn't such a

they'd been together,

the holidays,

never once skipped the New Year with his family to be with her, nor had he ever taken

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

them neatly on the bed. She folded each

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

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

had been worried she might ask him to go with her to meet

years now, and for most couples, it