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 up and walked over to a

mind if I kissed you?" she

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

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

voice

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

Tessa took a 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

juice, a coldness settled in her heart with

could ever disturb him. This

empty, Tessa stood up

door, she could hear the voices of several

I can't believe he left his girlfriend

like Wendy's the one he cares about

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

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

just there to fill

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

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

noticed Tessa too. Without another word, they quickly

of composure. Indeed, she and Zachary

wouldn't be because he had decided it, or

because she didn't love him anymore and because she

...

the time Tessa got back to Zachary's villa, it

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

the bedroom door, his gaze immediately fell on a suitcase sprawled

wardrobe. "You're back. I'm

two years, 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 of her

gaze fell on the unmistakable red marks on Zachary's neck. She paused for a moment,

he did with anyone else

the sudden urge to go back home? Are you still upset

miss my parents and want to visit

guess going home

they'd been together, Tessa had never

the holidays, she

be with her, nor had he ever taken her

"I've been really busy lately, so I won't be able to go with you. When's your flight? I'll

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

call a ride. Someone will

her response, Zachary couldn't help but let out

worried she might ask him to go with

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