Prologue: When emotions he never understood begin to control him, Zaden realizes silence can be louder than anger.
Zaden drove far without realizing where he was going, his mind completely consumed by Lara, her words replaying again and again, until he suddenly stopped the car somewhere unknown, breathing heavily, gripping the steering wheel before stepping out and walking into a small cafeteria. He sat down alone, staring at the table, lost, frustrated, confused, something he had never felt before.
His phone rang. Simon.
"What?" Zaden answered, his voice dull.
"Where are you? Everyone's asking… you didn't come home yet. Especially Jeylin, she's been waiting," Simon said.
"I don't know where I am," Zaden replied honestly.
Simon paused. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing… I just don't feel like coming home. Let me sit here for some time."
Simon sighed. "Send me your location. I'm coming."
Zaden cut the call without replying.
After some time, Simon arrived and saw him sitting there alone, silent, staring into nothing, his face showing something unusual… sadness. Simon walked in, sat in front of him casually, "Hi," ordered drinks and snacks, then leaned forward slightly, observing him carefully. "What happened?"
"Nothing," Zaden replied again.
Simon smirked. "Let me guess… Lara said something? Or did something?"
Zaden looked at him, irritated. "What do you mean?"
"Tell me," Simon insisted calmly.
"Why are you asking about her?" Zaden questioned.
Simon replied, "Because you look sad… and she's the only one who has your attention these days."
Zaden's jaw tightened. "What does that have to do with her?"
Simon smiled slightly. "Everything."
That was enough. Zaden stood up abruptly and walked out without another word. Simon chuckled and followed him, "Okay Okay, I won't say anything… calm down."
They got into the car, silence filling the space between them. Simon played music, but Zaden didn't react.
They reached home.
Jeylin ran toward Zaden with a bright smile, her eyes filled with excitement, "Zadd—" but before she could finish, he walked past her like she didn't even exist. Her smile froze, slowly fading into hurt.
Simon entered behind him.
Jeylin turned to him immediately, "What happened to him? Did something happen?"
Simon replied, "I don't know… he didn't say anything. But he's too quiet… that's not normal. He looks… sad."
Jeylin's expression changed. She quickly called the manager and asked what happened at the office. The manager explained everything about the meeting with Lara and how neither of them returned. Jeylin cut the call abruptly, irritated and restless.
She walked to Simon and Richard, her voice sharp, "Who is this Lara? What is she doing to him? How can someone like her affect Zaden like this? He was never like this before!"
Richard shrugged casually, "That's his business. Why do you care so much?"
Jeylin snapped, "Because he is going to be my fiancé!"
Richard smirked, "Maybe… but not yet, right?"
That hit her hard. She glared at him angrily and stormed out.
Meanwhile, Zaden lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to focus, his mind only replaying Lara's words, her expressions, her boldness.
At the same time, Lara was in her house, making coffee, music playing, moving slightly, even smiling, completely unbothered by everything. To her, Zaden was just a maniac, nothing more, nothing worth thinking about.
Back in his room, Zaden opened his phone and stared at Lara's contact, his thumb hovering over the call button. "Why am I even thinking about her…" he muttered under his breath, frustrated with himself.
Knock.
"Zaddy…?"
"What?" he replied, clearly irritated.
"Can I come in for a second?"
"Yes."
Jeylin walked in slowly, closing the door behind her. She stood there for a moment, looking at him lying on the bed, completely distant. Then she walked closer and sat beside him, gently brushing his hair with her fingers. "You didn't even look at me when you came home…" she said softly.
No response.
She continued, her voice slightly trembling, "I waited for you… the whole day… and you just walked past me like I don't exist."
Zaden didn't reply, his eyes still fixed on his phone.
Her gaze followed his… and she saw it.
Lara's contact.
Her heart clenched.
She grabbed his wrist suddenly, "What is this? Why are you looking at her contact like this?" Zaden pulled his hand away, annoyed, "Stop it, Jeylin."
"Stop what?" she asked, her voice breaking. "Ignoring me? Or caring about someone else?"
Zaden sat up, irritated. "Don't start."
Jeylin's eyes filled with emotion. "You never looked like this before… what did she do to you? Why are you like this because of her?"
Zaden stayed silent.
That silence hurt her more.
Suddenly, she pulled him into a tight hug, wrapping her arms around him desperately. "Look at me, Zaden… please… just once look at me like before…"
Zaden stiffened. "What are you doing? Let go."
She tightened her grip even more. "No… I won't… not until you answer me… not until you say something…"
He tried to push her away, but she held on, trembling.
"You're hurting me, Jeylin," he said, annoyed.
"You're already hurting me…" she whispered.
Suddenly—
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!"
Conrad burst into the room loudly, "Mom! Uncle! Simon! Everyone come here! These two are making out!"
Zaden immediately pushed Jeylin away and tried to shut Conrad up, annoyed. Jeylin sat there silently, forcing a small smile, her eyes slightly wet. "You're such an idiot…" she muttered and walked out.
But before leaving, she turned back once, looking at Zaden—he was trying to shut Conrad's mouth with his hands
She looked at them both and left silently.
The others rushed into the room.
"What happened?"
Conrad laughed, "Zaden and Jeylin were hugging and kissing!"
Zaden sighed, frustrated. "He's exaggerating."
Conrad smirked, "Maybe I am… then ask her."
Zaden ran his hand through his hair. "She hugged me. That's it."
Simon stepped forward, calm and serious. "Do you like Jeylin?"
"No."
Immediate.
Simon nodded. "That's enough."
Conrad scoffed, "Of course he's lying."
Zaden snapped, "I see her like I see all of you. Nothing more."
Silence filled the room.
Simon then asked, looking straight into his eyes, "Do you like Lara?"
Zaden froze.
His mind went blank.
He couldn't answer.
Simon smiled slightly. "You don't have to answer."
Zaden frowned. "Why are you all obsessed with her? Do you think I like her?"
Richard smirked, "Maybe you do, Zaddy."
Simon added calmly, "I don't know… do you?"
Zaden couldn't answer. He was stuck.
"Dinner!" his mother called.
The moment broke.
Everyone started leaving, but Zaden stood there for a second, staring at nothing, completely unsettled.
Downstairs, Jeylin sat quietly at the dining table, her face calm, but inside… something dark was growing.