Chapter 179

"Talk," Nicholas ordered, his foot tapping the floor.

Ezra blinked slowly, "Um, what do you want me to say?" 

They were standing in the hallway, where Nicholas had dragged Ezra out to question him.

"Don't fuck with me, Ezra, just speak," Nicholas frowned.

Ezra sighed, "Okay, so, where is your apartment?" He asked.

Nicholas balled his fists in irritation, "Why do you have to be a traitor, Ezra? Why did you bring Sebastian here? Do you know you're hurting Zeno all over again?" His voice was lowered so Nana wouldn't hear him.

She was busy watching a movie with Sebastian and Ken and disturbing her was the last thing he'd do.

"Oh, I see what you mean. You think I told Sebastian about your location?" Ezra asked.

Nicholas scoffed, "Of course, you've been texting Nana all these years behind our back. I mean, it was fine if she told you, no one gives a shit if you're in Paris, but did you have to tell Sebastian?" He glared at Ezra.

"You've not changed... say hurtful words to me, accuse me wrongly, do you still hate me?" Ezra questioned in a quiet voice.

Nicholas wasn't expecting such a quick change of topic, but he realized that Ezra was guilty and was trying to cover it up with something else.

"Just answer my question, why did you tell Sebastian about Zeno's location?" Nicholas stared at Ezra, unblinking. 

"I didn't... I'd never betray you, Nicholas, friends don't-"

"We're not friends," He pointed at Ezra's face.

Ezra slowly nodded, "Okay... just know, I never told Sebastian about anything. He has his means; it's Sebastian we are talking about; he figured it out himself; you cannot go ask him if you don't believe me," He informed.

"Fine, I will, trust me," Nicholas said and turned to leave but Ezra held his wrist. 

"Sorry, I'm sorry," Ezra pulled his hand away from Nicholas as he received a glare for touching him.

"I... can I ask you something?" Ezra took a step closer to Nicholas. 

Nicholas frowned, "What?" He looked at Ezra's unreadable face.

"Do you still hate me? Be honest, Nicholas. Hate is a strong word to use, and haring someone for over six years is no joke, maybe I've ignored your feelings for so long and always forced myself on you because I thought all this was a silly joke. But, if you really hate me, I'd like to know so I can give you the space you really need," Ezra put his hands in his pockets, not understanding why he was suddenly feeling nervous.

Nicholas was taken aback, " What's gotten into you?" He smirked.

"I'm not joking, Nicholas, do you hate me?" Ezra asked again.

Nicholas clenched his fist, truly after all these years, did he still hate Ezra? He looked into Ezra's eyes and saw him watching him quietly, waiting for his reply.

Why should he stop hating him? He never truly apologized for what he did.

"Yes, I hate you," Nicholas stated firmly.

He was shocked to see hurt flash across Ezra's eyes but it was gone before he knew it.

Was Ezra hurt?

"Okay..." Ezra took a step back, "Then, I'm sorry for being insensitive over the years," his tone was flat, and his voice was neutral. 

He nodded at Nicholas and walked away, going back into Zeno's apartment. 

Nicholas was left feeling confused. 'What's wrong with him?' He wondered.

He kept remembering the look he had seen in Ezra's eyes, 'Was he hurt?' He thought.

'Why?' Nicholas rolled his eyes. 

'Manipulation,' he scoffed.

He didn't believe anything Ezra said; he was very sure that he was the one who told Sebastian about Paris. How could Sebastian ever have randomly guessed which country Zeno's location was?

That was why he was acting funny to cover up his mess, he knew Ezra, he'd come around, his annoying self could never stay away, and he'd always look for a way to annoy him.

He smirked and walked inside the house.

Sebastian was looking at Nicholas as he entered the house, his eyes going from him to Ezra, who was quietly sitting on a lone sofa.

He was smirking to himself, 'It's about time these two realized themselves and faced their fucking feelings,' he thought quietly. 

He was amused, Ezra looked so abandoned, and Nicholas looked so... careless.

"I've just texted Zeno to buy a few sets of clothes for your friends, Nicholas. Do you mind asking him to come home already? It's already time for bed, and little Ken here needs to sleep early, right, Ken?" Nana smiled at Ken.

Ken nodded, "Yes, Nana," he replied.

Sebastian was surprised to see Ken obeying, he would have given his hell if he were one to ask him to go to bed by 8 O'clock.

"Nicholas, please, take Ezra to your apartment; Ken will be occupying the guest room; come on, darling, I'll show you to your room," She took Ken's hand and led him away.

"Come on, Sebastian, let's go," Nicholas said and turned to leave, he opened the door and realized that neither Sebastian nor Ezra was following him.

"Are you guys deaf? I said follow me, I'll show you both where to sleep," He repeated.

Sebastian simply crossed his legs over, watching Nicholas, 

"No, Sebastian, you can't, leave Zeno alone. The poor guy's trying to find a way to get away from him, yet you're looking for ways to encroach on the last part of his privacy: his bed," Nicholas warned.

"He can't get away from me, Nicholas... we all know that he knows it too," Sebastian said.

"You -"

"Let's go," Ezra appeared behind him and walked out of the opened door.

"Goodnight, Nick," Sebastian smiled at Nicholas.

Nicholas muttered something under his breath and walked out of the house, shutting the door. 

Inside Nicholas' house, Ezra stood beside the closed door, watching Nicholas walk around his living room, picking up a few white notes that were scattered around the sofa.

"Where do I sleep?" Ezra asked.

Nicholas paused and looked at Ezra, noticing how he wasn't even looking at him.

"This way..." Nicholas said.

Ezra followed him toward a small passage and opened a door for him.

"This is your room, unlike you, I have my guest room ready for anyone who needs it," Nicholas smirked at Ezra. 

Ezra nodded, still not looking at Nicholas, "I appreciate it; goodnight," He gently walked past Nicholas and got inside the room, slowly closing his door.

"Hold on," Nicholas placed his hand on Ezra's hand that was holding the side of the door.

Ezra looked at Nicholas with zero interest, "Yes?"

Nicholas frowned, "What's with you? Why are you acting all... strange?" He questioned. 

"I'm sorry if my actions make you uncomfortable, I know that harboring an enemy isn't what you want and it's fine if you want me to leave, but if you let me stay, I'll be gone before you -"

"So this is how it is, huh?" Nicholas asked, brows raised.

"I don't understand," Ezra said.

"You're playing the cool guy who doesn't talk to people, right?" Nicholas slowly pushed the door wider and stepped into the room.

Ezra took a step back, "Do you want an enemy talking to you? Won't It irritate you?" He gazed at Nicholas, trying to ascertain his reaction.

Nicholas suddenly paused, "Oh... now I see, so, this is you keeping your distance from me because I hate you, huh?" He chuckled

"What else do you want me to do... kiss you?" Ezra narrowed his eyes at Nicholas.

Nicholas blinked away from him, "I know you, you'll get bored of being a cool guy," He said, turning to leave.

"Goodnight, Nicholas," Ezra wished and closed the door. 

"Weirdo," Nicholas said as he was in front of Ezra's door.
**
Inside Zeno's apartment, Sebastian had convinced Nana that he was okay sleeping in Zeno's room, and Nana had agreed, showing him to Zeno's room.

"Goodnight, Nana," He said to the old woman before closing the door. 

Sebastian sighed as he faced Zeno's room. 'So this is where you've been for a year,' he quietly moved around the room, halting in front of the mirror.

He stared at himself and frowned, he'd failed Zeno over something he wasn't supposed to get involved in.

He walked away from the mirror, went to Zeno's wardrobe, and picked a sweatpant.

As he walked into the bathroom, he was determined to get Zeno to open up to him again, he knew his approach wasn't the best, but the distance was killing him.

He'd been barely holding himself back from coming to find Zeno the day he left the country, he wanted to give him the space to figure himself out, and he too, needed the space to put things in order, now, he no longer cared if he'd put them in order, he just wanted Zeno, needed him.

After showering, Sebastian walked into the room to find Zeno sitting by the side of his bed, looking unhappy.

His heart twisted in his chest, he was responsible for that look on Zeno's face; once, he'd been the person to take away that look from Zeno.

Zeno looked up when he heard Sebastian come out of the bathroom. He stated at him, his eyes slowly going down to the pants Sebastian was wearing. 

He didn't say a word; he simply watched Sebastian walk toward him, stopping right in front of him, "What do you want from me?" Zeno's voice was tired, exhausted. 

Sebastian sighed, "You." He replied honestly, stepping closer between Zeno's legs.

Zeno slowly nodded, "We're both adults, Sebastian; we know we can't work; I can't get back with you, you know that. Actually, we can actually not have arguments each time we meet, we just have to establish that a relationship is a topic that should never discussed between us because... I don't love you," his eyes were locked on Sebastian as he spoke, observing how Sebastian's eyes went from attentiveness to disapproval.

"I don't believe that, Zeno," Sebastian wanted to lean low but Zeno stood, facing him.

"You're allowed to believe what you want. Goodnight," Zeno said, not looking at Sebastian's face.

"Then prove it," Sebastian immediately went to stand in Zeno's way, his eyes roaming over Zeno.

"What do you mean?" Zeno asked.

"Kiss me... just you, kissing my lips, that's all I'm asking," Sebastian suggested. 

"Of course, I'd gladly kiss you, Mr. Sebastian," Zeno glared at him and walked toward the door.

Sebasian wasn't having it, "Don't walk out on me, Zeno," He pulled Zeno back and held the door with his hand to make sure he didn't try to open the door.

Zeno inhaled, "I don't answer to you, anymore, boss... I don't want to escalate this," He warned.

Sebastian smirked down at Zeno, "I dare you to kiss me, Zeno... if you really don't have feelings for me, kiss me," He placed a hand under Zeno's chin, his warm breath ghosted against Zeno's lips, the space between them vanishing, thick with something unspoken.

"Get your hands off me," Zeno seethed.

Sebastian took a slow step back but didn't clear Zeno's path, his eyes flicked to the gun in Zeno's hands, "Shoot me, or kiss me, Zeno; I dare you," He locked his eyes on Zeno's, his emotions raw and open.

He was turned on, his eyes were darkened, and his breath turned shallow and hotter.