Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle - Chapter 386

Chapter 386: Ached with the betrayal
Orabela’s face nearly collided with the man’s chest and her heart raced. But it was not just from the fear of crashing into the bicycle, but also from the sudden, unexpected closeness with a stranger.

“Are you alright, Miss?” the man’s deep voice broke through her daze, pulling her back to reality.

She looked up, meeting his gaze for the first time. His eyes held concern, but Orabela quickly nodded. “Thank you,” she said softly before stepping away, putting distance between them. Without another word, she turned and disappeared into the street.

Zayne watched her retreating figure, his brows slightly furrowed. “It feels like I’ve seen her before,” he murmured to himself, but he didn’t put much pressure on his brain to recall her.

The buzz of his phone snapped him out of his thoughts. Bringing it to his ear, he answered, “Yeah, I’m on my way. Can’t you wait a little?” Without waiting for a response, he sighed and began walking toward the restaurant.

Upon arrival, Zayne greeted his college friends with handshakes before settling into a chair at the large table. The lively chatter surrounded him as Paolo introduced him to three women seated with them.

“Zayne is a cop, by the way,” Harris casually mentioned.

“A cop? That’s wonderful,” one of the women chimed in, her eyes gleaming with interest.

Zayne leaned closer to Paolo, lowering his voice. “Don’t tell me you brought them here just so they could pick a date.”

“Of course!” Paolo grinned, unfazed. Lifting his wine glass, he beamed. “Let’s cheer to finding love soon!”

Zayne sighed but picked up his glass anyway, raising it in the air. As they clinked them together, he took a slow sip, silently hoping the night wouldn’t turn into another matchmaking attempt.

Zayne remained mostly silent throughout dinner, responding only when necessary. Teresa, however, had been watching him closely and finally decided to break the ice.

“How long have you been single?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

“Huh?” Zayne blinked, realizing she was addressing him. “It’s been a month,” he answered casually.

“Ah, so you’re still in the recovery phase,” Teresa noted with a small smile.

Zayne didn’t respond. Instead, he lifted his wine glass and took a slow sip, letting the conversation drift.

“Paolo kept saying one of his friends might catch my attention,” Teresa continued. “I didn’t believe it until I saw you.”

Zayne lowered his glass and placed it on the table. “Umm… I have no intention of getting into a relationship anytime soon,” he said, his tone firm but polite.

“I understand,” Teresa replied, her expression unreadable. “Maybe we can just be friends, then?” she suggested.

Zayne gave her a small smile and nodded, though he didn’t offer any real confirmation. His gaze shifted toward Paolo and Harris, who were both deeply engaged in conversation with the other two women. Judging by their body language, they were already hitting it off.

“Guys, we’re heading out,” Harris suddenly announced, standing up from his chair. The woman sitting at the far left of Teresa followed suit, linking her arm with him.

“Looks like they’re about to have some fun tonight,” Paolo remarked with a smirk, swirling the wine in his glass.

Finally, their dinner came to an end. Paolo and Zayne were the ones who paid bills since they didn’t want the ladies to pay for it. Paolo made his way out with the date now leaving Zayne and Teresa alone in the restaurant.

“Seems like only we both are left alone. Why don’t you give me your number?” Teresa asked.

Zayne hesitated before giving her the number. He already had made up her mind not to respond to her messages.

As they stepped out of the restaurant, Teresa pulled out her phone and called the driver. Once the black car rolled up to the curb, she turned to Zayne with a polite smile.

“Let me give you a ride,” she offered, gesturing toward the car.

Zayne shook his head with a faint smile. “No, thank you. I have somewhere else to be.”

Teresa studied him for a moment before nodding in understanding. “Alright,” she said simply, stepping into the backseat. As the car door closed, she glanced out the window at him earnestly.

“Just don’t ignore my messages,” she said. “I’m not clinging to you, Zayne. I just hope we can be friends.”

Zayne’s lips curled into a small smile, though he said nothing. He watched as the car pulled away, disappearing into the city’s evening traffic. Letting out a quiet sigh, his thoughts drifted back to June.

However, back then, it had been the complete opposite. He was the one who had asked for June’s number first.

“Why am I even thinking about her?” Zayne muttered under his breath, shaking his head as if to push away the lingering thoughts. Spotting a taxi, he raised his hand to hail it and headed home.

As he stepped into his apartment, he flicked on the lights. Without waiting, he made his way to the small cellar tucked in the corner of his apartment. His eyes swept over the neatly arranged collection of wine bottles before reaching for the strongest one.

Uncorking it, he poured himself a generous glass, the rich aroma filling the air. He took a deep sip, letting the burning warmth coat his throat before setting the glass down on the counter.

Exhaling slowly, he pulled out a chair and sank into it, his fingers idly tracing the rim of the glass as he looked outside from floor-to-ceiling window.

“She fooled me. None of her feelings were real for me,” Zayne murmured. His heart ached with the betrayal. He had hoped he was doing well after focusing on the work or some outdoor activities in the free time, but it didn’t help him.

Zayne brought the glass further to his mouth and sipped more of the wine. He felt the vibration of his phone in the pocket and checked it.

A chuckle escaped his mouth as he found it was Teresa.