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The next morning, Zayn woke up to the soft sounds of footsteps outside his room. He stretched slightly and walked out into the living room.  He found the nanny already getting Ari ready for school. Ari was dressed in a neat little uniform, sitting patiently on the couch while the nanny fixed his shoes.

“Mommy!” Ari’s eyes lit up the moment he saw Zayn.

Zayn’s lips curved into a soft smile, and he walked over to the little boy, kneeling down beside him. “Good morning, love,” he said gently, placing a kiss on Ari’s forehead.

Ari giggled and leaned in to kiss Zayn on the cheek. “Good morning, Mommy.”

Zayn turned to the nanny. “Please make sure he’s fully ready. I’ll get dressed and come out in a bit.”

“Yes, sir,” the nanny replied politely.

Zayn walked back into his room and quickly got ready shower, suit, hair neatly done. He glanced at himself in the mirror for a moment longer than usual.

Once he was ready, he stepped out again and found Ari waiting for him by the door, swinging his tiny backpack over his shoulder.

“You look so handsome,” Zayn told him as he picked Ari up in his arms.

“I have drawing class today!” Ari announced proudly.

“Oh really? Then you must show me your masterpiece when you come back,” Zayn said with a smile, walking out with Ari in his arms. He dropped him off at school, kissing him goodbye and watching until Ari disappeared inside the building.

Then Zayn got into his car and headed to the office.

But his mind wasn’t on work. It was drifting again…to Elior.

He didn’t want to think about that man, didn’t want to revisit the chaos of yesterday but his phone buzzed, breaking his thoughts.

He glanced at the caller ID.

Unknown number.

He hesitated for a long moment. Then, with a deep breath, he answered. “Hello?”

“Hello… It’s Elior,” came the voice from the other end calm, hesitant, and soft.

Zayn didn’t say anything. His silence lingered.

“I… I wanted to meet you, just once. One last time,” Elior continued. “If that’s okay with you.”

Zayn remained quiet, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel.

“If you don’t want to, I understand. I won’t bother you again after this,” Elior said sincerely, as if offering a truce.

“Why?” Zayn finally spoke, his voice quiet and restrained. “Why do you want to meet?”

Elior took a shaky breath on the other side. “Just one last time, Zayn. Please.”

There was another silence.

Zayn closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and spoke, “Fine. After office. I’ll meet you.”

And with that, he ended the call without waiting for a response.

The screen went black.

Zayn let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. His heart was restless again. He didn’t know why he agreed—but something inside him needed closure.

---

Zayn reached the location Elior had texted him an upscale private restaurant tucked into a quiet corner of the city. He had never been there before, but the ambiance was calm and intimate, the kind of place where serious conversations unfolded, not just dinners.

As Zayn entered, a soft chime rang over the door. A young waitress approached with a polite smile, handed him the menu, and asked if he’d like something to drink.

“Water’s fine,” Zayn said with a small nod.

She bowed slightly and left.

His eyes landed on Elior almost immediately. He was already seated at a corner booth, his hands tightly clasped on the table, as if holding himself together. There was a nervous energy about him that Zayn could feel even from across the room.

Zayn walked over slowly and sat down. Silence lingered between them for a moment until Elior finally broke it.

“Zayn…” he said, voice soft and unsure. “I don’t know how to begin. I’ve been trying to prepare the right words, but now that you're in front of me… it’s all slipping away.”

Zayn didn’t respond. He looked at Elior, but his face remained unreadable.

Elior’s throat tightened. He took a shaky breath and continued, “I just want to say I’m sorry. For everything. For hurting you. For leaving you alone when you needed me. For not trusting you when I should have. For… pushing you away when all I ever wanted was to hold you close.”

Zayn’s lips parted slightly, but again, he said nothing.

Unable to sit still, Elior rose from his seat and walked around the table. He sat down on his knees beside Zayn, his hand reaching out hesitantly to rest over Zayn’s.

“I know I hurt you. Maybe in ways you’ll never forgive me for. And I get it… I deserve it,” Elior whispered. “I let revenge consume me. I buried my real feelings so deep inside that I stopped recognizing them. And now I’m left with regret.”

Tears slipped from Elior’s eyes and ran down his cheeks.

“I messed up so badly, Zayn. I know that. And whatever happened to you… whatever you went through after I left… I know it’s because of me. I’m sorry for every night you cried alone. For every time you questioned your worth because I made you feel unloved. I don’t expect your forgiveness, but I wanted to say it anyway I’m sorry.”

Zayn clenched his jaw, and his own eyes began to sting. He looked away, blinking quickly.

“I’m leaving,” Elior added quietly. “maybe in a few days.I came back for something I wasn’t even sure what but maybe this was it.But I am going for my abroad branch again.Maybe I just needed to say goodbye… properly. I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I don’t want to be a burden to your life.”

Zayn’s eyes finally turned toward him again. His vision was slightly blurred from tears, and for a moment, neither of them said anything.

Then Elior reached up to gently wipe the tears falling from Zayn’s eyes. “No more crying,” he whispered. “I don’t want to see you in pain anymore… not because of me.”

Zayn looked down at Elior, and his own tears rolled freely now.

Just then, the waitress returned with their food. Elior hastily wiped his eyes and sat back, attempting to look composed. Zayn sat quietly, staring at the plate in front of him but not moving.

“Eat,” Elior said gently, forcing a small smile. “Please.”

Elior cleared his throat. “Zayn... if you don’t mind.” he paused, searching Zayn’s face carefully “can I meet Ari?”

Zayn froze for a moment, caught off-guard by the request.

His fingers twitched slightly before he walked over and sat down across from Elior. “You want to meet him?”

Elior nodded gently. “Only if that’s okay. I understand if it’s too soon.”

Zayn cut him off with a soft exhale. “No, it’s not that. It’s just...” He looked down at his hands. “He’s still trying to understand everything. And I don’t want to confuse him more. But... if you’re okay with it, and you promise not to say anything that might... shift things... then.” he looked up “....you can.”

Elior’s expression softened. “I would never say anything that would hurt him. Or confuse him. I promise.”

Zayn nodded slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. “Okay. Then you can meet him. Just... no explanations. Let him see you for who you are without  knowing who you are?”

“I understand,” Elior said, voice steady and sincere.

A few hours passed Zayn and Elior returned to Zayn apartment.

"You stay here I'll go and call Ari."Zayn said and he pointed towards the sofa.elior nodded.

After few minutes later Zayn returned holding the hand of a little boy who looked to be around four. Ari had dark curls, soft features, and a cautious curiosity in his eyes.

“Ari,” Zayn said gently, “this is Elior. He’s a friend of mine.”

Elior smiled warmly, his voice light. “Hi, Ari. It’s really nice to meet you.”

Ari held onto Zayn’s hand a little tighter, looking at Elior with wide, watchful eyes.

Zayn crouched down next to him. “It’s okay, sweetheart. He’s nice. Just say hi.”

Ari hesitated for a moment before murmuring, “Hi,” in a shy voice.

Elior’s heart melted instantly.

“Hi,” he said again, his smile brightening. “You have a cool name. Ari. That means lion, doesn’t it?”

Ari’s eyes flicked up, just a tiny bit intrigued. “Yes. Mommy says I’m strong like one.”

Zayn chuckled softly. “You are.”

Elior beamed. “I can already tell.”

Ari gave a small, almost proud nod and let go of Zayn’s hand, walking closer to Elior, his curiosity beginning to take over his hesitation.

“Do you like dinosaurs?” Ari asked suddenly.

Elior grinned. “I love dinosaurs. Especially the T-Rex. They’re scary but cool. What about you?”

Ari’s eyes lit up. “I like the stegosaurus. It has spikes on its back.”

“Excellent choice,” Elior said, clearly impressed. “Very strong and smart.”

Zayn stood back and watched, arms folded, a strange feeling rising in his chest. There was something surreal about watching them this unspoken connection forming so easily between them. He had feared this would be awkward, overwhelming even. But Ari was smiling now, his natural innocence making space for this unexpected bond.

“Do you want to see my drawing?” Ari asked, tugging gently on Elior’s sleeve.

“I would love to,” Elior said instantly.

Ari grabbed his hand and pulled him toward his small play corner, which was filled with stuffed animals, books, and colorful art supplies. He picked up a paper from the table and showed it to Elior.

Elior took the drawing with careful hands, as if it were made of glass. It was messy, filled with wild crayon strokes, but it was beautiful.

“You’re an amazing artist,” Elior said honestly. “And look at those smiles! You both look so happy.”

Ari nodded. “We were going to the zoo in this one.”

“I haven’t been to the zoo in a long time,” Elior said.

Ari looked up at Elior “why, your mommy didn't take you there?”

Elior hesitated. “No.”

Elior picked up on the uncertainty, and didn’t push it.

The three of them sat on the carpet, and Ari kept showing Elior his toys, one by one, slowly opening up in the innocent way children do. And Elior listened, engaged with every word Ari spoke. It wasn’t forced. It wasn’t an act. It was pure.

Zayn excused himself after a while, needing a moment alone. He stood at the doorway, watching quietly as Elior helped Ari line up tiny plastic animals into some kind of jungle scene. They were laughing softly something about the lion eating the monkey.

His chest ached.

Later, when Ari had gotten tired and was curled up on the couch with his favorite storybook, Zayn gently tucked a blanket around him.

He turned back to Elior, who was quietly sitting again, eyes soft.

“Thank you,” Zayn said quietly. “You were great with him.”

Elior smiled. “He’s a wonderful kid. You’ve done... an incredible job, Zayn.”

Zayn looked away. “It wasn’t easy.”

“I know,” Elior said gently. “But I’m grateful you let me see him. Even like this.”

Zayn nodded, then sighed. “He doesn’t know. And I don’t know when or if I’ll tell him.”

Elior assured him. “I don’t want to cause any chaos. I just... wanted to see him. Just once. I’ve imagined it so many times.”

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