Accidentally Married

41. Declaration

Zo found himself being half-dragged across the manicured lawn, away from the lively birthday party. Nai's grip on his hand was firm, his strides long and determined. 

Zo struggled to keep up, his shorter legs forcing him to jog to match Nai's pace.

"Nai, where are we going? The party is that way," Zo asked, glancing back over his shoulder toward the brightly lit lawn.

They were heading towards the mansion, the one whose backyard lawn was converted into the space for the birthday party to be held.

Nai didn't answer Zo, his expression unreadable. The silence only made Zo more anxious.

Though Zo's heart fluttered at the fact that Nai was holding his hand so naturally, he couldn't help but worry. Was Nai upset about what Nean had done? He knew Nai wasn't the type to express jealousy outwardly, but the tension in his husband's posture was hard to miss.

By the time they reached the mansion and Nai pulled him into their assigned room, Zo was thoroughly puzzled. Nai released his hand to shut the door with a loud bang, startling Zo. 

Before he could even begin to ask what was going on, Nai turned, grabbed him by the shoulders, and pulled him in for a kiss. 

Zo froze, completely caught off guard. 

Nai's lips were rough and insistent, the kiss laced with possessiveness that sent Zo's thoughts scattering. His heart raced as he stumbled backward, trying to regain his balance, but Nai's grip on him was unyielding.

It wasn't just a kiss—it was more of a declaration, a reminder that Zo belonged to him.

Zo barely managed to respond, his hands gripping Nai's shoulders for support. He wanted to kiss back with the same intensity, but his mind was in complete disarray. 

The way Nai's hands moved to unbutton his jacket and slide it off his shoulders didn't help. Zo felt his breath hitch as the jacket hit the floor, leaving him vulnerable under Nai's touch.

They somehow stumbled into the closet, the narrow space amplifying the heat between them. Zo closed his eyes, trying to immerse himself in the moment, but his thoughts betrayed him. Were they really about to consummate their marriage here, in the closet, during a party?

The idea sent a mix of excitement and panic through him. He knew they didn't have much time before they were expected back outside, but a small, rebellious part of him couldn't help but anticipate what might happen next.

But just as Zo was beginning to lose himself in the kiss, Nai abruptly pulled away.

Zo blinked, dazed and confused. His lips tingled from the intensity of the kiss, and his chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath. "Nai...?" he began, his voice barely above a whisper.

Nai didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned to the wardrobe and began rifling through the neatly hung suits. His movements were swift and purposeful, leaving Zo standing there, utterly bewildered.

Finally, Nai pulled out a white suit paired with a forest-green shirt and handed it to Zo. "Go take a bath and change into this," he said, his tone calm but firm.

Zo stared at the suit in his hands, then back at Nai. " But why?" he asked, still trying to process what had just happened.

Nai's dark eyes locked onto his, unflinching and direct. "Because," he said evenly, "I don't like the smell of that woman on you."

It took Zo a moment to piece it together, but when he did, realization hit him like a bolt of lightning. Nai had been upset about Nean clinging to him. He just hadn't shown it in front of everyone else.

Zo bit back a smile, touched by Nai's subtle display of jealousy. He could see that this was Nai's way of asserting his feelings without creating unnecessary drama. "Alright," Zo said softly, taking the suit and heading to the bathroom.

Under the warm spray of the shower, Zo scrubbed himself thoroughly, making sure that no trace of Nean's perfume remained on his skin. As he dressed in the suit Nai had chosen, he couldn't help but feel a little extra handsome. 

Maybe it was the sharp contrast of the green shirt against the white suit, or maybe it was just knowing that Nai had picked it out for him. Either way, he felt good.

When Zo stepped out of the bathroom, he found Nai sitting on the couch, waiting for him. Nai looked up, and a small smile of approval spread across his face.

"You look good," Nai said as he stood and walked over.

Zo couldn't hide the silly grin that tugged at his lips. "You think so?"

"Yeah." Nai reached out and brushed his fingers through Zo's freshly dried hair. His touch was gentle but purposeful as he adjusted a few strands, making subtle changes until he seemed satisfied. "Perfect," he murmured, stepping back to admire his work.

Zo's heart swelled. The care Nai was showing him in this small moment felt more intimate than anything else they had shared so far.

That's when Zo noticed something. "Wait, you changed, too?" he asked, finally taking in Nai's outfit—a white shirt paired with white trousers and a forest-green jacket that matched Zo's shirt perfectly.

Nai shrugged, as if it were no big deal. "I just felt like wearing a couple's outfit with my husband," he said casually.

Zo's heart skipped a beat at the word husband. Every time Nai said it, it sent a wave of joy coursing through him. He felt like a teenager again, giddy and smitten.

Nai extended his arm, hooking it around Zo's. "Come on. Let's head back to the party."

Zo nodded, but as they walked toward the door, he couldn't help but glance at Nai. His husband was full of surprises tonight, and Zo couldn't wait to see what else this evening had in store.

They stepped out of the room together, smiles on their faces and matching outfits making them look like a perfect pair. For the first time in a long time, Zo felt like they were truly a team—a real couple.

And as they walked back toward the lively lawn, hand in hand, Zo silently thanked Nean for giving Nai the push he needed to show just how much he cared.