Accidentally Married

45. Time

Zo let out an exaggerated sigh as he swayed with Nai in the middle of the dance floor, their bodies moving to the slow, melodic tune filling the air. The dim lighting of the venue, the gentle glow of the chandeliers above, and the soft hum of chatter from the surrounding couples created an almost dreamlike atmosphere. It was the perfect setting for a romantic dance.

Yet, Nai's attention was elsewhere.

Zo could tell.

He could always tell.

Even though Nai was holding his hand, even though they were close, Zo knew that Nai's mind was far from this moment, far from him.

Zo pouted, his lips pressing into a thin line before he finally spoke up. "Can you at least pretend to focus on me?" His voice carried a mix of playfulness and frustration, but underneath, there was something real—something raw.

Nai blinked, startled, before turning to him with an apologetic look. "Huh? Oh... I am sorry, Hia." He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I was just... thinking about Sak."

Zo rolled his eyes. Of course.

"Sak?" he scoffed, crossing his arms loosely even as they continued to move in slow circles. "Nai, Sak is not a baby. He doesn't need you hovering over him like a worried mother hen." He huffed. "You shouldn't be worrying about him right now."

The words came out sharper than he intended. He hated how obvious his jealousy sounded, but Nai... Nai didn't even notice. His brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes once again drifted away, scanning the dance floor.

Zo followed his gaze, irritation growing with every second. Who is he even looking for?

Even after his words, Nai still wasn't fully present with him. Zo clenched his jaw. His chest felt tight, like he was grasping at something that kept slipping through his fingers.

When the song finally came to an end, Zo let go of Nai's hand, his mood thoroughly soured.

Nai, oblivious, muttered a soft, "Thanks, Hia" before immediately turning on his heel and walking off, his focus set entirely on finding Sak and his friends.

Zo stared after him, watching the back of the man who was supposed to be his husband walk away without so much as a second thought.

A bitter chuckle escaped his lips. Figures.

With a heavy sigh, Zo turned on his heel and made his way upstairs to the bar, hoping that a drink would help ease the sting in his chest.

The upstairs bar was quieter than the main hall, offering a panoramic view of the grand celebration below. As Zo approached the counter, his eyes landed on a familiar figure sitting alone, a half-empty glass of whiskey in his hand.

Saifah.

Zo walked over and plopped down on the barstool beside him.

Saifah, without even looking up, chuckled. "Why are you here alone?" He took a slow sip of his drink before turning to Zo with a smirk. "Where is Nai? Weren't you planning to stick to his side throughout the party?"

Zo narrowed his eyes at him. "Why do you think I am here alone?"

Saifah let out a knowing laugh. "So, he finally managed to shake you off, huh?"

Zo pouted, crossing his arms. "You think I am being clingy too?"

Saifah shrugged lazily, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. "Did I say that?"

Zo didn't need him to. The implication was clear.

A frustrated groan left his lips as he grabbed his drink and downed it in one go. The burn was sharp, but it wasn't nearly enough to drown out the thoughts swirling in his head.

"Sometimes I feel like I am the only one trying to make this relationship work," Zo muttered, slamming his glass down on the counter.

Saifah simply raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Zo scowled at him. "And it's exhausting!" He turned, facing Saifah directly. "I swear, sometimes it feels like Nai's only trying because we are married—not because he actually wants to be with me."

Saifah exhaled, shaking his head. "Zo, you already knew Nai wasn't planning on getting married or falling in love anytime soon. Those were the last things on his agenda"

Zo groaned, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Yeah, but things changed! We got married, and we are supposed to be building a life together. But it still feels like I am just... waiting for him to care."

Saifah watched him for a moment, then leaned back against the bar. "Let me ask you something," he said, his tone casual yet pointed. "If Nai wasn't your husband, if this whole marriage thing hadn't happened... would you have even tried to pursue him?"

Zo stiffened. His fingers curled slightly against the countertop.

He opened his mouth to respond—then hesitated.

Would he have?

Would he have ever looked at Nai that way if not for their arranged marriage?

Saifah took another sip of his drink before continuing. "You wouldn't have, right?" He turned his gaze toward the dance floor below. "You probably wouldn't have even considered being with a guy, much less falling in love with one."

Zo clenched his jaw. "That's not—" He stopped himself, exhaling sharply.

Saifah wasn't wrong.

Not entirely.

Zo sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Then... what am I supposed to do?" His voice was quieter this time, more vulnerable.

Saifah placed his glass down and glanced at him. "Give Nai time. And don't be so pushy."

Zo scoffed. "Time? That's exactly what I don't have." He turned his eyes toward the ceiling, frustration bubbling in his chest again. "We have been married for months now, and Nai still acts like this whole thing is just some business contract. That stupid one-year agreement he made? It's like a ticking time bomb over my head. And I—" He hesitated, voice wavering. "I am scared that once this one-year period is over... he will leave."

He swallowed hard, the thought alone making his stomach twist.

Saifah sighed. "Then instead of trying so hard to make the marriage work, maybe try to understand Nai first." He rested an elbow on the counter, looking at Zo seriously. "Nai isn't the type to fall headfirst into something. He values his relationships—both personal and professional—but they have to make sense to him. If you don't understand what is important to him, you will always feel like you are at the bottom of his priority list."

Zo frowned, absorbing his words.

Saifah leaned back, his smirk returning. "Marriage isn't just about forcing something to work. It's about understanding what the other person wants from life. If you don't figure that out, then yeah... maybe you will end up separated—emotionally and physically."

Zo sighed heavily, rubbing his temple. "Ugh, why do you sound like some relationship guru?" His eyes narrowed as he turned to Saifah. "If you are so wise about love, then why are you still single?"

Saifah raised an eyebrow, then scoffed. "Because someone rejected me on the spot when I confessed my love to him."

Zo's lips twitched. "Oh?" His grin turned mischievous. "Well, he is at the party too, you know."

Saifah let out a low chuckle. "I know. He has been hiding from me all night. Like a little mouse running from a cat."

Zo laughed, shaking his head. "Must have been a really bad rejection."

Saifah smirked, swirling his drink. "Oh, it was."

Zo rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. Maybe tonight wasn't entirely awful.