Forbidden Heat novel Chapter 165

**Back to the Present**

I wasn’t sure how much time had passed when I came to. When I opened my eyes, I was greeted with the sight of a very dark sky with some stars up above. Shifting my eyes to the side, I realized that I was sleeping on Zak’s lap, and we were still on the rooftop.

“You’re awake?” Zak asked as he smiled charmingly down at me. However, I could see worry in his golden eyes.

I knew Zak didn’t bring me here for no good reason. I should ask him now before something else gets in the way…like my attack just now…

“So…what is it that you really wanted to tell me?” I asked a little abruptly.

Zak’s eyes widened in surprise at the suddenness of my question before narrowing in seriousness.

“…I’m going to marry Annie,” Zak replied simply.

I see, so this was why Zak had been acting weird all day. Well, it’s not like I didn’t see that coming but hearing it straight from Zak sort of hurts. I take that back, unexpectedly, it really hurts. I felt my face and my lips go numb with shock as I slowly processed his words.

“I see…congratulations…I guess…” I replied while trying my best to keep the mood light.

I really wanted to ask him what that meant for us but above all, I was concerned for Zak. Much more than I was worried about myself or the future of our relationship. Deep down, both of us knew from way back that whatever relationship we had has absolutely no future. We accepted that fact…but we couldn’t move on from each other.

“Worried about us?” Zak asked without beating around the bush.

“Less than I’m worried about you,” I replied honestly.

“What’s with the stressful face? You think you’ll have a problem sleeping around with a married man?” Zak teased as he laughed so carefreely.

From his casual comments, Zak has no intention of ending our relationship…unless I wanted it.

“No…” I replied bluntly.

“Good. Then we don’t have any problems on our hands,” Zak replied cheerfully.

“Why have you decided to marry her?” I asked.

“Because I’m a selfish man who’s willing to put an innocent woman through a hell of a marriage for the sake of keeping the things precious to him safe…literally,” Zak replied as he looked up at the night sky.

“Is Annie ok with it?” I asked with concern. Annie, she seemed like such a nice girl.

“Yup. The girl is sharper than you think. She asked me about you…in a roundabout way,” Zak said calmly.

“And?” I asked in shock. I didn’t think Annie would suspect anything about us.

“I gave her a good executive summary of us,” Zak said proudly as if what he did was crystal-clear the right choice.

I sighed and face-palmed myself. So, Annie knows about Zak and me…

“And…she still wants to marry you?” I asked incredulously.

“Yup. Apparently, she calls it love,” Zak said with a shrug. Clearly, he couldn’t care less.

“She loves you, huh?” I mumbled as if to myself.