I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 425

What is wrong with him? If you’re going to call, why not say something?

What was with the silent, brooding act? He scared me!

I muttered a few curses and blocked the number.

The thought of him still in the hospital, tangled up with Verna and on the verge of getting engaged, yet calling to silently harass me in the middle of the night, made me even angrier. I couldn't help but curse him a few more times.

In the following days, I split my time between helping my uncle recover and studying intently. At night, I would talk to Horace on the phone. Despite his newfound fame, he insisted he wasn't busy and was flying over to see me the next day.

However, he would only be able to stay for four hours between his arrival in the afternoon and his flight back that night.

I thought it was too much of a hassle for such a short visit and told him not to come. He didn't argue, but the next afternoon, I got a call from him. He was already at the hospital, right outside the door.

I opened the door in astonishment to see Horace sitting in a wheelchair, wearing a mask and a baseball cap, holding a bouquet of roses and smiling at me. “Zephyra, I’m here.”

I was floored.

No one could resist such sincere, passionate affection, and I was no exception. Horace’s actions spoke louder than words, defining his new role in my life—

He wasn't just Horace, my childhood friend. He was my boyfriend, the man who would travel thousands of miles just to see me for four short hours.

After visiting my uncle, Horace and I spent some time together. Given his recent fame, he couldn't be too conspicuous in public, so we just found a quiet place to eat and talked about everything—the past, our families, our plans for the future.

Right now, my only focus was on starting my company, building my career, and pursuing my dreams. I wanted to do what I loved and make a lot of money.

Horace listened, his gaze deep and steady. Without a moment's hesitation, he said, “My future has room for everything I want: my career, and you.”

Seeing that assertive side of him again left me momentarily speechless. I lowered my head, biting the straw of my drink, and smiled. “Alright, alright. I’ll be waiting for you.”

For some reason, he sighed. He took my hand and pulled me into a hug, holding me for a long moment before reluctantly letting go to head to the airport.

Before he left, he told me that he would be incredibly busy for the next while, but he would come see me on my birthday.

My birthday was just over a month away.

I looked at him, my eyes curving into crescents.

I was thrilled. After a month of intensive, secluded study, I was ready for the competition in Sonha, a themed design contest.

Worried about my lack of competition experience, Mr. Taylor had placed me on a team with designers from different fields—fashion, animation, and image consulting—so we could look out for each other.

This was the biggest design competition in the world, a global talent search. Each regional round lasted three days and attracted international media. I needed to place in the top three to get the recognition I needed.

I had already established a studio while studying with Mr. Taylor.

Once I won an award, I planned to start taking commissions while continuing my studies.

Our group set off together. After dropping our luggage at the hotel in Sonha, we arranged to go out for dinner.

The image designer, Megan Cooper, was practically buzzing with excitement. “You guys, we are so lucky! The investors and organizers are staying in this same hotel! I just saw a group of investors, and one of them was devastatingly handsome. He must be at least six-foot-two!”

“And he has such an amazing presence! He’s so pale but not at all feminine. His jawline is so sharp, and his eyes, nose, and mouth are perfect. If he were my model, I’d be smiling in my sleep!”

Carter Lee, the fashion designer, laughed. “Is he really that amazing?”