Mira's heart skipped a beat as she hesitated, considering whether to clarify her words. She opened her mouth to speak but then stopped herself. Would anything really change even if she tried to explain? She stared at Zamian quietly, their eyes locked in an unspoken exchange. It was as if they were both searching for something in each other's gaze, something neither of them could fully understand.
Zamian's usual cold, emotionless eyes seemed to spark with something new, something Mira couldn't quite comprehend. Was it curiosity? Amusement? Or something deeper that he was unwilling to show? The uncertainty made her pulse quicken, and she found herself drawn in by the mystery of what she saw—or thought she saw—in his eyes. It wasn't just confusion or uncertainty anymore. There was something beneath the surface, a tension that simmered between them.
Then he spoke, his voice low and deliberate, "So, that's a yes then?"
Mira's cheeks flushed, the warmth spreading across her face, but this time, she didn't try to hide it. Instead, she raised her head a little higher, the pink tint in her cheeks deepening as she felt a surge of courage. She wasn't sure where this sudden boldness was coming from, but it was pushing her forward, closer to him, as if an invisible force was pulling her toward him. She didn't resist it—couldn't resist it.
Her body acted on its own, moving closer, drawn in by the invisible pull between them. With each step, her heart pounded harder in her chest, the steady rhythm almost deafening in the quiet tension that surrounded them. She wasn't thinking about the consequences anymore, or what might come of this bold move. She was simply reacting, responding to a mixture of curiosity, attraction, and something more—something she couldn't name but felt deep in her bones.
Zamian watched her approach, his expression unreadable, his posture still rigid yet exuding a quiet control. The tension between them thickened, becoming almost palpable, like an invisible thread tying them together, pulling tighter with every second that passed. Mira could feel it too—this undeniable force, urging her forward. She hesitated for a moment, questioning herself, but the hesitation was fleeting, quickly replaced by an overwhelming urge to get closer. She didn't stop.
Finally, she stood so close she could feel the warmth of his body radiating toward her, the faint scent of his cologne filling her senses and grounding her in this moment. She took in a breath, the scent intoxicating, and for a second, everything else faded away. It was just them, standing inches apart, the world around them seeming to shrink into nothing.
Her hand lifted, slowly, trembling slightly as it hovered near his chest. She hesitated briefly—just a moment of doubt creeping in—but then she placed it on his chest, feeling the firm muscle beneath his shirt and the steady, unyielding beat of his heart. The contrast between his steady heartbeat and her rapid pulse sent a shiver down her spine. The contact was electrifying, and Mira struggled to keep her composure, her mind racing.
"Mr. Zamian," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I... I need to get used to this. To you."
She swallowed, trying to steady herself. "For these four months to work, I need to stop being so..."
Zamian's gaze intensified, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. "So what?" he interrupted, his voice firm yet strangely gentle. There was an edge to his tone that made her breath hitch—a challenge, perhaps.
"So... shy around you," she admitted, her voice quivering as she forced herself to keep her gaze on him. "I don't like how I act when I'm near you, but I know I need to get over it. I need to get used to... all of this."
Zamian's brow furrowed slightly, his expression barely shifting, but Mira could tell he was weighing her words carefully. For a brief moment, she wondered if she had gone too far, if her sudden boldness would backfire. But then he spoke, his tone calm yet filled with a quiet intensity.
"And you think this will help?" he asked, glancing down at her hand still resting on his chest. "Touching me?"
His words sent a ripple of doubt through her, but she quickly pushed it aside. She nodded, her determination firm. "Yes. I believe it will help."
He didn't respond immediately, but she could see the gears turning in his mind, his expression guarded as he contemplated her answer. The silence stretched between them, thick with tension and unspoken thoughts. After what felt like an eternity, he spoke again, this time with a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Then why don't we practice now?" he suggested, his voice carrying a hint of challenge that made Mira's pulse race even faster.
The words hung in the air, charged with implications that Mira couldn't fully grasp. Her heart skipped a beat, but she didn't back down. Instead, she swallowed her nerves and nodded again, more confidently this time. "Yes," she said, her voice steadier now. "Let's practice."
Without another word, Zamian took her hand in his, his grip firm yet controlled. The contact sent a wave of heat through her, but she didn't pull away. She focused on the sensation of his skin against hers, trying to familiarize herself with it, to make it less foreign, less intimidating. This was part of the deal, after all—she had to get used to him, and he had to get used to her.
He guided her hand up to his shoulder, then slowly down his arm, letting her explore the contours of his body with her touch. All the while, his gaze never left hers, watching her every move, observing her reaction with an intensity that made her heart race. She tried to remain calm, to control her breathing, but it was difficult. Every nerve in her body felt like it was on high alert, responding to his proximity, to the subtle shifts in his expression, to the unspoken challenge in his eyes.
As her hand traced the lines of his arm, Zamian leaned in slightly, closing the already narrow gap between them. Mira's breath caught in her throat, her pulse pounding in her ears. She forced herself to stay still, to hold her ground, even as her instincts screamed at her to back away, to escape the overwhelming intensity of the moment. But she refused to let him intimidate her, not now, not after coming this far.
Just as she thought he might push further, Zamian suddenly released her hand, stepping back and creating a space between them once more. The shift was so abrupt, Mira blinked in surprise, struggling to comprehend what had just happened.
"That's enough for now," he said, his voice cool and detached once more. "We'll continue another time."
Mira stared at him, still processing the abrupt end to their interaction. She hadn't expected this. In fact, she wasn't entirely sure what she had been expecting, but it wasn't this. She nodded slowly, trying to hide the flicker of disappointment that crept up inside her.
"Alright," she managed to say, her voice soft and uncertain.
Zamian turned away, leaving the room without another glance. Mira stood there for a moment, watching him go, before sinking down onto the edge of the bed. Her mind was still spinning, caught between confusion, relief, and something else she couldn't quite define. She had taken a step forward, but what did it mean? Was she any closer to understanding him? Or was she just getting more entangled in the complexities of their strange relationship?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the ping of her phone. A message from Zack. She hesitated for a moment before quickly typing a response.
With a sigh, she set her phone aside, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Zamian, her heart still beating fast from their encounter.