Mira couldn't believe where that sudden burst of confidence had come from. She questioned herself, wondering if she could even face Zamian after what had just transpired. Her thoughts swirled in a whirlwind of confusion and unease. The encounter had left her feeling exposed and overwhelmed. A part of her was relieved—relieved that he hadn't gone any further, though the intensity of their brief but intimate moment still lingered in the air. This was the first time she had ever been so close to a man, and the flood of emotions it stirred within her was difficult to grasp.
Before she could fully process what had happened, a soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. The door creaked open, and Nana stepped inside with her usual gentle demeanor.
"Ms. Mira, it's dinner time," Nana said, her voice warm and reassuring.
Mira nodded, her mind still a maelstrom of emotions. She stood up, silently praying that Zamian wouldn't be at the dining table. The thought of facing him now, after everything that had just occurred, felt overwhelming. She wasn't sure how she could possibly muster the courage to look him in the eye.
As Mira walked down the stairs, each step felt heavy with apprehension. The weight of her emotions seemed to press down on her, making her movement slow and deliberate. She entered the elevator, her stomach churning with unease. Upon reaching the ground floor, she caught sight of Zamian already seated at the dining table, his legs crossed in that authoritative manner he had. His posture was relaxed, but the air around him seemed charged with an unspoken intensity. The memory of their earlier interaction made every nerve in her body tingle with a mix of embarrassment and confusion.
Mira took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before approaching the table. She avoided meeting his gaze, though she could sense his eyes following her every move. Her mind was preoccupied with the recent encounter, and she struggled to maintain her composure. The earlier moment had left her feeling awkward and unsettled, and the thought of being so close to him again was almost unbearable.
When she reached her chair, she sat down with a sense of relief, though it was tinged with residual awkwardness. She began eating her meal, her movements deliberate and quick. Normally, she would have glanced at Zamian occasionally, but today she couldn't bring herself to look at him. The memory of their earlier encounter made her feel self-conscious and uneasy. The proximity and intensity of their interaction had created an emotional barrier she was unsure how to navigate.
As she ate, the tension in the room was palpable, not out of fear but from the lingering sense of awkwardness and embarrassment. She could feel Zamian's gaze on her, and it made her even more self-conscious. Mira tried to eat quickly, hoping to finish her meal without drawing too much attention. Each bite felt like a chore, and she could sense the weight of the moment hanging over her.
She drank a glass of water in an attempt to calm her nerves and quickly stood up, eager to leave the dining area. However, just as she was about to make her exit, Zamian's arm reached out, pulling her gently but firmly back. She lost her balance and found herself unexpectedly seated on his lap.
Mira's heart skipped a beat from the sudden and unexpected closeness. The warmth of his body against hers was both surprising and confusing. She didn't dare to look up, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. The physical proximity and the new dynamic between them were both startling and bewildering. She was acutely aware of how their earlier encounter had shifted the nature of their relationship, and the intimacy of the moment was making her feel exposed.
Zamian noticed her discomfort and spoke in a cold yet low voice. "Leave." His command was directed at the chefs who had been standing by, observing the scene. At his words, they discreetly began to exit the room, their footsteps fading as they departed. The room was now more private, and Mira could feel the shift in atmosphere.
With the room cleared, Zamian's tone softened slightly. "Look at me," he said, his voice still low but less icy than before. Mira kept her eyes cast downward, struggling with the overwhelming awkwardness of the situation. The command to look at him was laden with a mix of authority and a strange intimacy that she hadn't expected.
"Mira," Zamian said, his voice carrying a hint of insistence. The use of her first name sent a shiver down Mira's spine. It was a stark departure from the formality of "Ms. Mira," and the unfamiliar intimacy of it sparked a profound and confusing emotion within her. Her heart skipped a beat as she processed the significance of his use of her name. It felt both startling and oddly intimate, evoking a sense of vulnerability she hadn't anticipated.
The realization that this was the first time Zamian had called her by her name added an unexpected layer of complexity to their interaction. The emotional impact of this small change made her feel exposed and unsure of her own reactions. The intensity of Zamian's gaze, combined with the intimacy of his voice, made her feel a mixture of anticipation and unease.
As she slowly raised her eyes to meet his, she found herself struggling to maintain her composure. The intensity of Zamian's gaze held her captive, and she felt a strange mix of emotions that she couldn't quite name. The shift in their dynamic, marked by his use of her name, was both disorienting and deeply affecting.
Before Mira could fully comprehend what was happening, she felt Zamian rest his face on the nape of her neck. A gasp escaped her lips from an unfamiliar sensation that she couldn't quite place. The closeness was intense and unexpected, and the warmth of his breath against her neck made her breath catch in her throat.
She remained still, her body reacting to the intimacy of the moment. The physical closeness was both surprising and confusing, adding to what she was experiencing. The warmth of Zamian's breath and the proximity of his body were overwhelming, and Mira found herself struggling to process the situation. The intimate touch of his breath against her skin sent shivers down her spine, making her feel both exposed and oddly comforted.
After a moment of silence, Zamian finally spoke, his voice low and steady. "I will be leaving tomorrow."