Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 32: Subtle Spark

Chapter 32: Subtle Spark

Mira’s soft voice broke the silence. "Eat with me," she murmured.

Zamian, ever the composed figure, simply nodded. His movements were deliberate as he gently removed the spoon from the ornate cloth, his calmness almost a stark contrast to the slight flutter in Mira’s chest. She watched him for a moment, her heart dancing as he began to eat quietly. The room felt still, like the world had paused just for this simple, intimate moment between them.

Zamian glanced up, noticing Mira’s gaze. His expression remained serene.

"Let’s eat," he said, his voice low and steady.

Mira attempted to focus on her food, but the warmth radiating from Zamian’s presence made it hard. She took a few bites, trying her best to act natural, though she could feel her cheeks warming under his gaze. Then, deciding to try the tea, she took a hesitant sip.

The bitterness hit her instantly, causing her to recoil. She scrunched up her face in the most endearing way, her tongue peeking out as she tried to rid herself of the taste. Zamian couldn’t help but find her reaction amusing, his lips twitching in a barely-there smile.

"What is it?" he asked, feigning ignorance though he knew exactly what had happened.

"It’s... so bitter," Mira managed to say, her voice slightly strained as she fought against the aftertaste. Her shudder was almost comical, making Zamian’s chest tighten with the urge to laugh.

He reached over, taking the cup from her hands. Without hesitation, he took a small sip himself, his face remaining as stoic as ever. "It’s fine. Just gulp it down—try drinking it in one go." He handed the cup back to her, their fingers brushing in the process.

Mira’s eyes widened. Did he just...? The realization that they had indirectly shared a cup made her heart race. Her cheeks turned a deep shade of pink, and she quickly looked away, flustered by the intimate gesture.

"Not bad" Zamian’s calm voice broke through her spiraling thoughts.

Mira nodded, trying to appear unaffected, though she could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She bravely took another sip, this time managing to gulp it down as he had instructed. The bitterness seemed to fade, replaced by a strange warmth that she couldn’t quite place.

She focused on her meal, her mind swirling with thoughts of Zamian. How was he so calm while she was here, blushing like a schoolgirl? The contrast between his steady demeanor and her own flustered state made her feel both self-conscious and oddly content.

As they continued to eat in companionable silence, Mira couldn’t help but sneak glances at him. The way he held his spoon with such grace, the way his eyes occasionally flickered to her with an unreadable expression—it all made her stomach flip in the best way possible.

This was the first time in a long time that she felt... at peace. And maybe, just maybe, she didn’t mind that Zamian was the one sitting across from her, sharing this quiet, precious moment.

***

Meanwhile, Lily was jolted awake by the persistent pinging of her phone. Groggily reaching for it, she was greeted by the bright screen showing multiple missed alarms. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized she was late—really late. This was something that almost never happened to her, except for that one time she was sick. She bolted upright, her mind racing with thoughts of the inevitable reprimand she’d receive for not showing up on time.

But as she fumbled with her phone, something caught her eye—a new email notification from her company. Her heart pounded in her chest as she hastily opened it, praying it wasn’t some sort of official warning. But what she found was even more surprising. The email announced that the company would be closed for a week due to some unresolved issues, details of which were not being disclosed to employees just yet.

Lily blinked, rereading the email to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. A week off? She couldn’t believe it! Her initial panic subsided, replaced by a wave of relief and confusion. This was the first time something like this had ever happened. She couldn’t help but wonder what could be so serious that it required the entire company to shut down.

As she processed this unexpected turn of events, she let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. Her tension melted away, and with it, the tight bun she had hastily tied before bed loosened, causing strands of her brown hair to tumble into her face. She absentmindedly tucked them back, feeling a mix of bewilderment and curiosity. Just then, a mouth-watering aroma wafted through the air, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Lily followed the scent, her feet leading her out of the guest room and down the hallway. As she descended the stairs, she was greeted by a heartwarming sight that made her smile instantly. There, in the dining room, was Mr. Cutesy—James—busily preparing breakfast. The sight of him in his element, moving gracefully around the kitchen, made her heart do a little flip.

With a cheerful grin, she greeted him, "Good morning, Mr. Cutesy!"

James turned around, his usual calm demeanor softened by the warmth of his smile. "Good morning, Lily. Did you sleep well?"

"Like a baby," she replied, her earlier worries forgotten as she took in the spread on the table. "Wow, did you really make all this for me?"

James chuckled, the sound low and soothing. "No, it’s for both of us."

Lily smiled widely as she approached James, stopping just a few inches from where he stood. His calm eyes met hers, though there was a flicker of confusion in them as he tilted his head slightly, trying to gauge what she was up to. For a moment, she simply stood there, biting her lower lip in a way that made her look both nervous and playful.

James raised an eyebrow, maintaining his composed expression, though curiosity glimmered beneath the surface. Finally, she broke the silence, her voice light but tinged with teasing.

"Mr. Cutesy," she began, her lips curling into a mischievous smile, "are you beginning to develop feelings for me?"