Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 36: Relationship

Chapter 36: Relationship

Zamian stopped, his expression unreadable, as he set his utensils down and ceased eating. Mira glanced at him with a mix of concern and curiosity, sensing that something might be amiss.

"Are you okay?" she asked gently, her voice laced with worry. "Do you need some water? Is something wrong?" She quickly grabbed a glass of water from the table and handed it to him. Zamian accepted it with a slight nod, but he avoided meeting her gaze. He took slow, deliberate sips, his demeanor uncharacteristically distant. Mira’s concern deepened as she noticed this shift in his usually composed behavior. The tension in the air was palpable.

After a few moments, Zamian cleared his throat and took another sip of water, trying to steady himself. Mira had never seen him like this before; his silence was unsettling, making her anxious about what he might say next. She shifted in her seat, unable to keep her eyes off him, her mind racing with questions about what could be troubling him so deeply.

Finally, Zamian broke the silence with a question that seemed almost disconnected from the current tension. "You’re not eating?"

Mira gave a small smile and shook her head. "I ate a few minutes before you arrived. I didn’t want to eat in front of you if you weren’t eating."

Zamian reached for a small glass bowl filled with a colorful assortment of fresh fruit. He pushed it gently towards her. "At least eat some fruit," he said, his tone neutral but carrying an undertone of insistence.

Mira accepted the bowl and began to eat the fruit, trying to focus on the task at hand. Zamian, having paused his own meal, watched her with a contemplative expression. The usual ease between them seemed to be replaced by a cloud of unspoken words. Mira could sense that he was battling with something internally, but the exact nature of his struggle remained elusive.

After a moment, Zamian spoke again, his voice steady but carrying an edge of formality. "We’ll be attending a charity gala in two days."

Mira looked up, surprised. "A charity gala? Why?"

Zamian leaned back in his chair, his gaze still distant. "A few days ago, someone posted a photo of us at the apartment on Hellogram. It has attracted quite a bit of attention. To manage the rumors and protect our public image, it’s necessary for us to appear together at the charity gala."

Mira absorbed his words, realizing that Zamian wasn’t concerned about his own reputation. He didn’t care what the public said about him; it wasn’t one of his concerns. But since she was involved, he was determined to address the rumors to ensure her reputation wasn’t tarnished. She was sure that if he were the only one affected, he wouldn’t have bothered with clearing any rumors.

"When exactly is the gala?" Mira asked.

"In two days," Zamian confirmed. "We need to be prepared for it."

One of the reasons Zamian acted that way was because he was surprised that Mira had taken the initiative to assist in preparing the meal.

Mira nodded, her mind racing with the implications. "Alright, I’ll start preparing. Thank you for letting me know."

She stood up, offering him a small, reassuring smile. "I’ll let you finish your meal. I need to step outside for a bit of fresh air."

As she stepped outside, the atmosphere felt less heavy, though the weight of their conversation lingered. The sky was transitioning from light to dark, and the evening air was cool against her skin. Her hair fluttered gently with the breeze, adding to the sense of calm. She took a few deep breaths, trying to clear her mind and process the new developments. The charity gala was an unexpected twist, and it would certainly add to the complexity of her situation with Zamian.

James, who was passing by, noticed her. "Miss Mira," he said, slightly surprised. "I didn’t expect to see you out here."

Mira gave a soft smile and said, "I know it’s not really my place to say this, but I just wanted to ask you to be kind to Lily. She’s been through a lot recently, and I’d hate for her to feel any more sadness."

James looked at her with a thoughtful expression, nodding in understanding. "Yes, Miss Mira. I’ll keep that in mind."

Mira hesitated for a moment, then decided to ask a question that had been on her mind. "Can I ask you something? I know you and Zamian were close,you were his personal assistants before I came into the picture."

James nodded, his expression neutral.

Mira took a deep breath and continued, "I need you to answer honestly. Has my husband ever been in a relationship before?"

James was taken aback by her use of "my husband," his surprise evident. He had not expected her to address Zamian in such a personal manner, and it caught him off guard.

Mira noticed his reaction and clarified, "I mean, has he been in a relationship before?"

James hesitated for a moment, weighing his words carefully. The pause seemed to stretch on, and Mira could almost see the gears turning in his mind as he considered how much to reveal. Finally, he answered, "No, Miss Mira. He has not."

Mira’s eyes widened slightly, her surprise evident. "So, does that mean he’s a virgin?"