Forbiddenly Bound To You
Chapter 77: Flags

Chapter 77: Flags

Days had turned into weeks, and Zamian still hadn’t returned. The emptiness in Mira’s heart felt heavier with each passing day. Mira had refused to speak to him since that moment he had become a red flag in her eyes. She had expected him to at least say, "I’m sorry," but he did not. It was as if those simple words could crush his ego more than any confrontation ever could. He didn’t even call her while he was abroad.This silence was a new form of punishment, one that seemed to stretch endlessly.

Lately, Mira had been feeling off—perhaps from stress or from overthinking whether she had crossed a line that day. Her mind raced with possibilities, and she often found herself replaying their last conversation over and over, searching for the exact moment it all went wrong. ’No, he deserves it,’ she told herself aloud, trying to mask her hurt with a semblance of strength. But deep down, she craved resolution, an end to the simmering tension that had replaced their once vibrant connection.

Mira sat in her office, unable to focus on her work. The endless piles of paperwork seemed to blur together, each document a reminder of the distraction he had become. She had been thinking about him more than usual, her thoughts drifting to the warmth of his smile and the deep timbre of his voice. ’Why does he keep me in the dark?’ she wondered. ’I’m not a mind reader; I don’t know what he’s thinking.’ The frustration gnawed at her, leaving her feeling helpless and alone.

Just then, Lily burst through the door of her office, her energy a bright contrast to Mira’s gloom.

"Mira... how are you? You’ve been so down lately, but don’t worry—Lily is here to save the day!" She struck a dramatic pose, hands on her hips, mimicking Superman with a playful grin.

Mira couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s antics. Over the past few days, she and Lily had grown quite close. In the midst of her turmoil, Lily’s vibrant personality had been a refreshing breath of fresh air.

"By the way, Mira, do you know Jake? The one who starred in Love In My Eyes?

Mira’s curiosity piqued as she leaned in, eager for a distraction from her worries. "Yeah, I do."

"Get this! You provided them with the cover for their movie’s background picture!"

"Huh?" Mira’s eyes widened in surprise, disbelief washing over her.

"It happened that day at the charity gala, right when you were about to enter..."

Lily raised her hand as if signaling she was wearing a ring. "Boom!" she exclaimed, spreading her fingers dramatically, as if something magical had appeared. "They took your photo, and it went viral on Hellogram! Not only that—a fan page was created for you on MeTube! And, thirdly, Jake Whitehim’s movie cover was inspired by your picture. Baby girl, you’re famous!"

Mira had been wondering why so many of her coworkers had been admiring her more than usual. No wonder she felt something familiar about that pose. The day she and Zamian went to the movies, it was similar to what she had done at the charity gala. Who knew that her favorite actor’s movie was inspired by her? But before she could fully process the excitement, a sharp headache made her wince.

"Mira?" Lily’s voice grew louder, filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a little overwhelmed," Mira replied, rubbing her temples. "This is all so sudden."

Lily stepped closer, her expression softening. "You deserve this recognition. You’ve worked hard, and now the world is noticing."

Mira nodded, trying to absorb the information. "Thanks, Lily. It just feels like everything is happening all at once."

****

Meanwhile, inside a dimly lit room in another country, John stood sweating profusely. This was the fifth time his boss had called him, asking questions completely unrelated to work. Anxiety gnawed at him, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was on thin ice.

’James, where are you?’John thought anxiously, wishing his colleague would return to save him from this awkward situation.

That day when Zamian was heading to the other mansion, John had been assigned to oversee their own mansion while James accompanied Zamian. Now, he wished he had followed Zamian instead; perhaps he would be enjoying the life in Country Nik while James dealt with the responsibilities left behind.

Zamian raised his head, his eyes dark and tired. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days, though that did nothing to hide his strikingly handsome features. The lines of stress etched across his forehead told a different story—a man burdened by unspoken worries and pressures that weighed heavily on his shoulders.

"What does it mean when someone calls a man a red flag?" Zamian asked, his voice low and serious.

John scratched the back of his head, suddenly aware of the gravity of the question. He turned to look at his boss, realizing he needed to choose his words carefully.

"Like in an unhealthy relationship, it’s a warning sign," he explained, feeling the air around him turn colder, as if the very room understood the implications of their conversation.

He continued, "A healthy relationship is considered a green flag," as he stared at his boss.

"Am I a red flag?" Zamian asked, his gaze piercing.

John shivered. ’Please don’t ask me this. Who called the boss a red flag?’he thought inwardly, panic rising within him.

"Umm... I don’t know. I’m not in a relationship..." he stammered, wishing he could take the words back the moment they left his mouth.

"You’ve been with me for twelve years, and you’re telling me you don’t know?" Zamian’s tone was sharp, laced with something John couldn’t quite place—was it frustration or genuine concern?

’So he really does know how many years I’ve been with him. I thought he didn’t care,’John thought, feeling his body shake under Zamian’s intense gaze.

"Get out," Zamian ordered, his voice brokering no argument.

"Oh, who made the boss angry? Now I’m taking all the blame!" John muttered under his breath as he left the room, relief flooding him the moment the door closed behind him.

As John left the room, his phone began to ring. No one was allowed to call when the boss was in the country, which made him wary. He glanced at the caller ID and cursed under his breath when he saw it was James.

"Damn you," John hissed before reluctantly picking up the call.

"Why are you calling? Seems like the food in Nik has turned your brain to the left side," John said urgently, trying to mask his irritation.

"Shut up and give the boss the damn phone," James replied, rolling his eyes at John’s words, exasperation evident in his tone.

"Boss is not receiving calls. If you want to speak with him, call him yourself." John hesitated, unwilling to return to the fiery depths of Zamian’s office. He didn’t want to die before his time.

"Fool, it’s an emergency!" James’s voice cut through John’s reluctance like a knife, urgency clear.

John and James had been working with Zamian for twelve years, ever since Zamian was eleven, so insulting each other like this was nothing new. They had built a bond over the years, navigating the highs and lows of their boss’s unpredictable temperament.

Reluctantly, John knocked twice before opening the door. As he stepped inside, Zamian’s murderous stare hit him, a silent warning that sent shivers down his spine.

"Look, tell the boss that Miss Mira collapsed. She’s in the hospital right now." The room stilled at the news. The phone was on speaker, and Zamian’s body froze; every word hit him like a punch to the gut.

His heart raced, panic setting in. "We are leaving now," he said abruptly, his voice firm but filled with urgency.

Zamian had never felt this way before, as if his world were crumbling. The always reserved and composed Zamian was nervous, a feeling foreign to him but undeniable.

****

Mira lay on the hospital bed, sleeping peacefully, while Lily sat beside her, her eyes filled with worry. The door opened abruptly, revealing Zamian, his tie loose around his neck, his crisp white shirt rumpled, and his hair tousled around his forehead—an image that was both alarming and achingly familiar.

Lily stood, bowing slightly before leaving, giving them the privacy they needed; after all, he was her CEO. She understood the gravity of the situation, the emotions swirling around them, and knew this was a moment Zamian needed to face alone.

As soon as the door closed, Zamian’s hands trembled slightly as he held Mira’s hand, his fingers brushing against her skin as if afraid she might shatter like glass. Just then, there was a soft knock on the door, and the doctor arrived, interrupting the fragile silence.

"Good morning Mr Zamian,Your wife collapsed a few hours ago. One of the reasons was stress," the doctor said, inhaling deeply as he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Zamian.

"Your wife is pregnant."