My Vampire Beloved Husband
Chapter 59: Colliding Worlds

Chapter 59: Colliding Worlds

The car drove silently, the gentle hum of the engine the only sound breaking the stillness. It wasn’t long before it came to a slow stop, right in front of a massive building. Naomi’s eyes lifted to take in the sight, her lips parting slightly as if she couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing.

The front of the building was covered in see-through glass, allowing anyone passing by to glimpse the luxurious interior. The soft lighting spilling through the windows highlighted elegant decor—polished floors, delicate chandeliers, and carefully arranged seating areas. It was a stark contrast to the ordinary coffee shops she was used to, where chipped wooden tables and noisy chatter filled the air.

Naomi stared at the building in awe, her breath momentarily caught in her chest. She had heard about this place from Rose, who had spoken of it with almost reverent admiration, but nothing could have prepared her for how refined it truly was. The sleek, modern design wasn’t just impressive—it was breathtaking. The tall glass panes and sharp architectural lines created an atmosphere of sophistication that made it feel almost otherworldly. Even Rose’s glowing descriptions hadn’t been enough to convey the sheer magnificence of this place.

As Naomi reached for the door handle, ready to step out of the car, she was surprised when the door suddenly swung open before she could touch it. She blinked, momentarily taken aback, and found herself staring at Zylan, who stood outside with his arms outstretched, waiting. In fact, she hadn’t even noticed when he had left his seat.

For a moment, she hesitated. Then, gathering herself, she gently placed her hands on his, allowing him to help her out. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zylan gave a curt nod, his movements smooth and deliberate. There was something about the way he carried himself—an effortless grace that seemed to belong to another world. Such gestures came naturally to him, as if he had been raised in an environment where elegance and refinement were not just taught but instinctive. It wasn’t the kind of sophistication one could learn; it was innate, something few could replicate. Or rather, none.

They began walking side by side, their steps perfectly synchronized without even trying. The gentle hum of the building’s interior grew louder as they approached the entrance. A woman dressed in a neatly pressed uniform stood by the door, waiting. She bowed respectfully the moment they arrived, her tone warm yet professional as she greeted them. "Welcome to Mirrors Coffee and Tea. Your reservation has been prepared."

Naomi noticed a flicker of surprise in the woman’s eyes as she glanced at Zylan. It was subtle but unmistakable. Clearly, she had been expecting someone else—or perhaps she hadn’t expected Zylan at all. Without missing a beat, the woman gestured for them to follow her inside.

The interior was even more impressive than the exterior had suggested. The lighting was soft, casting a warm glow over the room, while the scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air. Naomi found herself marveling at how seamlessly the staff moved, their precision almost mechanical yet undeniably human. Every step, every action was calculated, as though the entire establishment was choreographed to perfection.

Though the place was a coffee shop, it exuded an aura of elegance that rivaled the finest restaurants Naomi had ever seen—places she’d only glimpsed in magazines or on rare outings with Rose. She had been to fancy restaurants with her parents, but she preferred the more common ones. Those felt real, where she could be herself, unlike the upscale ones where she often felt out of place. Her sister, on the other hand, always went to such places with their parents without a second thought. It was clear this establishment wasn’t run like an ordinary café. Every detail was meticulously arranged, and no movement seemed out of place.

As they entered the elevator, Naomi couldn’t help but feel the awkwardness of the situation settling over her. She glanced at Zylan hesitantly, her hands fidgeting at her sides. "If you’re not comfortable with this," she began, her voice soft, "I could just ask them to bring—"

"There’s no need for that," Zylan interrupted, his tone calm but firm. "I’m fine with it."

Naomi studied his expression, trying to gauge his true feelings. He spoke as though he had already made peace with whatever discomfort he might be experiencing, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to it. Was he truly okay with the surroundings, or was he simply too proud to admit otherwise? She suspected the latter. To someone like Zylan, whose life had likely been filled with extravagance, this place might have seemed entirely ordinary. Perhaps even dull—a mere backdrop to a life far grander than she could imagine.

The elevator ascended smoothly, the soft hum filling the silence between them. Naomi cast a brief glance at her reflection in the mirrored walls, wondering if she looked as out of place as she felt. But Zylan stood beside her, unbothered and composed, his presence alone making the space feel smaller.

When the elevator doors slid open, they stepped into a well-organized area that immediately caught Naomi’s attention. A man dressed impeccably in a crisp suit bowed in greeting, his demeanor polite and formal. Naomi couldn’t help but notice the meticulous attention to detail in the space around her. From the perfectly aligned tables to the spotless floors, everything was executed with care that bordered on obsessive.

The man led them to a glass door, which slid open automatically as they approached, revealing an elegant dining area. Naomi was about to step inside when her eyes fell on something—or rather, someone—that made her freeze.

Sitting at a table with a menu in hand, as though casually deciding on his order, was a face she hadn’t seen in a long time. Her breath caught, and her heart skipped a beat as recognition dawned. It was a face she had tried to forget, someone she had pushed to the back of her mind and locked away, hoping never to encounter again.

Ares.

Naomi’s chest tightened as her gaze locked onto him. His dark brown hair fell over his face in soft waves, slightly disheveled but somehow adding to his charm. He wore a casual brown outfit—simple yet tailored perfectly to his frame. Despite the simplicity of his attire, he still exuded a natural handsomeness that was hard to ignore.

But even as her mind registered his presence, she couldn’t help but compare him to Zylan. No matter how attractive Ares had been—or still was—there was no comparison. Zylan was in a league of his own, his presence far more commanding and magnetic. Ares, for all his charm, seemed almost insignificant in comparison.

Still, the sight of him stirred something in her—a faint echo of old emotions she thought she had buried long ago. Before she could make sense of her feelings, Ares looked up. His movements were unhurried, almost as if he had sensed her presence before even seeing her.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the room seemed to fall silent. Naomi felt her breath hitch, but before she could react, Zylan spoke.

"Eaglet..." His voice was low and controlled, but there was an edge to it that sent a chill down Naomi’s spine. From the way he said her name, it was clear he was not pleased with her reaction.

The subtle tension in the air grew thicker as Ares’ gaze shifted from Naomi to Zylan. He studied the man standing beside her, his expression a mixture of curiosity and something else—something darker.

Just as Naomi was about to step further into the room, she felt the atmosphere shift. It wasn’t anything visible, but the change was palpable, like the faint crackle of static before a storm. Ares, who had been engrossed in the menu moments ago, slowly set it down and straightened in his seat.

"Naomi," he said, his voice warm but carrying an undercurrent Naomi couldn’t quite place. "Long time no see."

Naomi forced a polite smile, though her hands were trembling slightly. "Ares," she replied, her tone cool but not unkind.

Without thinking, she reached out and grasped Zylan’s hand, her fingers curling instinctively around his. The action felt natural, almost reflexive, and to her surprise, she noticed a faint smile tugging at Zylan’s lips. His grip tightened slightly, a silent reassurance that he was there.

Ares’ gaze flickered to their joined hands, and for the briefest moment, his expression faltered. Though he quickly masked it with a smile, Naomi saw the unease lingering in his eyes.

"This is my husband, Zylan," Naomi said, her voice steady despite the tension swirling around them. Then, turning back to Zylan, she added, "And this is Ares...my very close friend." The words felt awkward on her tongue, and she could only hope Zylan wouldn’t read too much into them.

Zylan gave Ares a curt nod, his expression unreadable. His mere presence seemed to fill the room, commanding attention without him needing to say a word. Ares, however, was visibly unsettled.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Z-Zylan," Ares stammered, the hesitation in his voice betraying his discomfort.

The pain of saying the name seemed to hit Ares harder than anything else. Though Naomi did not see it in his eyes—the disbelief, the jealousy, and the realization of just how far out of reach she now was.