My Vampire Beloved Husband
Chapter 69: Thinking About him

Chapter 69: Thinking About him

In the middle of the night, Naomi tossed and turned in her bed, unable to understand why sleep continued to elude her. Her eyes were heavy with dark circles, but despite her exhaustion, she couldn’t bring herself to rest. She wanted to sleep, yet there was something keeping her wide awake. Why was this happening to her? Was it because she missed Zylan?

But that seemed impossible. How could she be missing him after just one day? It felt absurd, and yet... what if he was actually staying away for more than just one day? What would she have done? She needed to remember that Zylan wasn’t the kind of person to stay predictable for long. She knew how unpredictable he was. He could disappear without notice, and that made it all the more important to guard her emotions. She couldn’t allow herself to be hurt again.

She clenched her fists under the covers, fighting the wave of emotions trying to overwhelm her. Naomi had been through so much already, and though she had been trying to convince herself she was okay, deep down, she knew this was different. She had to guard her heart more than ever, even if it meant holding back feelings she wasn’t ready to confront. He wasn’t the type to let people get too close. He would vanish again, just like last time, without a single word. That’s what he was, wasn’t it? Unpredictable. Free. So why was she feeling this way now?

With a sigh, Naomi reluctantly sat up in bed and walked toward the window. The cool night air greeted her as she opened it just a crack. She leaned her body against the window frame, staring up at the night sky, hoping that somehow the answers would come to her. Why was she feeling this way? Why couldn’t she just accept the distance between them? The wind tugged at her hair as she stood there, letting the coldness calm her thoughts. But soon enough, the chill started seeping into her bones, and she closed the window, drawing a deep breath.

She whispered quietly to herself, "What’s happening to me?"

Naomi’s reflection in the glass seemed distant, almost unfamiliar. Who was she? Was she really the same person she had been when she first met Zylan? Had he somehow changed her without her realizing it? The soft rustle of her hair against the window frame seemed like a stark reminder of how little control she had over her own emotions. She had to stop thinking about him. She had to focus. There were bigger things to worry about than her feelings.

Finally, she lay back down, closed her eyes, and allowed sleep to overtake her. The rest she had been craving finally came, though it wasn’t long before morning arrived.

A soft knock on the door pulled Naomi from her slumber. Her eyes fluttered open, still tired and heavy with the remnants of restless sleep. The dark circles beneath her eyes were a stark reminder of how little rest she’d gotten the night before. Rhea entered the room, her smile faltering as she noticed Naomi’s fatigued appearance.

"Good morning, Miss Naomi. I see you didn’t rest well," Rhea said gently.

Naomi nodded, offering a tired smile. "Good morning, Rhea."

Rhea’s eyes softened. "I wanted to inform you that in two hours, preparations for your masquerade ball will begin. A makeup artist will come for your hair, and your dress will be brought over. Everything will be taken care of."

At the mention of the masquerade, Naomi’s thoughts immediately went to Zylan. Given his meticulous nature, it made sense that the event was being treated with such seriousness. She wasn’t surprised by the level of detail that was going into everything.

Naomi nodded, though the thought of Zylan lingered in her mind. What if he came back for the ball? Or worse, what if he didn’t come at all? The thought gnawed at her insides, but she had to push it away. She couldn’t afford to let him affect her like this. She had to stay strong. Her life, her future, was her own to control.

Rhea, noticing Naomi’s tiredness, added, "I’ll fetch some eye cream for you. It might help with those dark circles."

"Thanks, Rhea," Naomi said softly.

After a few minutes, Naomi made her way to the bathroom. The warm water of the shower helped clear her head a little, and as she washed her hair, she couldn’t help but wonder about the masquerade ball. What would it be like? The excitement and the pressure of it all felt overwhelming. She was already feeling the weight of everything, and it hadn’t even started yet. There was too much to think about, too much to prepare for. But still, she couldn’t shake the thought of Zylan. His presence always seemed to loom over everything.

Once she finished her bath, Naomi wrapped herself in a towel and stepped out of the bathroom. She heard a gentle knock on the door.

"Mrs. Naomi, I’ve left the eye cream on your table," Rhea’s voice came through.

"Thank you," Naomi replied, her voice soft.

"You’re welcome, Mrs. Naomi," Rhea said with a smile, though Naomi couldn’t see it.

After getting dressed, Naomi decided it would be better to spend some time outside. The air and the open space always made her feel a bit freer, unlike the feeling of being confined indoors. Being outside allowed her to breathe, even if it was just for a little while. It gave her a sense of relief from the weight of the walls closing in around her. She couldn’t explain why, but it was as though the outside world offered a small escape from the overwhelming thoughts that plagued her mind.

Naomi stared at her reflection in the mirror, her soft blue sundress hugging her figure perfectly. The dress fit her as if it had been tailored just for her, its subtle slit at the bottom adding a touch of elegance. Her hair, neatly tied back in a sleek ponytail, framed her face beautifully, completing the look.

She stepped out of her room with a satisfied smile, her confidence bolstered by how well the dress suited her. Heading downstairs for breakfast, she found herself surprised that the dress fit her so perfectly—it was a rare feeling, one she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

As Naomi entered the dining room, the familiar sight greeted her: Rhea standing respectfully by the table and the chefs lined neatly in their places, awaiting her arrival. Rhea gave a polite nod, and Naomi returned it with a faint smile before moving to her seat. Sitting down, she closed her eyes briefly and offered a silent prayer, her lips moving ever so slightly. Once done, she picked up her utensils and began her meal in quiet contemplation.

The silence was broken by Rhea’s gentle voice. "Mrs. Naomi, I must apologize for not informing you about the flowers yesterday evening. I had intended to remind you about the watering, but I realized you were already fast asleep."

Naomi smiled faintly. "It’s fine, Rhea. We can take care of that another day."

Rhea seemed visibly relieved, her shoulders relaxing as she gave a small nod. Naomi, however, found her thoughts drifting back to the night before. She had fallen asleep while reading a book—a poem, to be exact. Its words had captivated her, weaving images that lingered in her mind long after she closed the pages. She had lost track of time, her eyes growing heavy until sleep claimed her mid-read.

But later that night, she had woken up abruptly. Sleep had evaded her after that, no matter how desperately she tried to reclaim it. Her thoughts kept circling back to Zylan—his name, his presence, the way he seemed to occupy her mind without invitation. She couldn’t shake the sense of emptiness, as if something vital had been taken from her. Why did he have such a hold on her even in his absence?

As she thought about it, Naomi realized that if her restlessness was tied to him, she needed to be cautious. She had to guard her heart, because Zylan, with his unpredictable nature, could easily leave her vulnerable again. She needed to be prepared for anything. Naomi wasn’t sure if she could keep doing this. She didn’t know if she could keep pretending that she wasn’t affected, when everything inside her told her that she was.

She turned to Rhea, her voice calm but with an edge of curiosity. "Do they have any news about my husband?"

Rhea hesitated for a moment. "We’re not entirely sure yet, but Mr. Zylan should be arriving today."

Naomi felt her heart skip a beat at the mention of his name. She knew she had to brace herself. She had to prepare for whatever he was about to bring into her life next, for whatever emotions he would stir in her. Zylan wasn’t the type to come quietly. He never did.

But the hall immediately fell silent. The chef, who was about to leave, had stopped. Rhea was silent, and then Naomi heard it—footsteps. No one needed to tell her who that was.