Unexpected Revelation

"Newlywed," Mira whispered in a low tone, testing the word as it left her lips. She immediately regretted saying it when Zamian's voice cut through the quiet, his confusion palpable. "Newlywed? Is that why you wanted us to come to your apartment?"

Mira's eyes widened at his interpretation, a familiar frustration bubbling up inside her. No matter how carefully she chose her words, Zamian always seemed to find a way to misinterpret her. It was as if they were speaking two different languages, each misunderstanding the other's intent. She felt a pang of irritation, the sting of disappointment more potent than she'd expected. Standing from her chair, she responded tersely, "No," her voice tight, laden with unspoken words.

Zamian remained seated, his expression unreadable, a mask he wore so effortlessly. The moment hung heavily between them, a gulf of unresolved tension and words left unsaid. Mira could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, not from embarrassment but from the sheer exhaustion of trying to communicate with him.

Without another word, she began to clear the table, gathering the dishes with a sense of finality. There was a practiced efficiency in her movements, a sharp contrast to the turmoil swirling inside her. Zamian watched her, his gaze steady, though his thoughts were a mystery. He had seen her composed, controlled—always careful to maintain her poise. But this? This was new. Mira's usual reserve was cracking, and beneath it, something was simmering.

Mira carried the plates to the kitchen, setting them down on the counter with a bit more force than necessary. The clatter echoed in the small space, a sound that seemed to punctuate the tension between them. She turned on the faucet, the rush of water a temporary distraction from the weight of Zamian's gaze still lingering on her.

As she quickly washed the dishes, her mind raced with a mix of emotions she struggled to name. She had always prided herself on being calm and collected, but Zamian had a way of getting under her skin like no one else. The ease with which he misinterpreted her words, the way he could unsettle her without even trying—it was infuriating.

By the time she finished, her hands were trembling slightly. She dried them on a towel, taking a moment to collect herself before she returned to the living room. "Let's go," she said, her voice brisk, betraying none of the turmoil she felt.

Zamian rose from his seat without a word, his expression still inscrutable. He followed her to the elevator, the silence between them thick and heavy. Mira could feel the tension in the small space, every second stretching out interminably. She stared straight ahead, determined not to let him see how rattled she was.

The elevator ride down felt like an eternity. Mira was acutely aware of Zamian's presence beside her, the air between them charged with unspoken words. When the doors finally opened, she stepped out first, her pace brisk, as if she could outrun the discomfort she felt.

Waiting outside were two cars, a sight that had become routine. Mira didn't even glance at Zamian as they exited the building—she knew where he was going, and she knew they would be parting ways as usual. James, who was standing by the car, immediately stepped forward and opened the door for her. "Good morning, Miss Mira," he said with a polite nod.

Mira returned his greeting with a tight smile. "Good morning." Her voice was flat, lacking the warmth she usually tried to muster for these interactions. She slipped into the car without another word, her mind already elsewhere.

As the car pulled away from the curb, Mira leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes for a moment. The tension from her earlier exchange with Zamian still clung to her, like an unwelcome shadow. She reached for her phone, scrolling through her playlists until she found something to match her mood. A local song started playing, the familiar melody offering a small measure of comfort.

She needed something to ground her, to take her mind off the morning's events. The music was soothing, a steady rhythm that helped to quiet the thoughts swirling in her mind. She let it wash over her, focusing on the beat, the lyrics, anything but the way Zamian's words had cut through her so easily.

After a few minutes, the car halted at her destination. Mira glanced out the window, taking a deep breath before stepping out. The building loomed before her, a stark reminder of the world she had to navigate on her own terms. She entered the company with purposeful strides, her expression composed once more. Whatever had transpired earlier, she couldn't let it affect her day.

Mira made her way to her office, settling into her chair with a determined focus. She quickly set an alarm for ten minutes before her lunch break—she had learned the hard way how easily she could lose track of time when she was immersed in her work. Zack had been her constant reminder in the past, popping in to tell her it was time to eat or take a break. But today, she didn't want that. She needed the space, the time to herself.

As the day progressed, Mira buried herself in her tasks, the morning's tension slowly ebbing away. The work was a welcome distraction, each completed task a small victory in reclaiming her sense of control. But time moved quickly, and soon enough, the alarm she had set rang out, pulling her from her focus.

She stood and made her way to the cafeteria, her thoughts already shifting to the next part of her day. The cafeteria was buzzing with activity, her colleagues scattered around in small groups, chatting and eating. Mira noticed a few eyes on her as she entered, but she paid them little mind. She assumed they were simply curious about the new face in their midst.

After grabbing her food, she found a seat at one of the tables, hoping to enjoy her meal in peace. But just as she was about to take a bite, a familiar voice interrupted her.

"Oh my God, Mira! We went to your office, but we didn't see you. We thought you left. Thank goodness you're here," Lily said, her excitement palpable as she approached with Zack beside her.

Mira looked up, offering a small smile. "Hey, Zack. Hi, Lily."

"Hey, Mira," Zack greeted her, his tone warm but distracted.

Lily and Zack quickly grabbed their own food and joined her at the table. As they sat down, Lily's eyes caught sight of something that made her gasp.

"Oh my God, Mira, is that a ring? Are you married?" Lily's voice was a mix of shock and delight, her eyes wide with excitement.

Mira felt a blush creeping up her neck, spreading across her cheeks. She nodded slowly, unable to meet their eyes. The attention made her uncomfortable, but there was no escaping it now.

Zack, on the other hand, was in shock. His eyes widened as he stared at the ring, his mind racing to make sense of what he was seeing. Just yesterday, he had seen Zamian with Mira, and he had assumed they were just friends. The idea of marriage had never crossed his mind.

As if reading his thoughts, Lily leaned in closer, her excitement unabated. "So, what's the lucky guy's name?" she asked eagerly, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Mira hesitated, her mind racing. She knew this moment would come, but it still felt surreal to say it out loud. After a brief pause, she finally spoke, her voice steady. "It's Zamian."

Lily's eyes grew even wider, if that was possible. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth.

"You mean Zamian Zan? The owner of this company?"