Feelings

Zamian woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. He blinked, adjusting to the light as he turned to see Mira still asleep beside him. Her hair was tied in a beautifully messy bun, with loose strands falling gracefully around her face. She looked so peaceful, a picture of calm that starkly contrasted with the whirlwind of emotions from the day before. Zamian allowed himself a rare moment of stillness as he observed her, the serenity of her expression almost disarming.

Not wanting to disturb her sleep, Zamian carefully slid out of bed, moving with deliberate, calculated motions to avoid waking her. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he silently crossed the room and entered the bathroom. Even as he stood under the warm spray of the shower, his mind kept drifting back to her—Mira, with her quiet elegance and the curious effect she seemed to have on him. What was it about her that unsettled him in ways he hadn't expected?

After a quick shower, Zamian wrapped a towel around his waist, the cool air hitting his skin as he stepped out of the bathroom. His eyes naturally sought out Mira again, still resting peacefully on the bed. For a moment, everything seemed still—until she stirred. Her delicate movements caught his attention, and just as he was about to turn away, she sat up, their eyes meeting in a brief yet intense exchange. She blinked, then quickly hid her face in her hands, clearly flustered.

To his surprise, a soft chuckle escaped his lips. Zamian paused, startled by the unfamiliar sound. He rarely laughed—especially not at something as simple as Mira's shy reaction—but there it was, a quiet chuckle breaking the stoic mask he wore so often. He quickly shook off the strange feeling and moved to dress, pulling on a crisp shirt and tailored trousers, his actions slow and methodical.

Once he was fully dressed, Zamian glanced at Mira again, who was still pretending to hide behind her hands. In a steady, calm voice, he said, "I'm done. You can sit up now."

Mira peeked through her fingers, clearly still embarrassed, but she quickly stood up and greeted him. "Good morning," she murmured, her voice soft and uncertain. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, a telltale sign of the nervousness that hung between them.

Zamian's response was brief but gentle. "Good morning." He turned and made his way to the door, his posture as rigid and composed as ever. Yet, as he descended the stairs, a slight smile tugged at his lips—a smile that vanished almost as soon as it appeared. Even in this quiet moment, his presence remained commanding, the kind that demanded attention without effort.

As he stepped outside the mansion, the fresh morning air greeted him. He paused at the entrance, scanning his surroundings until his eyes landed on James, who was waiting nearby. Without preamble, Zamian instructed, "Keep her safe."

James, ever loyal and respectful, nodded firmly. "Yes, I will."

The seriousness in Zamian's tone betrayed a subtle hint of concern, but he didn't linger on it. With one final look at the mansion, he walked away, his thoughts already turning to the day's tasks.

****

Back inside, Mira was left to her own musings, her mind spinning with the events of the morning. She had felt so exposed under Zamian's gaze—vulnerable in a way she hadn't anticipated. 'This shouldn't be happening,' she thought, trying to push down the emotions that bubbled up. Was it because of what had transpired between them yesterday? Or was it something else entirely?

She shook her head, almost as if trying to rid herself of the confusion. "Oh goodness," she muttered under her breath, knowing full well that she needed to regain control. If she wanted these four months to be a success, she couldn't allow herself to develop deeper feelings for Zamian. It was a dangerous path—one she couldn't afford to walk. *I have to stay focused. Stay focused on the goal.*

Needing a distraction, Mira decided to step outside for some fresh air. As she opened the door and stepped onto the porch, the cool breeze brushed against her skin, instantly easing some of the tension in her body. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, letting the soft rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds soothe her frazzled nerves.

When she opened her eyes again, her gaze fell on the small garden at the side of the mansion. Without thinking, she walked toward it, her steps light on the dewy grass. The vibrant colors of the flowers greeted her as she approached, each bloom seemingly more beautiful than the last. She leaned down, inhaling the sweet scents, feeling a small wave of peace wash over her.

As she moved through the garden, one particular flower caught her eye. It stood alone in a corner, its unique appearance drawing her in. Intrigued, Mira pulled out her phone and snapped a picture. Something about this flower felt significant, as if it wasn't just any ordinary bloom. Curious, she quickly searched online for more information. As the results loaded, her eyes widened in shock.

"This is the rare Senerp flower," she whispered, her voice filled with awe.

The Senerp flower was known for its rarity, something people paid millions to see in person. To find it here, growing so freely in the mansion's garden, was nothing short of extraordinary. Mira bent down, her fingers lightly brushing against the petals. The scent was unlike anything she had ever encountered—so lovely, so unique.

"This is incredible," she murmured to herself, taking in the delicate beauty of the flower. She couldn't help but feel that there was something special about this moment, as if the flower had been waiting for her all along.

"Miss Mira, breakfast is ready," came Nana's voice from the doorway, breaking Mira's trance.

Mira nodded, casting one last glance at the flower before reluctantly turning away. As she followed Nana into the dining room, her thoughts were still with the Senerp flower and its surprising rarity. She couldn't shake the feeling that its discovery held some deeper meaning, though she wasn't quite sure what that was just yet.

At breakfast, Mira sat in silence, her mind preoccupied with the morning's events and the flower. She picked up her phone again, scrolling through more information about the Senerp flower. The more she read, the more astonished she became. 'Millions of dollars just to see it,'she thought, still in disbelief. And she had touched it, breathed in its scent. The experience was surreal.

"Oh my," she whispered, her astonishment evident.

After a few moments, she turned to Nana. "Where is Mr. James?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I'll go call him," Nana replied, leaving the room for a moment before returning with James in tow.

"Yes, Miss Mira?" James asked, his voice attentive.

"I would like to go out somewhere today," Mira said.