Chapter 32: Already Perfect
At that moment, Naomi didn’t know what to do. Her heart hammered in her chest as she turned toward the door, hoping to leave before things got even more uncomfortable. "Please don’t," she spoke hurriedly, almost pleading with herself as much as with him. Just as his hand brushed against the doorknob, it finally stopped turning, and she sighed in relief, grateful to avoid any confrontation. That was close, she thought, taking a shaky breath. She needed to get ready before he thought something had happened to her.
As she stepped further into the room, her eyes landed on a shelf lined with an assortment of skincare and hair products. She felt a flicker of unease but pushed it aside, telling herself there was no point in dwelling on such details. She had bigger things to worry about right now. Plugging in the hairdryer, she began drying and straightening her wavy, golden-blonde hair, the gentle warmth soothing her nerves as she worked. When her hair was finally sleek and smooth, she set the dryer aside and glanced at her reflection.
Her hand went to the pile of clothes she’d grabbed hastily earlier, almost as a shield from the intensity of his gaze. Tearing open the clear package, she found a matching crop top and a long skirt. The skirt was opaque from the waist to the knees, but from there down, it became sheer, revealing her legs with every movement. Naomi’s jaw nearly dropped. It wasn’t the kind of outfit she would normally wear—too bold, too revealing for her taste. But the idea of asking for something else made her hesitate. What if he returned with something even more daring? No, it was better to make do with what she had.
Taking a deep breath, she changed quickly, feeling both self-conscious and oddly emboldened. As she stepped out of the bathroom, her eyes found Zylan sitting with his legs crossed, his gaze distant as if lost in thought. But as soon as he sensed her presence, he looked up, his eyes scanning her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. For a brief moment, his eyes widened, betraying a flicker of surprise before his face settled back into its usual unreadable expression. He hadn’t expected her to wear the outfit, she realized. But he didn’t say a word, merely rising from his seat and moving past her, his footsteps soft as he disappeared into the bathroom.
Relieved, Naomi took the chance to explore a little. She walked to the open, glass-walled area and stood there, gazing at the view stretched out before her. Her mouth opened and closed in awe as she took in the beauty of the scenery, the endless expanse of the ocean merging with the sky in a serene, almost surreal way. She had been so wrapped up in her own struggles, in the walls she’d built around herself, that she had forgotten the world could look like this. A faint smile tugged at her lips as a thought crossed her mind—perhaps she didn’t always have to carry the weight of her past. Perhaps she could find ways to make life feel a little less heavy, a little more beautiful.
Lost in the moment, she began to sway, letting herself feel free in a way she hadn’t allowed herself in a long time. The feeling surprised her; it was as if she had shed an invisible burden. The comfort she felt in this unfamiliar place, with him so near, scared her a little. Could it be possible to feel this at ease with Zylan? Apparently, it was.
Quietly, she decided to continue exploring. Her curiosity led her to the library, where she ran her fingers along the spines of the books, tracing the edges as if they were strings on an instrument only she could hear. When she reached the end of the row, she hesitated, unwilling to choose one. Her last experience with a book had ended poorly, and she worried that any new choice might be worse.
From there, she wandered into the gym area. A set of weights caught her eye, and on a whim, she reached for one, only to be met with resistance. "So heavy," she muttered, more to herself than anyone. She strained to lift it, her hands turning pink from the effort, but it wouldn’t budge. Wait, why am I even doing this? The thought was both amusing and frustrating, yet she felt a strange determination rise within her. Gritting her teeth, she tried again, pulling with everything she had.
"Errrgh," she groaned, a sound of exertion escaping her as her fingers tightened around the handle. The weight remained immovable, defying her attempts. Blowing on her sore hands, she readied herself to try once more, refusing to give up so easily.