Chapter 68: Missing Him
Naomi stared at the flowers in awe. The sunflowers were arranged beautifully, their vibrant yellow petals and bright green leaves forming a perfect display. The sight was mesmerizing, and Naomi couldn’t blame Zylan for having a fondness for them. They radiated a simple beauty, pure and unpretentious, something she hadn’t seen in a while.
"They’re so pretty," she murmured with a smile, her eyes soaking in the bright blooms. The sweet scent of the flowers lingered in the air, blending harmoniously with the sunlight that bathed the garden. It was a moment of serene beauty, one that seemed almost too perfect to be real. Naomi didn’t realize she was also part of the scene—her golden hair catching the sunlight, casting a soft glow around her. In that moment, she looked like she belonged in a painting, a figure so naturally stunning that even the flowers seemed to pale in comparison.
As she continued admiring the display, a memory surfaced. This was the exact flower she had been given on her wedding day. The thought made her pause. Was it given to her because it was his favorite? She wasn’t sure, but the idea lingered, and she couldn’t help but smile.
"If he really loves it, he’s a fan," she said to herself, her voice light and teasing. The thought of Zylan being a "fan" of something as simple as a flower amused her, and she continued, "He’s a fan because he admires the flowers, but the flowers don’t even know who he is."
The absurdity of her statement made her giggle softly. Her laughter was light and carefree, a sound so rare that it seemed to brighten the already radiant garden. Naomi had no idea why she found it so amusing, but something about it felt right—like a tiny piece of joy she hadn’t realized she was missing.
Rylan, who had been standing quietly nearby, found himself utterly speechless. Her laughter caught him off guard, and for a moment, he forgot himself. Naomi’s beauty was otherworldly, so ethereal that it could render even the most talkative person silent. It wasn’t just her golden hair or her glowing skin—it was the way she laughed, the way her eyes sparkled with unspoken thoughts. She seemed untouched by the heaviness of the world in that fleeting moment, and Rylan realized just how much his boss must treasure her.
Now he understood. His boss had made the right choice.
Naomi’s laughter eventually faded, though her smile remained. "I know he wouldn’t admit it," she said with a playful tone, "but even if I told him he was a fan, of course, he wouldn’t agree—he’s so full of pride."
Her eyes gleamed mischievously as she added, "A die-hard fan." The words tumbled out effortlessly, and she couldn’t stop the smile that stretched across her face. She didn’t know why teasing Zylan in his absence brought her so much joy, but it did. Maybe it was because she could picture his annoyed expression, his sharp eyes narrowing as he denied every word with that familiar arrogance. The thought made her giggle again, and she didn’t bother to suppress it.