Chapter 13: The Practice
Mira’s heart skipped a beat as she hesitated, considering whether to clarify her words. She opened her mouth to speak but then stopped herself. Would anything really change even if she tried to explain? She stared at Zamian quietly, their eyes locked in an unspoken exchange. It was as if they were both searching for something in each other’s gaze, something neither of them could fully understand.
Zamian’s usual cold, emotionless eyes seemed to spark with something new, something Mira couldn’t quite comprehend. Was it curiosity? Amusement? Or something deeper that he was unwilling to show? The uncertainty made her pulse quicken, and she found herself drawn in by the mystery of what she saw—or thought she saw—in his eyes. It wasn’t just confusion or uncertainty anymore. There was something beneath the surface, a tension that simmered between them.
Then he spoke, his voice low and deliberate, "So, that’s a yes then?"
Mira’s cheeks flushed, the warmth spreading across her face, but this time, she didn’t try to hide it. Instead, she raised her head a little higher, the pink tint in her cheeks deepening as she felt a surge of courage. She wasn’t sure where this sudden boldness was coming from, but it was pushing her forward, closer to him, as if an invisible force was pulling her toward him. She didn’t resist it—couldn’t resist it.
Her body acted on its own, moving closer, drawn in by the invisible pull between them. With each step, her heart pounded harder in her chest, the steady rhythm almost deafening in the quiet tension that surrounded them. She wasn’t thinking about the consequences anymore, or what might come of this bold move. She was simply reacting, responding to a mixture of curiosity, attraction, and something more—something she couldn’t name but felt deep in her bones.
Zamian watched her approach, his expression unreadable, his posture still rigid yet exuding a quiet control. The tension between them thickened, becoming almost palpable, like an invisible thread tying them together, pulling tighter with every second that passed. Mira could feel it too—this undeniable force, urging her forward. She hesitated for a moment, questioning herself, but the hesitation was fleeting, quickly replaced by an overwhelming urge to get closer. She didn’t stop.
Finally, she stood so close she could feel the warmth of his body radiating toward her, the faint scent of his cologne filling her senses and grounding her in this moment. She took in a breath, the scent intoxicating, and for a second, everything else faded away. It was just them, standing inches apart, the world around them seeming to shrink into nothing.
Her hand lifted, slowly, trembling slightly as it hovered near his chest. She hesitated briefly—just a moment of doubt creeping in—but then she placed it on his chest, feeling the firm muscle beneath his shirt and the steady, unyielding beat of his heart. The contrast between his steady heartbeat and her rapid pulse sent a shiver down her spine. The contact was electrifying, and Mira struggled to keep her composure, her mind racing.
"Mr. Zamian," she began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I... I need to get used to this. To you."