Chapter 21: The Rain l
Mira sat on her bed, her mind racing as she tried to process the events of the day. The encounter in Zamian’s office had left her in a whirl of emotions. She found it difficult to believe how quickly everything had escalated. The unexpected appearance of the marriage contract had caught her off guard, and she was left questioning the emotions she was beginning to experience. What was it about the contract and Zamian’s sudden decision to present it that was stirring such feelings within her?
She tried to brush off her confusion, reminding herself that tomorrow was Monday and she needed her laptop to check some important documents. It was a task she had forgotten to bring with her from her apartment. The thought of asking Zamian about it later seemed daunting. She was unsure how to articulate her questions. Why had he suddenly brought out the contract? What prompted him to present it now? It was better that he had brought it out earlier than to wait for four months and then face the risk of everything turning into a bureaucratic mess.
Feeling the weight of the day’s events, Mira decided to take a quick nap to clear her mind. As she drifted off, she hoped that a short rest might bring her some clarity. The weight of the day was almost overwhelming, and she longed for a brief escape from the whirlwind of thoughts spinning in her head.
Hours later, Mira awoke with a start, surprised at how long she had slept. The soft knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. Nana, with a warm and apologetic smile, greeted her. "I’m very sorry, Miss Mira, for waking you up. It’s time for lunch."
Mira blinked, disoriented but appreciative. "It’s okay," she replied, rubbing her eyes. She stood and followed Nana downstairs. As they approached the dining area, Mira’s senses were immediately assaulted by the delicious aroma of food. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her: one of her favorite dishes, fried rice, was laid out in a sumptuous spread.
Her mouth watered at the sight of the fried rice, its golden grains glistening with a savory sheen. The aroma of the dish was irresistible, and her stomach rumbled in anticipation. Zamian, who had noticed her eager gaze, promptly raised a plate of the fried rice and began to pass it to her.
Blushing, Mira realized that her reaction might have been a bit too obvious. She took her seat at the dining table, trying to compose herself. As she began to eat silently, she couldn’t help but savor the flavor of the meal. The fried rice was perfectly seasoned, each bite a comforting reminder of home.
After a few moments of eating, Mira decided to voice her need. "I would like to go to my apartment to get something," she said. She hesitated to mention that she needed her laptop because she was sure that if she did, Zamian would likely provide a new, high-end laptop, far superior to hers. She preferred to handle this on her own terms.
Zamian, who had been eating his meal with his usual neutral and stoic expression, glanced up. "I’ll go with you," he said calmly.
He then pulled out his phone, typed something quickly, and spoke again, "We’ll head to your apartment immediately after finishing here." His tone was even and controlled, as always.