Chapter 44: Tender
Mira’s heart seemed to stop momentarily as her eyes widened in disbelief. She couldn’t comprehend the situation and wished that the ground would just open up and swallow her whole—if that were even possible. The embarrassment was overwhelming. Zamian, immediately noticing her distress, met her eyes briefly before he took off his jacket. Without a word, he draped it over her shoulders, his silent gesture providing much-needed coverage and comfort. Mira’s cheeks flushed deeply, and her breath caught in the air, as she felt his caring gesture. His jacket, significantly larger than her, covered her adequately and shielded her from further embarrassment.
Then Zamian spoke, his voice calm and authoritative, "It’s already late. We’ll stop at a hotel and continue our journey tomorrow." His words were clear and decisive. The chauffeur, understanding Zamian’s instructions, drove for a while before pulling up in front of a well-furnished hotel—*Zan Hotel*. Mira’s eyes widened as she realized that this was one of Zamian’s hotels. ’Just how rich is this man?’she wondered, but she had little time to dwell on that thought. The more pressing issue was her current situation; she was stained, and the embarrassment was palpable. Her cheeks burned even more as she realized that Zamian must have been aware of her predicament. Thankfully, Zamian’s jacket covered the necessary areas, providing her with some relief.
As they stepped out of the car, Mira silently followed Zamian into the hotel, feeling a mix of discomfort and anxiety. The grandeur of the lobby was impressive, but she could hardly focus on it. The moment they entered, the hotel staff began bowing their heads, acknowledging their boss’s rare presence. The atmosphere was tense, and Mira could feel the shift in the air as they moved through the lobby.
Once they reached the elevator, Zamian commanding aura was palpable. His presence had a way of making everyone around him attentive and alert, though he remained composed and calm. Mira felt a mix of gratitude and mortification. She couldn’t help but feel self-conscious as they rode up in the elevator, her mind preoccupied with her discomfort and embarrassment.
The elevator doors opened, and Zamian quickly led Mira to a room. As they entered, he closed the door behind them and turned to face her. Mira closed her eyes briefly, taking a deep breath before whispering, "Thank you." Her voice was barely audible, and she was about to move away when there was a knock at the door.
Zamian opened the door to reveal a hotel staff member holding a bag. Inside the bag were sleepwear, a sanitary pad, sanitary underwear, and a period kit. Mira’s eyes widened as she realized what was in the bag. She was astonished at how Zamian had managed to arrange for these items so quickly, considering they had arrived together. ’How did he manage to get this so fast?’ she thought, feeling a mix of confusion and gratitude.
Zamian spoke briefly to the staff member, and Mira noticed a subtle change in his aura—his presence became slightly intense—before it returned to its usual calm demeanor as he closed the door. "If you’re uncomfortable with this, I can get you something else," he said, referring to the pad. His voice was gentle but firm, offering her reassurance.
Mira shook her head quickly and rushed into the bathroom. Once she closed the door behind her, she felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. The situation was overwhelming, and she felt an intense wave of humiliation. She gently began tapping her head against the bathroom wall, trying to cope with the discomfort and her emotions. She wanted to scream in frustration, but she knew that would only make things worse. ’What if Zamian thinks something’s wrong and comes in?’ she worried. Instead, she continued lightly tapping her head, hoping it would help her release some of the tension and embarrassment.