Chapter 58: Misunderstanding
Mira gazed at Zamian, who, at that moment, looked like a lost puppy trying to get used to the comfort of his new home. The contrast between his usual composed demeanor and his current, slightly bewildered state made her smile even wider. She had seen a similar scene in one of her favorite manga, where the characters shared ice cream in a playful, romantic manner. The memory had stuck with her, and now, with Zamian’s suggestion to take a photo "like manga," it seemed the perfect opportunity to recreate that charming moment.
Pulling out her phone with a mischievous grin, she said, "Okay, now. Put your arm together with mine." Her voice was light with amusement, a stark contrast to the serious tone Zamian was accustomed to. Zamian raised an eyebrow, his usual stoicism replaced by a hint of curiosity and confusion. He followed her lead, unsure of what she was planning but willing to indulge her whim.
As Mira guided his hand, intertwining their arms, she couldn’t help but giggle softly to herself. It was one of those rare moments where Zamian seemed genuinely out of his element, which only added to the charm of the scene. His puzzled expression, coupled with Mira’s enthusiastic guidance, created a delightful contrast that Mira enjoyed.
"Like this," Mira said, demonstrating as she guided his ice cream cone to face hers, and her cone to face his, their arms now entwined. She shut one of her eyes, her grin widening as she prepared to snap the picture. Zamian, though still somewhat perplexed, mimicked her actions, bringing his ice cream close to his lips and shutting one eye.
The chauffeur, who had been with Zamian for almost seven years, couldn’t help but be taken aback by the sight unfolding in the rearview mirror. His jaw nearly dropped as he watched the scene. The usually solemn Zamian engaged in such a lighthearted, playful act was a stark departure from his typical demeanor. For a moment, the chauffeur was so captivated that he nearly forgot his duty, his mind struggling to process the surrealness of the situation.
Mira quickly took the picture and squealed with delight, "Done!" She immediately turned to check the photo, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So cuuute!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with exhilaration. She couldn’t help but imagine how this picture might look if it were to go viral. Zamian, observing her joyful reaction, realized that something as simple as this brought her immense happiness. He found himself content with playing the role of her manga character, even if it meant stepping out of his comfort zone.
As Mira reveled in her excitement, the chauffeur snapped out of his daze and resumed driving, shaking his head slowly in disbelief. The image of Zamian, typically so reserved, engaging in such an endearing moment with Mira lingered in his mind as he navigated the car through the road.
Meanwhile, Lily was jolted awake by the persistent pinging of her doorbell. Groggily, she stumbled out of bed, her bare feet padding softly on the floor as she shuffled toward the door. She opened it to find her mother standing on the threshold, her expression a mix of concern and frustration.
"Oh my, Lily! Why are you still asleep at this time of day?" her mother exclaimed, stepping inside with a sense of urgency.