Chapter 77: Flags
Days had turned into weeks, and Zamian still hadn’t returned. The emptiness in Mira’s heart felt heavier with each passing day. Mira had refused to speak to him since that moment he had become a red flag in her eyes. She had expected him to at least say, "I’m sorry," but he did not. It was as if those simple words could crush his ego more than any confrontation ever could. He didn’t even call her while he was abroad.This silence was a new form of punishment, one that seemed to stretch endlessly.
Lately, Mira had been feeling off—perhaps from stress or from overthinking whether she had crossed a line that day. Her mind raced with possibilities, and she often found herself replaying their last conversation over and over, searching for the exact moment it all went wrong. ’No, he deserves it,’ she told herself aloud, trying to mask her hurt with a semblance of strength. But deep down, she craved resolution, an end to the simmering tension that had replaced their once vibrant connection.
Mira sat in her office, unable to focus on her work. The endless piles of paperwork seemed to blur together, each document a reminder of the distraction he had become. She had been thinking about him more than usual, her thoughts drifting to the warmth of his smile and the deep timbre of his voice. ’Why does he keep me in the dark?’ she wondered. ’I’m not a mind reader; I don’t know what he’s thinking.’ The frustration gnawed at her, leaving her feeling helpless and alone.
Just then, Lily burst through the door of her office, her energy a bright contrast to Mira’s gloom.
"Mira... how are you? You’ve been so down lately, but don’t worry—Lily is here to save the day!" She struck a dramatic pose, hands on her hips, mimicking Superman with a playful grin.
Mira couldn’t help but smile at her friend’s antics. Over the past few days, she and Lily had grown quite close. In the midst of her turmoil, Lily’s vibrant personality had been a refreshing breath of fresh air.
"By the way, Mira, do you know Jake? The one who starred in Love In My Eyes?
Mira’s curiosity piqued as she leaned in, eager for a distraction from her worries. "Yeah, I do."
"Get this! You provided them with the cover for their movie’s background picture!"
"Huh?" Mira’s eyes widened in surprise, disbelief washing over her.
"It happened that day at the charity gala, right when you were about to enter..."