The soft morning light slipped through the pale blue curtains, casting golden patterns across the room. Nora stirred beneath the blankets, her fingers brushing across the silky sheets as she murmured in her sleep, "Ash… Ash…"
By the window, Zayan sat silently, watching her with eyes full of quiet thoughts. Her delicate voice made something in him tighten, but he said nothing. He simply observed her — the way her lashes fluttered as she began to wake, the familiar yawn she made in that sweet, sleepy way that always managed to disarm him.
He smiled softly.
"Still want more sleep, darling?" he asked as he rose and approached the bed.
"Mhmhm…" Nora mumbled, her eyes still heavy, her voice muffled with drowsiness.
Zayan chuckled gently and bent down, scooping her up into his arms like she weighed nothing. She nestled into him without protest, warm and pliant. Holding her like that, so close, felt dangerous — yet right.
He gazed at her, his thoughts swirling.
I don't know how to stop myself anymore, he thought. Am I falling? No… I've already fallen. Will I love her the right way? I've never done that before. But Nora… she's different. She's going to be my first real love. Maybe it's time to change… after all these years.
Nora's eyes fluttered open, clearer now. She blinked, realizing where she was — who was holding her — and quickly pulled away, flustered.
"I—I'm sorry… I didn't know—"
"It's fine," Zayan said gently, his voice low and calm. "How are you feeling?"
She smiled faintly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I'm okay."
"Are you really okay?" he asked, studying her face carefully.
Still smiling, Nora nodded again, but he wasn't entirely convinced. Something in her eyes told him she was trying to be strong — or trying to hide.
Zayan didn't press. He had already decided to visit the orphanage soon — to dig deeper into her past. There were things he needed to understand, things Nora wouldn't tell him. Not yet.
"I need to go," she said suddenly, beginning to rise.
But Zayan pulled her back gently, his hand firm around her wrist. Without another word, he kissed her — deeply, fully. It was the kind of kiss that made time pause, that tasted like longing and something dangerously close to love.
His heart thundered.
I'm about to lose control again…
But he stopped himself, pulling away just in time.
"I'll see you later, darling," he whispered, brushing a hand across her cheek. He cracked the door open, checked the hallway — empty. Then he slipped out.
Nora stood still, fingers grazing her lips.
Softly, to no one in particular, she whispered, "…His lips are soft."