Noor emerged from the cold spring, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders like liquid silk. Her breath was still ragged, her porcelain skin flushed, as though every drop of water on her body had imprinted a trace of vulnerability.
Her lips, tinged with the remnants of cold, were slightly parted, and her cheeks flushed with a soft pink hue—like a rose touched by frost. The harshness of the cold had left its mark on her skin, but it only seemed to enhance her ethereal glow.
Her eyes, however, told a different story. The depths of her gaze held something far darker.The vulnerability she'd just experienced in the water clung to her like a second skin, it lingered in the shadow of her gaze.
She stood for a moment.
Her hand reached for the towel draped over a stone, fingers trembling for a moment before steadying.
The candles flickered as she moved through the room, casting long shadows on the walls. The fabric of her dress awaited her, the rose silk gleaming softly under the gentle light. She moved toward it with an elegance , her every step poised.
The moonlight poured in through the window, and as she slid the dress over her shoulders, it hugged her body —softly, intimately. The fabric clung to her curves, tracing the outline of her form. Her skin, pale and untouched, seemed to glow, the faintest flush still lingering on her cheeks, a hint of the water's chill, but that only made her more beautiful.
She turned toward the mirror, the room around her fading into insignificance as she gazed at her reflection. It was a moment of silent confrontation—her gaze meeting her own, seeing the woman the world admired but could never truly know. The reflection staring back at her was perfect, a masterpiece carved by nature itself.
A soft knock at the door. Maya's voice slipped through the crack. "Everything is ready, Madam."
Noor didn't respond immediately. Instead, she stood there for a moment, her fingers brushing the delicate lace of her dress, feeling the coolness of the fabric against her skin. She took a deep breath, and then, with a soft smile—one that held no trace of the turmoil within—she answered, her voice low and steady. "Good."
She moved with purpose, despite the heaviness in her heart.
The butler watched silently as she passed, his respectful gaze unwavering. As Noor neared the sleek, deep burgundy Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, standing at its door, Maya was waiting—ready as always.
Noor paused, her fingers lightly brushing the cool metal of the car. She looked at Maya, her voice soft.
"I'll drive tonight," Noor said, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Maya blinked, a flicker of concern crossing her face. "Are you sure, ma'am?"
Noor's eyes, cool and unyielding, met Maya's.. The question hung in the air, a silent challenge.
Without giving an answer, Noor slipped into the driver's seat, her fingers grazing the leather steering wheel.The engine purred to life, a low, throaty hum that seemed to vibrate through the very night itself. She didn't look back as she drove off into the darkness.
Maya watched her go, standing by the car.
Maya stood, arms crossed, staring at the road where Noor's car had disappeared. Her lips tightened.
"Is she really going out... alone?" she muttered.
James appeared beside her, his presence unsettling as usual. He glanced in the direction Noor had gone, his eyes cold. "She never is alone."
Maya raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
James murmured, his tone laced with an eerie certainty. "She's dangerous,."
Maya scoffed, brushing it off. "Yeah, sure. Dangerous in a 'I-can't-decide-on-a-dress' kind of way."
Zeyla wandered up, grinning. "Did I hear someone say scary?" She raised an eyebrow. "I'm just here for the chill vibes, you know?"
James stared at her, unblinking. "You should be worried about what happens when Noor's beauty finally breaks someone. It's not just a face."
Zeyla snorted. "Right. She's got laser vision under that dress, doesn't she?"
James's voice dropped, cold and precise. "You don't want to find out what she does when someone gets too close."
Maya smirked. "Well, yeah, with a face like that, I'm sure she's dangerous. But I'm more worried about whoever tries to get in her way."
Zeyla laughed. "Let them try. I'm sure she'll handle them in the most glamorous way possible."
James's gaze turned sharp. "It's not the glamour, Zeyla. It's the monster under it."
James just sighed, looking resigned. "You'll see."
Zeyla and Maya exchanged a look and then burst into laughter, completely ignoring James's ominous vibes.
"Sure, James. Sure," Maya said through giggles. "I'm just waiting for her to accidentally seduce someone into a murderous fashion disaster."
James gave up. "You're all hopeless."
Sanlang's breath nearly caught in his throat as Noor stepped out of the car, her presence something beyond beauty—beyond comprehension. The world around her dimmed, the restaurant's golden glow paling in comparison to the quiet radiance she carried with her.
The silk of her dress moved like water against her form, the soft rose hue embracing her with an intimacy that felt almost sacred. She was elegance itself.The long, raven-dark strands of her hair cascaded past her waist, shimmering as they caught the light. And her skin—pale as porcelain, kissed by the cool air—held a glow so unearthly that even the moon seemed ashamed to shine too brightly.
Sanlang stood as she approached, but his body felt distant, as if his very soul had been unanchored at the sight of her. He had always known she was beautiful, but this—this was something else. Something terrifying in its perfection.
Their eyes met.
And in that single glance, he knew.
It didn't matter whether she ever returned his love. She had already undone him.
She was everything. And he—he was merely something that existed in her orbit.
They sat across from each other, candlelight casting long, flickering shadows between them. Sanlang had meant to speak, had rehearsed a thousand things to say, but the words crumbled before they could reach his lips. What could he offer her that she did not already have? What could he possibly say to a woman who was not meant for this world?
He had only silence.
Noor tilted her head slightly, studying him. The air between them thickened, heavy with something unspoken. She had always carried an aura of quiet command, but here, in this moment, it was more than that. She was not merely a woman. But still Sanlang felt powerless before it.
Her voice, when she finally spoke, was low and unhurried. "You're staring, Sanlang."
His lips parted slightly, but no sound came. There was only quiet amusement in the way her eyes held his.
Still, he tried to find his voice. "I…" He exhaled softly, his hands tightening into fists beneath the table. "Forgive me."
Noor didn't reply right away. Instead, she reached for the delicate glass before her, her fingers brushing its rim as if in thought. Sanlang found himself watching it—watching the way the candlelight played against the cool grace of her skin, the way her very existence seemed to slow time itself.
Sanlang swallowed, his gaze lowering for the first time.
"You don't have to give me anything," his heart whispered. "And still, I will give you everything. Even if you never look my way again, I will love you just the same."
A quiet breath left him, almost a laugh at his own foolishness.
Noor's voice broke the silence once more, soft, thoughtful. "Are you afraid of me, Sanlang?"
His head lifted, and for the first time, he found himself smiling. It was not the smile of a man in control.
"Yes," he admitted. "Terribly."
She studied him for a long moment, as though weighing the truth in his words. Then, with a small, knowing smile, she raised her glass to her lips.
A moment passed before the waiter came to take their orders, but even then, Sanlang didn't look away. He was still fixated on her. His eyes softened for a brief second, his voice lowering just a touch.
"You've been busy, huh?."
Noor picked up her menu, glancing over it. "You know how it is."
"I do," he agreed, his voice playful again. "But I've been missing our dinners. They're always... much more interesting when you're here. You make everything seem... brighter."
Noor's gaze lifted from the menu, meeting his eyes. "You really know how to flatter, Sanlang."
He gave a wicked grin. "I try."
As the waiter arrived with their food, Sanlang's hand casually brushed against hers as he reached for his wine glass. His eyes never left her, a knowing glint in them. "So, tell me, Noor, what would it take for me to get you to agree to more dinners like this? Maybe I'll have to bribe you with something special?"
Her lips parted in a soft laugh, the conversation turning teasing as she replied, "I'm sure you'll think of something."
Sanlang leaned in closer, his voice low, his tone almost a whisper now. "I always do."
For a moment, the air between them was charged, his charm and flirtation hanging in the space.
"So, are we getting dessert, or are you planning to bribe me with something even more tempting?" she teased.
He grinned. "I'll make you a deal. Dessert can wait. But you? You're definitely the best thing on the menu tonight."
As they finished their meal, Sanlang's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I hope you enjoyed the dinner, Noor. But there's something else I've been looking forward to."
Noor raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what might that be?"
Sanlang's smile widened. "I have a special gift for you. I thought it would be the perfect way to end our evening."
Noor's curiosity was piqued. "A gift? You're full of surprises tonight."
Sanlang stood, extending his hand. "Come with me. I'd like to show you."