Whispers Of The Shadows-The UNKNOWN

Unspoken tension

"Let me choose a dress for you today," Gabriel said as he stepped inside the dressing room, his voice carrying a subtle authority yet tinged with a rare playfulness.

Zahra glanced at him through the mirror, slightly startled but not entirely surprised. "Sure... go ahead," she replied, a faint smile playing on her lips. "I'll take a quick shower. Just leave the dress on the table, please," she added before disappearing into the bathroom in a hurried flurry.

The sound of water hitting the tiled floor filled the room, soft and rhythmic. Gabriel stood there for a moment, listening absentmindedly before turning his attention to the array of clothes. His brows furrowed as he sifted through her wardrobe, his fingers brushing over delicate fabrics. Somehow, he wasn't just looking for something stylish; he wanted her to feel at ease, to look radiant yet entirely herself.

After some thought, he pulled out a pair of jeans and a simple tank top, layering it with a cozy cardigan. A faint sense of pride swelled in his chest as he placed the outfit on the table, envisioning how it would look on her.

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, Zahra emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a soft bathrobe, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders. Gabriel's breath caught in his throat as his eyes unintentionally swept over her, her smooth skin glistening faintly in the light.

The moment stretched unbearably long before he forced himself to look away, guilt and a strange heat rushing through him. Zahra froze mid-step, her eyes widening in shock as she realized his presence. Her cheeks flushed, and she clutched the edges of her robe tighter.

"I told you to leave! Why are you still here?" she shouted, her voice a mix of embarrassment and indignation.

Gabriel cleared his throat, his face now turned toward the wall, and muttered a gruff apology before exiting the room. Zahra pressed her back against the closed door, her heart hammering against her ribs. She let out a shaky breath, her face burning as she tried to shake off the moment.

Once she was composed, Zahra stepped out, her gaze falling on the outfit he had chosen. Her lips curved into a soft smile. The simplicity of it, the thoughtfulness it was undeniably him. She slipped into the clothes, feeling oddly comfortable, as though his choice had wrapped her in a quiet sense of care.

Standing before the mirror, she gave herself one last glance, her fingers brushing over the cardigan. It was perfect effortless, yet somehow significant.

Outside, Gabriel leaned against the wall, his tall frame relaxed but his mind anything but. Clad in a black cardigan paired with high-waisted trousers, he scrolled through his phone, feigning distraction. He wasn't impatient, just thoughtful, his head filled with unspoken words.

When Zahra finally stepped out, his eyes snapped at her, and for a moment, everything else faded. She wasn't just wearing the outfit; she transformed it. She looked... breathtaking.

He pushed off the wall and closed the distance between them, his movements slow and deliberate. Standing inches away, he slid his hands onto her waist, the contact sending a jolt through both of them. He leaned closer, his lips grazing the corner of hers in a near-kiss before brushing against her ear.

"Dove," he murmured, his voice low and husky, dripping with something raw and electric. "Do you have any idea how breathtaking you look right now? Don't play with me."

His words sent shivers cascading down her spine, her breath catching in her throat. She stood utterly still, her mind a whirl of sensations and emotions. Any movement-any misstep-and their lips would meet.

She didn't move. Couldn't.

Gabriel lingered for a moment longer, his warm breath fanning her cheek before he finally pulled back, his eyes searching hers. Zahra exhaled shakily, her pulse thrumming in her ears. She avoided his gaze, her cheeks flushed, but her heart betrayed her, pounding in a rhythm that echoed the unspoken tension between them.