Chapter 63-Someone worth surviving for

Chapter 63: 63-Someone worth surviving for

Aymara practically sprinted all the way back to her room. Her slippers whispering against the corridor floor as though even the ship itself might hear the frantic rhythm of her retreat.

The moment she stepped inside, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it, pressing one hand over her racing heart. Her pulse thudded beneath her palm, stubbornly refusing to calm.

She could still see him. Fresh from the shower, water glistening along his bare chest, his damp hair falling untidily across his forehead as he stared at her with that stunned, bewildered expression.

The image had burned itself into her mind with humiliating clarity.

Aymara squeezed her eyes shut. "No. Stop, Aymara."

She needed a distraction, something cold enough to wash the memory from her thoughts and refreshing enough to cool the heat spreading across her skin.

She hurried into the bathroom and turned on the shower. A moment later, cool water cascaded over her, sliding down her neck and shoulders in silvery streams.

She stood beneath it for several minutes, letting the steady rush soothe both her overheated body and her equally overheated thoughts. "Hopefully this helps. I have to clear my head."

By the time she stepped out, the mirror had fogged around her reflection, and she had managed to regain at least some of her composure, at least, she hoped she had.

After drying herself, Aymara changed into a soft white dress. Its off-shoulder design left her collarbones bare, while delicate floral beads shimmered across the bodice whenever she moved. The skirt flared outward in several airy layers, ending just above her knees and brushing lightly against her thighs.

She slipped on a pair of pearl earrings and a matching pearl bracelet, then fastened a delicate lace choker around her neck. Finally, she pushed her feet into a pair of fluffy slippers.

Outside, the world was ending but she was busy dolling herself up, barely feeling the horror of the outside world.

Aymara studied herself in the mirror. She looked fresh, feminine, and composed. The white dress softened her appearance, and the pearls lent her an air of quiet elegance.

Most importantly, she looked nothing like the flustered woman who had just fled from Nathaniel’s room as though someone had set the corridor on fire.

Satisfied, she left her room and headed toward the dining area. They might as well have breakfast or lunch. Considering they had both slept until noon, it was probably both.

When she reached the dining table, Aymara opened her space and began taking out food. One dish appeared after another beneath her hands, and she arranged everything with careful precision, transforming the table into a small feast.

There were fluffy pancakes stacked in a golden tower, freshly baked bread with crisp brown crusts, eggs, sausages, sliced fruit, and warm milk for breakfast.

For lunch, she added roasted chicken with glistening skin, fragrant fried rice, steamed vegetables still carrying wisps of heat, soup, and several smaller dishes she knew Nathaniel would be able to eat comfortably.

She even placed a pot of warm tea nearby, its faint herbal fragrance curling through the air.

By the time she finished, the table looked less like a meal for two people and more like she was preparing to feed an entire family.

"Now this is a feast worthy of a king," she smiled, too pleased with herself.

Aymara stepped back and admired her work. "So perfect."

She had just finished adjusting one of the plates when footsteps approached from the corridor. The sound grew steadily louder, each step drawing closer until she found herself holding her breath.

She looked toward the doorway and froze instantly at the sight of him.

Nathaniel walked into the dining area with Yaya nestled comfortably in his arms. He was dressed casually in a loose white shirt and blue pants, paired with simple indoor shoes.

His damp hair had been messily arranged, several strands falling naturally across his forehead. A faint trace of moisture still clung to the ends, making him look as though he had made no effort at all to appear presentable.

He looked completely effortless like he hadn’t even tried and somehow, that made him look even better.

Aymara’s gaze lingered before she could stop it. She had already seen him shirtless, so she should have been prepared this time. She wasn’t.

Nathaniel noticed her almost immediately. His steps slowed, and his eyes swept over her white dress, the pearl earrings, the lace choker, and the soft slippers before returning to her face.

For a moment, the dining area seemed to fall strangely quiet around them. Both parties examined each other in grave detail.

Nathaniel’s ears slowly turned pink as Aymara’s cheeks warmed as well.

They both caught each other staring every other minute. Aymara quickly looked away one final time and cleared her throat.

"Come sit down. The food will get cold."

Nathaniel glanced at the table, and his eyes widened at the sight of the food spread across it. "You made all this?"

Aymara followed his gaze. "Of course," she shamelessly claimed credit even though the food were made by former high-end restaurants. "Now, come and eat. Don’t waste time."

Nathaniel looked from one dish to another, taking in the pancakes, the roasted chicken, the steaming soup, and every carefully arranged plate. There was enough food on the table to feed several people.

"How did you manage to prepare all of this so quickly?" he asked, clearly aware that she was lying by how she was nibbling at her bottom lip.

Aymara stopped bitting her lip. Her lips curved into a mischievous smile. She leaned slightly toward him and gave him a playful wink.

"Magic," she claimed, putting on the best innocent look to disarm him into not asking too many questions.

Nathaniel stared at her for a moment, as though trying to determine whether she was serious. Then he shook his head with a faint smile.

Nathaniel didn’t argue with her any farther.

"You’re unbelievable, Mara."

"I’ll take that as a compliment," Aymara said and pulled out a chair for him. "Sit. You need to eat."

He carefully placed Yaya on the nearby chair before taking his seat. Aymara sat opposite him, and only then did some of the tension finally leave her shoulders. The warm food, the quiet room, and Nathaniel’s presence created a fragile sense of peace around them.

For once, there were no storms, monsters, enemies or emergencies to attend to and they can just eat their meal in peace.

Just the two of them sitting at a table filled with food, with Yaya watching from the neighboring chair and the scent of tea drifting gently between them.

Aymara picked up her utensils. "This is nice."

Nathaniel looked at her. "It is," he whispered.

There were still some reservations in heart but since she hadn’t given him a reason to stay mad so he lessened his resentment.

Something warm settled inside her chest. Perhaps this was what he had wanted all along deep down. Not merely surviving, or enduring one disaster after another, but having ordinary moments with someone worth surviving for, with her.

A quiet meal and a familiar face across the table. The simple comfort of knowing that, for a little while, nothing was trying to tear their world apart.

Maybe that’s why he had been desperate to warn Aymara about the danger. It wasn’t to have her build a safe shelter with Dylan and stay safe. Deep down, he had been hoping that at the doors of doomsday, she might have a change of heart and chose him.

He exhaled deeply. "It is nice."