Rejected by the shadow god

Chapter 46: "Unspoken Tensions"

As the days passed, Eden found himself stealing glances at Ayra, trying to reconcile his newfound awareness of her beauty with their long-standing friendship. He couldn't help but notice the way her eyes sparkled when she laughed or the way her hair fell in loose waves down her back.

Ayra, sensing Eden's gaze, would occasionally turn to meet his eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips. But Eden couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something unspoken between them, a tension that hummed just below the surface.

One afternoon, as they sat together in the garden, Ayra turned to Eden with a curious expression. "Hey, is everything okay?" she asked, her voice low and gentle. "You've been acting a bit strange lately."

Eden hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He didn't want to reveal his newfound feelings, not yet, not until he was sure of what they meant. "I'm fine," he said finally, forcing a smile. "Just a bit preoccupied, that's all."

Ayra's eyes narrowed slightly, as if she didn't quite believe him. But she let the matter drop, and they spent the rest of the afternoon chatting and laughing together.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the garden, Eden realized that he couldn't keep his feelings hidden forever. The tension between them was growing, and he knew that eventually, something would have to give.