Chapter Text
Sylvia looked in the mirror again as she grabbed her stomach, she has always been insecure about it due to the fact her family likes to make jokes about it or tell her to lose weight even though she told them multiple times to stop and that she was in the healthy weight range, it was just due to the fact she had a bit of a stomach and not to mention how they'd make jokes about her ass or tell her if only she could lose that weight and have a flat stomach and then maybe she'd find herself a husband.
''Why does nothing I do seem to get rid of it?'' she said to herself as she looked at the mirror again, then she turned around and looked at her back which had some scarring due to the fact she would pop her pimples or itch them, she could still remember her mothers words when she first saw them, Sylvia was 15 and was changing when her mother came in to grab something before leaving but Sylvia heard her say 'How are we going to find her a husband with those?' and she didn't wanna admit how much it stung when she heard those words.
She always hated how she had to change herself to be appealing to men, and how over time she started to Sexualize herself anytime she'd date someone because maybe her tits and ass could distract from her stomach? Maybe if she acted like their 'dream' girl then they'd stay, and this led to men using her because they could use her and throw her later. but then Zayne came into her life again when he became her primary care physician.
At first, it was awkward because they had not seen each other for so long, but over time, they got closer and more comfortable, and now they have been dating for two years. At the beginning of their relationship, Sylvia's self-esteem issues were worse because the only relationships she'd been in were most of them used her and hid her away, so she was worried because Zayne was attractive, and there was no way he truly loved her, right? The first year was a bit rough, but with love, patience, and a lot of therapy, they got through it and now they have been happily dating ever since of course sometimes problems occur but they always try to work to solve the problem together.
But sometimes, those feelings of Insecurity and doubt came back and when they did, she would feel guilty as Zayne was so patient with her and she trusted him so why was she still feeling this way? she feels like she doesn't deserve to feel this way, but it is hard sometimes when she sometimes she compares herself with some of the nurses or doctors at the hospital, as they were beautiful and it didn't help that Zayne was attractive meaning anywhere the people passing by would be drawn to him.
She was suddenly pulled out of her thoughts as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist, she looked into the mirror to see Zayne behind her he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
''My love.''
''Zayne?..you're home early.''
''It's 10 pm, love.''
''Ah...''
Zayne then moved Sylvia's hands away from her stomach. He kissed her on one cheek.
''Now, how many times have I told you not to do that?.''
''I know...I know but I cannot help it, I feel like if I could get rid of the belly fat then I can be beautiful...''
''Syl...You cannot keep comparing yourself to other people.''
''How can I not? everyone seems so beautiful while here I am...''
''You are also Beautiful.''
''But...''
''Syl, you're at a healthy weight range for someone your age and height, just because you have a bit of belly fat, doesn't mean you're unhealthy, everyone's body is different.''
''You could have everyone and anyone you like, why choose me?.''
''Not everyone.''
''My point still stands!, you're attractive and everyone seems to fawn over you...''
''Yes, but I choose you because I love you.''
''Love you too zayne...''
''You're getting better.''
''I'm I?.''
''Yes, normally you'd try to ask why I love you, and there is nothing worth loving.''
''We've been together for 2 years...I should be over this.''
''Insecurity takes time to 'be over' with, some people are able to work through them and not let it control them faster than other people, some people it takes time.''
Sylvia was quiet for a moment before speaking.
''I love you...and I appreciate you...for being patient with me.''
''Love you too.''
--1 week later--
Sylvia was nervous, as Zayne's parents came to visit because it was Zayne's birthday, and they also wanted to meet Sylvia. She looked over the whole place, making sure everything was clean. Then, she changed into a basic black dress with a small gold pattern. Zayne, meanwhile, was getting ready, so when he finished, Sylvia went into the kitchen to prepare a bowl of sweets/fruits. Zayne asked if she wanted help.
''No, I have everything set.''
As she was getting the bowl of sweets onto the table, the doorbell rang and Zayne answered. He greeted his parents as he let them in. When they sat down on the couch, Zayne's parents spoke for a bit, asking him how everything had been for him, about his work, and other life stuff. As they were talking, Sylvia came out and set the bowls on the table before greeting his parents, who were just as excited as her to see them.
''What do you all want to drink?.''
''Tea.''
''tea, dear.''
''Tea''
''So all of you tea, okay!''
She said before going to the kitchen to make it, everything seemed to go smoothly. As she came back with the tea, she accidentally slipped, which caused all the tea to go all over her and her dress. Zayne immediately got up to help her as his parents asked if she was okay, she nodded as she tried to clean up the mess with trembling hands, of course, of fucking course the one time something seemed to be going right, it went wrong.
She couldn't look at anyone as Zayne helped her up, making sure no glass had gotten on her. When he was sure, he led her out of the room so she could calm down while he continued to clean the mess. She then went to take a quick 15-minute shower. In the shower, she felt so embarrassed, and she wondered if they were judging her right now. She felt tears stream down her face due to the embarrassment she felt, along with the fact that she was scared that she would get scolded.
Which she knew was stupid as Zayne never scolded her but she embarrassed herself in front of his parents when they were meeting her for the first time, what were they going to think of her now? that she would be an unfit wife for their son if they ever got married?, but they didn't seem to be those type of In-laws yet she was still worried. When she got out of the shower and got dressed, she went back out, seeing that Zayne had cleaned up the mess.
She couldn't look at them, but she felt Zayne guide her to the couch. That's when Zayne's mother took her hand and made sure the tea didn't leave any damage.
''Sorry, Mr and Mrs Li, I'll go remake the tea if needed.''
''No worries, dear, are you alright?''
''Yes, yes, don't worry.''
And the meeting went fine after that, when Zayne's parents returned home 5 hours later, Sylvia was cleaning up alongside Zayne, just storing stuff away and putting everything back in its place. After that, they got changed and went to bed. But Sylvia couldn't sleep, she tried too, but she kept replaying the moment in her head, wondering what they were going to say about her or if they were silently judging her.
The next day, Zayne woke up to see Sylvia was awake, he was confused as he looked at the time and it was only 8 am, usually Sylvia slept in till 11 am or 12pm. he didn't question it at first as maybe she woke up early.
''Via?''
''Oh!, Good morning, Zayne.''
''Morning.''
''I'm Glad you agreed to take a day break to spend time with me, Love.''
''I'm not upset nor Angry at you.''
''Huh?''
''I can tell you're still thinking about yesterday.''
''How-''
''I have my ways, but stress isn't good for you; you should've come to me to address these instead of hiding it.''
''Of course love..''
''Come here, it's still 8 am, so we can waste a few hours cuddling.''
''Yay!''