Web Fic
Chapter 165
James leaned casually against the door of his sleek black car. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal his wrists. His eyes, with a playful glint, rested on Mirabella. His lips curved into a half–smile as he spoke teasingly, “Because your incense works wonders.”
Mirabella arched an eyebrow. Her face lit up with a blend of brilliance and brazen pride. “Of course it does.”
Just then, Wyatt, who had been fiddling with the GPS, chimed in without missing a beat. “Ms. Mirabella, you’re acquainted with that boutique owner, aren’t you? I placed an order the other day, and the chap threw in a buy–one–get–one–free deal for me.”
Caught off–guard, Mirabella turned to Wyatt, her voice laced with curiosity, “Which boutique
owner?”
James facepalmed.
As Wyatt started the engine, he elaborated, “The one from that perfume shop you recommended to James.”
After a brief moment of puzzlement, Mirabella’s face lit up with realization. “We don’t know
each other.”
“Huh, really? I thought there was some connection, hence the discount, Wyatt mused absent–mindedly.
Narrowing her eyes slightly, Mirabella recalled James‘ message on Messenger. With an airy tone, she asked, “So, how much did you buy?”
Scratching his head, Wyatt confessed, “About two hundred boxes or so. He practically emptied his stock for me.”
Hearing this, Mirabella turned her gaze towards James, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
James, who usually exuded an air of composure, now seemed slightly flustered. Clearing his throat, he deftly changed the subject. “Mirabella, what are you in the mood for tonight? Something fancy?”
With a relaxed smile, Mirabella leaned back in her seat, resting her hands behind her head. “Anything lavish will do.”
Observing her laid–back demeanor, James joked, “You’re not afraid I might trade you for a fancy dinner?”
With her eyes already half–closed, Mirabella’s response came with a touch of arrogance, “Only if you think you can.”
James chuckled, shook his head, and directed Wyatt to a specific location. As Mirabella seemed to doze off, James let the silence settle in the car, and even Wyatt instinctively turned off the music.
About thirty minutes later, they pulled up in front of a quaint restaurant nestled in a serene spot. James turned to wake Mirabella but found her eyes open, devoid of any trace of sleepiness. He raised an eyebrow, “We’re here.”
With a nonchalant “Mhm,” Mirabella pushed the car door open and stepped out.
The rustic entrance, flanked by a country–style brook and bridge décor, exuded a relaxed and refined charm. Mirabella followed James into the restaurant. The exterior had seemed modest, but inside, it opened up into an unexpectedly charming space, rich with an air of elegance.
“This place isn’t half bad,” Mirabella observed, glancing around the empty establishment. “Just a shame there’s no customers around.”
James looked back at her, explaining, “The owner has closed it to the public today.”
She raised an eyebrow, “Is the owner friend of yours?”
“Something like that,” James replied nonchalantly.
At that moment, a middle–aged man emerged from the back. Upon seeing James, his demeanor instantly shifted to one of considerable respect. “Hello, Sir.”
The honorific didn’t go unnoticed by Mirabella, whose eyes lingered on the man, catching the subtle deference in his gaze. Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.
The moment the man had received the call, he knew James would be bringing a friend. But seeing that the guest was a young lady, he had visibly paused, taken aback.