Web Fic
Chapter 173
Mirabella’s tutor had a nondescript car with an exceptionally unique license plate. This made Shawn rub his chin thoughtfully. Could Mirabella’s tutor have a more intriguing background than he’d first imagined? And besides, wasn’t her tutor supposedly from her hometown? What was he doing here in the city?
Delilah turned around and saw Shawn deep in thought. She playfully tapped him on the shoulder. “Shawn?”
Snapped out of his reverie, Shawn looked into Mirabella’s face, about to delve into the details about this mysterious tutor. Yet, he hesitated, fearing his daughter might misinterpret his concern. He instead changed the subject. “Your mom’s right. We should definitely invite your tutor over for dinner sometime.”
Mirabella waved her hand dismissively with a noncommittal “Hmm,” then, clutching the bag of fruit, she headed into the apartment complex.
Soon, the three of them were ascending the stairs, one after the other. Once inside, Mirabella handed the box of coffee beans James had given her to her father. “This is for you.”
The coffee was exquisitely packaged in a paper wrap. Holding the package, Shawn began to unwrap it while asking, “What’s this?”
“Coffee beans,” Mirabella responded tersely before moving to the fridge to stow away the fruit. Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.
Remembering how, just a few days ago, his daughter had inquired if he wanted some new coffee beans, Shawn’s eyebrows shot up, and a smile spread across his face. The wrapping was now fully off.
“Ah, my dear girl. You’re so thoughtful, always buying me…” He stopped short before he could finish saying ‘coffee beans.’ His voice seemed to hit a pause button.
Shawn had a penchant for coffee, a collector’s interest even, and he could tell at a glance that the beans in his hand was a collector’s item. The special seal on the outer box alone was worth a pretty penny, not to mention the ancient, yellowing seal stamp on it, indicating the rarity of the coffee beans inside.
Swallowing hard, Shawn suddenly felt apprehensive about opening the box.
Walking out of the kitchen, Mirabella noticed her dad holding the box with a peculiar expression and couldn’t help but ask, “Dad, what’s wrong?”
Looking up at his daughter, he pointed at the box. “This coffee…”
“Yes?” Mirabella stepped closer, her gaze falling on the coffee in his hands. “Is there something wrong with it?”
Shawn noticed her nonchalance; it was as if it were just an ordinary box of coffee beans. He touched his nose and asked in a hushed tone, “Where did you get this?”
“It wasn’t bought. It was a gift from a friend.”
Shawn’s thoughts immediately went to the tutor who had dropped Mirabella off earlier. He drove a car with a special license plate. “Did your tutor give it to you?”
“Yeah.” Mirabella didn’t hide it and nodded. After a brief pause, she added, “The beans I gave you last time were also from him.”
Shawn was flabbergasted. “Hold on, sweetheart, wasn’t he just your former tutor? Why would he give you such expensive coffee?”
It was one thing for a student to give a teacher some gifts, but for a teacher to give it to a student… that was unfathomable.
Mirabella paused. She didn’t know much about coffee or its price. When James had asked, she had merely thought of her father’s fondness for coffee.
Mirabella realized this and simply said, “I had given him a box of handmade sandalwood, Maybe he found it quite useful.” After all, her gifts were priceless in their own way.
Hearing his daughter’s response, Shawn’s lips twitched. Even the finest sandalwood could hardly
compare to the value of this box of coffee. He couldn’t shake off the feeling that his daughter’s tutor had ulterior motives.