Chapter 144
Half an hour later, at a downtown coffee shop.
As Mirabella stepped into the private booth, a faint scent of sandalwood greeted her–a scent. reminiscent of what she had encountered the previous day at a boutique store named Nature’s Apothecary.
“Hello.” James announced, comfortably seated before a coffee set, his movements graceful as he brewed coffee. Not far from his hand, a small Incense burner released gentle wisps of
smoke.
Mirabella gave a slight hmm, acknowledging Wyatt with a polite nod before making her way over to a mahogany chair, which she pulled out and sat down on with casual ease.
Wyatt stole a cautious glance at Mirabella. For some reason, every time he saw this young lady, he felt a chill that seemed beyond her years, an aura of mystery he couldn’t quite
penetrate.
James placed a cup in front of Mirabella, his pale and slender fingers deftly pouring a stream of coffee into the cup. “See how you like the taste.”
Mirabella lifted the cup, and the delicate aroma of the tea enveloped her senses. She took a sip. and her eyebrows rose in approval. “Rich fragrance, sweet and lingering on the finish. Nice.”
Setting down the teapot, James‘ features softened with a genteel warmth. He looked relaxed yet uncontained as he mentioned, “I heard you entered an international competition?”
At his words, Mirabella seemed to ponder for a moment. Leaning back in her chair, she looked up at James. “Catherine’s been bending your ear again?”
A light smile played oh James‘ lips, his response enigmatic, “Well, as a tutor, I ought to make some contribution.”
Stroking her chin, Mirabella replied casually, “Ah, no need for contributions. Just keep Catherine in good spirits for me.”
Wyatt, who had been quietly observing, suddenly choked as if something caught him off guard. He was coughing violently, “Cough… cough…”
Mirabella looked up at him, puzzled. James also glanced at Wyatt before he addressed her previous comment. “Sure, naturally.”
Just as Wyatt had calmed down from the initial shock of Mirabella’s bold request, he was again stunned by his boss‘ agreeable response. Was it him who was off today, or was it his ears playing tricks on him? Or perhaps James wasn’t the boss he knew?
“Do you need me to find you a professional tutor?” James asked, refilling Mirabella’s cup with more coffee.
With a light tap of her fingertip on the table, Mirabella declined, “Thank you, but no.”
12:22
Chapter 144
James dropped the subject and took to sipping his coffee.
Quiet settled in the booth, a comfortable silence that wasn’t the least bit awkward. After a short while, Mirabella glanced at her watch and started to pick up her bag, handing it to James. “This incense should be of some help to you.”
Pausing briefly, she finished her coffee in one gulp and stood up. “Great coffee, thanks for the hospitality. I should get going.”
“I’ll walk you out.”
“No need to trouble yourself. I’ll just hail a cab,” Mirabella declined James‘ offer and, without further ado, made her way to the door.
James watched her go and, after a brief moment of thought, called out, “Wait.”
Mirabella turned back, “Yes?”
With a smile, James picked up a box of coffee beans from the table and approached her. “Take this with you. When you run out, come back for more.”
Wyatt, witnessing this exchange, was again astounded. Mirabella had gifted just a simple box. of incense, and James reciprocated with a limited edition box of coffee beans… Wyatt’s eyes must be deceiving him again.
