Miranda chuckled. âShouldnât I be treating you instead?â
Winter raised her brows. âWeâre best friends! It doesnât matter who treats who. Alright, itâs decided! Get ready. Iâm coming over to pick you up now.â
Miranda put her phone down and went to her room. She opened her closet and picked out a vâneck floral dress.
In two monthsâ time, her hair had grown long enough to reach her collarbone. Since it was warm, she tied her hair with a hairband matching the color of her dress.
Half an hour later, she received a message from Winter saying that
sheâd arrived downstairs.
After changing her shoes, Miranda took her bag and went downstairs.
Winter had parked her car by the roadside. She was scrolling through her phone while waiting. When she looked up, she spotted Paul coming
her way.
Paul had a student with him. It was a handsome young man sporting a buzz cut and carrying a bag over his shoulder.
The two of them were in the middle of a conversation. Paul didnât have much of an expression on his face except for when he nodded occasionally in agreement.
When they were done talking, the young man turned around and walked
away.
Winter quickly waved at Paul. âPaul!â
Paul, who had his glasses on, gazed in her direction. He had the same serene look in his eyes. âWhy are you here?â
âIâm taking Mimi out to eat. That person just nowâis he your student?â
The young man didnât have the facial features similar to the latest and hottest celebrities and idols. However, he had an air of purity and. gentleness about him. Moreover, he had dimples that appeared whenever he smiled. All of those things were plus points in Winterâs
eyes.
Paul was no fool. He could tell why Winter was asking him about this.â Heâs a postgraduate student from one of our collegeâs branch campuses. He just came to ask a few questions.â
Winter was about to ask for more details when she heard the sound of footsteps coming from the stairs. It was Miranda.
Paul nudged his glasses up the bridge of his nose. âArenât you guys heading out? Iâm going in, then.â
Winter quickly suggested, âDonât go! You should join us too.â
âIâll pass. I still need to head back to the lab.â Paul had only come back to retrieve some of his things.Content is property of .
Meanwhile, Miranda had picked up on Paulâs voice even before she reached the ground floor.
After the last time theyâd met, Paul had spent most of his time in the lab. The two of them hadnât seen each other for over a month.
Paul went up the staircase and stopped on the third step at the bottom of the stairs. Sunlight streamed in through the diamondâshaped windows on the wall and fell on him.
Somehow, the light seemed to bring some warmth to his cold eyes.
Miranda was startled when she met his gaze. âI havenât had the chance. to return your jacket.â
23
Sheâd had the jacket cleaned and ready for some time now. However, she hadnât been able to catch Paul anywhere, so she hadnât been able to
return it.
Mirandaâs voice was soft and gentle. Paul could see her slim, fair calves under the hem of her floral dress. The nudeâcolored, highâheeled sandals she wore gave her an overall clean, fresh look.
Paul seemed a little dazed for a moment. He recalled what she was referring to and said in a deep voice, âIâve been busy lately. I mostly stay overnight at the lab. I only came back today to fetch a few things.â
Miranda could see the tired look in his eyes. She nodded. âYou should take care of urgent matters first, then. Remember to get enough rest, though.â
âI will.â
As they walked past each other, Miranda accidentally twisted her ankle. It had been quite some time since sheâd last worn high heels. She lost her balance and fell forward.
Paul reacted swiftly by putting his body against hers and grabbing hold of her waist. He caught her just in time and prevented her fall.
Miranda put her hand over her chest as she tried to steady her breathing. Suddenly, she noticed the clean scent of wood and pine. It was the distinctive scent that belonged to Paul.