<b>Chapter </b><b>430 </b>
After wrapping up her chat <b>on </b>Messenger, Jenna reached for another test paper from the stack on her desk. She had barely filled in a few nks when something struck her. She <b>scampered </b>down the stairs, her feet pounding a rapid beat against the wooden steps.
<b>Ka </b>was outside, tending to her rose bushes, the afternoon sun casting a warm glow on her face. She jumped a little as her daughter bolted towards her.
“Mom, how old is my cousin again?” Jenna fixed her sparkling eyes on Ka, a hint of urgency in her voice.
Ka paused, a tad thrown off by the sudden question. “Which cousin, honey? We have a whole n of them.”
<b>“</b>Dn, Mom.”
“Let’s see, he’s either 24 or 25, I think. I can’t quite remember.” Ka set down her watering can, curiosity piqued. “Why the sudden interest in Dn?”
“Twenty–four or five, huh…” Jenna muttered under her breath, seemingly content that he wasn’t too old after all. Then she popped another question, “Does he have a girlfriend?”
“Not that I know of.” Ka shook her head, her watering can forgotten. “Jenna, what’s all this about? Why are you asking?”
Jenna offered a sheepish grin. “Oh, no reason.” She paused for a moment, her eyes darting as if chasing a thought before asking, “What do you think about Mira?”
“You mean Mirabe?” Ka’s face softened as she thought of Mirabe. “She’s lovely, smart as a whip, and has a heart of gold. A real catch, that one.”
After her moment of reflection, Ka’s gaze returned to Jenna, her expression nowced with exasperation. “Speaking of, have you finished that box of test papers Mirabe gave you? You know, if you don’t keep up with your studies<b>, </b>you’re no help to me around here.”
Jenna was dumbfounded. “Excuse me?”
‘Am I even her real daughter<b>?</b>”
Meanwhile, Zach had driven to the address Delh had given him for the blind date. He parked his car with precision and was just about to push open the door when he noticed Mirabe, his sister, hadn’t made a move.
“Mira, we’re here,” he called out.
Mirabe looked up at him and said, “You go ahead, Zach. I’ll wait here for your triumphant return.”
Zach frowned<b>. </b><b>“</b><b>What </b>happened to <b>being </b>cautious and <b>having </b><b>my </b><b>back</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
She <b>batted </b>her eyshes Innocently and nced at her watch. “You know, beingte for blind dates can leave a bad impression, Zach.”
He shot her a <b>re</b>. “If I don’t find the one, it’s half your fault. Get out of the car now. If <b>you </b>don’te with me, I’m not going.”
Seeing her brother resort to such tactics, Mirabe sighed, unbuckled her seatbelt, and stepped out of the car. Zach couldn’t help but smirk behind his sses.
Together, they walked toward the entrance of the neighborhood park. Admission was five bucks a head. After buying their tickets, they followed the path into the park. Thismunity haven had been around for years, a dedicated space for local residents to mingle and unwind. It was well–equipped and often hostedmunity events–its only w being that it looked a bit dated.
Mirabe surveyed the park and then nced at
ach, dressed to the nines like the businessman he was, standing out against the backdrop of their modest rendezvous spot. With a sly smile, she teased, “I have a feeling that your blind dates might not go so well today.”
Zach gave her a sideways look. “I have to disagree. I mean, look at me–I’m handsome and a hotshot in the business world. I’m the dream guy for countless women.”
It wasn’t about being picked but about him doing the picking. If things didn’t work out, it would simply be because he hadn’t found someone up to his standards.