Half an hourter, the car rolled up to the grand facade of the library. Mirabe, who had gotten a message on Messenger, figured it was about time and headed out. Curtis, not wanting to be a third wheel, had exited the car midway. Wyatt, the usual driver, suddenly realized the whole third-wheel thing and decided to join Curtis.


    Mirabe reached the curb and was about to open the back door when the passenger window slid down, revealing James''s crisp voice. "Up front."


    She nced at the car, opened the front door, and as she settled in, asked, "Where''s Wyatt?"


    After a brief pause, James replied, "He got a new gig." Seems like driving wasn''t cutting it for him anymore.


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow but didn''t push further. She calmly buckled her seatbelt.


    The car started smoothly. Yawning, Mirabe''s face showed signs of fatigue. She mentioned to James that she was going to catch some sleep, snuggled into her coat, found afy position, and closed her eyes.


    James checked the rearview mirror and turned on the heater. The library was only a half-hour drive from their neighborhood, but seeing Mirabe sleeping so soundly, he decided to drive around town a bit longer.


    By the time they returned, an hour had passed. As soon as the car stopped, Mirabe began to stir, her eyes bleary with sleep. She stretched and noticed a coat draped over her shoulders. The coat carried a faint, crisp scent that wafted to her nose. Without thinking, Mirabe turned to James, the sleepiness vanishing. Clearing her throat, she handed the coat back to him. "Thanks."


    James took the coat, his voice steady as ever, "You''re wee." Then, under Mirabe''s gaze, he slipped the coat on with an air of nonchnce, showing no fussiness one might expect from a meticulous person.


    Mirabe touched her nose, feeling an odd sensation she didn''t quite understand. She unbuckled her seatbelt and said, "I''ll head in now, bye."


    James nodded. Stepping out of the car, the cold breeze cleared her head. She reached the front door, punched in the code, and as she entered, she nced back to see James''s car still parked there, as if waiting for her to go inside before leaving. After a brief look, Mirabe turned away and entered the vi.


    Inside the car, James adjusted his coat, which now carried Mirabe''s subtle fragrance, and after a short while, he started the car again.


    *


    After changing her shoes and entering the living room, Mirabe saw Collins seated there. Surprised, she walked over and greeted him. Collins stood up as she approached, pulling out a check from his bag and handing it to her, "Sis, this is for that ad shoot you did."


    Mirabe''s eyes lit up. She took the check, and her pleasure was unmistakable.


    Could a mere check make his sister this happy?


    Leo, observing the scene, gave Collins a look devoid of emotion, "You came all this way just to deliver a check?"


    "Yeah," Collins said nonchntly, nodding.


    "Why didn''t you just give it to me directly?"


    Collins zipped up his bag and sat back down on the couch before replying, "I just don''t trust you with it."


    Leo: "?"


    That''s it for today, folks. It''s the end of the month, so don''t forget to cast your votes if you''ve got them- See you tomorrow~