Just a few days after the big celebration, Mirabe got her eptance letter from Prestige College. School was starting on September 1, but she needed to report a couple of days early to sort out some paperwork.


    Mirabe wasn''t just lounging around, though. She hit the driving school now and then for some casual practice and spent her free time diving into pharmaceutical research.


    One afternoon, she got a call from Wyatt, saying he was outside her vi with some medication. But when she stepped outside, it wasn''t Wyatt she saw it was Curtis.


    Curtis handed over a box of medication with a respectful nod. "The ingredients were ready earlier. I nned to mail them, but I was worried they''d get damaged. I had some errands nearby, so I decided to bring them myself, though I''m two dayste."


    "Got it. Thanks," Mirabe said, raising an eyebrow. She nced towards the neighboring vi. "Where''s James? Hasn''t hee back yet?"


    "He''s waiting for you in Riverdale," Curtis replied, pulling a small velvet box from his pocket and handing it to her. "Oh, and James asked me to give you this gift.”


    The box clearly looked like it held jewelry. Mirabe hesitated for a moment, then took it from Curtis.


    Curtis nodded again, "I''ll be off then." His car was parked just a short distance away.


    But just as Curtis turned to leave, he hesitated, fidgeting a bit before turning back. "Ms. Mirabe, can I add you on Messenger?"


    Ever since he saw Mirabe show off herputer skills, he''d been eager to connect with her but couldn''t find the right moment. Wyatt had been no help, dodging the question every time. Asking James was out of the question-Curtis figured he''d get sent to some remote ce before he could even finish asking.


    Scratching his head, Curtis added, "I just wanted to ask you some questions aboutputer decryption."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched in surprise. She gave him her phone number, "I don''t have my phone on me right now. I''ll ept your request when I get back."


    "Thanks," Curtis said, quickly searching her up and sending a request in front of her. Then he nodded, "I''ll be on my way."


    Mirabe gave a light nod and watched Curtis walk away before heading back into her vi.


    Once inside, she put the medication in her personal alchemy room, then went upstairs. After closing her door, she opened James''s gift.


    Inside was a simple but elegant tinum chain ne, with no pendant.


    As she held the ne, wondering why James had sent it, her phone buzzed. She nced at it, put the ne back in its box, and answered the call.


    "The package has arrived," came a cool voice from the other end.


    "Yeah," Mirabe arched an eyebrow. "So, why the sudden gift of a ne?"


    James stood by his study window, looking out at the garden, a slight smile on his lips. "When a guy gives a girl a gift, what do you think it means?"


    Mirabe leaned back in her chair, phone in hand. "I think you''re trying to mess with me."


    James''s lips twitched slightly.


    "Goodnight, sleep well-"