After what seemed like ages, the peaceful silence in the car was broken by a phone ringing. It was Mirabe''s phone.


    Groggily waking up, Mirabe opened her eyes, momentarily disoriented about her surroundings. The persistent ring of the phone quickly brought her back to reality. She grabbed her phone, but the ringing had already stopped. ncing at the caller ID, she then turned to look out the window, her voice soft, "We''re home already?"


    James noticed she was awake and switched on the car light. "You were sleeping so soundly, I didn''t have the heart to wake you."


    The warm glow bathed Mirabe''s face, giving her drowsy expression a dreamy, ethereal look. She nodded with a soft hum, unbuckling her seatbelt and reaching for the door handle, only to have her wrist gently caught.


    She turned back, puzzled, meeting James''s gaze.


    James gave a slight smile, leaned in, and gently pulled her closer. "How about a littlepensation?"


    Mirabe blinked, her instinctive reply was, "Goodnight?"


    James chuckled softly, then released her wrist, only to cradle the back of her head, his lips brushing her forehead before lingering on her lips. They stayed there just a moment before another phone ring interrupted them. He pulled back with a grin, "Now that''s what I callpensation."


    Mirabe cleared her throat, nced at her phone, and said, "I better get going."


    Without waiting for a response, she opened the door and stepped out, her figure disappearing into the night.


    James watched her enter the vi with a smile, then started the car and drove off.


    ***


    Time seemed to fly by. Over at the Pharmacists'' Guild, Mirabe''s vice-president ID card was ready in just a few days. Grant was quick to text her, nning to drop it off.


    Mirabe, thinking about her pharmaceutical needs, sent Grant a list of ingredients she required. Grant, upon receiving the list, hesitated. Instead of heading to the warehouse, he decided to take the list to David.


    While it was normal for pharmacists to request ingredients, Grant thought it wise to check with David, given that Mirabe hadn''t even visited the guild yet and was already requesting some pretty rare ingredients.


    David nced at the list and said casually, "No worries, just get the ingredients ready as per the list."


    Seeing David''s rxed demeanor, Grant figured Mirabe must have some serious clout. He nodded, deciding not to press further.


    As Grant was about to leave, David called him back. "Hold on, bring the ingredients and the ID card directly to me."


    The assistant looked at David, surprised. "You''re going to deliver them yourself?" "Yeah, it''s right on my way," David replied nonchntly, not offering more details. Scratching his head, the assistant grew more intrigued by this honorary vice president who warranted such attention. "Got it, I''ll get everything ready right away."


    David nodded and added, "Make sure it''s all with me before 4 p.m."


    He had ns to use the excuse of attending an acupuncture session with Dr. Lyle


    to check things out personally.


    Grant nodded, "Sure thing."


    Once Grant left, David picked up his phone to call Frank, checking if Mirabe would be showing up today.