Lily's eyes widened even further, if that was possible. She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "You mean Zamian Zan, the owner of this company?"
Mira, caught off guard by the revelation, was momentarily stunned. Her eyes widened slightly before she quickly composed herself, trying to mask her shock. The pieces began to fall into place for her. It made sense now—why her grandpa had insisted she take that card, why the job offer had come to her even though they typically hired only at the end of the year. Everything was starting to make sense. The missed days as a new intern, the leniency—it was all connected.
Feeling a mix of disbelief and realization, Mira was quiet for a moment. Lily, noticing her discomfort, quickly reassured her, "Don't worry, you don't have to feel awkward. We won't tell anyone."
Mira nodded in appreciation. Zack, trying to lighten the mood, laughed nervously as he spoke. "And here I thought I was the reason you left your apartment."
Lily's curiosity got the better of her. "Oh, you're neighbors? I didn't know that."
Mira nodded and replied, "Yes, we are."
After a brief, light-hearted conversation, Mira decided it was time to get back to work. The break was over, and she had duties to attend to. She set an alarm for the end of her workday.
As the workday came to a close, Lily approached Mira. "Hey, Mira, since we finished early today, I'd love to see outside. I want to catch a glimpse of him."
Mira smiled and agreed. They headed outside together. James was waiting by the car and opened the door for Mira. As he closed it, Lily's voice called out, "Mr. Cutesy!"
James froze momentarily, taken aback by Lily's shout. Heads turned as people around them looked curiously, unsure if "Mr. Cutesy" was really his name. James felt a bit embarrassed, the attention making him self-conscious. He adjusted his uniform and gave a polite but awkward nod in Lily's direction, unsure of how to handle the situation.
Lily, seemingly unfazed by the commotion she caused, continued, "Okay, I won't disturb you any longer. I just wanted to see your face, and you look as cute as ever. Bye, Mr. Cutesy. Take care and drive safely!"
With that, Lily waved and headed back inside, leaving James standing there, bemused and unsure of how to respond. He eventually got into the car and drove off, trying to shake off the awkwardness of the encounter. As he drove, he glanced in the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Lily's retreating figure. Despite the odd nickname, he couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected encounter.
As the car came to a stop, Mira stepped out and quietly entered the mansion. A familiar scent greeted her—floral notes mingled with a rich, captivating aura. She made her way to their room, quickly changing into a comfortable outfit—a baggy t-shirt and a maxi skirt. The casual attire felt like a relief after the day's formalities. Mira took a moment to look at herself in the mirror, feeling more at ease in her relaxed clothes. She sighed, trying to shake off the day's surprises and find a bit of normalcy.
After changing, she descended the stairs to check on her Sinerp flower. The mansion's grand staircase, lined with intricate carvings and ornate railings, seemed almost to welcome her back. Mira moved with practiced ease, her steps light as she approached the garden.
When she reached the garden, Nana greeted her. "Welcome back, Miss Mira."
"Thanks, Nana," Mira replied with a smile. "Could you please call the gardener?"
Nana nodded and headed off, her footsteps echoing lightly in the hallway. Mira walked into the garden, her heart lifting as she approached the Senerp flower. She noted with satisfaction how lovely it looked in the silver vase. The flower's vibrant colors seemed to shine even more brightly, a testament to the care it had received. Mira smiled warmly at it, feeling a sense of peace.
Soon, she heard footsteps approaching. Without looking up, she asked, "Are you going to water this flower every day after work, or do you also water it in the morning?"
Turning to see who had arrived, she was surprised to find a woman standing with a watering can. The lady spoke with a friendly tone, "Hello, Miss Mira. I'm Inzin, your new gardener."
Mira's mouth opened in surprise, and she struggled to find her voice. "Did... did he fire him?"
Before the gardener could say anything more, Mira turned and walked briskly back into the mansion. Her expression remained calm, but her thoughts were tumultuous. She approached Nana, who was busy with her chores, and asked, "Is Zamian back?"
Nana looked up, her hands pausing mid-task. "Yes, Miss Mira. Mr. Zamian arrived just a few minutes before you got here."
Mira nodded, barely pausing to process the information. She turned and made her way toward the grand staircase. The only sound in the quiet hall was the rhythmic echo of her footsteps on the polished maple floor, each step resonating softly against the expansive walls. As she ascended, the grandeur of the staircase, with its rich wooden banister and intricate carvings, framed her steady climb.
At the top of the stairs, she reached the large, imposing door to Zamian's office. She knocked twice, the sound a firm contrast to the silence of the house, and then pushed the door open. She knew that Zamian would never invite anyone in with a casual "come in."
As she stepped into the room, her voice was cool and controlled. "Did you fire Zayn?"