Chapter 17: Cutesy
"I would like to go out somewhere," Mira said as she finished her breakfast, her voice steady but with a hint of hesitation. James, standing at his usual post, raised an eyebrow. Mira wasn’t one to request impromptu outings, especially right after breakfast. But as always, he nodded without question, respecting her decision.
As she rose from her seat with a grace that had become second nature, James noticed a faint trace of nervous energy in her movements. He quickly moved ahead to open the door for her—something he had done countless times since he began working for her. Initially, such formality had made Mira uneasy, given her humble upbringing in a village where such treatment was rare. But over time, she’d grown accustomed to it, especially since James had become an integral part of her daily routine, picking her up and dropping her off from work each day.
Once inside the car, she let out a slow, calming breath. The familiar scent of leather provided some comfort. "Could you take me to a vase shop?" she asked, her tone soft but with a slight flutter of uncertainty. The request felt a little out of place to her, but she didn’t dwell on it.
James, ever professional, nodded and started the engine. As the car smoothly glided through the city streets, he reached into the glove compartment and handed her a sleek black card. "Ms. Mira," he said as they paused at a red light, "This is Mr. Zamian’s number. He instructed me to give it to you in case of an emergency while you’re out."
Mira glanced at the card, her fingers brushing over the embossed gold numbers. It felt important, too important for something as trivial as a vase shopping trip. Still, she tucked it into her purse with a soft, "Thank you."
As they continued driving, Mira gazed out of the window, watching the city blur into a swirl of colors and motion. Her thoughts drifted back to her village, where life had been simple and her biggest concern was haggling over vegetables at the market. She missed the ease of those days, the sense of groundedness. But life had pulled her onto a different path, one filled with complexities and the weight of adapting to a new world.
When they arrived, the vase shop stood out—a small but elegant storefront with large glass windows displaying vases of every size, shape, and color. It was extravagant by the standards of her village, but this was the norm now. James, as usual, opened the door for her, and she took a moment to compose herself before stepping inside.
The interior was just as refined as the exterior promised. The scent of fresh flowers mingled with soft music, creating a serene atmosphere. Mira’s gaze immediately fell on a stunning silver glass vase, delicate and intricate, as if it belonged in a fairy tale. She stepped closer, mesmerized, her fingers lightly grazing its smooth, cool surface.
"Good morning, ma’am. How may I assist you today?" a shop attendant asked, her voice warm and welcoming.