When fate plays its hand

Chapter 0977

Paul asked, “Don’t you know why I’m smiling?”

Miranda replied, “Should I?”

“It’s because of you. What do

What do you think?”

Miranda looked into his eyes and saw a depth of affection that seemed ready to overflow at any moment. She asked, “Dr. Jefferson, let’s play a game, shall we?”

“How does it work?”

“We take turns asking each other a question, quick–fire style. No lying.”

“Alright, you go first.”

Miranda asked the first question, “How many girlfriends have you had before me?”

She started with a bold opener, but Paul answered effortlessly, “You’re my first girlfriend, my first love.”

He spoke these words in a deep and resonant tone, making his voice sound charismatic and sensual.

Miranda had already guessed the answer, but hearing him confirm it still left her a little surprised and dumbfounded. So, he had never dated before…

Paul said, “It’s my turn. Why did you ask that question? Does it matter a lot to you?”

Miranda reminded him, “That’s two questions, Dr. Jefferson.”

“Then I’ll split them into two turns.”

“Fine, as for why I asked it… I didn’t know much about your past relationships before this. It’s quite personal, so I didn’t have the standing to pry. But now that we’re together, it’s something every girlfriend would care about. This is also important in establishing boundaries in our relationship going forward.”

Paul nodded. “Your turn.”

“When did you start liking me?”

He hesitated for a few seconds.

“Why are you hesitating?”

He mimicked her tone and said, “Mimi, that’s two questions.”

Miranda rolled her eyes.

He finally spoke after a moment’s thought, “Maybe it was when I took you away from Hansel’s mansion, or perhaps when I asked you a question during your interview for graduate

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Chapter 0977

school… Or maybe it was the first time we met in the hallway, when you spilled paint everywhere…

Miranda was stunned. All those moments happened shortly after they had first met, so that

meant…

“That early on?” she murmured softly.

Paul smiled in response. “It’s your turn to answer my earlier question.”

Did the number of his ex–girlfriends matter a lot to her?

Miranda nodded. “Yes, it matters. Now, why were you hesitating?”

“It’s probably because…” Paul paused for a moment. “I’ve liked you for so long that I can’t remember when I started catching feelings.”

Miranda said teasingly, “You like me that much?“”

He nodded without hesitation. “Yes, very much. How about you?”

“Yes, I like you too.”

His eyes

lit

up with delight and happiness. “Since when did you like

Miranda gave him a smirk. “It’s my turn to ask.”

“Ahem… Go ahead.”

me?”

She clasped her hands behind her back. “Game over. No more questions.”

The questions started and ended with her, so it was fair and square.

Paul was dumbfounded. “I didn’t agree to that. How is the game over already?“:

“Because… I decide when the game starts or ends.”

Her response made him laugh in exasperation. “You really…”

Miranda met his gaze and

gave

him a cheeky grin. “What about me? Say that again!”

Paul cleared his throat and thought the better of it. He didn’t have the guts to push too far.

They walked through the alley and entered the apartment building. Paul carried her luggage in one hand and held her hand with the other tightly.

Miranda couldn’t help but chuckle. She reminded him, “Dr. Jefferson, this is an old–style apartment building.”

“So?”

“It will be cramped if we’re walking side by side with the luggage in tow.”

Paul cleared his throat awkwardly, but they managed to squeeze their way up seven flights of

stairs.

At her front door, Miranda lifted their interlocked fingers and waved them at him, signaling for him to let go of her hand.

Reluctantly, Paul released her hand. For the first time, he thought that seven floors were too few. He had climbed the stairs too quickly.

He could only sigh in resignation.