When fate plays its hand

A tall, elegant man with a refined and gentle smile was crossing the street. He walked toward the group and stopped next to Miranda.

Madison said, “Oh, it’s Dr. Jefferson. I was worried about Miranda going home alone, but this works out perfectly.”

She didn’t think much of it at all. Sebastian and Joli looked equally indifferent.

It wasn’t that they were oblivious. It was just that Miranda and Paul had always had a good relationship and often went home together.

Miranda said, “We’ll head off now.”

Madison nodded. “Alright.”

As they watched the two walk away, Joli suddenly asked, “How long have Miranda and Dr. Jefferson known each other?”

Madison thought for a moment. “Longer than we’ve known her, for sure.‘

She remembered when she had just started graduate school and went to the cafeteria with Miranda. They had run into Paul, and it was clear they were well–acquainted back then.

Joli asked, “Why is it that Dr. Jefferson would accompany her home most of the time? Do they live close to each other?”

Madison’s eyes widened. “You don’t know they’re neighbors?”

Joli shook his head. “You guys never told me…”

“Well, now you know! That’s why they’re often together. It’s just like me and Seb. Since we live nearby, we’re always coming and going together. Right, Seb?” As she spoke, Madison nudged Sebastian on the arm.

Sebastian’s sour expression disappeared, and he brightened up immediately. “Yeah.”

Joli murmured as he watched the two of them walk off in the distance, “I don’t know why, but I feel Miranda and Dr. Jefferson seem like a couple…”

Especially from the way Paul looked at Miranda when he crossed the street earlier. It didn’t seem like how one would look at just a friend.

At any rate, the way he looked at them was clearly different from how he looked at Miranda.

“Pfft…” Madison couldn’t help but laugh. “Joli, you must be overthinking things. Miranda and Dr. Jefferson have known each other for so long. If they were going to get together, they would have done it ages ago.“.

Joli scratched his head. “I’m just saying it felt like it…”

475 #GRA

“Well, they’re a good match, but there’s no helping it if there isn’t a spark.” Madison sighed with a shrug,

Sebastian took the opportunity to remind her, “he car is here,”

“Oh! Joli, we’re heading off now. You’ll be okay on your own, right?”

“Yes, I’ll walk back to campus and head to the lab early tomorrow.”

“Alright, bye…”

In the car, Madison pulled out her phone to reply to messages once she was seated. Mason had sent her more than a dozen messages during the short period of the meal.

The first few were links to property listings for homes in the central areas of Grenada. After clicking in, she could see the floor plans, square footage, orientation, and other details.

1

Mason sent a series of messages.

Mason: “Sweetie, pick two of these ten houses.”

Mason: “They’re all unfurnished and bare. Once we buy them, we can renovate them in the style that you like.”

Mason: “Where are you? Are you still cooped up in the lab?”

Mason: “Take a look and get back to me when you’re free.”

Madison replied to his messages with a question mark.

Mason responded almost instantly, as if he had been waiting by his phone. “Are you done with your work, sweetie? Have you picked one yet?”

Madison: “Dad, are you planning to buy a house in the city?”

Mason: “These houses are for you.”

Madison: “I don’t even live there. I don’t need them.”

Mason: “You’re not living there now, but you’ll need the place once you come back after graduation. If we buy the houses now, it will be ready to move in by next fall. By the time you graduate, the smell of paint will have aired out. It’s perfect timing.”

Going back after graduation…

At that moment, Madison was lost in thought.

Sebastian was the first to notice her change in mood. “What’s wrong?”

“My dad wants to buy me a house.” noveldrama

Sebastian was aware of her family’s wealth and how much her father doted on her. “That’s a good thing. Why aren’t you happy?”