Meanwhile, Miranda had no idea that the photo she sent had sparked a frenzy in solving the mystery.

All she knew was that the bed was really soft, and the man pressing down on her was really heavy.

Miranda sighed and raised her hand to stop his kisses.

“What’s the matter?” Paul asked.

“It’s my time of the month,” she answered helplessly. There was a hint of regret in her tone.

Paul was confused. “What?”

“I’m on my period.”

He froze for a moment before bracing himself with his arms and got off her. After a brief pause, he left the bedroom without saying a word.

Miranda was puzzled. Thinking that he had left, she walked to the wardrobe and took out a clean nightgown to take a shower.

Paul’s body was like a furnace. It didn’t help even with the dr conditioner on. She was still drenched in sweat.

She saw Paul, who was supposed to have gone home, sitting at the foot of the bed when she emerged from the bathroom. There was a cup on the vanity table beside him.

“Huh?” Miranda was surprised.

“Why are you surprised?” Paul sounded exasperated. “You should’ve mentioned it earlier… Ginger and lemon tea work better when you drink it before your period comes.”

She went over and glanced into the cup. The yellowish liquid was steaming hot and gave off a faint scent of ginger.

“Where did this come from?” Miranda blinked in surprise.

Paul answered, “What do you think?”

“You went to the kitchen?”

“Where else would I have gone?”

Miranda muttered under her breath, “I thought you went home…”

Paul was taken aback, and he froze for a moment before bursting into laughter. “I really don’t know what’s going on in that head of yours,” he said, handing the cup to her. “Drink it while it’s hot. It won’t be effective once the tea goes cold.”

Miranda drank it all obediently, albeit reluctantly.

Paul thought he would have to put in more effort to coax her into drinking it. After all, she only drank a small amount when he packed it in a thermos and left it in the car last time.

Miranda downed the whole cup.

“Very good.” Paul initially wanted to ruffle her hair, but she had wrapped her hair in a towel from the shower. So he pinched her cheeks lightly instead, treating her as if she were a child.

Miranda remarked, “The ginger doesn’t seem to be as strong this time.” The smell was evident, but it wasn’t too overpowering when she drank it.

ד

+25 BONUS

“I now you don’t like ginger, so I only added a little.”

So, he actually remembered….

“Where’s your hair dryer?”

Miranda took it out of a drawer and handed it to him.

Paul said, “Tum around.”

She complied obediently. noveldrama

He unwrapped the towel from her hair and began blow–drying it for her. As he dried it, he asked, “Does this pull on your scalp?”

“Not really.”

“What about the temperature? Is it too hot?”

“It’s just right.”

He even knew how to blow and comb through her hair simultaneously. First, he dried the roots of her hair and then the ends. He worked from top to bottom while drying the ends, smoothing the strands.

*All done.” Paul unplugged the hair dryer, tied the cord, and put it back in the drawer.

“You you seem really good at this,” Miranda’said.

“Well, I’m not bad.”

“Tell me

e more.

“Are you curious?”

She

nodded. “Of course.”

“Don’t worry. I didn’t do it for another woman,” Paul said.

“I’m not worried. I’m just curious about it.”

Paul cleared his throat. “When I was studying abroad, the lab was located in the countryside. The area was vast and sparsely populated, while the nearest city was miles away.

“Driving there would take three to four hours. The only barbershops were in the city. My roommate and I didn’t- want to make a trip down to the city just to get a haircut.”

Miranda urged, “And…”

“So we cut each other’s hair.”

She was taken aback by his explanation.

“He grew his hair long, about shoulder–length.”

Miranda was still at a loss for words.

Paul finally said, “It’s getting late. You should go to bed. I’ll head home now.”

“Okay.” Miranda nodded.

“Are you going to the lab tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yes, I need to complete two sets of data by Tuesday. I’m worried I can’t make it, so I have to work overtime this weekend.”

“Alright, you should sleep in a bit tomorrow morning I’ll make breakfast for you before you leave.”

The next day, Miranda got up on time and washed up. She remembered what Paul had said the day before as she walked toward the kitchen.

Miranda went over to knock on his door. As soon as the door opened, a delicious aroma wafted out.

“What are you making?” she asked. “It smells so good.”

“Pumpkin soup and scrambled eggs,” Paul replied.