When fate plays its hand

While Miranda stood frozen in a daze, Paul stepped closer. The usual warmth and refinement in his demeanor had disappeared and was replaced by an intensity she had never seen before.

She hadn’t yet processed what was happening and instinctively stepped back until her back hit the wall. In the next moment, he was just inches away.

It was then she realized how much taller he was. With him looking down at her, the height difference became impossible to ignore. She felt as though his entire presence had enveloped her.

Paul lowered his gaze. “Do you understand now? Do you know what I’m saying?”

He continued, “You told me before that your studies come first, and I respected that. But gave Sawyer a chance… Miranda.” novelbin

you

He lowered his head, and his warm breath brushed against her neck, which sent a shiver down her spine.

“You’re being unfair to me.” His last words carried an unspoken sense of grievance.

Miranda parted her lips as if to speak, but he didn’t give her the chance. Instead, he continued, “I know with my current status, I don’t have the right to question you or feel upset. It’s your choice who you want to be with.

“And I know saying all this could mean we won’t even be friends after today. I tried to hold it in, but I’ve only been fooling myself.”

He wouldn’t hold back anymore. Whatever came next–rejection, anger–he would face it. He lowered his head as though he were waiting for judgment.

Time seemed to stand still until Miranda finally broke the silence. “Can I say something now?”

“…Yeah.”

“Paul,” she called his name. “Look at me.”

His body tensed, but he eventually raised his head. He had prepared himself for the worst, but what he saw in her eyes wasn’t rejection. She was smiling.

There was no tension, no hesitation, no disappointment. In the dark shine of her pupils, he caught a reflection of himself–dazed, a little silly, maybe even ridiculous.

Miranda asked, “So… does this count as a confession?”

He blinked, then nodded earnestly, “Yes.”

“But you still haven’t asked if I’d be your girlfriend.”

Paul was taken aback. A faint suspicion began to form in his mind, and the sudden surge of anticipation made his breath catch. The nervous tension of hoping and fearing at the same

time nearly caused him to lose his composure.

Did she mean what he thought she meant?

He composed himself and looked into her eyes. “Miranda, I like you. Will you be with me?” he asked tentatively with sincerity and earnestness.

“Okay.” She smiled and agreed without hesitation.”

Paul was stunned and stared at her blankly like a deer caught in headlights. It wasn’t until Miranda took his hand that he snapped out of it.

“You’re really good at keeping things to yourself,” she teased.

He could feel the warmth from her hand. Then, he tightened his hold instantly to ensure the moment was real and was afraid she might slip away.

He gripped her hand tightly as his fingers locked around hers. “Miranda, I… I didn’t expect…”

“Didn’t expect what?” She looked at him and smiled.

Joy surged through Paul, and he stammered, “I didn’t expect… you’d agree… I thought… you’d hate me and keep your distance…

“Is that how you see me? Do you really think I’d turn you into an enemy just because your confession didn’t work out?”

Paul quickly shook his head. “That’s not what I meant…”

He lowered his gaze. “Feelings don’t follow logic. You like someone, or you don’t. There’s no reason, and there doesn’t have to be. If… if this had made you push me away, I would have had to accept it.”