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.

Mira offered a small smile, though hers was more reserved. "This vase," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "How much is it?"

The attendant's smile widened. "That particular vase is $500, ma'am."

Mira's eyes widened slightly. Five hundred dollars for a vase? Back in her village, that amount would be a fortune. Spending that much on something so ornamental seemed absurd. "Do you have anything smaller? Less expensive?" she asked, trying to keep her tone casual.

The attendant nodded, unfazed. "We have a smaller version for $200, if that suits you better."

Mira glanced at the smaller vase. It was lovely, but the price still left her feeling uncomfortable. "Anything cheaper?" she asked, her voice softening even more.

"Yes, ma'am," the attendant replied kindly. "We have a simpler vase for $100."

After a moment's hesitation, Mira nodded. "I'll take that one."

The attendant quickly wrapped the vase in delicate tissue paper and placed it in a stylish bag. James silently accepted the package and held the door open as they left the shop.

On the drive back, the quiet hung heavy between them. It wasn't about the money—it never had been. It was the unsettling feeling of being caught between two worlds, torn between the simple life she once knew and the luxurious world she now inhabited. She had the means for extravagance, yet part of her still clung to the values of her modest upbringing, where every dollar counted.

"Ms. Mira," James said, breaking the silence, "If Mr. Zamian's allowance is insufficient, I can inform him."

Mira flushed, shaking her head quickly. "No, it's more than enough," she replied softly. "It's not about that. It's just... nothing important."

James, ever respectful, nodded and said no more.

After a few moments of reflection, Mira's mood lightened. "Could we stop by the milkshake shop?" she asked, a small smile playing on her lips.

James obliged, steering the car toward a small, retro-style milkshake shop she had noticed on one of their previous outings. When they arrived, Mira stepped out of the car, James trailing behind her as usual. The people passing by glanced curiously, their eyes flickering between her and James. Mira smiled to herself, imagining what they must be thinking. If only they knew how far from romantic their relationship truly was.

Just as she approached the counter, a familiar voice called out. "Mira!"

Turning around, Mira spotted Lily grinning widely. "Lily! What are you doing here?"

Lily's gaze shifted to James, who stood at a respectful distance. "Is that your boyfriend?"

Mira, glancing back at James before turning to Lily. "No, he's not. He assists me."

Lily's eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in closer. "So... is he single?"

Mira shrugged, suppressing a smile. "I honestly have no idea."

Lily's grin widened, clearly intrigued. "I'll take that as a yes."

She grabbed Mira's hand and pulled her toward a quieter corner for a private conversation. James, ever alert, made a move to follow, but Mira quickly waved him off. "I'll be back in a moment, James. Wait here with Lily."

Reluctantly, James stopped, his eyes never leaving Mira as she walked away with her friend.

Once they were out of earshot, Lily wasted no time. "I think he's cute," she whispered, unable to hide her excitement.

Mira noticed how Lily's eyes kept drifting back to James. "You've been staring at him non-stop," Mira teased lightly, amusement flickering in her eyes.

Lily grabbed Mira's arm and gently pulled her back toward James. "I can't help it! Look at him—tall, brooding, and mysterious."

Amused but trying not to show it, Mira squeezed Lily's hand. "Mr. James, please wait here with Lily while I grab the milkshakes."

James nodded curtly, his attention still on Mira as she walked away.

The moment Mira was out of earshot, Lily turned her full attention to James. With a cheeky grin, she called out, "Hey, Mr. Cute Bodyguard, why don't you loosen up a bit? Your cold face is kind of pushing me away."

James glanced at her briefly but remained stoic, resuming his watchful stance.

Undeterred, Lily took a step closer, her tone playful. "Mr. Cutesy, do you mind if I call you that?"

This time, James turned to look at her fully, his gaze steady but unreadable. He didn't say a word, but the look was enough to make Lily grin even wider.