The Double or more Life of the Fake Heiress (Mirabella)

James' mother-in-law has a curfew at her house-anyone not home by ten o'clock gets a talking-to. James said this matter-of-factly.

Mirabella's cheeks twitched slightly.

Emily had said this young lady seemed so well-behaved. "Well then, Mira, come over to Marian's place whenever you have time."

She patted Mirabella's hand and did not insist on her staying longer.

James glanced at Emily's gesture. "We should be going then."noveldrama

Mirabella stood up, nodded to Emily, said goodbye, and followed James out.

As they stepped outside, the cool night air brushed against them, making Mirabella instinctively wrap her coat tighter around herself, somewhat dispelling the effects of the alcohol.

James looked at her. "Cold?"

Mirabella shrugged her shoulders, her voice a bit slurred, "It's alright."

James took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "You'll warm up in the car."

Mirabella looked down. "Oh."

Seeing this, James raised an eyebrow. "You drunk?"

Mirabella quickly lifted her head, her eyes misty but trying to feign sobriety. She cracked a smile, "Joking, how could I be drunk."

James took Mirabella's hand, agreeing with her, "Yeah, you're not drunk."

Mirabella frowned. "I really am not!"

They had reached the car park by now. James opened the passenger door, his hand preventing the door frame from hitting her as she got in.

However, Mirabella, refusing to get in, held onto the door, and her jacket slipped off her shoulders to the ground, seemingly unnoticed by her as she reiterated, "I, am, not, drunk."

It was James' first time seeing the young lady so insistent, a demeanor more fitting her age. He bent down to pick up the jacket, putting it back on her. "I know."

"Patronizing." Mirabella pushed

away James and got into the camet

herself struggling a few times

before managing to grab the seat

belt but failing to buckle up.

James, now truly realizing she was drunk, smiled, helped her with the seat belt,

covered her with the jacket again, and then closed the car door.

Circling around to the driver's side, he got in.

Soon, the car left the Shepherd family's ancestral home.

By the time they reached the neighborhood, Mirabella had fallen asleep against the seat.

Her phone rang several times along

the way, and by the last call, James

had parked outside the Davis family's house. He took out her phone from the jacket pocket.

He answered the call.

It was Marian who had called several times. James spoke briefly with her before hanging up.

Shortly after, the front gate opened, and Marian hurried out.

James got out of the car, walked to the passenger side, and gently carried Mirabella out.

Marian glanced at the young lady, worried. "Did she drink a lot?"

"Just a few drinks, she's probably not used to it," James said nonchalantly, carrying Mirabella inside the villa.

Marian followed without asking further.

Inside, Marian led James to Mirabella's room, watching him place her on the bed before speaking. "Ms. Mirabella should be okay, right?"

James, while pulling a blanket over Mirabella, reassured, "She'll be fine, don't worry."

Marian, reassured at last, looked at James again, cleared her throat, and said, "Thank you for bringing our young lady home. I can take care of her from here."

"It's no trouble at all," James replied, knowing it was best he leave. He stood to go, but Mirabella suddenly turned over, the blanket slipping off a corner.