Independence

Miranda had loved Bartovian food served on the second floor of the cafeteria when she’d been a student. The cafeteria lady serving food. there had a chubby face and had radiated warmth whenever she’d smiled.

Every time she’d seen Miranda, she’d chat for a bit before generously adding an extra helping of meatloaf on her plate.

From a distance, Miranda spotted the same window where the cafeteria lady worked. Nothing had changed since her college days.

Miranda wasn’t sure if the lady would remember her since it had been. three years after her graduation.

She went over and lined up. The cafeteria lady was busy serving food and didn’t say a word, but Miranda could feel the extra weight on her plate when she got served.

She smiled and said, “Thank you, ma’am.”

Paul swiped his card to pay for the food, and they found a place to sit.

“I haven’t had this in a long time. The food here still tastes the same,” Miranda said. The chef’s skills hadn’t declined over the past three years. If anything, he’d improved significantly.

Miranda reminisced, saying, “When I was in college, I often stayed in the lab and forgot to eat lunch. I’d only come out when it was almost 1: 30 pm. By that time, there wouldn’t be much food left, but the cafeteria lady always saved some food for me.”

Paul had been standing behind her in line. He remembered seeing how the lady’s annoyed expression had turned into a smile when she’d noticed Miranda.

Miranda poked at the food on her plate. She suddenly felt the urge to

talk about herself. “I didn’t get along well with my roommates. Apart from Winter and Dr. Young, the cafeteria lady was one of the kindest people to me.”

She added, “And now, there’s also you.”

Paul paused for a moment as Miranda continued, “College is still the best. It’s peaceful and simple; a place where I can focus wholeheartedly on one thing.

“Perhaps going back to graduate school was the best decision I ever made.”

After finishing their meal, they didn’t rush to leave but took some time to stroll around the campus.

They walked down a gravel path that winded through a vineyard. A gentle breeze greeted them as they saw a shimmering lake in the distance.

Miranda realized they had unknowingly arrived at the most beautiful spot in Bedford College–Waldorf Lake.

Although it wasn’t the season for water lilies to bloom, the lake was covered with green lily pads that looked calming and peaceful.

Miranda felt a little tired and found a bench to sit on. Paul quietly followed and sat beside her.

“The breeze here feels so nice,” she said, propping her hands behind. her head. She felt strangely comforted in her heart as she watched the lily pads drift leisurely on the water.

Paul replied, “Bedford College has done a good job at promoting environmental protection over the past two years. There’s hardly any trash in the lake, so sitting here in the breeze is indeed very pleasant.”

Miranda remained silent for a moment before speaking. “About what happened earlier…”

“He’s your ex–boyfriend, right?” Paul asked.

Miranda turned to look at him. He adjusted his glasses and met her gaze directly. “I’m sorry, I accidentally overheard your conversation before I entered the study.” Exclusive © material by Nô(/v)elDrama.Org.

Miranda gave him a faint smile. “Yeah, we just broke up, and it was quite ugly. I’m sorry you had to see that.”

Behind his glasses, a look of understanding flashed in Paul’s eyes. He could guess that much after recalling that Hansel had mentioned their six years together during the argument.

However, Paul didn’t have the habit of prying into others‘ personal

matters. He also realized that the man he’d seen with Miranda the other day, Solomon, wasn’t her boyfriend.

After sunset, they didn’t linger much longer and drove back to the apartment building.

Paul helped Miranda carry the books to her doorstep. He handed her a tube of ointment as he took his leave. “I bought this on the way. It’ll help you heal faster if you apply it.”

Taken aback, Miranda guessed he must have bought it while she’d been asleep. She pressed her lips together and accepted the ointment. ” Thank you.”