Miranda by Sheila Sheeran Read Free Book Online Page B

seemed distant… hazy. It had been months that I hadn’t been using the Medika private jet. Commercial flights seemed more pleasant and safe, but I couldn’t deny the comfort of the Gulfstream G650. It’s not that I’m an expert on airplane models, but Norman required me to memorize the model name so that every time I was overwhelmed by the hassle of commercial flight, I would remember the comfort that I was rejecting. It was a beautiful jet, with a white leather interior, an eight passenger maximum, and four crewmembers. I prefer commercial flights to maintain a lower profile. Norman, on the other hand, would, at times, lose his patience with me for preferring commercial flights. “This toy has cost me sixty million dollars and you prefer the hassle,” he would tell me.
    I couldn’t overcome the exhaustion that had become my faithful companion during the past two months. I remained in the arms of Morpheus until landing.
    I awoke with a jolt from an untimely source of turbulence: the plane touching down on the runway. I did no more than step down the small metal stairs and got into my car with a destination fixed in my mind: the hospital.
    I wanted to see Norman, and moreover, give him another opportunity to confess the truth about what was happening.
    I arrived at his room and he was reading a book at the edge of the bed. When hearing my greeting, he set it aside.
    “Miranda?”
    It was so strange! Each time that he spoke my name, it made me feel good, including when the reason he mentioned it was not pleasant.
    “Hello, Norman.”
    The calmness in his voice was confirmation that he felt peaceful… very peaceful…too peaceful… and that scared me.
    “Come, sit down.” He indicated a space next to him on his bed.
    “Are you sure? I don’t want to impose on anyone.”
    “Calm down. If you’re saying that about Isabel, don’t worry. Come!”
    I hesitated, but I ultimately sat down.
    “Weren’t you in El Salvador?” he asked, putting a hand on one of my shoulders.
    Who told him where I was?
    “I just landed.” I took the book that he had in his hands.
I Won’t Go Without Telling You Where
by Laurent Gounelle.“How’s the reading?”
    “Inspirational.” A sigh accompanied his response. “And how were the meetings? How’s the Minister?”
    “The meetings… very good… productive. We were on the verge of sealing the deal. The Minister is fine. He sends you greetings and wishes for a prompt recovery. He said, by the way, that you still owe him a visit to the ranch. Can you believe that he dared say that he wanted to introduce me to one of his sons?”
    Norman laughed.
    “That man never changes. Be careful on those adventures. You know how they can end.”
    That advice was a way of saying, “Don’t even think about it, Miranda Wise!” The truth is that it wasn’t the first time that I was made that kind of offer in a business context. Norman had taught me to take them as compliments, so that’s how I took them.
    “You know that I don’t play with fire.”
    “Weren’t you supposed to be back on Friday?” He fixed his eyes on mine. He wanted to capture my physical and verbal reaction: the whole response.
    “Yes. Some unforeseen events arose and I had to advance my schedule.” I tried to maintain my poker face… so
Ethan
.
    “Unforeseen events at Medika?”
    “No. My own.” I had no other choice but to lie. I couldn’t tell him that my hurried return was related to the appointment of Eliezer.
    “Can I help you with something?” That question seemed more of an assertion that he knew that my return went hand in hand with his sudden decision.
    “Don’t worry. I have everything under control…” I didn’t take my eyes off of his. Knowing him, that would confirm his suspicion.
    “They told me that I have a new boss,” I let out. I had to say it because, if I didn’t, the curiosity would finish me off. I tried not to sound sarcastic. He knew me very well. His eyes lit up.
    “In