Kai sat in the back seat of that luxurious car, the smell of expensive leather interior immediately filling his senses.

He glanced at Lily sitting beside him, smiling sweetly as usual. But Kai wasn’t stupid. He noticed a bit of tiredness in the girl’s eyes, and the way she occasionally touched her left arm as if something was still bothering her.

She just got back from the hospital, huh? Another health check-up... 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Kai didn’t ask directly. He already knew about Lily’s condition from "Ryan’s" memories mixed with his game knowledge. This girl was like glass. Fragile, but of course still shining.

"Umm... so where are we going?" Kai asked, breaking the silence inside the car filled only by the smooth engine sound and the Miami night breeze.

Lily just giggled softly, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "It’s a secret~ Don’t worry, Kai. I’m not gonna kidnap you."

Kai sighed softly and looked out the window. The car glided away from the Wynwood area which was still busy with neon mural lights.

They passed a few blocks, then entered a quieter and more upscale area, Coconut Grove. Big houses with large yards, high fences, and elegant street lights began to appear.

Not a super elite area like mansions in Star Island, but still felt far above the average middle class.

Her house must be huge... well after all she rich girl.

The car slowed down in front of an automatic gate. The driver pressed a remote, and the tall iron gate opened slowly.

Kai saw a spacious front yard, neatly arranged palm trees, and a two-story modern-contemporary style house with lots of glass.

The car stopped in front of the entrance. Lily opened her own door before the driver could get out.

"Come on, get out," Lily said while reaching out her hand.

Kai hesitated for a moment. "Lily... your parents won’t mind me, a guy, coming to your house this late at night?"

Lily laughed lightly. "They’re in Chicago for business for a few days. It’s just me and some maids at home. Come on in."

Kai finally held Lily’s hand and got out. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he felt like he had entered a different world. This house was too big for one teenage girl.

They went inside. A middle-aged woman in a neat maid uniform immediately greeted them in the foyer.

"Good evening, Miss Lily," she said politely, then glanced at Kai briefly. "And guest...?"

"This is Kai, my friend. Kai, the guy I told you about~"

Lily then turned to Kai, "This is Auntie Lea. She’s been taking care of this house since I was little."

Kai nodded politely. "Nice to meet you, Auntie Lea."

Auntie Lea smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you too, Kai. Please have a seat in the sunroom first. Miss Lily needs to change clothes for a bit."

Lily gently tugged Kai’s arm. "Go with Auntie Lea. I won’t be long."

Kai followed Auntie Lea through a beautiful hallway to the back of the house.

They arrived at a semi-outdoor room called the sunroom, with lots of green plants, lounge chairs, and a view of the spacious backyard with a small pool whose lights glowed softly.

"Please sit down. What would you like to drink?" asked Auntie Lea.

"Uhh... maybe just plain water, Ma’am."

Auntie Lea left Kai with a glass of cold water and some small snacks. Kai sat on a comfortable rattan chair, looking out at the backyard.

This... is way too luxurious. I didn’t expect humans could live in a house like this. Even though my current and previous family aren’t lacking... just normal middle-class family, but compared to this, it’s like heaven and earth.

Not long after, Lily appeared. She had changed into casual clothes. An oversized white t-shirt and house shorts that made her look more relaxed.

"Sorry for taking so long," Lily said as she sat on the chair next to Kai. "I’m tired after being out all day."

Kai looked at her. "Where were you earlier?"

Lily smiled faintly, not surprised by Kai’s question. "That’s not important... like I said. Just... just went out to pick up and check on something."

They were quiet for a moment. The cool Miami night breeze blew gently.

"Do you remember what we talked about at the vending machine back then in school?" Kai asked softly.

Lily nodded. "You said you’re greedier now. More selfish."

"Yeah." Kai stared at the water glass in his hand. "Guess I don’t want to keep pretending to be a good person. I want to take what I want. Including... friends, relationships, and everything I consider important."

Lily laughed a little. "You’ve changed, Kai. You used to seem... colder, I remember when I first saw you entering school. Because you were number one and I was always second in term of grade ranking, I was quite curious why you were like that... like you couldn’t be approached."

Lily turned toward Kai, that sweet smile still on her face.

"Now you’re like a new person. And I like that."

Kai smiled wryly. "Maybe because the ’old self’ is already ’gone’ for good. That’s why with this new ’me’ I Think... I don’t want to waste too much time anymore to being alone."

Lily stared at him for a long time. "You know I... have a fiancé, Arthur. That his name is. Have I told you?"

Kai shook his head. "No."

Kai of course knew who Arthur was, because Arthur was just like him or Caleb, a Villain who in this context was an obstacle on capture target route.

"Arthur is nice. But... I don’t know. Sometimes I feel like a puppet already arranged by my parents. Then I met you." Lily tilted her head. "You said whoever gets me would be lucky. But you rejected me back then and yet... we shared a kiss on that rainy park."

"Sorry about that time." Kai answered honestly. "I’m still confused about myself and I think you also still confuse about yourself back then."

Lily smiled. "I like you, Kai. Not because you’re smart or popular. But because in front of you, I can say things that I usually keep to myself."

Kai looked at Lily. "What part of me did you fall in love with? Is that sort of me that really still around today? Or not?"

Lily giggled. "I don’t know. But every time I’m in front of you, I feel free. I want to say I love you without fear."

She paused for a moment, then continued in a soft voice, "What’s the meaning of happiness built on someone else’s misfortune? Even though at the end of the days it’s of my own choice... sometimes I still wonder, was I right or wrong?"

Kai smiled faintly. "You know like I said before, Be greedy and if somehow we take wrong let’s just say ’I’ll forget about everything’. All of it. You’re not wrong. I’m not wrong either. We’re just humans trying to find our own happiness."

They both fell silent, enjoying the night breeze. Kai felt a little weight lift from his chest.

The clock showed eight in the evening when Kai finally said goodbye. Lily walked him to the front gate.

"Thanks for today," Kai said before leaving.

Lily smiled sweetly. "Another time, let’s play with other again. Hehehe guess we can asking Chloe and Daisy to tag along too! ’kay see you later."

Kai walked home from the Coconut Grove complex toward his house. His mind was still full, but lighter.

As soon as he arrived home, he had just opened the door when he heard quick footsteps from the stairs.

"BIG BROTHER!!!"

Risa jumped off the stairs and hugged Kai tightly, her nose sniffing like a tracking dog.

"You smell like girl perfume! Where did you go?! So long! Don’t tell me you—"

Kai laughed softly and ruffled his sister’s hair before stroking her head. "Hey... weren’t you the one who let Lily take me for a while?"

Risa pouted, but still hugged him. "Hmph, that’s because it was Sister Lily... if that idiot Chloe had asked earlier, I would have said no and BIG NO!"

Kai smiled, hugging his sister back. She’s my sister in here... even though when I said Mimi’s better than her back when I just get her. I guess my heart is also change a little for her.