Chapter 69: Take care

"I am stuffed," Veronica muttered, leaning back in her seat with her eyes closed.

She had tossed her glasses aside and eaten so much that her body felt warm and flushed.

Kyle smiled warmly. "Glad you liked it."

"Liked it? Kyle... I practically devoured it. I can’t even remember the last time I ate something this good."

Kyle chuckled. "Now you’re exaggerating."

Veronica shook her head. "No, Kyle. Trust me, it was just too delicious. I mean, how can you even eat anything else when you cook this well?"

Kyle shrugged. "Maybe it’s just me, but when I cook something, I start losing interest in it by the time it’s done. And when I eat it, I honestly can’t tell whether it’s good or bad."

Veronica smiled at him fondly. "Then trust my judgment and know this, it was brilliant. I fell in love with what I just ate."

Kyle returned her smile. "Happy to hear that."

Veronica blinked in surprise when she saw him suddenly start washing the dishes. She quickly got up and said, "No, leave that. I’ll do it." She moved beside him, rolling up her sleeves.

But Kyle replied, "It’s your day off, so just rest."

Veronica grumbled, "I’ll die of guilt if you cook and clean too."

Kyle sighed. There wasn’t much to clean, so he could easily handle it, but getting her to sit back down seemed impossible.

"How about you wipe the dishes for me?" he suggested.

He turned toward her and saw her holding a dry paper towel. With a sincere expression, she said, "I’m prepared. Send them to me."

Kyle almost chuckled at how serious she looked.

He started by washing the pan, speaking as he worked. "Tell me something, how often do you actually stay at home?"

Veronica sighed. "I’m not really sure myself. I usually stay at headquarters, managing the city, and sometimes I get called in for other matters."

Kyle hummed before suggesting, "Then the next time you’re back and feel like having homemade food, just give me a call. I’ll bring it over."

Veronica groaned. "As tempting as that sounds, you live four stations away from me. Wouldn’t that be a hassle?"

Kyle shrugged. "I’m used to traveling between Fairmont and Fortis, so don’t worry about it."

Even as he said that, and as tempting as the idea of regularly eating Kyle’s homemade food sounded, she knew it would be difficult to ask him to go through that trouble so often.

Just then, a thought crossed her mind.

A smile tugged at her lips, prompting Kyle to ask, "What is it? I’m sure you thought of something."

Veronica smirked faintly. "I don’t want you traveling, and I can’t visit you often either... so how about I buy a house in Fairmont?"

Kyle paused, blinking. "Wait... really?"

Veronica’s eyes turned round. "Do you mind?"

Kyle looked startled. "No, I mean... this isn’t something you should be asking me." Tilting his head, he refocused on the sink before adding, "But... truth be told, if you’re in Fairmont, I’ll feel more at ease."

Veronica was taken aback. She hadn’t expected such a sincere answer.

She fell silent for a moment. The only sounds in the kitchen were the running water and the soft clink of dishes settling in place.

After a brief pause, Veronica spoke again. "Then I’ll check out a few places tomorrow and move by next weekend."

Kyle replied, "No need to rush. Take your time. I can visit you again if you want... maybe help you move your things."

Veronica chuckled. "As much as I’d love that, it’s better if we’re not seen together in public. Forget others, your brother would be knocking on my office door first thing Monday."

Kyle laughed. "True... you’re such a well-known figure in the aether world that being associated with you would draw attention."

Veronica rested her hands on the counter and leaned forward, looking at him. "Would you mind it... getting into trouble because of me?"

Kyle shrugged. "I don’t usually make friends, but when I do, I stick with them through hell and back."

Veronica smiled faintly. He just know what she wants to hear.

....

They spent the afternoon chatting and sharing stories. Veronica didn’t have much to tell, as she felt her life had always followed the same pattern: fight, survive, rise.

Still, Kyle listened with genuine interest, his curious eyes encouraging her to keep going. Because of that, Veronica found herself talking without growing tired. She could barely remember the last time she had spoken this much, and he cherished every moment of it.

By three o’clock, Kyle decided to leave. He still had some shopping to do for the trip, and he needed to prepare for his livestream.

"Where do you stream, though? I tried searching for you but couldn’t find anything," Veronica asked.

Kyle chuckled. "It’s a very small channel. You wouldn’t find it unless you stumble across it by chance or know the exact ID."

Veronica grew curious. "Mind sharing the link? I’ll watch it when I get time."

Kyle nodded. "Sure, I’ll send it once I get home."

They reached the doorstep, where he put on his shoes and got ready to leave.

Veronica spoke up again, "You have my number, right? Call me if anything happens. Even if I can’t make it in time, I’ll have someone back you up if things go wrong."

Kyle nodded in understanding before stepping forward and pulling her into a brief hug. "Thanks for always looking out for me... other than my brother, you’re the only person who takes care of me without expecting anything in return."

Veronica melted in his arms, her own hanging loosely at her sides as she closed her eyes. "I’ll always have your back, so never hesitate to ask for my help, okay?"

They soon parted, and Kyle nodded. "Yep, got it. No hesitating when leeching off you."

Veronica smiled softly, then held his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Take care... and come back safely, okay?"

Kyle nodded once more before stepping out.

Veronica remained standing there, her heart growing a little heavy.

Yes, she was concerned about the rift residents, but more than that, an uneasy feeling lingered within her about what might happen between him and Amanda.

She knew this was bound to happen. Once Kyle found out that Amanda was a Nightwalker, and understood the reason behind all her lies, he would go back to her.

She was well aware of how attached he was to that girl. And it wasn’t one-sided. Amanda cared deeply for Kyle too, to the point of falsifying reports and going against her superiors for his sake.

They were made for each other. Veronica knew that... and she had no rightful place there, trying to carve out a space for herself in his heart.

And yet, it felt as if someone kept whispering to her, urging her not to give up... telling her that she still had a chance. That she could become his, not in the same way as Amanda, perhaps, but still someone significant. Someone he couldn’t replace.

And because of that faint, fragile hope, she wasn’t ready to step back.

Not when it came to him.