CHAPTER 174 : AFTER DINNER

Kira folded the small paper and slipped it into her trouser pocket before she took one last glance around the marketplace, which was now busy again.

Everything and Everyone had returned to normal, and with nothing much to do there, she walked, leaving the place.

The boutique door swung open, the chime sounding above as she stepped inside, her eyes looking for Elara, who she finally saw near a display of long coats, holding up a deep burgundy one and checking herself in the mirror.

"There you are!" Elara called when she turned at the sound of the door and saw that it was Kira.

"I almost went looking for you," she said, half laughing and half worried.

Kira smiled and walked toward her, leaning in as she gently pecked Elara's cheek, a soft, affectionate gesture.

"I'm sorry, Mum," she said sweetly, brushing Elara's arm. "I'll explain everything later. Promise."

"That's alright," Elara nodded, although she was clearly curious. "As long as you're okay."

"I am," Kira assured her. "Now let's finish up. You need that coat, by the way. It's definitely you, and Dad would love it on you as well."

Chuckling while blushing a bit, Elara slapped Kira's arm playfully and turned back to the mirror, holding the coat up again. "He will, right?" she muttered to herself while Kira moved around, also getting the remaining things she needed.

Once they had checked out and had their bags in hand, they left the boutique, making small talk until they finally reached where their car was parked.

When they reached, Kira unlocked the car, a soft beep sound following afterward, and opened the back seat door.

She and Elara dropped the bags in there, closed the door and then went to the front, where Kira slid into the driver's seat, and Elara climbed into the passenger seat beside her, sighing contentedly.

Once Elara was comfortable, Kira started the engine, and then, they drove off, heading back home.

The drive back home wasn't the usual quiet one. Kira and Elara played some music, sang and threw in some dance moves while in the car. It was fun, relaxing, and cheerful; the trees blurry as they drove through.

When they arrived at last, they tuned down the music, laughed and coordinated themselves as Kira parked the car.

It was already evening when they returned, and Kira wondered how long they had stayed out as she and Elara carried their bags inside.

She had lost track of time, and well, there was no regret.

Going inside, they each headed to their rooms, arranged all they had bought, showered and came back down together as dinner was almost ready.

The men were already seated at the dining table waiting for them, and when they walked in, everyone greeted each other, pecks exchanged as Kira and Elara took their seats.

Soon, gentle laughter filled the room, and Elara and Kira were asked about their day, which they gladly told the men about, everyone engaging in light conversation and enjoying their dinner.

After dinner was over, Kira assembled everyone into the living room and stood near the center, her hands relaxed by her side as she waited for each of them to settle.

Aiden sat on a couch, Bryan took one of the armchairs, and Elara sat with Orion on another couch, their eyes fixed on Kira as they were all now settled.

"So, I want to tell you all what happened today," she began. "I didn't say anything earlier to Mum while we were out because I didn't want her to panic."

"Panic?" Elara inquired, also remembering how Kira had been gone for a while when they were out shopping. "What happened?"

"I will explain," Kira said gently and then went on to tell them everything, from start to finish.

"And so, whoever it was asked me to meet them here tomorrow," she said and pulled out the folded note, holding it up for them to see.

"Hmm," Bryan frowned deeply. "So what's the plan then?"

"I will meet with whoever this person is tomorrow morning," Kira told them as Bryan took the paper from her hand and went back to sit down. "There is no time given, but morning seems good to me."

"We will come with you," Aiden added, already thinking and planning, in case of anything going wrong and how to prevent it.

"No," Kira refused. "I am to come alone unless I will not get anything. Then that will be a waste of both time and whatever little information I could get."

"You do realize that we cannot let you go by yourself right?" Bryan asked rhetorically, his words final, but Kira was not having it.

"I understand. But, I can take care of myself, and if there is a problem, you two will know," she assured them. "This is important. What if he or she is scared of something and wants me to go alone. We need to try at least. We cannot miss out on this clue or information."

"We are the ones who are supposed to do this," Aiden said. "Not you."

"I am not doing it alone," Kira added, trying to reason with him. "Like I said. You two will be the first to know if something goes wrong. I've got it all calculated and covered."

"And how are you sure this person knows something?" Orion asked before neither Bryan nor Aiden could respond to what Kira had said.

"I am not," Kira replied honestly. "But this person knew about the curse. That is strange and strange means something."

After the whole talk, the room went silent for a moment and Kira also remained silent, giving them time to think about it, until Bryan finally spoke.

"Fine," he said, although she could pick up the worry in his tone. "But if anything happens, if you notice anything, even if it is the slightest of things, you reach out to us. I don't know what you said you will do, but alert us, and we will come for you. Understood?"

"Yes. I will," Kira smiled at him gratefully, knowing that it was hard for them to accept that. "And I promise, I will stay safe."

"I don't like this," Aiden sighed and rubbed his face. "But okay. You do what you have to do, and we will be on standby."

Walking over to them, where they were seated not far apart, Kira reached out and gently brushed over Bryan's cheek with her fingertips, then Aiden's, her smile warm and filled with love and reassurance.

"I will go prepare," she informed them.

"Goodnight, everyone," she said to all of them, then left the room, heading toward the staircase.

The moment she left, and her footsteps could no longer be heard, Elara shifted in her seat, her mind not at rest.

"Is it safe? To let her go alone," she asked softly, her expression giving away how worried she was.

"It's not," Aiden answered. "But I know she can take care of herself. We will also be on alert in case of anything. Don't worry, nothing will happen to her. We will never let anything happen to her."

"Hmm," Elara nodded and nodded, then sighed. "Okay then. Whatever you three do, be careful."

"We will," Bryan and Aiden both said in unison as one by one, they all stood, and bid each other good nights.