CHAPTER 99

When we got back, the rich aroma of grandma’s cooking filled the air, making my stomach grumble. The familiar scent of home-cooked food wrapped around me like a warm hug.

We headed straight to the kitchen, and there she was—standing by the stove, tasting the dish with a ladle. She looked up when she heard our footsteps and smiled.

"Perfect timing! The food is almost ready," she said cheerfully.

Austin chuckled. "It smells amazing, Grandma."

"It smells amazing, Grandma!" Austin commented, his eyes lighting up at the aroma filling the kitchen.

Grandma chuckled, clearly pleased. "Come on. Taste this." She held out the ladle toward him.

Austin hesitated for a second before stepping closer. He blew on the spoonful before taking a small sip. His eyes widened. "Wow, this is so good!"

Grandma laughed. "Do you like it?"

Austin grinned. "I love it! It tastes really good, Grandma."

She beamed with pride. "I'm glad you like it, dear. There's plenty, so eat as much as you want."

I just smiled, watching their interaction. It felt nice—peaceful, even. While they talked, I grabbed the plates and started setting the table, making sure everything was in place before we ate.

After I set the table with plates, I helped Grandma bring the food over. The aroma of her cooking filled the room, making my stomach growl in anticipation. Austin chuckled when he heard it, and I just rolled my eyes playfully.

Once everything was set, we all settled into our seats. Grandma clasped her hands together, smiling warmly at both of us.

"Alright, dig in, boys!" she said.

Austin wasted no time, taking a bite of the dish he had tasted earlier. His eyes lit up as he chewed. "Grandma, this is amazing."

I grinned. "No one beats Grandma's cooking."

Grandma laughed, shaking her head. "You two are sweet talkers. Now, eat up. I made plenty for you both."

Austin and I exchanged a glance before diving into the meal, the warmth of home surrounding us.

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After we ate, I took it upon myself to wash the dishes. The sound of running water filled the quiet kitchen as I scrubbed the plates, but my attention kept drifting outside.

Through the window, I could see Austin and Grandma. She was watering the plants while he stood beside her, listening attentively. They were chatting, and every now and then, he would laugh or nod, genuinely engaged in whatever she was saying.

It was a rare sight—Austin looking so at ease, his usual playful smirk replaced by a soft, relaxed expression. He fit in so naturally here, like he belonged.

I smiled to myself before returning my focus to the dishes. Somehow, seeing him with Grandma like that made my heart feel warm.

I stood outside with Grandma as she watered the plants, the soft trickling of water mixing with the gentle rustling of leaves. Chase was inside, washing the dishes, leaving me to chat with her.

As we talked, she started telling me stories about Chase—how he had always been a good grandson, how he would go out of his way to take care of her even when he was busy. I listened intently, smiling at every little detail she shared.

I had always known Chase was loving and caring, but seeing him here, in his element, made me realize just how deeply he loved the people in his life. The way he looked at his grandmother, the way he made sure she was okay, the gentleness in his actions—it was different.

And it made me fall for him even more.

As I listened to Grandma talk about Chase, a warmth filled my chest, but then her tone softened, and my heart grew heavy.

She spoke about his struggles. His mother had died after giving birth to him. And his father… he abandoned him. I felt a lump form in my throat. I couldn’t imagine how painful that must have been—growing up without parents, carrying that kind of loneliness from such a young age. Yet, despite it all, Chase never let it show. He was always smiling, always making sure everyone around him was okay.

Chase had done everything to support his studies, even until college. I already knew he worked late at the store, but hearing it from his grandmother made it feel more real—more painful. He had been pushing himself so hard, juggling responsibilities that most people our age wouldn’t even think about.

I had always admired Chase for his determination, but now, I realized how much weight he had been carrying alone.

I then remembered when Chase told me he was bullied as a kid.

I wondered if Grandma knew about that, but I decided not to bring it up. She had already worried so much for him—there was no need to add more to that burden.

Still, it made me think… Chase had been through so much. Losing his parents, working hard to support himself, and on top of that, dealing with bullies when he was just a kid. Yet, somehow, he still managed to be the person he is today—kind, selfless, and always putting others before himself.

I glanced toward the kitchen window, where I could see him finishing up the dishes. His back was turned, his posture relaxed, completely unaware of the thoughts running through my head.

I smiled to myself.

He was strong, stronger than he probably even realized. And I was proud of him.

"Chase... he is stronger than I think," I commented, watching him through the window as he dried the last plate.

Grandma chuckled softly, her hands gently tending to the leaves of her plants. "That boy has been through a lot, but he never complains. He just keeps moving forward, no matter how hard life gets."

I nodded, my chest feeling tight. "Yeah... I can see that."

"He has a good heart," Grandma continued, smiling warmly. "Even when life wasn’t kind to him, he never let it make him bitter. That’s something special, don’t you think?"

I looked at Chase again—at the way his brow furrowed slightly as he carefully placed the dishes in the rack, at the quiet determination in his every movement.

"Yeah," I murmured, a soft smile forming on my lips. "Something really special."

After Chase washed the dishes, he came outside, holding a plate of sliced watermelon. He invited Grandma and me to have some.

"Come on, let's eat," he said, setting the plate down on the wooden table.

Grandma smiled as she wiped her hands on her apron. "Oh, that looks refreshing. Perfect for this warm morning."

Chase handed me a slice, and I took a bite. The sweetness spread across my tongue, cool and refreshing.

"This is good," I said.

Chase grinned. "Of course. It's from Grandma’s farm."

"You have lots of fruits in your farm, Grandma."

Grandma chuckled. "Of course, dear. Everything here is fresh from the farm."

I nodded, taking another bite. "Now I see why Chase loves coming here. It feels… peaceful."

Chase looked at me, his eyes soft. "Yeah… it really is."

For a moment, we just sat there, eating in comfortable silence, the gentle breeze rustling through the trees.

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