[5.36 AM, Sunday]
There was a group training session that morning, and everyone, including Amanda, reported to the base around four.
By five thirty, they were given a one-hour break before the dueling session.
Layena was part of the team, so she arrived on time.
Still, she hated early morning training whenever duels were involved.
The only person she actually enjoyed fighting was still in the hospital. Which meant she would have to spar with Hannah or Amanda today.
After washing her face, she headed to the cafeteria to grab an energy bar when a commotion caught her attention.
"Give it back, Clara!" Ethan called out, clearly annoyed.
Layena turned toward the pink-haired girl and found Clara waving a sheet of paper in the air.
"Let me see who you were writing to."
Layena raised a brow. Writing letters in this day and age?
The thought barely lingered before she walked over to the vending machine.
She selected an energy bar and bent down to retrieve it, only to pause when Clara suddenly read aloud.
"To Kyle? Why are you writing a letter to Kyle?"
Not only did Layena stop, but Amanda and Hannah, who were sitting nearby, also turned toward them.
Amanda narrowed her eyes at Ethan.
He let out a defeated sigh.
"I was just... preparing a letter of apology," he admitted.
Clara blinked in surprise and quickly skimmed through it. Sure enough, the letter was filled with Ethan’s sincere regrets over everything that had happened between him and Kyle.
Hannah tilted her head. "Why not tell him to his face? Why are you so hesitant?"
Ethan rubbed the back of his head with an awkward smile.
"I feel like he’s avoiding me, and he has every reason to. I did horrible things to him, locking him inside a cubicle and everything else. I don’t have the right to ask for his forgiveness."
He paused before continuing quietly.
"But if I can, I’d at least like to ease some of the bitterness between us."
Lowering his hand, he leaned against a table and crossed his arms.
"Once he finishes his training, he’ll most likely join our team. I don’t want the grudge between us to affect our missions. For that, I’m willing to lower my head and do whatever it takes if it means he’ll let go of his resentment."
"Just stay out of his way."
Amanda’s sudden remark drew everyone’s attention.
She continued calmly, "Don’t interact with him unless it’s necessary, and everything will be fine. Kyle is sensible enough not to let his personal feelings interfere with his professional responsibilities."
Those words were spoken with complete certainty, which was understandable. Among everyone present, Amanda knew Kyle the best.
Ethan nodded.
"Then that’s what I’ll do. Still, I want to apologize to him someday. Otherwise, I won’t be able to look at myself in the mirror."
Layena found herself genuinely surprised.
Not only had Ethan shown positive changes in his daily life, but his personality had also matured considerably.
He was actually willing to lower his head and apologize to Kyle.
Whether it was because he truly felt guilty or simply wanted to avoid conflict within the team remained a mystery. Even so, the changes she saw in him were more than welcome.
After a brief silence, Clara wrapped an arm around his neck and smiled.
"Don’t overthink it, Ethan. I’m sure Kyle will forgive you."
Amanda rolled her eyes.
If only they knew what else Ethan had done in an attempt to separate them...
She knew Kyle well enough to know he wasn’t the type to create trouble for people he disliked.
The most he would do was treat them as if they didn’t exist.
Even so, much like Layena, Amanda was surprised by the changes in Ethan.
Whatever the reason behind them, she was relieved to see he was finally trying to grow up.
Shaking the thought away, she took out her phone and sent Kyle a text.
{Morning. Did you sleep well?}
They had stayed up chatting until late the previous night. Since she had been busy and Kyle had gone to visit his cousin again, they hadn’t been able to meet, so they ended up making up for it with a video call.
The call had lasted until nearly one in the morning.
Amanda had to wake up early for training, but she wasn’t expecting Kyle to be awake at this hour.
A reply came almost instantly.
{Good morning.}
She had been wrong, and she couldn’t have been happier.
{You’re awake so early? Is everything okay?}
A few seconds later, another message appeared.
{Just getting everything ready... I’ll be coming over in about six hours.}
Amanda nearly laughed.
Despite her repeatedly telling him not to take it so seriously, he was still visibly nervous about today’s meeting.
After all, today would be the first time Kyle met her parents as her boyfriend.
She would be lying if she said she wasn’t excited as well.
Smiling to herself, she decided to call him. A little conversation would probably help calm his nerves before the big meeting.
.....
[9:30 AM]
Kyle stood before the mirror, giving himself one last look from head to toe.
He was dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, striking a balance between formal and casual. His hair was neatly combed, and he had even applied a little cologne.
Satisfied with his appearance, he turned his attention to the gifts he had bought before meeting Adam yesterday.
One bag contained a delicate tea set along with a selection of fragrant tea leaves. The other held a tasteful decorative piece.
He had purchased both with the money he had saved, making sure not to overspend, just as Blake had advised.
Amanda had told him there was no need to bring gifts, but there was no way he could show up empty-handed.
Whether they were the right choices or not... there was no point worrying about it now.
Taking a deep breath, Kyle stepped out of his room.
Just then, his phone rang.
Blake.
The moment he answered, Blake’s teasing voice came through.
{Ready for the battle?}
Kyle leaned against the wall and let out a long sigh.
"Man, I’m seriously nervous here. Say something that’ll calm me down."
{What am I supposed to say? You knew this day would come. If anything, you’ve delayed it for far too long, so don’t be surprised if they’re a little upset.}
Kyle let out another sigh.
That wasn’t helping in the slightest.
Still, Blake wasn’t wrong.
He and Amanda had been together for over two years, and only now was he finally meeting her parents.
Thankfully, Amanda was incredibly understanding. Someone else might have taken his delay as proof that he wasn’t serious about their relationship.
A moment later, Blake spoke again.
{Just don’t mess it up and be yourself. They’ll like you.}
Kyle let out a slow breath.
"Thanks. I’ll make sure not to ruin anything."
With that, the call ended.
Kyle picked up the gift bags and headed out.
Amanda’s house was about an hour away.
As he locked the door behind him, he could only hope that today would pass without anything unexpected happening.
°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading. If you have been enjoying the read so far, drop a comment.