Chapter 366: Come Back Quickly
Rea sighed. "Did your mom train you or something?"
"Hahaha." Kris took a sip. "Yes, I guess we did talk about this."
He rotated his drink and could see in his glass the reflection of two figures standing at a distance, observing them.
"Oh, they’re watching us right now."
Rea snuck a secretive glance, and it was true.
Kris’ mother, the Red Dragon, was draped in a blood-red kimono that held the family’s crest, while Rea’s mother was wrapped in sleek white silk. The two matriarchs were standing side by side, watching their heirs.
"I’d say 14 should be more than enough," Kris’s mother whispered.
"No less than 16," Rea’s mother replied.
They glanced at one another for a moment.
"We’ll let the kids decide then," The Red Dragon said, sipping on her drink.
"We both know that we would settle on 15. Let’s just do that and get it over with."
"How sad," The Red Dragon shook her head. "Are you scared that your daughter will mess this up for you?"
"I’m scared that she might eat your son alive, and make you pull out of the deal."
"Is that so?" The Red Dragon chuckled, before offering her a hand. "How about we honor whatever the kids come up with?"
"You’re on." Rea’s mother said, firmly shaking the Red Dragon’s hand.
Seated next to the bar, the two heirs discussed and debated.
Meanwhile, Roka shifted nervously beside Cero.
"So..." she began.
"So," he echoed.
Neither of them spoke for a good amount of time.
"I, uh..." Roka scratched her cheek. "I don’t really know what to say."
"That makes two of us," Cero muttered, before scratching his neck. "I have a gift for you," he said abruptly.
"Huh? For me?"
"Yeah." He nodded. "It’ll be ready when we’re back from Jin though, so...."
Her face brightened. "Really? For me?"
"Yes." He answered. ’A -sorry for fucking your mom- gift... I feel bad...’ He sighed internally.
Kris decided to lay his cards on the table.
"We both know that 15 is fair for everyone. Let’s do that and have it done with."
"I know the number my mother would want, and that’s not it."
"Would want?" Kris repeated. "You mean you haven’t talked to her about it?"
"No, but I spent some time looking at everything. I’m not planning on becoming the chairwoman or even sitting on the board. Once Cero comes back, I’m pretty much done with Wor."
"Is that? How about giving us the number we want then?" Kris asked. "Since you don’t care anyway."
"I still benefit from my mother’s company. I’m not going to throw money out the window." Rea sighed. "Still, it could be a nice fuck you to my mom..."
"Hm..." Kris relaxed into his seat, curious. "You really are done with Wor once he comes back?"
"Yes." She answered. "I’m bored with life on Wor. It’s not interesting to me anymore. Even the video games I used to love aren’t as fun. After having a taste of real adventure, video games just don’t do it for me anymore." Rea explained. ’Though playing with Cero and Liz was fun.’ She thought to herself.
"Fifteen, then?"
"Fifteen and a half."
"Fifteen is fair."
"It is, but we want more."
Kris pressed his lips together. ’If I knew she wasn’t going to accept right away, I would have gone with 14...’
Rea stared at him for a bit, and just when Kris was about to extend a hand for a handshake,
"We can do fifteen." She said. "We’ll go easy on you since it’s our first venture together, but you owe us. The next venture should be more beneficial to us."
"Hm... Sure." Kris shrugged. ’I really just want to get drunk and dance!’
The two heirs shook hands.
"Alright!" As soon as his hand let go of hers, he downed his drink in an instant. "So, tell me. What’s up with you and Cero?"
"I thought you know better than to get in the middle."
"Well, it’s just that-"
Before he could say anything further, the lights dimmed.
A resonant hum echoed through the ballroom. The platform beneath them vibrated softly as the transparent ceiling slowly opened, revealing Wor’s night sky.
The Prime Minister’s voice boomed through the speakers, and all became silent. He stood on a raised platform in the largest hall, surrounded by security. Screens were turned on in the other halls and rooms, allowing all to stay updated.
"Citizens of Wor. Honored guests from across..."
The speech began. Elegant, powerful, full of rhetoric about unity, prosperity, and the sacrifices of their soldiers. As the Prime Minister spoke, the massive spaceship began to lift. Slowly, majestically, they rose into the air, leaving the ground far below, and growing closer and closer to the stars above.
The guests turned toward the ceiling, watching as the stars enveloped them.
When the applause ended, Liz appeared beside Roka. "Costume change time," she said cheerfully.
"Oh, right." Roka nodded.
"Costume change?" Cero repeated.
"Yeah." Liz chuckled. "You didn’t think we were wearing the same thing all night, did you?" She spun beautifully before explaining. "All these dresses and suits are sponsored. We get paid to wear them during each stage of the banquet."
"The money is pretty good." Roka nodded. "If I can switch clothes fast enough, I might make enough money to finally move into my own place..."
"We’ve received around thirty different outfits, and we’re paid per outfit worn."
"Can’t wait to see them." Cero waved with a smile as the two started walking away.
Cero turned back toward Rea. She stood near one of the tall windows, looking out at the city below, her white dress glowing in the light.
"Not changing?" he asked.
She didn’t look at him. "I don’t need money. And the brand I’m wearing belongs to my family in the first place."
He leaned against the railing beside her. She didn’t move away, but she didn’t acknowledge him either.
"You’re still mad," he said quietly.
"Looks like it," she replied.
"What can I do?"
Rea remained quiet for a moment, before finally turning towards him and staring into his eyes.
"Come back quickly." She said, before turning back to look through the window. "That’s all you can do, really."