As soon as Zephany and Kendrick stepped out of the grand hall, the blinding flashes from dozens of cameras hit them like a wave. Reporters surged forward, microphones in hand, shouting over each other in a scramble to get their questions heard.
"Miss Draven! Where have you been all these years?"
"Mr. Montclair, is it true you’re married?"
"Is this your official comeback?"
Zephany instinctively stepped back, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to shield her face. Her expression was overwhelmed, and she looked around for an escape. Kendrick moved closer, his palm hovering near the small of her back protectively, his brows furrowed.
Before either of them could react further, a familiar voice spoke firmly from beside her.
"Zeph."
She flinched and turned sharply. "B-Big Brother! W-Why are you here?"
Standing beside her was Reynold, tall and composed as always, wearing his usual dark coat that made him look even more detached from the world. He didn’t answer her question. Instead, his gaze shifted past her, locking eyes with Kendrick.
Kendrick blinked. "Big brother?" he echoed under his breath. He glanced between the two, then gave Reynold a polite nod. So she had a brother.
Reynold didn’t return the gesture. Instead, his expression hardened, and a subtle glare passed Kendrick’s way. Without a word, five men in black suits emerged from the crowd, as if summoned by his stare.
Kendrick and Zephany recognized them instantly. The five men stepped forward, forming a barrier between the reporters and the trio. One of them raised a hand.
"Back off. That’s enough."
The reporters, taken aback, tried to protest but the presence of the men was enough to make them retreat slightly. The wall they formed created just enough space for Zephany and Kendrick to slip through.
"This way," Reynold said calmly, though his voice carried weight.
Zephany nodded quickly and grabbed Kendrick’s sleeve, tugging him along. They pushed through the small opening created by the bodyguards, ignoring the shouted questions and clicking cameras behind them.
"Move!"
"Wait, one last question, Miss Draven!"
"Kendrick! Are you really her husband?"
But the noise began to fade as they finally made it past the crowd and out into the cool night air. Their breaths were visible in the cold as they paused just outside the National Arena. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Zephany leaned slightly forward, catching her breath.
Then, a black car pulled up abruptly in front of them. The window lowered with a quiet hum.
"There you are! Get in!" Pia called out from the driver’s seat.
Zephany’s eyes lit up. "Pia!" she exclaimed, relief washing over her face. Without waiting for an invitation, she turned to Kendrick. "Come on, let’s go."
She opened the car door and practically dragged him inside. Kendrick followed without resistance, ducking his head slightly as he slipped into the back seat beside her.
The moment their doors shut, Pia hit the gas, the car speeding away from the chaos. Her eyes remained focused on the road ahead, but her usual playful energy filled the silence.
After several minutes of driving, she finally glanced into the rearview mirror, eyes locking on the two passengers in the back.
"So this is?" she asked with a sly grin, her voice full of curiosity.
Zephany blinked, caught off guard. "Ah... um..." She fiddled with the ends of her sleeves nervously. There was really no point in hiding it anymore. After what happened tonight, Pia would know eventually.
Kendrick turned to look at her then, his expression calm but clearly waiting for her answer.
Zephany took a breath and coughed lightly. "He is... my husband. Kendrick Montclair."
Pia almost missed a turn. She snapped her head back briefly. "Husband?" she repeated, wide-eyed. "You just said it like that? Wow, Zeph! That was so direct, I’m shocked! But honestly... I kind of like this bold version of you." Her grin widened.
Zephany flushed, her eyes dropping to her lap.
"For real, though," Pia continued, her tone softening, "I’ve always worried about you. You’re always so... timid at work. People take advantage of that. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you more."
Zephany smiled gently, shaking her head. "You’ve always done more than enough, Pia."
"So," Pia cleared her throat, switching back to her usual mischievous tone. "Where are we headed to, Mr. and Mrs. Montclair?"
Zephany hesitated, then answered, "Varen Properties."
Pia raised her brows. "The luxury apartments? Whoa, someone’s living large."
When they arrived at the entrance of their apartment, Kendrick opened the door and stepped out. He then turned and helped Zephany down.
Pia leaned out the window, her mouth agape. "So you guys are really married and living under the same roof now? Seriously?"
Kendrick chuckled and nodded once, glancing at Zephany who was fidgeting again.
"Yeah, we are. Thanks for the ride," he said warmly.
"Unbelievable," Pia muttered, then shouted as they began walking away. "Zephany! I’ll wait for your stories about how the two of you met! And I mean all the juicy details!"
Zephany turned, biting back a smile. Her cheeks burned. She raised her hand slightly in a half-hearted wave.
"I’ll... think about it," she called back.
Pia grinned, gave a playful salute, and drove off.
The two of them stood silently in front of the apartment for a moment, watching the car disappear into the night. Zephany tucked a loose strand of her red-dyed hair behind her ear.
"Sorry about all that," she murmured.
Kendrick gave a soft chuckle. "It’s fine. Your friend’s fun."
They looked at each other, both unsure of what to say next. The air between them felt different now—less like strangers bound by contract, more like... something else.
Without a word, Kendrick opened the glass door of the apartment building and gestured for her to go first. Zephany hesitated, then nodded, stepping inside.
They didn’t speak again until the doors closed behind them.
But something had shifted, and they both felt it.
Even if they couldn’t name it just yet.