Asnaya was right in the heart of Kerotia—poor, dangerous, and chaotic. The illegal armed forces there were super bold, constantly clashing with the government, who couldn’t do much about it. Regular people wouldn’t dare go there unless it was absolutely necessary. Alexander’s trip was risky. Honestly, it felt like he was gambling with his life.
Avery glanced at the clock—it was almost nine at night. "Okay, when are you coming over?"
"I’ll be taking a helicopter," he said. "How about we meet at Skyview Bistro in half an hour? Does that work for you?"
Avery nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good." Then she paused. "But Asnaya is super dangerous. Do you really have to go?"
"I have to," Alexander replied, sounding serious. "This mining site is one of the biggest investments my sister and I have made. We still haven’t gotten our money back yet, and I can’t just let it slip away. If the Moran family backs out now, it could seriously hurt our chances in Kerotia. Plus, even though it’s a private deal, it represents our country. We’ve already lost employees to these illegal guys, and if we back down, it will make us look like easy targets. People will think our businesses are easy to mess with and that our workers aren’t safe," he explained.
"And honestly," Alexander added, "this could help me avoid that marriage between the Moran and the Powell families."
Even after Madalyn’s mysterious death, both families were still set on announcing his engagement to Anabel at her birthday party. If he went to Asnaya to deal with this mess, and they were still planning that engagement, it would stir up a serious backlash.
Avery’s expression turned serious. "I get why you need to go, but it seems like you’re rushing into this. Are you really ready for it?" She added, "After everything that’s happened, the local government is already hinting they might take back the mining rights. I have a feeling they’ve been planning to grab the mine for a while. Don’t expect much help or protection when you get there."
Alexander gave a calm smile. "I’ve only brought a few assistants, but I’ve got professional mercenaries with me. I’m leading them myself to track down the killers, get justice for those who died, and reclaim what’s ours."
"Alright!" Avery admired his determination. "I’m with you."
The whirring sound of helicopter blades came through the phone, adding a sense of urgency. Alexander’s voice stayed steady. "I’m about to get on the helicopter. See you in half an hour."
They didn’t bother with goodbyes before ending the call. Avery stood up and paced around the room, her mind racing with thoughts of how she could help him. Alexander was rushing off to a dangerous mission in Asnaya, yet he still made time to see her. That gesture meant a lot to her.
After a moment, she left her room and took the special elevator. It scanned her as usual before opening. The elevator brought her down to the hidden warehouse where V Group’s secret weapons were stored—a place only she had access to. She picked out a few key items, packed them in her bag, and left the building.
Twenty minutes later, she arrived at Skyview Bistro. The restaurant sat on top of a skyscraper over 60 floors high, with a helipad right in the middle. As she looked up, she noticed a helicopter already parked there. The door opened, and Alexander stepped out.
The moment he spotted Avery on the ground floor, his typically stern expression softened, and a smile crept onto his face. Avery smiled back and waved. As he made his way down the stairs, she hurried toward him.
They walked toward each other and stopped, standing face to face. Both seemed like they wanted to say something, but when their eyes met, the words just disappeared. Instead, they just stood there, silently taking in each other’s presence as if nothing else mattered and the moment itself was more important than anything they could’ve said.
Louis, following Alexander closely behind, watched the whole thing unfold. Adjusting his glasses, he couldn’t help but roll his eyes. ’Here we go again. These two are hopeless. Sure, they’re both easy on the eyes, but is this staring contest really necessary?’ he thought. As he watched, a grin tugged at his lips—a mix of that cheesy, bittersweet feeling only single people know too well.
After what felt like forever, Louis couldn’t take it anymore. He cleared his throat. "Mr. Moran, Miss Carter, dinner’s ready. If you don’t start now, it’s going to get cold!"
Alexander gave a small nod. "Shall we, Miss Carter?"
Of course, Alexander had reserved the entire restaurant. There was only one table, beautifully set with dinner waiting. Being the gentleman he was, Alexander pulled out a chair for Avery. Once she was seated, he sat down across from her and poured them both champagne.
He lifted his glass, smiling. "Miss Carter, it’s been a while. I’m glad we can catch up tonight."
Avery raised her glass and smiled back. "I’m glad too."
It hadn’t even been that long—just a couple of weeks—but it somehow felt like ages since their last meeting.
Dinner was quiet. Neither felt the need for small talk since they both knew what the other had been up to. There wasn’t much to ask, and it didn’t seem like the right time to dive into deeper conversations. Every now and then, one of them would say something like, "This is really good, you should try it," or "Wanna order anything else?"
About twenty minutes later, as they were finishing up, Avery set her fork down and scooped a bit of ice cream. "So, how exactly are you planning to get to Asnaya? You’re not flying all the way there in a helicopter, are you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Alexander said, "I’m taking a helicopter to the border, then switching to a private plane to get to Asnaya."
Avery asked, "And the mercenaries?"
"They’re on their way. We’ll meet up in Asnaya’s capital," he replied.
Avery continued, "And how does the Moran family feel about your decision?"
Alexander let out a small, mocking laugh. "Some don’t like it, but most are fine with it. Honestly, if I don’t make it back, a few might even celebrate."
There was a brief pause before Avery placed her hand firmly on top of his. "You’ll come back safe. I’ll be waiting for you," she said confidently.
Alexander blinked, surprised. His eyes dropped to her hand as his heart picked up pace. But before he could respond, she pulled away, grabbed her bag, and started pulling out gear.
One by one, she laid out several items, explaining each with precision.
"This is a multi-purpose backpack. Looks basic, but it’s tough and stretchy enough to turn into a sleeping bag. It’s fireproof, waterproof, virus-proof, and even knife-resistant. It can keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Forget bugs and snakes—even tiger claws can’t tear it apart. It can even stop bullets, though maybe not a sniper rifle."
She paused, then added, "If you’re using it as a sleeping bag, just try not to get wrapped up by a python. That could be tricky."
Alexander just watched her, not saying a word. His focus on her deepened with every moment. Meanwhile, in the corner, Louis sighed to himself. Since sitting down, Alexander had not taken his eyes off Avery once. It was like nothing else existed except her.
Avery gave her backpack a pat. "If you’re looking to cut back on what you’re carrying, this bag is non-negotiable."
She picked up the second item. "Now, don’t let the size fool you. It might look like a watermelon, but it’s packed with features. I’ve already programmed everything—your face, voice, body stats. It recognizes you as the owner.
"You can command it by voice, or just press these buttons for different functions. This one is for light—it can illuminate a five-meter area for a thousand hours. This one’s for heat—the max temperature goes over 212 degrees Fahrenheit. This button here ignites a flame that won’t go out, even in the rain. And this one? It activates a protective net, but you’ve gotta be careful with it."
She grinned, like she was some kind of high-tech saleswoman, showing off her latest product. But Alexander knew better. Everything she gave him wasn’t just some high-tech gadget—it was next level, like something out of a legend. In myths, these would be the modern-day Excalibur or Thor’s hammer. In a fantasy world, they would be rarer than phoenix feathers or unicorn horns. Yet, none of those legendary treasures compared to her.