Chapter 353 - 345. Shifting Power
"Why don’t you just stay the night? It’s quite far to drive back to your apartment," Laurel looked at Zein with a small pout, the disappointment of not having the guide there longer was palpable in her face.
Bassena was about to open his mouth to respond positively, but Zein beat him to it. "I’m sorry, but we’ll take our leave for tonight."
The esper raised his brow; not because of Zein’s rejection, but because the guide was holding his hand while saying it. Laurel looked at their intertwined hands and sighed. But instead of a pout, there was a smile on her lips.
"Fine, I get it," she glanced at Bassena and smirked. "Lucky boy."
"Huh?"
Ignoring the confused magician, Laurel scoffed and shifted her gaze to Zein again. "We’ll be leaving tomorrow, so I don’t think we’ll meet again, but..." she reached out and caressed the fair cheek softly, tucking a stray hair behind the guide’s ear. "If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to contact me or my husband, alright?"
Zein widened his eyes slightly, feeling surprised at the casual offer. And as if realizing his hesitation, she added with a soft laugh. "Radia’s friend is also my son, don’t you know that?"
Zein couldn’t help but chuckle, remembering how her husband said she was ’collecting’ them; sons. "Thank you," he said, glancing at the real son who was shrugging nonchalantly about their shared mother’s antics.
"Well then, be careful on your way tomorrow," Bassena said while shaking Calix’s hand.
Laurel tiptoed and hugged Zein briefly. "Please don’t give up on my son. I know he’s intolerable sometimes, but he truly cares about his friends."
"I know," Zein smiled and replied without hesitation.