Chapter 38: you were so close, how did I lose you? ╰(⸝⸝⸝´꒳`⸝⸝⸝)╯
They got off the elevator from the suite and stood at the hotel lobby entrance...
Rika turned to Sarah and Leo as they were quietly putting on their shoes by the door of the lobby. The morning was still and cold...
"I’ll drop you both off," she said, her voice cutting through the moment...
Leo shook his head without looking up from tying his laces. "No need. We’ll take a taxi or something."
Rika rolled her eyes upwards, her usual impatient energy returning. "I’m not coming with you, dummy. It’s just my driver. You’ll be more comfortable, and he can take you wherever you need to go. It’s easier."
Leo hesitated, straightening up. He didn’t want to feel indebted to her, not after everything. "Still..."
"It’s not a big deal," Rika insisted, her tone softening slightly. "Seriously. I’ll just tell him to stop wherever you want. It’s the least I can do."
Sarah looked at Leo, her expression pleading silently with him to just accept the offer. He let out a quiet sigh, the fight going out of him. He nodded. "Fine. But we’ll be getting off at the train station, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah," Rika said, waving her hand dismissively, though he could see the relief in her eyes. "Whatever makes you feel better."
They all headed out together, a small, somber procession walking through the hotel lobby...
The black SUV was already waiting outside the entrance. Rika’s driver stepped out and opened the back door for them without a word.
Leo helped Sarah into the back seat first, making sure she was settled comfortably before sitting beside her. Rika spoke briefly with the driver, giving him the address to the main train station.