Their banter continued as they made their way out of the grocery section and toward the wet market outside the main building. It was bustling, noisy, and filled with the scent of fresh herbs, fish, and grilled skewers. The stalls stretched out like a maze, packed with people and bright tarpaulins.
As soon as they stepped in, a cheerful older woman from a fish stall waved. "Kendrick! Back again! Brought your pretty wife this ti, ha?"
Zephany blinked. "Wife?"
Kendrick gave a polite nod. "Morning, Ma’am Elsa. Just here to stock up."
Ma’am Elsa’s eyes twinkled. "She’s lovely. Quiet one. You’re a lucky man. Don’t let this one go, okay?"
Kendrick glanced at Zephany, who looked like she wanted to hide behind the mango basket. "I try not to."
A group of vendors nearby caught wind of the exchange and chid in.
"Is this the girl you were always buying strawberries for?" one man asked.
"She’s prettier than we imagined!"
"Your babies will be adorable. Can we pre-order baby photos?"
Zephany turned bright red. Kendrick just laughed and adjusted the basket in his hand. "You all are worse than my sister."
"That ans she approves!" Ma’am Elsa called back.
Zephany nudged him as they walked away. "You have a fan club here?"
"Only because I buy their discounted seafood," he said with a wink.
They moved on, selecting fresh fish and a bundle of vegetables. Every few minutes, soone waved or teased them again. From the egg vendor to the spice stall, they were stopped and greeted like they were local celebrities.
"So, honeymoon phase, huh?"
"Your wife doesn’t say much. She must really love you."
"When’s the wedding party? Invite us!"
Zephany didn’t know whether to laugh or lt into the pavent. Kendrick took it all in stride, responding casually, sotis even tossing back a joke. And every ti he called her "wife," even teasingly, she flinched a little. Not because she didn’t like it. Because she did. Far too much.
They paused at a vegetable stall where a teen girl, no older than Levy, was bundling spinach.
"Hi Kuya Kendrick!" she greeted with a bright smile. "Who’s this Ate? She’s so pretty! You didn’t tell us you had a girlfriend."
Kendrick glanced at Zephany, amused. "This is Zephany. She’s my... wife."
Zephany blinked. Still not used to hearing it.
The girl gasped. "Wife? You kept that secret! Ate, how do you manage with this guy? He always pretends to be cool but he’s such a softie."
Zephany smiled, unsure how to respond.
Kendrick gave the girl a look. "Don’t go around destroying my image, Joy."
Joy grinned. "Too late. But you two look really sweet together."
As they moved on, Zephany glanced at Kendrick. "You’re popular."
"Cos with being a loyal custor," he said.
She rolled her eyes. "And a strawberry-buying, secret-softie loyal custor."
He leaned a little closer. "Jealous?"
"Of what? Your adoring market fan base? Please."
He smirked. "Good. Because you’re the only one I buy strawberries for now."
She blinked. Her steps slowed.
He didn’t look at her when he said it. Just kept walking ahead, like it was nothing. But her heart did a weird skip. Maybe the heat was getting to her.
After over an hour of weaving through stalls, arms full of bags, they finally headed back to the parking lot.
"That was intense," Zephany said, adjusting her grip. "I feel like we were in a rom-com with an overly invested side cast."
Kendrick laughed. "Welco to my Sunday mornings."
As they crossed the sidewalk toward the car, a small child ca running down the path, chasing a balloon. Zephany barely had ti to register it. Kendrick, seeing the blur of motion heading her way, rushed forward instinctively.
"Zephany, watch out!"
But she had already sidestepped smoothly, just enough for the kid to breeze past harmlessly. Kendrick, in full rescue mode, ended up tripping over his own foot.
He staggered, arms flailing, grocery bags swinging dangerously. It was Zephany who reached out, grabbing his wrist and tugging him back just before he hit the pavent.
He froze. Her hand still holding his.
"I... uh..."
She blinked, breathless. "You okay?"
He stood up quickly, brushing imaginary dirt from his pants. "Fine. Totally fine. Just... testing gravity."
She looked at his ears. Pink.
"Are you blushing?" she asked, squinting at him.
"No. You’re seeing things. Sun’s too bright."
She tilted her head and leaned in slightly. "You are. You’re totally blushing."
He cleared his throat and turned away. "Let’s just get to the car."
Zephany crossed her arms, grinning now. This was rare. He always had the upper hand with teasing. But now?
Her ti had co.
"Husband," she said sweetly, making him pause, "how was it? Did I save you in ti?"
He looked at her suspiciously. "Don’t start."
She batted her lashes. "Your wife can be your knight in shining armor."
Kendrick gave her a flat look. "You tripped on purpose."
"Admit it. You were impressed."
"You moved like a ninja. How was I supposed to know you had reflexes like that?"
She stepped closer, whispering, "Maybe I’m more capable than I look."
He held her gaze for a second, lips twitching. "Remind never to get into a footrace with you."
She laughed and turned toward the car, victorious. "I’ll drive."
He rembered how he often saw her speeding off in the mornings, driving like she was in a race to work.
Raising an eyebrow, he quickly said, "Oh no. You’ve already proven you’re dangerous. I’m driving."
Zephany scoffed, crossing her arms. "Trust , I’m a good driver. You’ve just never seen on a calm day."
Kendrick chuckled, shaking his head as he reached for the keys. "Dear wife, let your husband handle the driving, okay? Leave it to ."
That made her blush again. Her heart stuttered for a second. ’This guy really knows how to make stop arguing,’ she thought, half annoyed and half chard.
She looked at him, trying to keep a straight face, but the smirk slipped through. "Fine. I’ll listen to you, husband."
The word hung in the air for a beat.
She saw it—the way his expression faltered just slightly, and the color rose to his cheeks.
Zephany’s smirk widened, feeling just a little proud.
As they packed the bags into the trunk, Zephany stole a glance at him. His blush had faded, but she could tell he was still a little off balance.
Good.
As Kendrick closed the trunk, he looked over at her. "So... you gonna keep bringing that up forever?"
She tilted her head. "What do you an?"
"That thing from earlier." He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed.
Zephany, catching on instantly, couldn’t help but grin. "Oh, that one. You an being your knight in shining armor, saving you from testing gravity, as you put it?"
Kendrick groaned and dragged a hand down his face. "Oh, co on. Stop bringing it up."
His ears were turning red now, and he avoided her gaze like a guilty kid caught sneaking snacks.
Zephany, feeling triumphant, crossed her arms with a smug little smile. "Of course I will. Every chance I get."
He sighed dramatically, throwing his head back. "This is going to haunt ."
She reached up and flicked a strand of hair from his forehead. "Consider it payback for calling out in the produce aisle."
Kendrick smiled, and for a second, his hand brushed hers. Not by accident. Not completely.
He opened the passenger side door for her, and she slid in, cheeks warm again but for different reasons now. As he rounded the car and got in, she stole one more glance.
He was still smiling.
So was she.
---
Back at Cassius’s surveillance room, the monitors flickered with various angles of the grocery store and wet market.
Sophia sat perched on the arm of the chair, sipping coffee. "He tripped. She caught him. I almost spilled my drink."
Cassius didn’t look up from his notes. "Expected. She always had better reflexes."
Sophia smirked. "And he’s the one known for field instincts. That’s got to sting."
Cassius leaned back, folding his hands over his chest. "It’s good for him. Let her be the one to catch him for once."
Sophia looked at him. "You’re letting this get personal."
"Everything’s personal at so point," he murmured.
She stared at the screen. "So what happens now?"
Cassius picked up his glass. "We wait. And we watch. Because if they start trusting each other... the whole ga might finally have a happy ending."
He raised his glass slightly as Zephany and Kendrick drove away.
"To the successful outcos."
Sophia clinked her mug against it. "And falling agents."
She took a slow sip of her coffee, watching the car disappear around the corner. "Gotta admit... they look so good together. I agree with that person earlier—I wanna pre-order baby photos too. Their babies will definitely be so cute."
Cassius chuckled, shaking his head with a grin. "Definitely."
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