I changed into a clean shirt with a flannel jacket on top, paired with denim shorts and sneakers.
I drove out of the farm into town. I couldn’t stop the smile taking over my lips as the nostalgia hit . I have spent so much ti in Midnight, I have forgotten how colorful and less noisy this town was.
I parked at a spot, and when I got out, a woman called my na.
"Catherine?"
"Hey, Mrs. Fields."
"Oh my god, it’s you!" She ca for a hug. "Look at you!"
"I see the flower shop is as lovely as always."
She slapped my arm playfully. "Of course it is! I’m the best in town."
"It has gotten bigger, too."
"Yes! If you’re here, then does it an you’re here for the reunion? You’re two days early, though."
"Reunion?"
"Yes," she said before pointing to the banner attached to her glass.
Rosevale High School’s Seven-year reunion.
"Oh my god!"
"Seems like you forgot."
"I had no idea! Has it really been seven years already?"
"Yes! I still can’t believe it, either!"
Now that she ntioned it, I recalled seeing a poster of so kind on our group chat, but I didn’t check.
"I’m really looking forward to seeing the rest of you!"
I smiled. "Yeah."
I watched her leave, feeling stuck for a mont as I looked back at the poster. It really has been seven years. If I hadn’t been in Rosevale, I would have missed this, or Gramps would have surely used it as an excuse to make co ho.
I turned to leave, but I froze. "Reed!"
He smiled, strolling to . "Hey..." he paused for a mont as his eyes took in.
"What? I’m in my farm girl era, don’t judge ."
"I can see that. You look beautiful anyway. Always."
"Thanks." I adjusted my glasses. "What are you doing out here?"
I saw he was dressed to blend in, too. I was blessed lately with shirts too tight to fit.
"Getting cooped up in the hotel, so I decided to take a stroll." His eyes passed around. "It’s really a lovely town, and everyone’s friendly. I had samples for breakfast because the stores kept offering one."
I giggled. "Always a full stomach on samples here. Now you’re here, wanna help shop? The list is long."
"Sure!"
We walked side by side, and so running kids passed us.
"I noticed the decorations; it seems like sothing’s happening."
"Yes.... apparently it’s my high school seven-year reunion."
"Seven-year reunion? Not ten years?"
"Well, before I graduated, my class made plans for seven years. We wanted to do it out of tradition."
"So are you going...?"
"I’m here now, thank god! I could have missed..." I circled my finger on everything. "This..."
"Then it’s an opportunity."
"I don’t know..."
"You don’t wanna go?"
"I’m just not feeling it."
"I think you should," he urged.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"And then there’s an issue with a plus one... I wouldn’t wanna go alone."
Reed narrowed his eyes.
"I an, Ares probably wouldn’t wanna attend that kinda function... so..."
"I can go with you if you want."
"What?!"
"I-I an, as your bodyguard. Mr. King wouldn’t want you to attend sothing where he’s gonna not be there alone."
He has a point.
Though for a minute there, I thought he wanted to go as partners.
"That’s really sweet, but I’m still stuck so..."
"Lem know when you decide. I’ll wait."
We made our way to the stall, got so groceries, and I added in my own money for so livestock feeds I knew we didn’t have. Granny wouldn’t have told otherwise, which was why I ca myself.
Reed helped load the feed, hoisting the sack on his shoulder and dropping it in the back of the truck.
"You were planning to carry all these yourself?" he asked.
"Um, yeah?"
"Cat..."
My heart skipped a beat when he said my na, no less shortened it.
"G-Good thing I saw you! You helped so all fair," I said, suddenly nervous. "Besides, the store owner always offered a hand."
"You shouldn’t have co alone still."
"She’s not alone."
At the sudden masculine voice, I whipped my head in speed and found Ares coming forward.
"W-What are you doing here?" I asked with wide eyes.
Did he follow ?
"Mr. King," Reed said, straightening position.
Ares doesn’t spare a glance, keeping his icy glare focused on Reed like he wanted to strangle him.
"You should be at the hotel."
"I’m on duty, sir."
"I didn’t give that order."
Shit.
"I called him to help load the feeds," I spoke up. "I couldn’t lift them myself."
Ares flickered his eyes to , but I looked away and smiled at Reed.
"Thanks for coming to my rescue, and if it gets too boring at the hotel, stop by. Granny makes so an atloaves."
Reed forced a smile and simply nodded.
"Get in," Ares ordered, abruptly looking annoyed.
"What? I’m not done. I still have more things to get."
Ares pinned with his eyes, and I shivered. However, I didn’t let it get to . If he thinks he can show up and order around, then he thought wrong!
"Shall we?" I said to Reed. "We still haven’t gotten the fertilizer."
"Reed, get back to the hotel."
I whipped my head to Ares. "No, he’s helping. He can’t leave yet."
"I’m here."
"Are you?" I interjected, folding my arms. "Last ti I checked... I don’t need your help."
He passed a look at Reed, a lethal one that spoke more than words.
"Mr. King. Mrs. King." Reed left.
"What’s wrong with you?!" I snapped, not caring who heard .
His jaw tightened. "You were entertaining a third party."
I scoffed in disbelief. "A third party? It’s fucking Reed! He’s my bodyguard, and he was doing his job!"
"An order I didn’t give."
"You’re an asshole, you know that?" I said, boiling in anger. "And you’re... suffocating."
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