~Third Person~
redith’s phone buzzed softly on the nightstand. She reached for it almost imdiately and saw Dennis’s na flashing across the screen.
"Dennis," she answered, her voice still calm, though a hint of curiosity clung to it.
"Hi," Dennis replied in his usual easy drawl, laced with mischief. "I heard you are sitting around doing absolutely nothing since you skipped training this morning. Unfortunately, I can’t let that happen."
redith’s lips curved faintly as a small chuckle slipped past her. "So what are you now? My enemy of progress who doesn’t want to rest?"
Dennis laughed, rich and unapologetic. "Exactly that. I am your number one enemy of progress, and I will wear the badge proudly."
redith rolled her eyes, though amusent lingered in them. "You’re impossible."
"Maybe," he admitted smoothly. "But here’s the thing. It’s been far too long since you got behind a wheel, so I thought it would only be right for you to exercise a bit."
redith blinked, completely caught off guard. "You can’t be serious."
"I’m deadly serious." His tone softened, just enough to be persuasive. "I want to head down to the local fruit market and pick up a variety of fruits. And I need a driver."
"So?" She probed.
Dennis grinned hard. "And I happen to know a certain soone who had her driving skills sharpened by the great Dennis Oatrun himself."
Against her better judgnt, redith chuckled again, shaking her head.
"All right," she said at last, her tone touched with reluctant amusent. "You win. I will be your driver."
Dennis’s laugh spilled through the line, bright and unrestrained. "I knew you wouldn’t resist. I will et you out front in ten minutes. Don’t keep your passenger waiting."
When the call ended, redith exhaled softly and gathered her composure as she rose from the bed.
"Kira," she said quietly to her maidservant, who had co to ask her what she wanted for brunch, "I will be stepping out with Dennis for a while."
"Sure, my lady." Kira bowed respectfully. "I will inform the others."
---
The mid-morning air greeted redith as she stepped outside. There, leaning against a sleek black car with casual arrogance, was Dennis. His grin widened the instant he spotted her.
"There she is," he announced grandly, pushing off the car and spreading his arms as though she were royalty arriving for him alone. "My favorite chauffeur."
redith rolled her eyes but allowed herself to smile as she walked toward him, the faintest trace of lightness returning to her step.
Dennis opened the driver’s side door with a flourish, only to step back and hold it out to her.
"Well, go on then. Let’s see if you still rember how to drive without wrecking my car."
She shook her head and slid into the driver’s seat while Dennis walked around and slipped into the passenger side, imdiately slouching with the lazy comfort of soone who had no intention of lifting a finger.
Almost imdiately, the engine purred to life under redith’s hands.
"Not bad," Dennis said approvingly. "I half-expected you to stall."
"Keep talking and I might drive us straight into a ditch," redith replied smoothly, driving the car out of the driveway.
He chuckled, tilting his head toward her. "That’s the spirit, always threatening with doom. It warms my heart, really."
redith didn’t say anything after that. She just focused on driving out of Draven’s estate and hitting the main road.
Then Dennis spoke again, lighter this ti. "I will need the sweetest oranges and the juiciest pears when we get to the market. And maybe strawberries if there are any available."
redith shot him a sidelong glance. "But seriously, you dragged out of my chambers only to buy fruits?"
He grinned, unabashed. "Of course, it’s a noble quest. Besides, you needed this fresh air.|
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips as the heaviness in her chest loosened by degrees.
---
The drive carried them out of Duskmoor’s quiet streets and into a busier stretch alive with the late-morning activity.
redith slowed the car, her eyes widening slightly as the market ca into view. It was a long strip of stalls packed together, their awnings bright and uneven, colors clashing in a strangely beautiful way.
She parked neatly where Dennis directed, but instead of stepping out right away, she lingered for a mont, studying the movent before her.
Humans bustled in every direction, carrying baskets and bags, their voices rising and falling in a lody of bartering. Children darted between legs, laughter bubbling as they tugged on their mothers’ skirts.
This view was nothing like the polished shopping malls she had been taken to before. This place was raw, crowded, and alive.
"You are staring," Dennis teased, opening his door.
redith blinked, realizing she had been. She stepped out beside him, her gaze still flicking over the stalls.
"I never knew the Humans had a market like this," she admitted softly.
Dennis smirked. "Well, welco to humanity’s finest invention—organized chaos."
She gave him a side glance, unimpressed, but couldn’t deny the small smile tugging at her lips.
The scents hit her all at once, citrus sharpness, the earthy sweetness of ripe berries, the tang of onions and herbs. It was overwhelming, but strangely inviting.
Then they slipped into the flow of the crowd. redith’s silver hair drew a few curious stares, but most people returned quickly to their shopping. She didn’t mind; she was too busy taking in the small details.
"Co on," Dennis said, steering her toward a stall piled high with oranges. He plucked one up and tossed it lightly in the air before catching it again. "These look good."
The vendor, a sharp-eyed woman with sun-browned skin, narrowed her gaze at him. "Two dollars each," she said firmly.
Dennis’s jaw dropped in exaggerated horror. "Two? For these tiny things? You must be robbing blind!"
redith couldn’t help laughing.
The vendor swatted at Dennis with a rag. "You want them or not?"
redith stepped forward quickly, smoothing the tension with a polite smile.
"We will take a dozen." She said, then secretly pinched Dennis, a signal to hand the money over before the vendor passed the paper bag he filled to her.
"You didn’t even haggle," Dennis muttered as they moved on after she handed the bag to him.
"I didn’t want to get chased out of the market on my first visit," she shot back, shaking her head.
He grinned, the mischief dimming just enough sincerity to slip through. "Fair point."
Reviews
All reviews (0)