POV: Jay
I took my seat at the dining table, the smell of food filling the room. For a moment, everything felt almost normal. Almost.
Hex came a few seconds later and dropped into the chair beside me. He didn't even waste time looking around. He started eating immediately, clearly in a good mood. Of course he was. He still couldn't believe where we were going.
I scooped some rice onto my plate and reached for a sausage.
Before I could pick it up, Jeana's hand moved faster than mine. She placed a sausage directly onto my plate, smiling like she knew me better than anyone else.
"I know you like sausages the most," she said.
My hand paused.
I stared at the plate for half a second, then calmly reached for eggs instead. I added them to my plate and, without saying anything, picked up fresh sausages and placed them onto Hex's plate instead.
Hex didn't question it. He just grinned and kept eating.
"Hurry up," I told him quietly. "We have to go."
That was when Aries looked up from across the table.
"Where are you guys going?" he asked. "Can I go?"
Before I could even open my mouth, Hex blurted out, "No."
Instantly, he started choking on his food.
"Hex!" I grabbed his glass and shoved it toward him. "Drink. Slowly."
He gulped the water down, coughing until he could breathe properly again.
Aries laughed. "Sharp mouth. See what happens when you talk too fast?"
Hex shot him a glare.
"So," Aries said again, clearly enjoying this. "Can I go?"
I shook my head gently. "Sorry, you can't. Maybe tomorrow."
Hex groaned dramatically. "Why does everyone want to go out with us? First Keifer, now Aries. Oh, come on."
Aries raised an eyebrow. "Keifer too?"
"Don't mind him," I said quickly.
Jeana cleared her throat. "Jay, what time will you be back? Maybe we should—"
"Come on, Hex," I cut in sharply. "The ride is in. We should go."
I stood up immediately, not giving her the chance to finish whatever she was planning to say. Hex followed me without hesitation.
Just as we were about to leave, Angelo came down the stairs.
"Where are you going?" he asked. His voice was calm, polite… and cold at the same time. "You just got discharged yesterday. You're supposed to rest."
"I'll be fine," I replied. "I'll be back before you know it."
He stared at me.
The look sent a chill straight through my body. Not anger. Not worry. Something heavier. Something that made my skin prickle.
I glanced at Hex. He was already shrinking under Angelo's gaze, clearly terrified.
Before the silence stretched any further, Aunty Gemma stepped in.
"Let them go," she said lightly. "What will they do sitting at home anyway?"
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. "Thank you, Aunty Gemma."
We didn't wait another second.
Outside, the car was already waiting. We climbed in, Hex taking the back seat while I settled in front.
Then a familiar voice spoke, warm and teasing.
"Missed you. Especially you, Hex."
Hex's face lit up instantly. He leaned over and gave her a side hug. "Miss you too, Hannah."
I turned, smiling softly. "Missed you too, Hannah. A whole year with no contact."
She laughed as the car pulled away.
And just like that, the day truly began. 🚗✨