Chapter 228 Fireworks
"By the way," Trent remarked, adjusting his sses in that habitual, absentminded way that gave him an almost professorial charm, "Melvin, what made you decide to be Mina''s assistant back then?"
Melvin hesitated, the cool sharpness in his eyes flickering with a rare hint of uncertainty, as though the question had genuinely caught him off guard.
"The opportunity came up, and I couldn''t pass it up," he replied swiftly, his tone effortlessly smooth, the answer polished to perfection.
Trent''s gaze lifted slightly, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, though he chose not to borate.
Freya caught his reaction, confused by whatever unspoken meaning lingered there, but unable to grasp it fully. She let it go without pressing, continuing to chat with her friends in an easy, offhand way.
n noticed the sky slowly shifting into dusk. After checking the time, he said, "You guys keep chatting, I need to get a few things ready."
This was the moment they''d been building toward all evening, and he couldn''t afford a single misstep.
Freya didn''t think much of it and waved him off without question.
Once he disappeared, Freya finally asked the question she''d been biting back ever since n arrived, "Has the Captain mentioned when he''sing back?"
"Why so curious?" Trent asked, eyebrows raised with genuine interest. "Did you do something to tick him off?"
"No." Freya''s denial came quick and firm.
Trent adjusted his sses again, the skepticism in his expression hard to miss.
Mina''s behaviortely had been far too unlike herself.
Freya knew better than to run her mouth. "Just tell me if he''s gotten in touch with you."
"He has," Trent admitted without hesitation.
Freya''s eyes widened, caught off guard. "Seriously? What''d he say?"
"He''s nning a surprise return on the 7th," Trent answered, pulling out his phone
to show her the chat. "He mentioned he wants a gathering."
Freya scanned the screen.
It was there, in as day: the 7th, with strict instructions not to let her know.
She had ns to meet Josiah on the 6th. If all went smoothly, she could wrap things up and catch a flight
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Once the Captain was gone again, or too preupied, she''d make her return without giving him time to dredge up the past, keeping herself in the clear
"What''s with the look?" Trent asked, watching her expression shift.
Freya fibbed with practiced ease. "Nothing. Just wondering what we''ll even talk about when the Captain''s back. Without those four around, the vibe might get a little... quiet."
She was calm by nature. So was Trent. And the Captain? Even quieter.
Frederick was the only one who could talk a mile a minute.
But in their captain''s presence, even Frederick would tone it down-for a bit, at least.
"We don''t need chatter," Trent replied, fully aware of the dynamic.
He and Frederick were just supporting characters. Their captain''s eyes were only ever on Freya.
But Freya still hadn''t figured that out.
She didn''t think too deeply. "Really?"
"He''ll probably make us do a fitness check," Trent said with a teasing glint, half- joking "That alone will bring
the energy back up."
"I see...",
The conversation never really left Melvin out. He was in the know-at least a little- but rarely said anything
unless necessary.
"Just messing with you, don''t take it too seriously," Trent said with a chuckle, noticing her slight frown. "It''s
"Alright," Freya agreed.
The three of them stood and left the gazebo, making their way across the vast, openwn.
As Freya approached, she spotted n in the distance, seemingly deep in conversation with Ethel and Frederick,
surrounded by strange, square-shaped objects.
It was dark, and they were a good thirty meters away-too far to make anything out clearly.
Just as she was about to step closer, Trent gently held her back. "Here''s good." Freya blinked at him, confused.
The next second, the meaning behind his words revealed itself in spectacr fashion.
Each of them held something sparking with me, walking steadily toward the boxes.
Then came a thunderous crack, and vibrant fireworks exploded into the night, bathing the sky in color and light.
More bursts followed in rapid session.
The fireworks painted the heavens like a masterpiece.
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Freya stood rooted, her eyes gleaming with awe, the colors mirrored in their
depths.
While she watched the sky, Melvin was watching her.
Another firework went off with a resounding bang, this one enormous, blooming
into a glowing message. "Mina, we love you!"
The words lingered for a long moment before shattering into a cascade of
immering lights, like shooting stars tearing across the dark.
"Mina! I love you!"
"Freya, I love you!"
"Mina, we love you!"
Ethel, Frederick, n, and Hugh stood by theunchers, shouting derations of
love without the slightest bit
of shame.
Freya''s chest tightened, her throat prickling with emotion.
She wasn''t one to cry easily, but seeing them run toward her, her eyes turned
ssy.
Trent reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his touch affectionate and warm. "Mina, wee back."
"Wee back." Melvin''s normally stoic face softened, his voice quiet but heartfelt.
Freya tufned away, eyes welling up with tears.
Ethel sprinted over and flung herself into Freya''s arms. "Mina!"
Freya caught her in a tight hug.
n, Frederick, and Hugh followed close behind.
"When did you guys n all this?" Freya asked once she''d managed to collect
herself.
"Ever since you came back, we''ve been trying to figure out how to help you unwind," Ethel said, stepping back
with a glowing smile. "Then I remembered you said you liked fireworks, so... we
did this."
The ce was stunning, secluded from the city, a perfect little haven for peace
and quiet.
Freya felt her heart bloom with gratitude. "Thank you, all of you."
"Mina," Ethel said, producing a petite bouquet of daisies and offering it with both hands, her eyes filled with nothing but admiration. "This is for you. I''ll always love
you."
Then, one by one, the rest handed Freya their own small daisy bouquets, even Melvin.
Freya epted each with care, feeling all the weight she''d been carrying melt
away.
"These may not be the prettiest flowers, Freya," Frederick said, beaming with both fondness and admiration, “but they say everything we feel. We''ll always love you." Ethel''s grin deepened, her eyes curved like half-moons. "I''ll always love you,
Mina!"
Daisies-eternal love made tangible.
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Chapter 728 Fueworks
Freya embraced them all "Thank you"
"The surprises aren''t done yet," Ethel said brightly, tugging Freya along "We''ve
got dinner set up over there. And I made the cutest cake just for you"
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