In a luxury villa on Carp's Street in BBSR, nestled within a gated community that was now completely owned by Next Gen firm.
Inside, the dining room buzzed with warmth and vibrancy, filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. The table was a feast of roasted lamb, delicate seafood, colorful salads, and decadent desserts, with soft music playing in the background, adding to the festive spirit.
Evan sat at the head of the table, surrounded by friends and family who had gathered to celebrate.
Celina sat next to him along with her daughter, Elina, whose eyes sparkled with excitement as she recounted to him the stories from school.
"Brother Evan, do you remember when we tried baking that cake last year?" Elina giggled, her eyes sparkling.
"It turned out to be a total disaster, but we had so much fun!"
Evan chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't think I'll ever forget how we nearly set the entire kitchen on fire."
In fact, he had no hand in it. He had just stepped out for a call and by the time he returned, Elina had done a wonderful deed. Discover more content at m,v l'e-novelhall.net
"Ahhhh! I just wanted to say that I can cook well now..." Elina pouted, trying to sound serious but she looked too cute to be taken that way.
The table erupted in laughter, the shared memories warming the hearts of everyone present.
Celina leaned in and spoke with a graceful smile yet beneath it lay a great deal of worry.
"But really, Evan, how can you leave Utkal and stay in the Middle Sea for so many days? Do you know how worried we've been thinking about you?"
"It was quite dangerous, especially when accompanied by all those weird things, we have been dead worried," she said, her brows knitted together in concern, but her smile softened the reprimand.
Evan met her gaze, touched by her genuine concern. "I appreciate your concern, Aunt Celina. I've been busy with work, but it's good to be back with everyone."
Sam, seated across from them, chimed in through a mouthful of roasted lamb. "You think you're busy? Try running Brew Heaven while dealing with Maria's demands!" he exclaimed, gesturing at the woman who was busy gulping down everything that came in her sight.
"Absolutely!" Ryan replied with a saddened expression, clearly hit by the 'uncle' remark.
Evan's heart warmed at the sight of everyone bantering lightheartedly.
Maria and Sam still seemed to be playfully bickering, Ryan sneakily added food to Aria's plate, who just blushed, Celina asked about Evan's well-being, while Elina continued her stories cheerfully.
Despite the chaotic atmosphere around, everything felt smooth and serene.
He glanced around the table, and in that moment, time seemed to have paused. The room fell silent, captivated by the depth of Evan's smile. It was a rare sight, one that seemed to light up the entire space, making everyone feel as if they were wrapped in a comforting, warm embrace.
"Okay, everyone!" Evan said, lifting his glass. "Here's to friendships that make the tough days bearable. And to another year of adventures, laughter, and hopefully fewer disasters in the upcoming years."
"Cheers!" they all echoed, clinking their glasses together.
The atmosphere remained jovial, and Evan couldn't help but feel deeply grateful for the bonds they shared. Despite the dangers lurking in the world outside, in this moment, surrounded by those he cherished, he felt truly safe. The warmth of their affection and the promise of new memories filled him with a joy he hadn't felt in a long time.
Many things had changed—the people, the time, the surroundings, even their nature and demeanor.
Change was inevitable, a law of nature, but amidst it all, one needed a firm and unshakable will to make sure that the change was for the better.
After his evolution, he always harbored a subconscious feeling that everyone out there was like an ant beneath his feet. This deep-seated feeling of superiority was hard to shake as if it had become a part of his very essence.
In his eyes, all he saw were flawed beings, a sub-species unlike himself. The urge to dominate, and those persistent subconscious whispers in his mind, were hard to control. Yet, he never asked Aurora to rewire his thoughts. He felt it was a challenge he needed to overcome on his own if he wanted to grow further in life.
But now that he was here and was mingling with everyone, his heart felt calm and felt solace. Their blossoming smiles and bickering swept away all those dark thoughts that had once clouded his mind.
It seemed he had made the right decision by returning. Although staying alone and working in a disciplined manner might be crucial for growth, in the long run, it could leave one mentally unsociable and unfit for society...
And deep down, he realized—this is where he belongs.