In a high-end restaurant in Capital, a car pulled over in front of a tall building. The weird thing was, the car wasn’t a flying one but a ground vehicle.

Even before the Monster Invasion, ground vehicles were replaced by flying cars. Only the rare transportation orbs and some old school cars were ground vehicles. But in both cases, they were extremely rare and too expensive to service and maintain.

But from childhood, one of the Cross’s loved ground vehicles. Miles was a speed maniac. He loved speeding on the empty asphalts of Unity. Since most people were using flying cars, the empty streets were his territory.

Today, he borrowed the car from Merlin’s collection while he was away, to pick up his new girlfriend from her house. He wanted to present himself nicely in front of the girl’s family, in case they met in front of her house. Lucky for him, they were out of the city for business.

“You really love driving cars don’t you!” Renen commented as she looked at Miles while holding a purse over her flat belly. She was wearing a purple sleeveless blouse barely covering her belly button. Her back was open, showing lots of her soft and beautiful skin. Under it, she was wearing tight white jeans and purplish-white heels on her delicate feet.

Her toenails and nails are painted in a shade of green, with jewelry in the same color to emphasize her natural tone. She looked like a rare gem blocking the light. Only she was shining.

He too was dressed for the occasion. He was wearing a black shirt with a plum colored blazer with black pants and black shoes. There was an emerald-colored pocket square on his blazer. It wasn’t too fancy but it was defining his muscular body and it fit Renen’s choice of colors.

“It has been a long time since I have driven one, but yeah. I love driving cars.” Miles laughed then left the car. A valet appeared and opened the door for Renen, while Miles passed the key, and reached out Coin to secretly tip the guy.

“Welcome ma’am, sir.” A greeter appeared and welcomed them in.

“Reservation for two, Cross,” Miles said softly. Since Renen came clean on their first date, he didn’t plan to hide anything from him. She already knew his last name. Although his family background hasn’t been talked about yet.

“Yes, sir Cross. The table is ready.” The greeter nodded as he checked his wristwatch and passed them to the head host. The head host was an elderly man who looked as straight as a poll. His chest was puffed and his eyes were keen.

“Mr. Cross, Miss Papi, I am honored to serve you both. Please let me walk you to your table.” The elderly man said and reached out his hand to show them the way. Miles held Renen’s hand and walked her to the table, when they reached, he held her chair to help her sit, only after that he sat across her.

At the side, there was a window wall showing the glory of the capital. The restaurant was on the top floor of a hundred floor building, and from where they were sitting, they could see the ever-alive capital.

“You can call me when you are ready.” The head host gave out two menus. Despite the technological advancements, some services were still in use.

“I heard the Braised Leeks with Mozzarella and Fried Eggs are delicious,” Miles commented as he checked the Menu.

“I have tasted that. It was a bit greasy but the taste was awesome.” Renen nodded. “I will start with Zucchini fritters then Sweet potato chips with goat cheese and caviar. For soup, hmm, Pumpkin sage bisque…” She listed 6 meals including dessert.

“Let’s not order dessert. I want to take you to a special place for dessert.” Miles said softly.

“Okay.” Renen smiled and placed the Menu on the table. Miles skimmed through and made up his mind too, and as soon as he placed the Menu the head host arrived and took the Menus while readying his wristwatch. Miles ordered first and Renen followed after him.

“Excellent choices, Miss and Sir.” Head host commented jovially and leaned slightly, “Shall I decide the wine for you?”

“Please do so.” Miles nodded. He didn’t have experience with wines, and it would be better for the host to choose.

“Then I shall.” The head host said and left before presenting two hot towels.

Renen and Miles cleared their hands with the towel while chatting softly. The background music was soft yet elegant.

“What does home mean to you, Miles?” Renen asked.

“Home is wherever I feel most comfortable,” Miles answered after thinking for a while. “How about you?”

“Hmm, home is where I feel secure and loved,” Renen answered. “Without a family, home is just a vague concept.”

“Have you grown up in that mansion or have you moved later?” Miles asked.

“I was there as long as I remember,” Renen answered. For a second Miles flinched but it went unnoticed. “And you?”

“I moved out a little longer than a year ago,” Miles answered. “I rented an apartment where you saw me.”

“It fits your description. You are free when you are alone.” Renen chuckled.

“Yeah.” Miles smiled too. “How is your life in Portal World?”

“It is not bad so far. I lucked out and spawned in Border Stronghold. There are many strong people protecting newbies all the time. From my first day, I was followed by a strong hunter to assist me. They taught me many things that could keep me alive in Portal World, also my father purchased many orbs for me. So you can say that I was pretty lucky.”

“Things were a little hard for me. I didn’t have a single orb nor anyone I knew when I first went there…” Miles explained his situation, how his condition improved. Hunting team, his friends.

“No, you didn’t!” Renen asked, a little scared.

“It was crazy! All Mantises ran after me in vigor. If I hadn't caught them mid-act, I would have thought I caused them harm.” Miles grinned.

“Pfft!” Renen was about to take a sip from the wine when she heard Miles and couldn’t hold her laughter. She chuckled after she controlled her breath. “I still can’t believe you outran a Frenzy-Rank monster! I have seen a few of them since I spawned in Border Stronghold, but each and every one of them was too strong. If it wasn’t Form-Rank Guardians stationed at the Stronghold, we would be massacred by one of them.”

“Hmm. Advanced Frenzy-Rank Monsters have bizarre abilities. But the one I encountered wasn’t that strong and was only low-tier.” Miles brushed it off.

“How about aquatic monsters? Have you battled with any of those?” Renen asked as she gracefully took a bite from her fish.

“Not really. Not many sea bodies around the Stronghold.” Miles answered calmly as he tasted his steak.

“I saw one. It was a Balloon Fish. It left the sea and flew in the air as it drifted above the Stronghold. The size of the thing was massive and when it was above us, it fired all of its poisonous stings at us. If it wasn’t for the wind core fan deflecting them all, most of us would be dead.” Renen narrated.

One after another, they shared their adventures in Portal World. Touches of laughter were mixed in stories, and it could be seen that both of them were enjoying each other’s company. After they finished their dinner, Miles paid the bill with Coin and took her to the car.

“Miles, you can speed this time. I know you love it.” Renen gave a comforting smile. Miles nodded and started the engine. The vehicle roared like an angry beast as it dashed off.

“How exciting!” Renen shouted. Miles turned to look at her and for a split second, another silhouette overlapped hers. Forest green eyes touched by silver sparkles of the stars. Black soft hair falling over her shoulder dyed in a myriad of colors. Tanned skin and a lovely smile.

“This is the best! Faster, we can go faster! Miles!” said the girl while her rainbow hair danced wildly.

“Miles!”

“Miles!”

“MILES!”

Miles jerked as he realized Renen was shouting his name in fear. He looked ahead and realized he was speeding towards a building and in a few seconds, he would crash. He took control of the wheel and drifted as he had a sudden turn. Miles looked at Renen and took control of the car and speeded off without flustering.

“Sorry, I was mesmerized by your eyes.” Miles lied without any shame while Renen blushed.

“It's okay, I was just surprised,” Renen said shyly.

“We are here.” Miles parked on a hill. It was dark, and outside the city. There weren’t any sources of light besides the moon, stars and the car’s interior light.

“Here?” Renen asked, half in surprise, half in uncertainty.

“You will like it, I promise.” Miles clicked over a few screens on Coin and pulled out a blanket from the car. He laid it on the ground and helped her sit down. After that, he sat near her. In no time at all, a car pulled over and an elderly man walked out with a packet in hand.

“Miles! Long time no see.” The man called out.

“Uncle Pierre, it has been far too long. Sorry, I have been busy lately.” Miles said as he hugged the guy.

“Who is the young lady?” Pierre asked as he looked at Renen.

“Renen, meet Uncle Pierre. Best Dessert Chef in all Unity.” Miles praised luxuriantly, “Uncle Pierre, meet Renen.”

They exchanged a few more pleasantries, and Uncle Pierre left with a knowing smile. Miles brought the packet inside and one Molten Choco Cake and two spoons appeared. “This is the best cake you can eat,” Miles said as he dipped one of the spoons and broke the cake. Liquid chocolate with cream flew down from the break and Miles took a spoonful as he brought it to Renen’s cute mouth.

“Mhmm!” Renen tasted as she closed her eyes. She looked like she was in bliss. “Amazing.”

“I know right.” Miles helped himself as they chatted more. After sitting an hour more with only stars as their blanket, Miles took her back home.

“Miles…” Renen started as he looked at his eyes. “I really enjoyed tonight.”

“I enjoyed it too.” Miles smiled as he took her hand. The other hand held her chin and approached her face with his. He stopped near her face. He could feel her breath on his lips, but he waited. Renen took the lead and kissed him on the lips. Only that, a kiss.

With that, she ran back into the house.

“She is too shy.” Miles sighed as he jumped back into the car. “Cold shower, I guess.”

As Miles was walking towards the car, alarms sounded all around the city.

“Emergency Alert! All citizens should return to their lodgings and wait for further instructions! Repeat; All citizen, return to you lodgings and wait for further instructions”

The voice came from every electronic device in the city.

“What the hell is happening?” Miles asked as he sped towards his home.

“Southern walls are under attack!” Coin reported.

“Another portal?” Miles asked.

“No…”