The car moved silently through the night, the engine humming softly beneath the stillness. Celina sat in the passenger seat, arms folded, eyes fixed on Miles. Her gaze didn't waver—taking in his tactical vest, the blades strapped at his sides, the comms still clipped to his collar.
Miles kept his eyes on the road… until he finally broke the silence.
"You keep staring at me like that…" he muttered. "If you've got questions, ask them."
Celina hesitated, then spoke—quietly, but with weight.
"The way you and your team entered the club… it felt like it was all planned. Like everything was already set in motion."
She paused, glancing out the window, as if trying to put her thoughts in order.
"I remember… you told us not to go to the Paradise Club. Especially not tonight. And now I see why. You were already preparing to strike, weren't you?"
Her voice cracked slightly. "You had soldiers… guns… knives. You burned the whole building down. And now I can't help but wonder—was everything between us is also a setup?"
She turned to face him fully, eyes searching his face.
"From the day I saw you in the square… to meeting you in the park… Was it all part of some operation? Am I part of your some mission too, Miles?"
The car slowed.
Then came to a full stop.
Miles sat quietly for a moment, both hands still on the wheel.
Then he turned to her, calm but firm.
"What are you talking about?"
"You saw me in the square that day—I didn't even notice you until you approached me in the park."
His voice remained even.
"You said we were friends. You asked me to be your bodyguard at the university. You told me you had files about my father—things your family could share. That's it."
He glanced out at the road ahead, then back at her.
"I'm not here in this city on any kind of mission. I'm here because I got lost when I was six years old… and seventeen years later, I found my way back."
His voice dropped, softer.
"All I ever wanted… was to live a quiet life with my family."
Celina watched him, her breathing shallow.
"But that peace didn't last," Miles continued. "The Paradise Club came after the people I care about. Over and over."
He looked down briefly at the combat knife strapped to his thigh.
"These weapons… the comms… I've had them for seventeen years. They're not who I am. They're what I became to survive."
He turned to her again—his voice quiet, raw.
"I'm sorry if you're afraid of me. I'm still trying to figure out how to live like a normal person."
There was a long silence between them. But in that silence… was honesty.
Not everything had an answer.
Not every scar could be explained.
But sometimes, the truth was enough.
Celina lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper."I'm sorry, Miles… I know you're not a bad person. I shouldn't have doubted you."
Miles gave a small shake of his head. "It's okay."His eyes softened. "I'm just glad you're safe."
Celina let out a soft scoff, wiping her face with the sleeve of her jacket."Hmph… who said I was afraid of you?"
Miles smirked. "I have a question though."
"What?"
He turned to her with a raised brow."Where the hell is your security? You're usually followed by those overly serious guys in black suits. Where are they now?"
Celina winced. "Ah. Yeah… about that…"She gave a sheepish grin. "I kinda… jumped out over the wall in my backyard. So they probably think I'm still asleep in my room."
Miles stared at her for a second. Then—flick!He tapped her forehead with his finger.
"Ow! That hurts!" she said, pouting.
"Serves you right," he said dryly, then chuckled."Come on. Let's get out of the car—get some fresh air. Let Becky and Rose rest in peace."
It was well past midnight.
Miles stepped out first, then opened the passenger side door for her, offering a hand. Celina took it and climbed out.
The night air was cool and still.
Miles walked to the back of the car and opened the trunk, beginning to strip off his tactical gear—vest, comms, sidearm holsters. His frame relaxed for the first time in hours.
Celina leaned in curiously, picking up one of the knives."These knives look so cool…"
"Careful with that," Miles warned, not even turning.
"I'm not a kid, Uncle Miles," she said playfully.
Then she paused."Wait… this has the Grim Reaper symbol on it?"
Miles didn't answer.
"You seriously obsessed with this stuff?" she teased. "You even said once that you like the number seven 'cause it looks like the Reaper's scythe."
She held the blade up, squinting at the mark, then looked at him with a smirk.
"You're like a kid with a fixation. That's actually kinda cute," Celina laughed.
"Hey—give it back," Miles said, snatching the knife gently from her and sliding it back into its sheath before closing the trunk.
As the door shut with a thunk, Celina burst into laughter again.
"What now?" Miles asked, mildly annoyed.
She pointed at the license plate."This too? It has sevens all over it! You really are a little too in love with the Grim Reaper vibe."
Miles rolled his eyes, trying not to smile.
"Don't read too much into it."
Celina just grinned, shaking her head.
Celina paused mid-step, her eyes narrowing.
"Wait… Reaper. That's…" She stared at him. "You avoided my question earlier—at the college. Now I know it's true."She pointed accusingly. "You own Reaper Entertainment, don't you?"
Miles stayed silent, his expression unreadable.
"Hey! Mr. Miles Sterling!" she raised her voice, half-joking, half-serious. "I'm asking you. Do you or do you not own Reaper Entertainment?"
Miles gave a sideways glance, smirking faintly as they approached the empty bench at the bus stop.He sat down, finally replying, "What? You worried you'll be competing with my business now in Star Harbor?"
Celina let out a frustrated sigh, sitting beside him."Come on, seriously. What else are you hiding from me? Reaper Entertainment alone makes you a billionaire. Why are you even living in Star Harbor then?"
Miles's expression shifted, quieter, more grounded.
"Because Star Harbor is my home, Celina," he said softly. "My father was here… and my mother waited seventeen years for me here."
He looked out into the distance, voice hardening."The Sterling empire… no one remembers it anymore. But it'll rise again. This time, it's not about wealth. It's about finding those responsible. One by one…"
Miles stopped himself, realizing the weight in his tone.
Celina watched him, brows slightly furrowed. "And what?"
Miles turned back to her, a cold glint in his eye—then he smiled, playful again."I'll reap their souls out," he said with a laugh, easing the tension.
Celina rolled her eyes, half amused, half concerned."Wow. That's totally not terrifying at all…"
Miles leaned back on the bench, arms stretched along the top rail."Don't worry. I don't reap the souls of friends."
Celina smirked. "Hmph. Good. Because I don't want my soul touched. Not unless it's for entertainment contracts."
Celina suddenly perked up, her eyes narrowing with playful suspicion."Wait a minute… If you own Reaper Entertainment… you must know Jess, right?"
Miles gave her a side glance, knowing exactly where this was going."I know of her."
"Oh come on!" Celina practically bounced on the bench. "Can you take me to meet her? Please? I'm a huge fan—I love her music!"
Miles chuckled. "Jess was actually at the mall a few days ago."
"I know!" Celina groaned. "But I missed it! Ugh, I was stuck at some boring family brunch…"
Miles tilted his head slightly. "You really want to meet her that bad?"
"Absolutely!" she said without hesitation.
He leaned back with a thoughtful nod. "Well, Asher and Hope also want to meet her… I've been thinking of inviting her to dinner at my place sometime. You could come join us."
Celina gasped, eyes going wide. "Wait—really?! When? Tell me when!"
"Don't go overboard," Miles said with a smirk. "I still have to ask her first. It'll depend on when she's free."
Celina grinned from ear to ear, bouncing in place again. "Okay okay! But that's a deal, yeah? I'll hold you to it."
"Deal," Miles nodded.
They continued talking under the calm night sky, the fire of the club long behind them. Miles kept the conversation light—stories about Asher's stubbornness, Hope's drawings, Celina's overdramatic college stories—anything to keep her calm, to help her forget the darkness they'd just stepped out of.
And for the first time in hours…
Celina laughed freely.
And Miles, quietly, let himself smile too.
Just then, a sleepy voice echoed from the car.
"Hey… you two…" Becky muttered groggily, pushing the door open, rubbing her eyes. "What's going on out here?"
Rose sat up beside her, blinking at the sight of Miles and Celina sitting close together on the bench. smirked. "Ugh. Seriously? Get a room, you two."
Celina flushed bright red, immediately sitting up straighter and scooting half an inch away from Miles."It's not what it looks like!" she said, flustered.
Miles just raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms, unbothered. "Well, it is midnight. You all needed the rest."
Becky groaned, stretching her arms. "God… I was so drunk. I don't even remember how I got here."
"You're welcome," Miles said dryly, gesturing toward the still-burning embers in the distance. "We took the scenic route."
Rose blinked toward the faint red glow on the horizon. "Was that… the club?"
Celina gave a sheepish nod. "Yeah. Long story."
"Cool," Rose said, slumping back into the seat. "Let's go home before someone else starts shooting."
Miles walked toward the car, opening the doors for them. "Alright, everyone in. No more surprises tonight."
Celina smiled at him gently as she got in.
And as the car pulled away into the quiet streets, the night finally started to feel like it was ending.
At least… for now.