Page 116 of Encounter

What’s going on?

Like in a dream, I stumbled toward the guy while searching for Chast again. Showing his teeth, his face beamed with happiness as he clapped vigorously together with everyone else, and that was when I finally allowed myself to have the realization.

“Congratulations, young man!” The presenter said, shaking my limp arm while trying to push the trophy into the other one.

I won...?Everything after turned into a blur.

I shook some more hands, had people pat me on the back, and noticed the parents of the other contestants in the audience hugging their kids and chatting excitedly. They were proud of them, still, and it was heartwarming to see.I even had my picture taken for some creative newspaper. I didn’t even really know how to deal with the excitement—with the bare thought of winning.

Happy the whole circus was over, I stood in front of the mirror in one of the long halls, trophy in hand.Was it really me who did this?

I wasn’t sure where Zola or Chast disappeared afterward, so I hoped one of them would find me. Preferably not both, since I wasn’t entirely sure how I was going to explain Chast to Zola. But... it wouldn’t have been that horrible if she knew, would it? I knew she wouldn’t have judged me.

“There you are!” Zola’s voice sounded next to me, so I sharply turned. Grinning, she rushed to me with her arms spread out and locked me into a hug before I got a chance to react. “You were so freaking good, Gale! You should’ve heard the people whispering in awe next to me!”

Taken back by the influx of praise, I chuckled and squeezed her. “Thank you for being here.” As she pulled away, Zola immediately went for the trophy, studying it and pulling it from my hand with so much interest it might as well have been made of real gold. “How was your appointment?” I asked.

“Oh, already told you it was just a check up—it went fine.”

My phone buzzed with a message, so I had Zola to hold the trophy so I could check. A message from Chast.

Excitement rushed through my bones, and must have showed up on my face, too, because once I looked up at her again, Zola watched me with a suspicious, playful expression.

“I saw you wave at someone before. Someone waiting for you?” she asked, flashing her brows.

All of this time, I kept Chast from her, even though he was the best thing that ever happened to me. Mostly because I wasn’t sure what we were, and how stable our strange relationship was, myself, but... Looking at Zola’s genuinely happy expression as she anticipated me to tell her some good news, I realized I could have trusted her with Chast this entire time—omitting some little details, of course.

“Y-Yeah, actually,” I said—shyly at first, but quickly straightening my back with pride. “There’s someone I’ve been seeing. He’s... it’s a little shaky and unconventional, so I wasn’t sure when to tell you about it. Also with... what happened at the club, I wasn’t—”

“Oh, I already told you to not worry about that. I’m all good!” she interrupted me, sounding resolute. Shifting on my feet, I smiled, hoping she meant it. “That’s really nice to hear. I’m happy for you,” she said, touching my wrist and squeezing it. Her touch was soft and warm, calming my nerves further. “Is he waiting for you?”

I gave a hesitant nod. “I didn’t know he would come, so—”

“Oh, no, no!” Zola put her hands up and thrust the trophy back into my arms, shaking her head. “You don’t worry about me. We can celebrate some other time, right? Go on, have fun with your date.” She sounded so hyper and enthusiastic about it, almost like it was her relationship.

God, how could I have ever doubted you, Zol.

“I’ll... I’ll tell you more about him. Promise.” I smirked, pressing the trophy against my chest. “Thanks for coming. Speak later.”

While she waved at me, I backed away a few steps before I turned toward the exit and headed out, spring in my step.

As soon as Chast saw me—standing there leaning against the car door and as sexy as always—he lifted his arm in excitement. “There’s the man!”

My cheeks filled with hot blood—I must’ve looked like a tomato. Grinning uncontrollably, I eagerly ran into Chast’s embrace.

He planted a soft kiss where my shoulder and neck met and then gave me another, proper one. Oh, how great it felt. It wasn’t going to get old any time soon. “Told ya, didn’t I?” he whispered into my ear while he wrapped his arm around my waist, pressing me against his firm torso.

My heart was filled with joy, so much so, it scared me.

I pushed him away gently and glanced over my shoulder. “What... What are you doing here? I thought you said— What if Dad saw you?” It was only the anxious part of me pushing me to say those words. In reality, I couldn’t have been happier Chast came.

“Had an acquaintance keep an eye on him,” Chast said with a devilish spark in his eyes. “Hasn’t left his office all day.”

Taken aback, I blinked at him with my lips parted. “You’re stalking my dad?” I asked, an amused chuckle escaping me.

Chast gave me a playful frown before stepping away to open the car door. “Don’t sound too good when you say it out loud.” Grinning, he gestured for me to get in before waiting for my response. I pressed the trophy against my chest and went around the car.

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