The next day came quickly after the small gathering. They had stayed up late and only left that morning, even though the sun had already risen high and hot before they finally did.
But they didn't have to worry—today was Sunday. The sunny weekend was simply a day to prepare for the grueling weekdays ahead. So, none of them were in a hurry to leave. It wasn't until Zayne threatened them with extra training that they scrambled out like frightened kids.
Hours passed for Zayne in his small home. Although he appreciated the company his team had brought the night before, the serene silence and gentle rays of sunlight now gave his once-tense heart a sense of peace.
Staring out the window, he spoke softly, "Sigh~, humans are always worried about the future, always paranoid… while nature flows smoothly, uncaring for what's to come or the troubles of the world. It all arrives anyway.
What will be, will always happen—but whether we panic or face it calmly… that choice is ours."
His voice drifted away, swallowed by the distant morning rush of New York City.
Surprisingly, a half-dried leaf swayed in through the window, brushing against him. Zayne caught it between his fingers and sighed once more.
"I should really stop worrying so much about the incoming invasion," he thought. "There's no way I can stop it all at once with my current strength… but handling it step by step is possible. And now, I have a team. I'm not alone anymore. With my plans and preparations… we will win."
His gaze sharpened, becoming more focused and resolute as his thoughts aligned. What he had just experienced was rare—a moment of true self-reflection. For someone as strong as Zayne, such clarity did not come often. It might seem insignificant now, but its impact on his future path would be immense.
With his worries easing and his heart growing lighter, Zayne's expression softened, now carrying a quiet confidence and a touch of humility.
Pushing himself away from the window, he stretched his limbs and exhaled slowly before speaking,
"Now for the most challenging—and fun—part of the day… the date."
...…
Kira's house was a standard American home—a multi-story building with a porch, a garage, and a small garden out front where a few dogs played fetch with a middle-aged man.
Inside one of the brightly lit rooms, several voices could be heard—laughing, shouting, and even sounding a little anxious.
These voices naturally belonged to Kira, Gwen, and Mary Jane.
They were currently fussing over Kira, who wore both a tired and expectant expression. Looking at her two friends, she asked,
"Are you guys sure this looks nice?"
Glancing down at her overly fancy yellow dress, Kira couldn't help but panic. Not being used to dressing this way, she felt anxious—afraid Zayne might not like it.
"Yes, babe, don't worry. I assure you, he'll drool over you when he arrives," Gwen replied with a bright smile.
The more she looked at Kira, the more satisfied she felt with her masterpiece. Kira's yellow sundress radiated warmth as she stood before the mirror. The smooth bodice and flowy skirt gave her an effortless elegance, complemented by simple silver sandals and a moonstone necklace. Her blonde hair cascaded freely—no longer carrying that punky edge—and a hint of lip gloss added just the right touch of allure.
Her figure looked stunning under the soft glow of the setting sun. Even MJ couldn't help but smack her lips at her friend's hidden beauty.
"Tsk, tsk… so you've been hiding all of this under those baggy clothes of yours," MJ said, her tone laced with playful annoyance.
Kira rolled her eyes. "Please, even I didn't know I could look like this. I feel like a completely different person."
"Yeah, and I like this new Kira. Just don't ruin the date with your punk talk later," Gwen teased, adjusting a crumpled edge of the dress.
"Oh, come on, I'm not that stupid to ruin a chance with Zayne because of my weird hobby," Kira replied, though a hint of struggle showed on her face.
She truly loved music—especially band music. Over time, it had shaped her into someone with a slightly tomboyish aura, which had thinned her dating options. Although she never cared much for other guys, she was still a girl. Being seen as "undatable" cut deeper than she liked to admit.
Tonight, Kira had made up her mind. Even if she had to act like a completely different person, this date had to succeed.
"Don't worry, babe. Zayne's a really good guy. He'll understand—even if you go full punk rock," Gwen said, noticing the tension on her friend's face.
"Mm," Kira nodded with a small smile, and the conversation flowed as they waited.
They weren't even five minutes in when a low revving sound echoed from the front porch. The girls immediately lit up with excitement and rushed to the window.
To say they weren't stunned would be a lie. What they saw was a beast on wheels—a sleek black luxury car that looked completely out of place in the neighborhood. Even though they couldn't identify the exact model, its presence alone screamed wealth and status.
Outside, Kira's parents stepped out to see what was happening. The moment her father's eyes landed on the car, he froze in disbelief.
"Is that a BMW M3?! Oh my God… who is my daughter going on a date with?" he exclaimed, barely containing himself.
His wife stood beside him, equally shocked by the sheer luxury of it all.
Before they could say anything else, the car door opened.
A figure stepped out.
He wore a streamlined black suit paired with polished shoes. The fabric was rich and dark, fitting him perfectly and accentuating his tall frame. His presence carried a calm, refined aura that only made his already handsome face stand out even more.
There was only one word that came to mind—expensive.
That figure was none other than Zayne Callahan—the protagonist of tonight.
Jerry and Helen Ford studied him carefully, exchanging subtle glances. Inwardly, they approved. Their daughter's taste—at least this time—was far better than her sister Kendra's. The young man before them was not only handsome but also appeared financially stable.
A faint glint passed through Zayne's eyes as he noticed the two middle-aged figures assessing him. Calmly, he walked toward them and greeted,
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Ford. I'm Zayne, Kira's date. Is she in?"
His words were concise and direct, catching them slightly off guard. But rather than being put off, they found themselves impressed.
As scientists, they disliked unnecessary fluff and appreciated straightforwardness. Zayne had just earned full marks on his first impression.
"Hey, Zayne! Come on in, Kira's almost ready. I'm Jerry, and this is her mom, Helen. Nice to meet you," the man said with an easy smile.
Zayne returned a respectful nod. "Nice to meet you, too, Mr. and Mrs. Ford. Thank you for having me."
The couple nodded in satisfaction and led him inside, closing the door behind them.
Then came the questioning session.
The questioning session began almost immediately, just as expected from any American parents meeting the boy, taking their daughter out.
Jerry leaned forward slightly, his eyes sharp yet curious. "So, Zayne… what exactly do you do?"
As far as he knew, the boy before him was a high schooler, at most a senior. So, he was quite stunned at his former luxury.
Zayne remained calm, his posture straight and composed. "I'm currently involved in a private medical-related field, sir. it's....." He explained with a smooth tone, making sure they both understood his source of income was legitimate and he was a good match for their daughter
Helen stepped in next, her gaze softer but just as observant. "And your family?"
"I'm an orphan. I live alone for now," Zayne replied with a bitter smile and a hint of reminiscence.
"Oh, we're sorry about that kid, we...." Jerry quickly spoke with an embarrassed tone, but was cut off by Zayne's reply.
"It's nothing, Mr. Ford. They are gone, I'm used to it already. Brooding over it would change nothing."
Helen and Jerry were startled by his mature answer and couldn't help but give bitter smiles and a sympathetic gaze. They felt that what he meant by used to it already, was that he was used to loneliness. This made their heart melt even more for him and view him like a child next door.
"It's ok lad, we're here for you." As any other loving parent would say, they spoke these words with sincerity, making Zayne have a good impression of the man and woman before him.
Like an adage says. It's easy to date a girl, but to get their parents to accept is a thousand times harder. But now that it seems the difficulty was gone.
The answers came naturally, each word measured yet genuine. There was no hint of irritation on his face. If anything, he understood where they were coming from. In his mind, this was not interrogation—it was trust being tested. And he passed each question with ease because he replied honestly.
Minutes passed like this, question after question—school, work, intentions—and each time, Zayne responded with a simple smile. By the end of it, both Jerry and Helen had unconsciously looked at one another with gazes only they understood, and looked at Zayne with full approval.
Then—
Soft footsteps echoed from the staircase.
All attention shifted.
Kira descended slowly, one hand lightly holding the railing. The moment Zayne's eyes landed on her, he froze.
For a brief second, the composed leader of the team—the calm, calculated Ranger—was completely stunned.
She was… breathtaking.
The yellow sundress flowed gently with each step, catching the light in a way that made her seem almost radiant. Her loose blonde hair framed her face perfectly, and the faint blush on her cheeks only added to her charm. Gone was the punk edge he had grown used to—what stood before him was something softer, more vulnerable… and undeniably beautiful.
Kira, on the other hand, could feel his gaze. It was intense—almost burning. Her heart raced as she tried to avoid eye contact, her fingers tightening slightly against the fabric of her dress.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Zayne moved.
He stepped forward, closing the distance between them with quiet confidence. Stopping just in front of her, he extended his hand, a gentle smile forming on his lips.
"You look stunning tonight." The praise came very naturally and with an honest air
"Please."
Kira blinked, momentarily lost in her own thoughts, before snapping back to reality. A soft breath escaped her as she placed her hand in his.
Their fingers intertwined naturally, as they both looked at one another with a smile.
Even the parents watching and her friends upstairs were stunned by their chemistry.
Especially the parents who were completely seeing a new side of their daughter. They almost couldn't believe this was their child. As they had gotten used to her punky dressing, this was like a new world open to them.
But they said nothing; they just smiled and advised them as a parent would.
Even Gwen and Mj felt a tinge of envy towards their friend's good luck. The man before them was really handsome, but it was only envy; they were naturally happy for her.
Minutes later, Zayne led Kira into the majestic vehicle, waved goodbye to the parents and friends, and drove off into the night.
--- ✦ ---
A romantic chapter is really hard to write. I'm used to punching and kicking plots, but I hope it's good. Please comment, and post reviews so I can improve them later on. I'm still a newbie author.
Power stones, guys, please!!!