His friends fell silent. Kaivan went on, telling them about his incident with Tania. "The Tome told me to fix things with her, but it felt wrong. So I ignored it."
Radit stared at him. "So it told you to get close to Tania again, but you refused because it didn't feel right?"
Kaivan nodded. "I think it's time I choose things on my own… without the book's guidance."
Felicia touched his shoulder gently. "That's a strong choice, Kaivan. It shows you have a will of your own."
In the kitchen, Thivi helped Kaivan's mother prepare the meal. As she handed over some vegetables, she glanced at the TV still showing the aurora.
"Mom, you really love Norway, don't you? Do you want to go there someday?" she asked with a soft smile.
Kaivan's mother chuckled faintly. "That dream is too high, Thivi. Traveling there is very expensive."
Zinnia, who overheard, chimed in excitedly, "But why not, Mom? Who knows, you might go one day. Especially now that Kaivan has started his business. A dream like that might come true."
Her words made Kaivan's mother pause. She smiled again, touched yet unsure, but clearly warmed by their sincerity.
Back in the living room, the atmosphere was different. Ethan sat quietly, watching Isabel's gloomy expression.
Gently, he asked, "Isabel, what's wrong? You're not yourself today."
Usually cheerful, Isabel only lifted her shoulders slightly. "I… broke up with my boyfriend," she murmured.
Raphael, sitting nearby, spoke lightly, "Forget that idiot. You have us now, and plenty of reasons to smile."
A faint smile returned to Isabel's face, comforted by the warmth surrounding her.
Suddenly, the front door opened. Kaivan's older sister had just come home from work, looking tired but pleasantly surprised to see the busy living room. "Wow, it's lively in here! Having a little party?" she joked, her gaze landing on Livia, whom she hadn't met.
Livia blushed softly and bowed her head. "I'm Livia, Sis. You can call me Livi," she said shyly but politely.
Not long after, Kaivan's mother returned with Felicia, Zinnia, and Thivi, carrying trays filled with food and drinks. They arranged them neatly on the table. Felicia and Thivi shared a satisfied smile, while Zinnia looked proud of their teamwork.
The room brightened with laughter and conversation. Despite each person having their own worries, the moment wrapped them all in gentle warmth.
Night deepened, but the energy in the house didn't fade. At first, Kaivan felt awkward seeing his home so full, but soon a smile formed on his face. His mother looked happy too, watching her son surrounded by good friends. Kira, his sister, stood quietly in the corner, taking in the scene with affectionate eyes.
At the table, Zinnia and Felicia arranged snacks together. Felicia, usually serious, looked more relaxed than usual, laughing often as she chatted with Zinnia.
"Come on, everyone! Don't be shy, eat up!" Zinnia called brightly.
Radit laughed. "First time seeing Zinnia play the perfect host!"
Zinnia stuck out her tongue. "Just this once, okay? Besides… this is for Kaivan."
Thivi grabbed Isabel's hand and pulled her up with a grin. "Come on, Isabel! Let's have fun too!"
Isabel hesitated for a moment, but then she laughed and joined the dance. Their laughter spread, filling the night with a warmth that felt innocent and real.
In another corner, Raphael, usually the serious one, was joking around with Frans and Ethan. They tossed around silly ideas about what they would do with the money from selling the gold.
"What if we buy a place and turn it into our secret hideout?" Raphael suggested with a mischievous grin.
Ethan laughed. "Yeah! A hideout so we can escape school life!"
Meanwhile, Livia, shy as ever, sat quietly beside Kaivan's mother. The woman treated her with gentle affection, as though she were her own daughter. They chatted softly about school and hobbies, and the small smiles Livia showed warmed the room.
Kira, who had been watching from a distance, finally joined the lively group. She patted Kaivan on the shoulder, making him give a shy, awkward smile.
"Wow, Kaivan. You're pretty amazing. You managed to gather this many friends," she said proudly. "Now I want a party like this too!"
Kaivan lowered his gaze, embarrassed but happy as he looked at his friends laughing together. It felt warm, almost unreal, to see all the people he cared about gathered inside his home.