"That's . . ." Ren didn't know what to say about Evie's new car. It was just that . . . Since Evie had a car, what use did he have for the vehicle he bought?

Ren looked to the side to hide his disappointment. ". . . Great," he uttered with a slight grumble in his tone. "Mine is pre-ordered."

Evie nodded, not noticing Ren's disappointment. "Mine is only second hand though," she repeated with an excited tone.

Ren released a sigh under his breath. OF course, Evie wouldn't know. She wasn't into him. At most, the lady probably just admired her for his capabilities in COVENANT. But when it came to viewing him as a romantic interest, she wasn't probably interested.

Aside from that . . . was he even ready for a relationship?

He liked her obviously and he was tired of masking his feelings due to guilt. In his previous life, he had probably already developed an interest in her despite only seeing her in pictures, but he had just been too busy aiming for promotion to notice what he felt.

Now that he had a second chance, he wanted to make it up. However, he was worried about what might happen. Would she run, hide, or reject him if he told her how he felt?

World Conqueror was just in its starting phase and it still needed a lot of work, and he didn't know whether he could handle Evie's reaction. Was he ready to face the emotional burden that came along with that confession?

The answer was no . . . Ren was comfortable with what they had now. There was no need to rush. They still have a lot of days ahead.

Having thought that, peace returned to his system.

But Evie was evil, wreaking havoc on his emotions once more.

"I'm thinking that maybe you'd want to ride with me before and after school so we don't have to hustle every day on the train until your car is ready."

Ren whipped his head in Evie's direction with eyes wide and dropped jaw. "Huh?"

He knew that he looked like an idiot right now, but he didn't care. His mind spun quickly with possibilities of what she meant with what she said. When the girl he liked said things like that, it inevitably overheated his mind.

Ren was dumbfounded at her proposal. Did she want him by her side? It was a nice feeling, but he wasn't sure if she meant it or not.

What did she say again? What could she possibly mean by that? Did she mean to say that they would ride home together every day? Did she want to be with him too? Did that mean that she likes him too?

However, not long after, his thoughts turned blank in the face of Evie's emotionless face with a flower sprouting on top of her head.

Ren felt a sharp pain in the pit of his stomach when he saw her smile. He was pulled back into his senses. The girl merely asked without any meaning behind her words.

But this was harsher since it ironed his belief that Evie was really not into him.

It would have been better if she showed any disgust because he'd at least know where to place his foot.

Despite his mind saying other things, his heart was a fickle thing. His mind was running wild, but his heart was full.

Ren didn't even realize that he was smiling until he noticed Evie blushing and looked away.

"That sounds great," Ren said with a smile. "I'd love that." He couldn't say no in the end.

Evie had an answer ready. She looked away and replied, "But don't expect to ride in a limousine, okay? Mine is just an old Toyota."

"Ahh . . ." Ren trailed off. "It's fine as long as we have a ride. Can you drive, though?" he teased. "If you want, I can drive you."

Evie nodded and grinned. "Of course, I can drive. I wouldn't have bought a car if I didn't."

It felt like the world had stopped for just a second as their eyes met. And the only sound they could hear was the beating of their heart.

"By the way. What does Dmitri wanted?" Ren asked.

At the reminder, Evie's face went serious, amusing Ren. Her sudden change in attitude was also cute.

"Nothing important. He wanted to know if I was the Evie in World Conqueror."

"And what did you tell him?"

"I said no," she dismissed and sighed. "Maybe I should dye my hair in the game?"

"Good idea. I think the salons are open in towns."

"Maybe black will suit me," she muttered.

Imagining Evie in black hair was all it took for blood to rise in Ren's nose. He immediately looked away and covered half his face with his hand.

No matter what color she dyed her hair, Evie would look good in it. Ren wanted to tell her that, but he halted when someone barged inside their room.

The girl's golden wavy hair fluttered as she walked. Her body could grace any men's magazine, but her face stole all the attention. The entourage behind her were also good-looking girls.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Silvia Rutherford," she announced with a confident voice, exuding an imposing aura. "I'm here with you today to formally invite you to attend my twentieth birthday on Golden Phoenix's island. I hope everyone can come. We have drinks for the ladies and men."

She winked and added with a laugh, ". . . and special sparkling sugar water for the underage."

Love her or hate her, no one could deny that Silvia was a charismatic woman, and even the most jealous of hearts couldn't help but idolize her.

Pamela and Lucia, the entourages, handed out invitations to everyone while Silvia personally went to Ren and Evie.

"Hope you two can come," she said with a lot of meaning behind her eyes with a smile that said that she knew them.

She then whispered, "It's a week from now. It's a beach event, so you two make sure that you have your swimsuit, K~?"

( . . . continuation on NOTES)