The moment the doors closed, the soft hum of the engine filled the cabin. Frans glanced at the rear-view mirror before pulling away, leaving the school behind, along with a conflict that had not entirely settled.
Inside the car, the silence held a faint tension. Radit leaned back with his arms crossed, peeking at Kaivan through the mirror.
"You know, Frans? Kaivan and Felicia are officially dating now," he teased.
Frans turned slightly, brows raised. "Seriously? Since when?"
Kaivan exhaled slowly. "It's not like that. I just… wanted to protect her from Darius. He's been bothering her since yesterday. I couldn't stand watching that."
Felicia looked up, her expression gentle yet uncertain. She covered her mouth lightly, her breath trembling. "So… all of that was just an act?" she whispered, disappointment threading through her tone.
Kaivan met her gaze, honest, unwavering. He reached out and brushed her hair softly, a touch meant to calm the storm inside her.
Felicia tensed for a moment but didn't pull away. A faint blush warmed her cheeks, her eyes softening.
"I'm sorry," Kaivan murmured, his voice almost drowned by the AC. "I got too emotional about Tania. But I never looked down on you."
Felicia nodded, a small smile blooming. "It's alright. I understand. And I'll stay by your side… no matter what."
Radit let out a long sigh, rolling his eyes dramatically. "Just date for real already. I'm exhausted watching this every day."
The mood in the car lightened. Frans chuckled quietly, catching their expressions through the mirror. The tension melted away, replaced by a gentle warmth difficult to describe.
They headed toward an old shopping center that served as their hidden base, a place nearly abandoned, perfect for planning strategies, organizing equipment, and storing tools. There, Kaivan and Felicia parted ways with Radit, Zinnia, and Frans, who stayed in the workshop to tidy up supplies.
Felicia accompanied Kaivan to visit Livia's parents. Livia had already told her family about the gold-trading business they were handling. Now it was time for Kaivan to meet them directly, making sure everything would proceed smoothly and legally.
The house was simple, neat, and welcoming. Livia's parents greeted them warmly, and after brief introductions, they sat in the living room. Felicia led the conversation professionally, explaining the plans, market situation, and profit estimates. Livia's father, experienced in investments, listened closely.
"So, the amount of gold Kaivan will sell is 492 grams?" he asked, raising a brow.
"That's right, Sir," Kaivan replied, trying to stay calm. "For the price per gram… I'll leave it entirely to you."
Livia's father exchanged a glance with his wife, then nodded. "To be honest, I don't have that much cash on hand. How about I transfer the payment to your account instead?"
Kaivan hesitated. He didn't have a bank account. "I… don't have one yet, Sir."
A gentle smile appeared on the man's face. "No problem. We can make one for you tomorrow. It will make things much easier."
Relief washed over Kaivan. "Thank you, Sir. I'll prepare the gold by tomorrow."
After finalizing the agreement, Kaivan and Felicia said their goodbyes and headed back to the workshop, where Radit, Zinnia, and Frans were waiting.
When the door opened, Kaivan stepped in with visible enthusiasm. His bright expression immediately drew their attention.
"We did it, everyone!" Kaivan burst out, his voice bright with excitement. "Tomorrow, all the gold will be sold, and we'll split the money evenly. Around twenty million each!"
Radit shot up from his seat. "Seriously?! Twenty million? That's insane! I can buy anything now!" His eyes sparkled as he imagined every possibility.
Zinnia let out a small, gentle smile, calm, yet unable to hide her delight. "Maybe… new clothes?" she whispered playfully, her gaze drifting toward her own little daydream.
Frans laughed, stretching his arms wide. "Finally! I can upgrade my car without begging my parents. Or… take my girlfriend on a trip. That sounds nice too."
Felicia stood beside Kaivan, her soft smile glowing with meaning. "I can help my parents. And my little siblings… they can stay in school." Her voice was quiet yet full of sincerity. Her eyes shimmered faintly with gratitude.
They exchanged glances. No words could truly describe the relief warming the room, hope settling gently between their laughter and dreams of the future. That night, their small workshop felt like home; a place filled with wishes finally within reach.
On a bright Saturday morning, Kaivan arrived at Livia's house with Radit, Zinnia, Thivi, Frans, Felicia, Raphael, Ethan, and Isabel. They brought the gold they had gathered, just as promised. The house felt warmer than usual, welcoming, comfortable, like a doorway to a promising new chapter.
Politely, Kaivan stepped forward and handed the gold to Livia's father. "Here it is, sir. As agreed. Please check the purity again."
Livia's father examined the gold carefully before smiling at him. "Thank you, Kaivan. You're an honest young man." He handed over a small briefcase.