Side Story 10

As the evening drew to a close, Mae and Brian left the restaurant together, laughing at each other's jokes. The cool night air greeted them as they stepped out onto the street. Mae was feeling quite content until she suddenly flinched, her eyes landing on two familiar figures standing a short distance away.

Her heart skipped a beat. It was Kai and Calix. Both of them seemed to be waiting for her, and the sight of them together filled her with anxiety and confusion.

She quickly tapped Brian on the shoulder. "Brian, can you go ahead without me? I need to handle something."

Brian looked at her with concern. "Are you sure everything's okay, Mae?"

Mae forced a reassuring smile. "Yes, I'm fine. Really. It's just something I need to deal with."

Brian hesitated, his worry evident. "Are you positive? I can stay if you need me to."

She shook her head gently. "It's okay, Brian. Thank you for tonight. I’ll be fine."

Though he was reluctant to leave her, Brian nodded. "Alright, if you're sure. But