Chapter 39: A Happy Man

The next morning, Cashel was up before anyone else. He had already seen Nathan off when the sound of Nathan’s engine faded down the street.

Obviously, Nathan had tried to leave unnoticed.

He had his bath, changed into a button-up white shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black pants and a jacket, in case, and had already prepared his weapon case before sleeping. It was on the table in the living room.

He walked out of the bathroom, his hands busy massaging his hair as he made his way downstairs, only to find Andeen in the kitchen.

He paused by the door and frowned.

"What are you doing in the kitchen, Andeen?"

"Making breakfast," she replied simply, slowly running her fingers along the edge of the butcher knife in her hand.

Cashel heaved quiet sigh and shook his head. He crossed the distance between them, took the knife from her, and deliberately put it on top of the shelves, pushing it deep so she couldn’t reach it. Then he took her hands.

"I don’t want you in the kitchen."

Andeen frowned. "And I want to make breakfast," she argued, but still followed as he pulled her out of the kitchen.

But then she wrinkled her nose when she caught a whiff of his cologne. "You smell good... Are you going out?"

"Yes, I have a meeting with my boss in a few hours," he replied simply as he dragged her to the living room, made her sit. Then he crouched in front of her and squeezed her hands.

"How’s your hearing now?"

Andeen hummed, closing her eyes as if she were trying to test it, but she shook her head.

"I can’t really pick up vibrations clearly," she answered gently. "It goes normally, but when it comes back, it’s in shambles."

Cashel sighed. His fingers tightened around hers for a moment. He had expected her to be completely healed by now, but even after all this time, his actions were still affecting her.

"Are you sure we won’t have to take you to the hospital?"

"She doesn’t need to."

Olga’s interjectwd, her voice coming from the staircase, making him glance her way. She looked at him indifferently, her blue eyes dimmed behind her glasses. Her expression matched the disinterest in her gaze as she pushed back the strands of hair in her face and walked over.

"It will heal faster if she learns to rest."

Cashel looked at Andeen, and she just shrugged. Then he looked back at Olga.

"I’ll be heading out soon. Can I trust you to take care of everything?"

Andeen frowned almost immediately.

"Why her? She just came yesterday. I can take care of everything..."

"Yeah, sure," Cashel interrupted, shunning her with a tight squeeze of her hands. "So, Olga?"

Olga remained silent. Her gaze drifted to their joined hands, then to the ring proudly sitting on their fingers before she crossed her arms.

"What do I get in return?"

Cashel raised a brow, "For taking care of the house while I’m gone?" He asked.

She nodded, causing a sigh to leave his lips.

He straightened up, let go of Andeen’s hands, and walked over to her.

Then he spread his arms.

Olga’s face twisted in disgust.

"What is that?"

"A hug?"

"And who said I wanted that? I want something I can look at."

’You have to be kidding.’ Cashel’s exhausted voice echoed in his head, but even then, he forced a smile.

"Fine, I’ll get you a..."

He scanned her from head to toe.

"A new pair of glasses and your own slippers."

Olga narrowed her eyes as she considered his offer, but then her gaze caught the shimmery ring on Andeen’s fingers again. She looked back at Cashel.

"I want a ring."

"...."

"The exact same as yours, and for Nina too. Then you can give me the hug, the glasses, and the slippers when you get back."

Cashel tilted his head, his expression shifting to quiet confusion and disbelief at the same time. He pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a deep sigh, and nodded.

"Fine, I’ll see if I can find them. Do you need anything else?"

She shook her head, and he looked at Andeen.

"Andeen?"

"Just anything sweet. I haven’t had cake in a while," she answered softly, and he smiled.

"Alright, then I’ll be on my way."

He picked up his weapon case from the table and flung it over his shoulder. As he prepared to leave, he paused and turned around swiftly.

At that same moment, Nina was descending the stairs, rubbing her eyes.

When she spotted them, Cashel smiled and spread his arms.

"A hug before I leave?" he asked excitedly, "Hmmmm?"

Andeen didn’t hesitate. She got up from where she sat, walked over, and hugged him.

He wrapped one arm around her waist, with the other still open. "Olga?"

She frowned.

"Come on, you can’t avoid it." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

"What makes you think I..."

She barely finished when Nina shot past like a pink blur, and the next thing Cashel knew, she was in his arms.

He still kept his arms wide, but he dragged her name, "Olgaaa..."

".....Come on, you won’t regret it."

She hesitated, but after receiving a look from Nina, she unfolded her arms with a sigh, gently took off her glasses, and walked over.

Surprisingly, he was able to hug all of them at once, with Andeen’s head resting against his chest and her arms around his waist. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

He patted Nina’s head, gave Olga a smile, and kissed Andeen.

As he pulled away, his smile lingered for a moment, but he caught the worried looks on their faces.

’Such worrywarts,’ he thought to himself, and smiled.

"When I get back, I’ll make sure to properly welcome you two, alright?"

Olga just hummed and turned around, already making her way to the kitchen. Nina just stood with Andeen, and they both nodded.

Cashel reached for the door, knowing his day would be wonderful, but before he could open it, Andeen called him.

"Honey."

He looked back.

"Be careful."

There was nothing complicated about the words.

Yet somehow, they stayed with him as he smiled and said goodbye, feeling strangely lighthearted. And for some reason, he had a feeling today was going to be a good day.

He stepped outside and looked up at the bright blue sky.

"Huuuuuu..."

A translucent screen suddenly appeared before him.

[Player’s heart rate has suddenly spiked.]

[Warning: Elevated heart rate detected.]

[Please calm down to prevent unstable system synchronization.]

Cashel stared at the notification.

"...I’m fine."

His heart continued pounding.

[Player’s statement has been classified as: False.]