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“Are you sure?” I ask. The boss kept his promise to stop making moves on me, but he has really mellowed out over the past while.
“I’m sure.”
“Okay. Thanks, boss.”
I hang up my apron and grab my stuff, making a swift and merry exit out of the door. I’m so happy to be off early. It means I have more time for tonight’s special celebration.
My close friend Vylco is due to leave soon, keen on heading back to his trading routes after an extended amount of time off. I have his favorite pastries tucked away in my bag for him. I make a stop to pick up some drinks on the way home.
During my journey, I pass by the bar where he introduced me to the love of my life, smiling at the memories we made together. No longer do I view that night with hatred as I once did, now that the ghost who reappeared that night was dead and rotting in the ground.
I’ll get us all to go back there for drinks when he returns.
After a nice, refreshing walk home, I stroll up to the front door, stepping inside to hear the party has already gotten started between Azron and Vylco.
“Trying to get a head start, are we?” I call out.
“Ah, Elia! I was just telling Azron we should wait for you, but he was very insistent!” yells Vylco.
“That ain’t true,” snarls Azron. “You’re lucky I don’t kick your ass with the amount of shit you come out with.”
“Pour me one,” I say, joining them in the living room.
I hug Vylco and greet Azron with a kiss. Together, we each throw up our glasses, clinking them before knocking them back. I reach for the bottle of Amerinth, pouring us all another glass.
“I’m quite sad you’re leaving,” I tell Vylco.
“Me, too,” he replies. “Alas, duty calls!”
“We’ll miss having you around. You should come to visit again when you have the chance. You can always stay with us,” says Azron.
“Oh, I know that,” chuckles Vylco with a cheeky grin. “Who knows? Maybe out in the world, I’ll find a girl to call my own.”
“Well, I hope you do,” says Azron, turning to look at me. “The right girl can change your life in the best way.”
He rises to his feet, making his way to the kitchen to attend to a pot of simmering food. Vylco and I share another round.
“You did good with him. I never thought the stubborn bastard would find love, but here we are. You must really love him.”
“I do, more than anything.”
“I heard about how he lent a hand in your xaphan problem.”
“Yeah,” I say softly as I gaze at Azron, busy at work dishing up our dinner. “For a demon, he’s far more of a man and a good person than any xaphan I have ever met.”
“Enough chit-chat,” says Azron. “Let’s eat.”
Each of us tuck into a hearty meal. As I eat and listen to the others laugh and converse, I’m reminded that this is my new life. I no longer have to endure the thought of Zephon lingering in the back of my mind.
He still sometimes pops into my head out of habit, but the peace that Azron has brought into my life always brings me back to a good place.
Soon, we’re deep into the evening, sharing a bottle of Azron’s finest vintage paquir.
“Thank you for the occasion, you two,” beams Vylco, raising his glass at us. “The night is still young, yet it’s already one to remember for the ages. I believe that now the time has come for us to be moving on.”
“Wait, are you leaving already?” I ask, leaning forward in my seat.
“Oh, no. Not quite. It’s just that this night isn’t only about me, you see.”
