Mia's POV
The engine hummed steadily as we left the inland property behind.
The land disappeared slowly in the rearview mirror, the elevated northern ridge, the western valley drainage slope, the dense eastern tree line hiding the freshwater stream, and the open southern exposure where our greenhouse-covered solar panels would eventually sit unnoticed.
Two bunkers.
Three hundred meters apart.
Connected underground.
Hidden in plain sight.
I stared ahead at the road, then finally asked the question that had been bothering me.
"How much do I owe you for the land?"
Luis glanced at me briefly but kept his focus on driving.
"You don't."
I frowned. "Luis, this is business."
"It is," he replied calmly. "Which is why you don't owe anything."
I crossed my arms. "That doesn't make sense."
He exhaled softly. "If what you told me about the future is true, then the information alone is worth more than the land. You already paid."
Silence filled the car.
"That's different," I insisted. "I don't want it to feel like charity."
"It's not," he said firmly. "It's an investment. If the apocalypse comes, we survive because of what you warned us about. That's more than enough return."
I wanted to argue again.
But something in his tone ended it.
Instead, I looked out the window.
"I'll send you the draft design tonight," I said after a moment. "Or tomorrow morning at the latest. We need to start excavation next week. There's no more time."
"We'll start next week," he confirmed.
I hesitated before asking the next question.
"Do you already have a decoy project?"
He raised a brow. "For?"
"For the pretend development. We can't let anyone trace equipment movement to the real site. Especially not Kevin."
I hated how his name still made my chest tighten.
Kevin Blackwood had too many connections. Too much influence. Too many eyes everywhere.
If he found out about the bunker location—
Luis' jaw tightened slightly.
"I've handled it," he said.
"How?"
"Aetherion Land & Holdings will announce a renewable agriculture pilot project in a different province. Public filings, press releases, drone site visits, all staged."
I blinked. "You already prepared that?"
"Yes."
"What about excavation machinery? Transport records?"
"Redirected under Alps Builders' subcontractors. Paper trails lead to the decoy site. Nothing points inland."
I stared at him.
"You planned this before I even asked."
He didn't answer immediately.
"I prefer not being unprepared," he said finally.
I laughed softly.
"Maybe I don't even want revenge anymore," I murmured, leaning back into the seat. "Maybe I'll just break up with him after everything's secure."
Luis didn't respond.
"I should be grateful I came back," I continued quietly. "At least now I can fix things."
---
Luis' POV
She fell asleep almost immediately.
Her breathing softened, steady.
I glanced at her and felt something tighten in my chest.
She trusted me enough to sleep like that.
I pulled the car, a matte black Range Rover SV Autobiography with off-road terrain capability and fully tinted bullet-resistant glass, to the side briefly.
Carefully, I reclined her seat so she'd be more comfortable.
She didn't wake.
Her hair fell softly over her shoulder.
I stared at her longer than I should have.
I've loved her since we were kids.
Since backyard arguments and broken water pipes.
Since hide-and-seek in her father's office.
And Kevin Blackwood dared to hurt her.
My grip tightened on the steering wheel.
I agreed with her out loud.
But in my mind?
Kevin would answer for what he did.
Not violently.
Not recklessly.
But properly.
He humiliated her.
He betrayed her.
And he thought he could walk away untouched.
No.
I forced myself to breathe slowly.
Mia didn't deserve more chaos.
She deserved peace.
She deserved careful planning.
She deserved me protecting her as best I could.
---
Hours later, still dark outside, the first lights of Viremont City appeared in the distance.
The skyline exploded in neon and reflections, glass towers, bridges, high-rise residential blocks, and distant ferris wheels shimmering faintly under the night sky.
Mia slept peacefully in the passenger seat.
I let her rest while we drove through the urban center, careful to take back roads and less crowded streets.
Everything about the city screamed opportunity. Danger. Excitement.
The faint buzz of traffic, the glow of streetlights, and the city's pulse made it feel alive, welcoming even, as though Viremont itself was greeting us.
I stole glances at her.
She was still asleep, hair cascading over her shoulders.
I couldn't resist adjusting her seat slightly for comfort.
She stirred briefly, murmuring, but didn't wake fully.
For a moment, I allowed myself a soft smile.
We were in the city.
Safe.
And closer than ever to beginning the bunker project, our plan, our secret, our shared future.
---
Mia's POV
I woke to a tap on my shoulder.
Luis' voice: "We're here."
Blinking, I realized we were outside the Alps estate.
The street was quiet but familiar.
And then I saw him.
Kevin Blackwood.
Standing near the gate, arms crossed. Face composed but clearly restrained.
I froze.
Luis' voice lowered. "Kevin is outside."
I blinked at him. "What?"
"He looks like he's waiting," Luis said.
I straightened immediately. "Oh no… I forgot. Dinner date."
Luis gave a small nod. "It's okay."
I hurried to exit the car.
Kevin's eyes narrowed when I stepped down.
Luis followed calmly, walking to my side to open the door fully.
Kevin approached, maintaining a perfect mask of civility.
"Good evening, Mr. Ray," he said smoothly. "Thank you for bringing my girlfriend home."
Luis extended his hand, firm, steady.
"No problem," he said evenly. "She's my childhood friend. It's only natural I take care of her."
Kevin's grip met his with equal strength.
Mia watched, amused despite the tension.
Before anything escalated further, the door opened.
Helen Alps stepped out, radiant as always.
"Oh! Luis! Kevin! Why are you standing outside? Come in!"
Kevin softened instantly. "Good evening, Mrs.Alps."
Luis nodded respectfully. "Good evening, Mrs. Alps."
"You both must stay for dinner," she insisted warmly. "No excuses."
Luis smiled. "Of course, Tita. I've missed your cooking."
Helen laughed. "I"ll even pack some for you to take home!"
Kevin forced a polite smile. "That's perfect. So Mia and I won't need to go out anymore."
Mia excused herself to change, and Helen gestured toward the living room.
"Sit for now," she said. "We'll wait for Mia. Michael will join soon from his study. We eat together. I just need to check the kitchen, maybe the maid missed something!"
Both men settled into the living room.
Polite smiles. Controlled posture. Cold undercurrents.
But just beneath the surface… war.
Kevin had no idea he was already losing.