Chapter 26: 25.

It was already nighttime. The private jet stood ready, its sleek form illuminated by the soft glow of the tarmac lights. All our luggage was packed and secured. I held Tiana’s hand gently, guiding her up the steps and into the cabin. She settled into one of the seats, her calm presence soothing me as I sat beside her.

Just as the doors were about to close, a voice rang out from the darkness.

“Wait!”

We both turned, instantly recognizing Evelyn’s voice. It was firm, steady, and impossible to ignore.

A moment later, she appeared at the door. The guards moved to block her, but she didn’t flinch. Her posture was confident, her head held high.

“Let her through,” I said to the guards, my tone reluctant.

Evelyn stepped inside, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor. Her gaze swept over us, her composure unshaken despite the situation.

“I couldn’t let you leave without this,” she said, her voice calm yet carrying a weight that demanded attention. She reached into her bag and pulled out two small packages, neatly wrapped and tied with ribbon.

“You didn’t have to,” Tiana said, her tone gentle but curious.

“I wanted to,” Evelyn replied, her gaze lingering on Tiana for a moment longer before shifting to me. “You both mean a lot to me, whether you realize it or not. These gifts are my way of showing that.I know it might be cringe but this is my way of saying thank you for what we had.It's been a long time since I've felt this way.”

Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, I found myself unsure of how to respond. Tiana, ever kind-hearted, smiled warmly.

“Thank you,” she said, her sincerity palpable.

“Thank you,” I echoed, though my gratitude was more obligatory. I couldn’t deny that Evelyn had a knack for commanding attention, but her timing was cutting into mine with Tiana.

“I guess this is goodbye,” I said, rising to my feet. I leaned down to kiss Evelyn, a brief farewell to close this chapter. Her lips lingered a second longer than expected, her hand brushing my arm as if to make the moment last.

Tiana followed, offering Evelyn a soft, genuine kiss of her own. Evelyn’s hand lightly touched Tiana’s cheek as they parted, her gaze steady but with a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.

“We’ll keep in touch,” Tiana offered, reaching for her phone. “Here, let me give you my Instagram handle.”

Evelyn’s lips curved into a small smile, one that seemed to hold both gratitude and a touch of amusement. “I’d like that,” she said, accepting the contact information with ease.

After a final round of goodbyes, Evelyn stepped off the jet, her figure framed by the dim lights below. She turned to wave as the engines roared to life, the jet lifting off into the night sky.

The tension in the air dissipated as we climbed higher, the city lights below shrinking into the distance. I glanced at Tiana, who was carefully unwrapping her gift.

“Anything interesting?” I asked, my tone lighter now that we were alone.

Her smile widened as she lifted the lid. “You’ll have to open yours and find out.”

I sighed, reaching for my own package. Whatever Evelyn had left us with, it didn’t matter. All I truly needed was already beside me.