CHAPTER 80: BANDI CITY STADIUM

Aries just knew Beatrice would be surprised. Maybe even flustered. And if Aries was right, and she usually was, things might just turn around this time. She had a strong feeling Beatrice would be the one chasing her brother for once.

The kids found a nearby table and began drawing on the napkins with colored pens Aries had in her bag. Lilia kept looking between Kael and Beatrice with the curiosity of a spy-in-training.

As their orders arrived, the bell above the cafe door jingled as Calix and Theo stepped inside.

Aries spotted them first, her eyes lighting up with surprise and amusement. She nudged Beatrice, but before she could say anything, Beatrice’s gaze followed hers and her breath hitched.

Beatrice stared, wide-eyed, completely in awe.

"No way..." she murmured, taking in Theo’s changed appearance, taller, sharper features, a quiet intensity in his eyes she didn’t remember.

"Hi, Beatrice," Theo greeted with a small nod.

"Theo...?" she blinked, still stunned. "What happened to you? You look like you came out of an action film."

Aries grinned, clearly entertained by Beatrice’s reaction. "Told you things changed."

"How have you been?" Theo asked, offering a small smile. "It’s been a while."

Beatrice returned the smile but it faltered slightly. "I should be asking you that. And... I’m sorry. About what happened last time. About Ben and his gang." Her voice lowered with guilt. "What they did was wrong."

Theo shook his head gently. "It’s over. What matters is what we do from here on out."

Before Beatrice could respond, her phone buzzed urgently. She glanced at the screen and her expression tightened.

She glanced at the screen, her brow furrowing. "Sorry, give me a second - I need to take this," she said, stepping away from the table.

As soon as she was out of earshot, Aries leaned in with a playful smirk.

"So..." she drawled, glancing at Theo. "Maybe we all should head back home except you."

Theo raised a brow. "Why?"

"So you and Beatrice can catch up, obviously," Aries grinned, nudging him lightly. "Come on, I saw her face. She looked like she just saw a greek god walk into a coffee shop."

Calix chuckled under his breath, and Theo shot Aries a flat look. "She was just surprised, that’s all."

"Sure. Keep telling yourself that." Aries leaned back with a smug expression. "I’m just saying, this time around, you won’t be the one doing the chasing like before."

Theo rolled his eyes, but the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You’re enjoying this way too much," he muttered.

"Obviously. You never let me have fun, so I have to take it where I can."

Just then, Beatrice returned, her expression tight.

"I’m really sorry. I have to leave," she said, grabbing her bag. "They need me at the Red Zone. Something’s going on at the Bandi city stadium near Argo Province."

The lightness in the group faded immediately as tension replaced it.

"Theo will drive you there!" Aries suddenly blurted out with a bright grin.

Beatrice blinked, caught off guard. "Are you sure?" she asked, turning to Theo.

Before he could answer, Aries jumped in. "Of course! You two should go." Without missing a beat, she snatched the truck keys from Calix and pressed them into Theo’s hand. "Go and drive Beatrice," she whispered with a knowing look.

Theo sighed and shook his head, half amused, half resigned. His sister was really pushing hard on her matchmaker act today.

He looked at Beatrice and gave a small nod. "It’s fine. Let’s hurry. I’ll drop you off."

Beatrice smiled, a bit flustered but grateful. "Thanks, Theo."

Theo looked at Aries and said firmly, "You and the kids should head back home now."

He then turned to Calix and Kael, giving them a subtle but clear look. Both men nodded in silent understanding.

After that, Theo walked over to Beatrice and led her to the truck. He opened the door for her without a word.

Just like Aries said, he noticed the surprise in Beatrice’s eyes. She was probably wondering how he ended up driving a Hummer, especially considering how different things were back then.

Back in school, he used to do odd jobs just to get by. From running errands to doing homework or entire projects for other students for a fee. Except for Beatrice. She was the only one he never charged. For her, he always did everything for free.

The drive started out quiet, the hum of the engine filling the silence between them. Beatrice sat with her hands folded on her lap, sneaking glances at Theo now and then, as if trying to reconcile the boy she once knew with the man beside her.

Finally, she broke the silence.

"You’ve changed," she said softly, looking ahead through the windshield. "In such a short time too. I mean... Now you’re..." she gestured at the Hummer, his confident posture, the way he carried himself. "Doing better. A lot better."

Theo glanced at her with a small smile. "I’m trying. Things didn’t exactly slow down after graduation."

Beatrice chuckled under her breath. "I can see that. I’m glad, though. Honestly. You deserve better than what you were handed back then."

He didn’t say anything for a moment. Just kept his eyes on the road.

Then quietly, "You were always kind to me, Bea. Even when no one else was."

She smiled at the nickname. "Well, I guess I had good instincts." She paused, then added with a teasing smirk, "Though I wish I knew you’d glow up like this. I might’ve treated you even better."

Theo shook his head with a soft laugh. "Too late for that now."

Soon, the city skyline came into view, ruined buildings, smoke trails, and barricades signaled their approach to the Red Zone. As they neared the stadium, a large group of survivors was being led out through a side gate, escorted by medics and AMSO field units in uniform.

Tension hung in the air, thick and heavy. Theo parked the truck near the cordoned perimeter and followed Beatrice without a word.

The stadium grounds were chaotic, people shouting orders, injured being carried on stretchers, security officers redirecting civilians.

He caught a few words as he passed by a cluster of AMSO soldiers.

"One more unit still trapped inside."

"Section B2 collapsed."

"Commander Lexa Spears still hasn’t checked in. She’s last known inside with the squad."

Theo’s eyes narrowed. ’Lexa?’