CHAPTER 168: MATCHING

The sun had already dipped down by the time Gray made it back to their condo. The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and his feet moved on immediately as he stepped into the quiet hallway of their floor.

He was too tired to even sigh. His shoulders were sore, his arms were heavy, and the back of his neck was still faintly sticky with sweat.

He didn’t even bother fixing his hair. In his mind, he just wanted to rest.

The moment he pushed the door open, the familiar scent of home greeted him.

"Brother!"

A familiar voice echoed from the living room.

Gray blinked up.

There, sitting cross-legged on the carpet in front of the coffee table, was Lily. Her hair was tied into two messy buns, and she was wearing one of her oversized T-shirts with a bunny print on the front.

Her eyes lit up when she saw him.

"You’re home nowwww!"

Gray let out a quiet laugh, finally stepping in. He closed the door behind him and set his keys on the side table.

"You’re still awake?" he asked, kicking off his shoes and walking toward her.

Lily nodded eagerly, her cheeks faintly pink.

"Of course, brother. I’ve been waiting for you!"

Gray crouched beside her and ruffled her hair lightly.

"You should’ve gone to sleep. You’re still recovering."

Lily puffed her cheeks and swatted his hand away. She glaed at him and acted as if she was annoyed,

"I’m fine now! You’re the one who looks like you’re about to pass out."

Gray chuckled under his breath.

"I mean, you’re not wrong."

Gray sat down beside her. He stretching his legs out on the carpet as he leaned back on his hands. His whole body groaned in protest, but the air here felt much lighter.

’What did you do today, Lily?

"I stayed in all day, brother," Lily said after a moment. "Sister Selina came over too earlier. We played some card games. Then she showed me how to make paper roses."

Gray raised an eyebrow.

"Paper roses?"

"Yes! She’s really good with her hands," Lily said with a small nod, clearly impressed. "She even taught me how to fold a crane. She said it helps her relax."

Gray smiled and chuckled. He was thankful that Selina was there to look for Lily. He knew that Selina willingly do that, but still, he coldn’t help but worry.

"That’s good, but don’t bother her too much, okay?" he said, giving Lily a playful look. "She’s probably got work to do too."

"I knowww," Lily groaned dramatically and flopped backward on the carpet. "I’m not that clingy. I gave her breaks!"

Gray laughed quietly.

"You sure?"

"Yes!" she pouted, then glanced at him with a teasing smirk. "Besides, she stayed because she wanted to. She said she likes hanging out with me."

"Well... that’s fair," Gray mumbled, looking away.

"Anyway, good. You’re home now." Lily giggled and sat back up.

Gray only hummed in response. He was too tired. He gently leaned his head back against the sofa behind them. His eyelids were starting to get heavy.

But before he could properly drift into rest, Lily poked his arm.

"Hey, hey."

"Hm?"

"Don’t fall asleep yet, brother" she said, eyes gleaming mischievously. "We have somewhere to go."

Gray gave her a slow look. "It’s already late. Where do you want to go?"

"To Sister Selina’s place," she said like it was obvious. "She told me earlier that your outfit for the gala is already there! You need to try it on,brother!"

"...Oh." Gray blinked.

Right. The gala.

He’d almost forgotten that,

Gray exhaled.

"Yeah right..." he muttered and sighed. "She did say that..."

"Then come on!" Lily stood up and brushed imaginary dust from her shirt. "We should go now while it’s still not too late!"

Gray stared at her.

She looked far too energetic for someone who had just been discharged the day before.

"You sure you’re okay walking?" he asked, eyeing her worriedly.

"I’m not sick anymore brother and I’m also not disabled," she declared proudly. "I rested all day.."

He sighed. "That’s not how it works, Lily."

She beamed anyway and reached out a hand to pull him up.

He took it and let out a defeated sigh.

"Alright, alright."

Lily watched him stand, then crossed her arms and tilted her head.

"Good, brother," Lily said, grinning. "Go change, then we’ll walk over together!"

Gray stared at her again.

Sometimes, he wondered if she was really the younger one.

Still, he turned toward his room and tugged at his collar.

"Give me five minutes."

"Two minutes," Lily countered.

"Three."

"Deal."

And just like that, the condo was once again filled with light footsteps and quiet laughter.

The air no longer felt as heavy. The day had been long, exhausting even, but seeing Lily smile like this made it all worth it.

Even if he was tired, even if his arms ached, Gray couldn’t help but smile softly to himself.

Yeah.

He could handle this.

He changed quickly and met Lily by the door.

She grabbed his hand before he could reach for his shoes, swinging their arms slightly.

"Let’s go," she said brightly.

"To Selina’s," Gray replied with a small nod before the two of them walked out.

Gray walked beside Lily, her hand still loosely holding his. She was humming a cheerful tune that only she seemed to know. He wasn’t entirely sure how she had so much energy left, but he didn’t question it.

When they reached Selina’s door, Lily wasted no time.

She knocked excitedly.

Then before Gray could even say anything, the door swung open.

"There you are!"

Selina’s eyes lit up as soon as she saw them. Her hair was pulled into a soft ponytail, a few strands falling around her face. She wore a loose cream sweater and pajama shorts, clearly not expecting any other visitors tonight besides them.

Lily smiled widely.

"Sister Selina!"

"Hey, munchkin!" Selina reached out and pulled Lily into a quick hug before glancing up at Gray.

"And you, you look like you just ran a marathon."

"I kind of did," Gray muttered with a dry laugh s he rubbed the back of his neck.

the work in the grocery really killed him today.

"Well, you came just in time," Selina stepped aside, waving them in. "The outfit’s all ready. The designer also ironed it alredy."

"You didn’t have to," Gray said automatically as they stepped into her place.

"It’s fine," Selina gave him a look. "Besides, they wanted to make sure you wouldn’t show up to the gala looking like a crumpled paper bag."

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence," he said, voice deadpan.

Selina grinned and pointed toward the hallway.

"It’s hanging in the office. Go on, take a look."

Gray exchanged a quick glance with Lily, who gave him a wide-eyed nod of encouragement.

Curious, he made his way inside. The office’s door was slightly open, and when he pushed it open more, the first thing he saw was the suit hanging from a rack near the full-length mirror.

And the moment he laid eyes on it, he stopped walking.

It was...

He exhaled slowly.

"Damn... so beautiful"

The suit was a rich charcoal-black, tailored and clean, with sharp lapels and gold pinstripes that ran subtly along the edges. The buttons were a deep bronze, matte and minimal.

The undershirt was a muted ivory shade, and the tie was a deep and elegant gold. It rested perfectly atop it.

The entire thing looked expensive. More than expensive. It looked like something made for someone far more important than him.

He took a step forward, reaching out slowly as if afraid to wrinkle it.

Gray turned to Selina, his expression still unreadable.

"You’re really spoiling me," he said quietly.

Selina leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "That’s kind of the point."

Lily peeked from behind her and gasped softly when she saw the suit.

"Waaah... brother, you’re going to look so cool in that."

Gray turned back to the suit, running his fingers lightly across the fabric. "It’s amazing."

"You haven’t even seen the whole set," Selina said, a playful glint in her eyes. "Hold on."

She disappeared into the hallway, and when she returned moments later, she wasn’t alone.

Gray blinked when he saw what she was holding.

Or rather, what she was wearing.

"Whoa..."

Lily whispered first.

Gray couldn’t say anything.

Selina stepped into the room, twirling slightly on her heel. She was wearing a golden dress. It was sleek and elegant with the color soft and shimmery like champagne. The fabric hugged her waist and flowed down past her knees, the neckline modest but refined, with off-shoulder sleeves that gave it a timeless charm.

Gray stared at her.

He hadn’t meant to, but his eyes just stayed there, taking it all in.

"What do you think?" Selina asked with a small smirk.

"I—" Gray blinked. "Wow."

Selina laughed. "That’s it? Wow?"

Gray cleared his throat, scratching his temple.

"You look... stunning."

He looked down at his own outfit again, then back at her.

They were matching.