"Nick, look after your sister, okay? I don't want Arwen calling us and telling you two are quarreling again," Papa said, his tone firm yet affectionate as he gave me a final hug. He turned to Nick, who responded with a theatrical pout before wrapping his arms around Momin a playful gesture.

"Of course, Pa, I'll take care of little Arwen," Nick promised with a grin. Mom touched his face gently and placed a kiss on his cheek, her eyes filled with warmth.

I hugged Papa tightly, my voice catching in my throat as I whispered, "I'm gonna miss you guys."

"We will too," Papa replied, his voice equally tender.

A moment later, the sound of a vehicle approaching pulled us back to reality. Michael's car came into view, ready to take us to our apartment near the university. He and Rafail stepped out, their presence a stark reminder that our departure was imminent. My heart felt heavy, a lump forming in my throat as I glanced back at my parents.

Mom approached, holding Grae close. She wrapped her arms around me and whispered, "You will be fine, Arwen."

Her words were meant to comfort, but the anxiety within me remained. The council's plans for Nick and me loomed ahead, with Nick being groomed for a significant role. I kissed Mom and Grae one last time and turned to Papa.

"Papa, please take care of Mom and Grae , and of course, yourself too," I said, trying to hold back tears.

"This kid..." Papa began, his smile a mixture of pride and sadness. He walked me to Michael's car, and Nick threw our bags into the compartment with a sense of finality. He said his goodbyes to Mom and Grae , then turned to Papa, sharing a brief but heartfelt moment.

Before getting into the back seat, I embraced Mom and Grae once more. Papa kissed me goodbye, and with a heavy heart, I climbed into the car. I looked back at my parents, who continued to talk with Nick. They turned to wave as the car prepared to leave.

One by one, Rafail, Michael, and Nick joined me in the car. I rolled down the window and waved goodbye to my family again. The sight of them standing there, a mixture of sadness and pride on their faces, made the departure even more poignant.

As Michael started the engine, he glanced at me through the rearview mirror and smiled. "Are you ready, Arwen?"

I looked back at my parents one last time, managing a brave smile despite the lump in my throat. I pulled up the window and nodded. Nick, sensing my tension, added, "She's ready, Michael."

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With that, the car began to pull away, the road stretching out before us as we headed back to our lives, to a future filled with uncertainty but also the promise of new beginnings.

After several hours on the road, we finally reached our destination. The car ride had left my legs feeling like they were about to cramp up, and I glanced over to see Nick drooling beside me.

Eww!

Rafail let out a sigh and said, "It's been a while since I've been out this way."

Michael chuckled and added, "Yeah, of course, because this is not the city you usually visit." Rafail laughed and then turned to me with a friendly smile. "So, how's this city treating you, Arwen?"

I returned his smile. "Well, we chose this city because it's the nearest place that feels like home. We've got some friends here and enjoy their company, I guess," I joked. Michael's reflection in the rearview mirror showed he was smiling at my response.

A few minutes later, we arrived at our two-story apartment. I gently shook Nick awake. With a groan, he stretched his legs and looked around, still half-asleep.

"Oh, we're here!" he said, his eyes finally clearing.

I carefully stepped out of the car and stretched my legs, followed by the three guys. As I walked to the trunk to help Nick with the bags, I noticed that Michael and Rafail were quietly surveying the surroundings, as if assessing the area.

Once inside the apartment, Michael and Rafail stood by the door, observing the exterior, while I headed to the living room. "Arwen, can you make an order? Choose the fastest option, okay?" Nick requested.

"Sure," I replied, placing my bag on the sofa. I pulled out my phone and began browsing for food options. Just then, Rafail emerged from the door. I asked him, "What would you like? Rice and dishes, Chinese food, or some burgers?"

"I'll have some rice and dishes," Rafail replied, heading to the sink to wash his hands. I nodded and made a note of his preference. I saw Michael settle onto the sofa, clearly ready to relax.

I grabbed my own bags and headed to my room, ordering the food while setting up my space. The familiar routine of settling into a new place offered a small measure of comfort, even amidst the whirlwind of the day. As the food delivery was confirmed, I felt a sense of relief, knowing that soon we'd be able to relax and enjoy a meal together.

Nick emerged from his room, carrying his bag. "Arwen, I'll be sleeping in your room. Michael and Rafail will stay for a week. We have some business to take care of too," he said, before turning to Michael and Rafail lounging in the living room. "So we have a separate mattress. You decide who gets the mattress, okay?" He smirked before heading back to his room.

Michael and Rafail exchanged a glance and simultaneously said, "BED!" Their eagerness made me chuckle.

I went to the kitchen to prepare some plates, feeling the lingering fatigue from the long drive. The presence of Michael and Rafail, even in their quiet vigilance, added a layer of security. Despite the uncertainty of what lay ahead, their presence made me feel like we were in good company and that we could find our footing once again in this new chapter of our lives.