Have you ever been with someone who wasn't a friend, but an acquaintance of one? The awkward instances when you couldn't utter a single word? Because that's precisely the kind of mess I've found myself in.

I looked out the window at the world around me. Dyed in a dreary tint, the city seemed to be as busy as usual. Ben, as quiet as I was, pressed the break as soon as the light turned red.

Compared to the last time I was in this limousine, I stood in the front seat. By the time I realized that fact, it was already too late. I just kept my trap shut and went along with it, bearing with the discomfort I felt by standing near the chauffeur since I didn't want to bother him more than I already had...

This is all your fault, Reyna. I thought at the back of my head.

She was undoubtedly laughing in her mind as she sent that message, picturing the mess she'd put me through. All I could do was acknowledge my own mistakes and regret ever making fun of her. Only now did I realize how cruel she could be.

I was a bit worried about her future relationships with others. I've experienced firsthand the malice she was capable of. Humanity should be thankful she didn't have an interest in the Guild's affairs. Because I felt that way for sure.

"I was surprised to see a message from Reyna," said the aged gentleman, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. "She never does that."

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Ben."

He merely raised his shoulders as he responded, "Not a problem. I've been driving those kids around ever since they were able to walk. No, even before that now that I think about it. Another child to be worried about isn't something I can't handle. And unlike Connor, you know how to conduct yourself."

"I'm an adult," I tried to refute.

And I've been responsible for myself even before I turned into one. My age hardly mattered. It became just another number. A way to identify. I couldn't even remember when it was the last time I celebrated it.

My answer only made him chuckle before he asked, "What difference does that make? Although I hate to say it out loud, I'm still old enough to be your grandfather either way. A few years are irrelevant."

"How can you say that so casually?"

We barely knew each other. I couldn't understand why or how he opened up so easily to me.

"Oh, I'm sorry if I caused you any discomfort," he apologized as the light turned green. The vehicle took off as he added, "Connor and Reyna talk a lot about you, but I imagine they wouldn't bring up an old man like me in your presence..."

It was a pity he didn't know what was the actual case. I could tell those siblings adored the chauffeur beside me just by the way they talked about him.

"That's not the case. Those two spoke about you just a while back. I doubt you would be satisfied with the reason why, though."

"Could you tell me?" questioned the chauffeur, who couldn't quite believe me yet.

"Connor wanted you to run over someone," I admitted, having no choice but to spell out the truth. I couldn't stand seeing him so gloomy.

"Of course, he'd come up with something like that." Ben nodded, a weirdly content grin visible on his face. Now I was certain he was well aware of Connor's outbursts. "What about Reyna?"

"Didn't she contact you?"

And she was also the one who threw me into this awkward drive, but I'd rather not say it out loud.

"I supposed I wouldn't mind running over someone if they were to ask..."

I shifted my weight away from him. That was a terrifying statement. I'd rather not be a part of any homicide. I still had a future that I worked hard to achieve.

"That was only a joke." He laughed it off (which was even scarier). "If possible, I'd prefer to avoid getting involved in any accidents. I wouldn't be able to stand it if something happened to this beauty."

That's good to know. It was reassuring to learn that I wasn't in a limousine with a lunatic.

"You can stop here," I said as I recognized the area around us. "Thanks for the drive, Ben. You're a lifesaver."

Despite my discomfort, I couldn't deny that it was because of him I managed to arrive earlier than expected.

"Not a problem, Gray. It was my pleasure. Oh, and—"

I leaned my elbow on the window's frame and asked, "And?"

"You may not realize it, but those siblings have been flung around in a political world since birth," he mumbled, his gaze piercing right through me. "They never got to spend their childhood as other people did. In any case, meeting you was most likely the best thing that ever happened to them."

I didn't know what to say. Our encounter was, at best, coincidental. They happened to be in my neighborhood at the time, and we got along quite well. Things have gradually developed from that point onward.

I'd never given it any thought before. Things just happened the way they did, and I didn't have a reason to question any of it.

"They would've been okay even without me, Ben," I grumbled.

Even if we hadn't met, I was confident that everything would have worked out just fine for them. The exact reverse might be said about me. Without them, I probably wouldn't be breathing right now.

He nodded, thinking about the prospect. "Perhaps, but they ran into you, Gray. And they are today the way they are due to your influence."

I could say the same in return. It's because of them that I've become the person I am today. Even if I had the chance, I wouldn't alter a thing.

"Yeah..."

"Take my words as the rumbles of an elderly driver," he added with a sigh. "But please take care of them. They're good kids, Gray. Those siblings deserve a lot more than they currently have."

I nodded in response to Ben's earnest request. He looked content with that. I knew I'd get along well with the elderly man in the future.

I strode away, unable to wipe off the silly grin written all over my face.

It was nice to know those two were cared for by someone other than myself.