...

At the park, the evening unfolded with an air of excitement as Zastan and the girls began exploring the various food stalls and activities scattered around. The park was alive with the hum of people enjoying the night, the soft glow of the lights casting everything in a warm, inviting hue.

The group started by grabbing some snacks from a food stall that served all sorts of street delicacies. Zastan bit into a skewer of grilled meat while Elara and Amara shared a plate of barbeque. Fiz and Fiona, meanwhile, laughed over a basket of fries.

The air smelled of spices, sweets, and everything comforting. They were all relaxing, enjoying each other's company after the initial awkwardness from earlier.

"How are you liking the food?" Elara asked with a playful smile, her eyes shining under the park lights.

Zastan smiled, leaning back on a park bench. "I'm impressed. Didn't expect to find such good food at a park stall. You all come here often?"

Fiz nodded enthusiastically. "Whenever we get the chance. The mini-games here are fun too! We should check them out later."

Amara added, "Yeah, it's a nice break from our usual busy schedules."

As they sat there, chatting and laughing, Zastan couldn't help but notice that these girls weren't your average group of friends. There was something different about them, something in the way they carried themselves. It didn't take long for him to figure out why.

"Amara," Zastan began casually, "You mentioned your family has a business, right?"

Amara chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "You could say that. My father runs a small company called Arcadia Ventures."

Zastan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What kind of business is it?"

"Arcadia Ventures is involved in renewable energy projects, construction, and large-scale real estate development. We're building the infrastructure for the future," Elara explained, her tone casual but filled with pride. "My father has been expanding internationally for years, and I'm getting more involved as the eldest daughter."

Zastan whistled softly, impressed. "Wow, and, you call it small??"

Amara smiled, slightly bashful. "Well... If you compared it to other companies, it is still considered small."

Before Zastan could respond, Elara chimed in. "That's nothing compared to what my family handles."

Zastan turned to her, curious. "Oh? And what does your family do?"

Elara leaned back against the bench, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "We're part of one of the major families in the nation's capital. Our assets total over 10 trillion dollars. My great-grandfather started a financial empire that has grown into a conglomerate spanning multiple industries like banks, telecommunications, and even aerospace."

Zastan blinked in surprise, trying to wrap his head around the sheer scale of what Amara had just casually mentioned. "Ten trillion dollars?" he repeated, stunned.

Elara laughed at his reaction. "Yeah, it sounds crazy when you say it out loud. But it's been in the family for generations."

"That's incredible," Zastan remarked, still processing. "So, you both come from some pretty powerful families."

Fiz, not wanting to be left out, jumped in with a grin. "And I'm not just the daughter of a regular guy either! My dad's the mayor of Luminae."

Zastan turned to Fiz, surprised. "The mayor?"

"Yep! He's been in office for over a decade. He's worked on transforming Luminae into the city it is today. It's his pride and joy," Fiz said proudly. "I've learned a lot from watching him manage the city. It's no small feat."

Zastan chuckled. "Looks like I'm hanging out with the city's top elites."

Fiona, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke up. "Well, I guess that leaves me," she said with a wry smile. "My family's not into business or politics. We're in the military through and through. My grandfather's a high-ranking officer, and our family has deep roots in the military."

Zastan turned to Fiona, intrigued. "Military? That's just as impressive."

Fiona shrugged modestly. "It's a different kind of power. Like my father has served in several high-profile operations, and the military is practically a part of our family legacy. It's just the way things are for us."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Zastan leaned back, taking it all in. Each of these girls came from backgrounds that were far from ordinary. They were all deeply connected to power, wealth, and influence. And yet, here they were, laughing and enjoying the simple pleasures of a park night like anyone else.

...

As the night continued, they wandered deeper into the park, eventually making their way to an area with mini-games and carnival-style attractions. The colorful lights of the booths lit up the dark night, and the sounds of people playing and cheering filled the air.

"Alright, who's ready to try some games?" Zastan asked, clapping his hands together. The girls giggled, and they all eagerly agreed.

Their first stop was a ring toss game. Zastan stepped up to the challenge, picking up the rings and tossing them toward the bottles lined up on the stand. His aim was off at first, earning some playful laughs from the girls.

"Come on, Zastan! You got this!" Elara cheered, her voice teasing but encouraging.

Zastan grinned, determined to win. He took a deep breath, focused, and threw the next ring with precision. It landed perfectly on one of the bottles, earning him a small stuffed bear as a prize.

"See? Told you I'd get it," he said with a wink, handing the bear to Elara.

They moved on to the next game—whack-a-mole. This time, Amara and Fiz stepped up to the challenge, their competitive sides showing as they grabbed the mallets.

"You're going down," Amara teased as she positioned herself at the game station.

Fiz smirked. "We'll see about that."

The game started, and they both began whacking away at the moles popping up on the screen. It was a close match, but Fiz ended up with the higher score, much to Amara's mock frustration.

"Rematch!" Amara declared, laughing as Fiz smugly claimed victory.

As the night wore on, the group continued to play more games, sharing jokes and stories in between. They tried everything from balloon darts to a shooting gallery, and even indulged in some cotton candy and popcorn along the way.

The laughter flowed freely, and the tension from earlier in the night was long gone. Zastan felt a genuine connection with the girls, not because of their backgrounds, but because of how down-to-earth they were despite of everything they have.

...

Eventually, they made their way to the fountain. The colorful lights danced along with the streams of water, creating a mesmerizing display. People gathered around to watch, but the group found a quiet spot nearby to sit and enjoy the view.

Zastan couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over him as they watched the water rise and fall in perfect harmony with the music playing in the background.

"This was a good idea," Elara said softly, looking over at Zastan. "Thanks for inviting us."

Zastan smiled warmly. "I'm glad you're all having fun."

They had found a quiet bench near the fountain, the lights reflecting off the water in mesmerizing colors. The music softly played in the background, and the group sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the moment.

Amara sat on his left, and Elara on his right. As the gentle breeze blew through the park, Zastan felt a small movement on his hand.

At first, he didn't think much of it, but then he realized that Amara had quietly slipped her hand into his left, holding it gently. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, but she was looking straight ahead, her face calm and composed as if nothing had happened but her face cheeks was slightly flushed.

On his right, he suddenly felt the same thing. Elara, without saying a word, had also reached out, intertwining her fingers with his. Zastan chuckled inwardly, finding the situation amusing. Neither of the girls seemed to notice what the other was doing, yet here they both were, each holding his hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

He didn't pull away. Instead, Zastan squeezed their hands softly, acknowledging the silent gestures. He felt both girls' hands tighten around his in response.

The silence grew more charged, and after a moment, Zastan felt Amara shift slightly beside him. She cleared her throat softly, her voice quiet but sincere. "Zastan, I've been wanting to tell you something..."

Zastan turned to her, noticing how she was avoiding his gaze, staring at the fountain instead. Her grip on his hand tightened as she continued, her words barely audible. "I... I like you. More than just as a friend."

Zastan felt a small jolt of surprise but remained calm, offering her a reassuring smile. "Amara..."

Before he could finish, Elara spoke up from his right side, her voice just as soft but filled with determination. "Zastan, I've been feeling the same. Ever since that day, I've started to like you too."

Zastan blinked, surprised again as Elara squeezed his hand a little harder. Both girls had just confessed to him, unknowingly, at the same time.

For a moment, the only sound around them was the soft splash of the fountain in the background, mixed with the distant hum of people in the park. Zastan felt the sincerity of their words, and yet, all he could do was sit there, their hands still in his, as he tried to figure out how to respond to this unexpected moment.

Amara finally turned her head, meeting Zastan's eyes. "I know it's complicated... but I couldn't hide it any longer."

Elara nodded, her expression calm but her eyes revealing the emotions behind her confession. "Me neither."

Before Zastan could even process the situation, Fiz, who had been sitting quietly on the other side, suddenly stood up. She crossed her arms and looked directly at him, her voice louder and more confident than the others. "You know what? I like you too, Zastan. I wasn't going to say anything, but since we're all being honest here... why not?"

Zastan blinked in surprise, not expecting the boldness from Fiz. Her usual playful attitude was replaced by a more serious expression, and it was clear that her confession was just as heartfelt as the others.

Fiona, who had been the quietest of the group, finally spoke up. "It's not fair to keep this in any longer." She shifted uncomfortably. She sighed deeply before meeting Zastan's eyes. "I've liked you too, ever since that day. I just... didn't know how to say it."

Zastan, now holding both Elara and Amara's hands, was caught between disbelief and amusement. Here he was, sitting at a park bench, and all four girls had just confessed their feelings for him. The moment felt surreal. The fountain's soft, rhythmic splashes continued in the background, but the air between them was thick with emotions.

...