**Chapter 12**

**Ethan's POV**

As we finished our grocery shopping, we headed to Keilen and Emily's home. Since Julia expressed it would be better to tell them in person and early, I couldn't help but smile at how cute her naivety was about that couple.

Their place was quiet since Keilen's parents were babysitting Mason. They often missed their grandson, especially since Keilen's two older sisters had only daughters.

We found Keilen and Emily cozily nestled in the media room, watching a movie. They were still wrapped in a blanket when the butler led us in, and they paused the movie. They held surprise in their eyes at our presence.

"What are you guys doing here so early?" Keilen asked, his voice bright and curious. He glanced at the large clock on the wall. "It's only after 4 PM."

"Change of plans," I announced, causing Keilen to furrow his brows in confusion. I pointed at Julia, signaling her to explain.

"What change of plans?" Emily questioned as she leaned off Keilen's shoulder, looking between us with a brow raised.

As expected, the questions and curiosity can be overwhelming, so in-person conversations aren't always my favorite. I'm surprised they aren't angry. But Julie held a bright smile adorning her lips.

"We're going to have the competition at Alex and Sophia's," Julia said enthusiastically, her eyes filled with excitement.

"Who are Alex and Sophia?" they both asked, their eyebrows raised in surprise, clearly hinting at more information.

I knew they wanted confirmation, but it only could be them. We don't know any couples by those names. It was only a matter of time for them to figure it out.

"You know," Julia stammered, vaguely gesturing as if it were obvious.

They maintained oblivious, "The ones from the reunion," Julia offered.

"Why?" Emily asked, her tone wary, concern etched on her face. As she looked at me, I smiled to ease her worry.

"Are you sure this is a good idea," Keilen questioned, his face searching as he looked at me for something disdain maybe. I could see the hesitation in his eyes, the protective instinct kicking in.

"Yeah, it will save us from having to clean up," Julia joked, trying to lighten the mood, smiling at me for support, which I obliged.

"It will be fun. Besides, Alex kept begging us to come," I interjected, trying to convey my willingness to play nice despite my skepticism about them.

The truth was, I was doing this more for Julia's sake than anything else. I didn't want to be rude when she had already confirmed.

"I think it's a bad idea," Keilen stated his voice firm. "How did you even get near them?"

"They're moving back to town for work, and we ran into them while grocery shopping," I interjected, leaning against their doorframe. I deliberately ignored Keilen's statement and answered his question. "It was a bit of a surprise, to be honest."

"They're moving back? Wow," Keilen muttered, shocked. "Damn, that's messed up."

"No, it's a free country," I replied, trying to add humor to the situation.

"Maybe it would be fun. It will stop me from cleaning up after you messy cooks, and I still get free food," Emily quipped optimistically, trying to see the bright side. It was surprising to see her supportive nature because she usually likes her way.

I couldn't help but laugh at the fact she didn't need to worry about cleaning, given they had a chef who handled the kitchen duties. Still, I appreciated her effort to make the situation better.

"Fine, we'll drive with you so I can get a chauffeur," Keilen compromised reluctantly with a forced smile.

"Besides, that may be the only way I leave early without Em getting distracted," he teased, earning a playful slap from Emily.

"I know the appropriate time to leave. Besides, I have to be at the hospital early," Emily retorted, a playful glint in her eyes.

"I thought you started working at 1 PM tomorrow," Julia chimed with a smile.

"That's not early, Em," I joked, making Keilen nod in agreement.

"It's early enough," she insisted.

"You know what, get out of my house so I can get ready before I strangle you all." She got up from their movie chair, brushing past us on purpose as she walked by, her playful bump making us laugh.

"As a doctor who's supposed to save lives, that doesn't sound safe to me," Keilen quipped. I couldn't help but smirk.

"Don't entertain them, Keilen, you live here," she warned, a smile tugging at her lips.

"I know, babe, just making sure Mase has his mom here, not in prison," he offered, glancing at her as she walked away. We bade our farewells until later when we'd pick them up.

As we left Keilen and Emily's place, the laughter from our playful banter lingered in the air. The evening was setting in, casting long shadows on the quiet streets.

Julia and I made our way back to my house to get ready, the anticipation of the night ahead weighing on my mind. I glanced over at Julia, her excitement palpable. It was infectious, and despite my reservations, I felt a flicker of hope that the evening might turn out better than expected.

We spent the next hour freshening up and preparing for the night. Julia picked out a casual yet chic outfit, her energy filling the room as she moved around, deciding on the perfect look. I chose something comfortable but presentable, my mind replaying the earlier conversation with Keilen and Emily.

I couldn't shake the feeling of walking into unfamiliar territory, but Julia's enthusiasm was enough to keep me going. As we finished getting ready, we shared a brief moment of reassurance—a silent agreement that we were in this together.

Returning to Keilen and Emily's, excitement and nervousness filled the car. The groceries we had bought earlier rattled softly in the back seat as we drove. Keilen and Emily squeezed in, grumbling about the groceries taking up space in the backseat.

"We're super late," I offered to stop the jabbing about the grocery near them.

"Hey, no smart remarks. My wife doesn't naturally look this good. It takes work and time," Keilen said his tone light.

"Yes, I naturally look good. I was freshening up," Emily remarked, though it had taken her an extra 30 minutes after we arrived to finish.

She shot Keilen a glance that said speaking more wouldn't do anyone good. Julia and I laughed, the tension easing as we made our way to Alex and Sophia's home.

As we approached their home, it was magnificent but subtle. It was only a two-story home, not the extravagant place I had imagined. It wasn't as fancy as Keilen and Emily's house. The windows reflected the setting sun, and the front garden was immaculate. Alex was outside waiting for us at the entrance; the gate man had informed him of our arrival.

"You can park in the garage," Alex stated as he opened the garage.

As I pulled into the garage, everyone began to whistle. My eyes wandered over the impressive lineup of vehicles. There were two Ferraris and a Lamborghini, their sleek designs and powerful engines momentarily capturing my attention. These cars were a testament to wealth and status, but they were not what held my gaze.

Then, amidst the luxury, I spotted them: the two Mercedes G-Wagons. They were Sophia's pride during our high school years, gifts from her parents that she cherished dearly. I remembered the excitement in her voice when she first drove them, eager to share her world with me.

Beside the G-Wagons were the BMW sports cars, symbols of Sophia's passion for performance. She loved challenging me on the road, her eyes gleaming with determination as we raced through the streets with me and my old faithful Mustang. I am still currently driving and never quite understood the hype of a new vehicle every year, but Sophia was beyond happy.

There, at the end of the row, was the Rolls Royce. It was the last car Sophia owned before she disappeared from my life. Seeing it again stirred a mix of emotions within me.

These were reminders of our past, of the love and adventure we once shared. The cars were nearly spotless, including the tires gleaming. There was also a Range Rover Jeep that looked recently driven. The garage held a lot of space as I exited my car. It showed more cars were coming.

"Welcome to our humble abode," Alex said with a grin.

"This is far from humble with all those cars when you only have two hands," Emily remarked, which was amusing since her home had plenty of rooms and space.

Entering the house, a foyer of grandeur and warmth, its high ceilings adorned with elegant chandeliers greeted us. The marble floors reflected the soft lighting, giving the space a warm glow.

My thoughts wandered back to the days with Sophia, remembering the joy and excitement in her eyes whenever she got a new car. I pushed those memories aside, focusing on the present.

I was doing this for Julia, to make her happy. It was a small price to pay for the love and companionship she brought into my life. I hoped the evening would be smooth despite the lingering tension.