306. Thoughts, far from innocence

"Happy?" he asked, pulling out a cigarette. Jemma stood shyly beside him, her gaze fixed on the dancing aurora.

"Thank you," she said. To thaw her anger that seemed meaningless now, he had taken her on a long and challenging drive to this mesmerizing place. Was she truly that special to him?

With this single gesture of his, all her grievances dissipated. She witnessed the aurora and shared a lengthy drive with him, and her anger transformed into happiness. She looked down, a bashful smile playing on her lips.

"You wanted to see it, right? Feast your eyes, 'cause we're heading back to Vento City soon," he said, taking a deep drag on his cigarette.

"Is the job done here?" she asked, eyeing him.

"Don't sweat the details. Just focus on keeping that smile on your face," he replied.

Jemma gulped, "Why though?"

"Because I like seeing you happy. And if there's ever a reason for those eyes to well up, I'll make damn sure it disappears," he said, flicking ash and taking another puff. Jemma coul