Alpha Kilian looked at Dave and narrowed his eyes. “When did you become so shameless?”
“Well, I learned it from you after you came,” Dave replied.
Alpha Kilian could always find a way to retort, “Do you think Nelly will believe you when you say that? Let me tell you. She's rational and won't be easily instigated by others.”
“How about giving it a try?” Dave raised his eyebrows and took out his phone. “I'll just send her a message.”
Seeing him take out his phone, seemingly about to send a message, Alpha Kilian immediately gave in. “Okay. You win.”
Dave, sitting in the chair, gently leaned against the table. “Oh my. How could the once famous J admit defeat so easily?”
Alpha Kilian was unfazed by his words, though. “You have my weakness in the palm right from the start. How could I not admit it?”
Dave looked at him. It was evident that he was genuinely happy from the bottom of his heart. It's not all bad. Zavier is gone, and I... A hint of obscurity flashed across his eyes. Anyway, he was contented that at least one of the three of them was happy.
“All right. This bottle of wine is considered mine now,” Dave said before pouring himself half a glass.
Alpha Kilian, sitting opposite him, sized him up. “Go ahead and drink by yourself. Let's see how you enjoy drinking alone.”
“Jealous People always say such words. Nah. Even if this is just a normal wine, I enjoy such a feeling of winning.”
“Fine. I'll let you win. After all, I've already achieved success in both love and career. I'll just take pity on a poor thing like you.”
“Thanks to you then.”
And so, two thirty-year-old men continued to play such childish “games” there. After a while, both of them quieted down.
“Great it would be if Zavier were still here,” Alpha Kilian turned to Dave.
“I know you've always felt guilty about this, but some things should be left in the past. I mouth curved into a bitter sentence was indeed enough to say,” Dave replied.
“But those who survived were the ones who suffered,” Alpha Kilian said, as guilty as before as he knew the relationship between him and Zavier very well. If the one in trouble were him, Zavier would already had someone to protect, the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. “Let's not talk about this anymore and discuss the plan instead. How much longer until the event starts?”
“Two more days, and it should be enough time for us to figure out a way to avoid any more trouble. But the problem is, more and more people have no idea what's going on. I'm worried that if this continues, our people won't be able to take it anymore.”
“Don't worry about that. I have faith in them. As long as you have endurance,” Dave looked at him. “Don't worry about that. If you don't even bother to pretend to be polite, this is just a drop in the ocean. Besides, who said that Alpha Morris isn't poor and miserable before you?”
“You'd become so sarcastic,” Alpha Kilian said. But he soon realized something was wrong with his words and immediately corrected himself, “It's not a girlfriend but just a female friend.”
“Well, I always thought that if you hadn't focused on dating and paid more attention to your career, you'd already achieved more success,” Dave said. But he soon realized something was wrong with his words and immediately corrected himself, “It's not just about career success. It's about what makes you happy.”
“It's hard for one to find true happiness nowadays,” Alpha Kilian said.
“Yes, but I found mine,” Dave said with a smile.
Alpha Kilian looked at him. “What else should I say? I'm only asking because you never mentioned it before.”
Dave nodded at him sympathetically. “That's fine. I forget to tell you that we're getting married. You have to attend our wedding.”
“You can't afford to get into trouble. You have a family, a loved one, and children. There are many happy days ahead of you. Unlike me, I'm single!” Dave looked at Alpha Kilian.
“So you have already decided to sacrifice yourself, huh?” Alpha Kilian asked, staring at him.
“No. Of course, I want to stay alive and live well. It's just that I'm afraid that something else might happen,” Dave immediately explained.
“When did having no family become the standard for sacrifice?” Alpha Kilian asked. There was a trace of gloom on his aloof and pale features. “Dave, you should understand that this is my matter. Even if anything happens, I'll be the one to take care of the consequences, not you.”
“Of course I know that, but it's not just about you anymore. It's about DX Group and the lives and safety of many others now,” said Dave.
Alpha Kilian, however, was not buying it at all and stared at him coldly. “There's no need for you to put it that way. If you already have such a thought, I can immediately tell you the plan is on hold now. I don't need you, and I certainly don't need DX Group either!”
“Without DX Group and me, how do you help Nelly get the antidote?” Dave questioned.
“Even if I have to break in there alone and kill him, I'll get the antidote back no matter what!” said Alpha Kilian.
Dave looked at Alpha Kilian with his deep eyes. He knew that the latter was a man of his word.
After hesitating for a while, he looked at Alpha Kilian and said, “What I'm trying to say is 'what if.' Do you understand? What if something beyond our control happens? None of us want to sacrifice ourselves. I still want to live a long life.”
Alpha Kilian, however, remained silent.
That was because Dave's words had already touched his nerve.
In fact, he had been worried all the time ever since he got Dave involved in the matter. Such words of Dave were undoubtedly making him wary.
“Why are you so anxious now?” Dave put one hand on the former's shoulder and said, looking at his friend's face. “The problem has already cleared up. It wasn't your fault, and you should move on. Don't push yourself too hard or take everything so seriously. If you need anything in the future, just let me know.”
“I don't need anyone's help,” Alpha Kilian wanted to refute, but he admitted that it was not his fault, he just felt embarrassed.
“Don't worry. I will live well and even live longer than you. I want to see you holding your grandchildren with my own eyes,” Dave replied with a smile. “But remember, your grandchildren must also regard me as their grandpa. Even if we're dead, we are still a family.”
Alpha Kilian was at a loss for words as he looked at Dave and did not know how to respond. The realization that he always knew how much Dave cared for him made him feel warm inside.
“This is too much.” Alpha Kilian said. “I didn't expect you to be like this.”
Dave smiled at him. “I'm your friend. What else should I do?”
“Then I won't say anything. But don't forget, I said I want to be buried with you!” He turned his head away and seemed to realize something suddenly. “Oh, that's true. Since you already have someone you love, how could you be willing to bury me with you?”
“I don't know,” Dave said with a smile. “But I'm sure I'll think of something.”
Alpha Kilian looked at Dave one more time and said, “You're still the same after all these years.”
“And so are you,” Dave replied. “Now let's stop talking about sad things and enjoy our wine. We're still young, and life is beautiful.”
Alpha Kilian nodded, and the two friends continued to enjoy their wine together, talking about their past and future, hoping that they could face anything together.