Chapter 191 Fireworks
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Fmished
Ava raised her brows playfully. “The tour guide mentioned earlier that we can see fireworks tonight from the riverside, not far from here–Riverside Road, I think it’s called. I checked the map. It’s really close. How about we go see them later? What do you think?”
Mason gave a small nod. “Let’s grab dinner somewhere near the riverside and catch the fireworks show after.”
“Sounds good. Give me a few minutes–I’ll go change.”
With that, Ava disappeared into the bedroom and gently shut the door behind her.
Mason finally relaxed into the couch, leaning back like all the seriousness had drained out of him. He looked nothing like the calm, composed man from moments ago. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he kept his eyes fixed on her door.
A few minutes later, Ava emerged dressed for winter combat. She’d swapped outfits and now wore a thick, full–length down coat that nearly brushed her ankles.
She wrapped a chunky scarf around her neck, pulled a hat over her ears, and only then opened the door. Mason hadn’t moved, still sitting exactly where she’d left him.
“Let’s go,” she called cheerfully.
Mason looked at her bundled–up form–she looked like a walking duvet. Much more wrapped up than she’d been during the day. He chuckled. “Wow, this might be the most layers I’ve ever seen you wear.”
“I adapt to my environment,” she said with mock pride.
“Riverside Road isn’t far. Want to walk there?” Ava’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him, her voice soft, almost coaxing.
He found himself caught in that gaze again–those eyes, large and bright, always carrying some unspoken emotion. Even a casual glance from her could stir something deep inside him, let alone now, when she was looking up at him so intently.
If she’d asked him to dive into the freezing depths of the river, he probably would’ve agreed without a second thought.
“Sure, let’s walk.” Mason reached for her hand.
The riverside wasn’t too crowded. As they strolled, Ava took in the city lights with quiet wonder. Then she turned to Mason and asked, “What’s winter like on Capitol Planet? Does it snow a lot?”
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Chapter 191 Fireworks
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Mason glanced down at the footprints they were leaving in the snow, stretching out in a quiet line behind them.
“There’s plenty of snow,” he said, eyes flicking back to hers. “Every few days, a new snowfall. You’d probably love it.”
Ava blew a puff of white breath into the cold air, her smile lighting up her whole face. “Thank you, Mason–for bringing me to Pluto to see snow.”
Her expression was so sincere, so quietly radiant, that Mason felt his breath catch for a second.
“Ava…” he murmured, almost involuntarily.
His hand reached out–but midway, he pulled back and instead brushed at the snow piled on top of a railing.
He started sketching something with his finger.
Soon, a tiny doodle of a cartoon cat took shape in the snow. He pointed at it. “Doesn’t that look like you?”
Ava frowned at the cat’s oversized head and squiggly ears. “How does that look like me? Do I look like a cat?”
Mason laughed. “A little. Especially when you get all fierce and flaily.”
She rolled her eyes. “You need to get your vision checked.”
Her
gaze
wandered—and then lit up. A little further down the path stood two snowmen, probably sculpted by some earlier passersby. The snowmen stood silently at the edge of the river, watching the neon reflections on the water like two quiet sentinels.
Without another word, Ava took off running toward them. What she didn’t see was the way Mason looked at her as she ran–like she was the only thing in the world worth seeing.
He followed slowly, keeping his hands in his coat pockets, until he reached her side.
Ava was practically glowing as she circled the snowmen, eyes full of wonder.
“Look at these!” she exclaimed. “They’re so detailed! Scarves, hats… Here, the eyes, the mouth, the little nose! And look–tree branches for arms!” She whipped out her phone and snapped a couple of quick photos.
They wandered along like that, stopping here and there, until twenty minutes later they reached their destination. Mason had picked a restaurant with sweeping views of the river—just the right spot to catch the fireworks. The moment they stepped in, a server greeted them and led them to a table by the window.
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Chapter 191 Fireworks
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Ava turned to the server. “Are you sure we’ll really see the fireworks from here?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the server said with a smile. “The view here is perfect. You’ll be able to enjoy the entire show while dining. And if you want a closer look, we also have an outdoor viewing deck right out there.”
That got Ava even more excited. Night had already fallen, and the city had transformed into a world of neon and starlight.
They hadn’t even finished their meal when the sky lit up with a sudden boom.
Boom!
A giant firework exploded across the night sky, scattering red and gold petals of light.
Ava gasped. “Wow!” She forgot all about her dinner, shot up from her chair, and rushed to the window with her hands pressed to the glass.
Most of the other diners–clearly tourists like them–followed suit. Some stood at their tables. Others poured outside to the viewing deck.
Mason leaned toward her. “Want to watch it outside?”
Ava nodded eagerly. He took her hand and led her out, shielding her from the jostling crowd. He was tall, broad–shouldered, and walked with such quiet command that, even in a crowd, Ava was wrapped in a bubble of calm–untouched by the chaos.
