SWNOVELS Chapter 2366
The night had already enveloped the quaint town, casting it into a serene darkness illuminated only by the shimmering lights that gave the place a magical glow. By the riverbank, a bonfire had been lit on the lawn, drawing in over a hundred people who had decided to stick around for the bonfire party. Estelle and her friends were seated together, sharing laughs over the day's amusing encounters. Charlie had taken Kya back to the hotel for a nap in the afternoon, and now Kya was full of energy, running around the lawn with a pinwheel, making friends, and having the time of her life. Some folks were grilling burgers, others were dancing, and a few strummed their guitars by the fire, singing along.
The bonfire blazed fiercely, echoing the lively spirit of the crowd as they savored the last bit of freedom at the festival's end. Magdalen had somehow procured two cups of plum wine, sneakily handing one to Estelle with a whispered piece of advice, "Drink up, but no kissing." Estelle was momentarily taken aback before she burst into laughter, catching on to the joke.
Carson arrived with a heap of barbecue for everyone. Magdalen teased Marina, saying, "Someone's trying to win you over with your favorites, watch out!" Marina, with her arm casually thrown over Carson's shoulder, laughed it off, "No worries, we're just buddies now, drinking and eating pals!" Carson looked at the arm on his shoulder and chuckled, "Drinking and eating pals? Are you teasing me or yourself?" Marina's eyes sparkled, "Well, we've shared drinks and meals, so that's exactly what we are!" Carson, at a loss for words, clinked his beer against hers and took a big gulp. Indeed, their camaraderie had grown over the past few days, not in a romantic sense but more towards being "drinking and eating" buddies.
Someone was playing the guitar and singing. Sylvia hummed along softly, her voice barely above a whisper, but Gabriel heard her and turned, "Didn't know you could sing." Sylvia smiled at him, "Not as well as you." Her eyes were mesmerizing, pure and gentle when she wasn't smiling, but absolutely captivating when she did, lighting up the world around her. Gabriel smiled back, "You sing beautifully, keep going." "No, I'll stop," Sylvia shook her head. "Why?" he asked. With a soft look, Sylvia said, "If you sing 'Faith' in full, I'll keep singing for you." Gabriel paused, their eyes locked across the glowing flames, his gaze deepening. Sylvia didn't press him, instead, she leaned against his shoulder, continuing to softly sing along with the guitar:
To thaw the ice for you,
To be the moth to your flame, Nothing is unworthy...
The air was warm, hinting at the arrival of spring with its fresh scent. The party went on till 10 PM, with everyone still buzzing with energy, nobody wanting to leave. Gabriel's phone rang, and he stepped away to take the call. Watching him go, Magdalen asked Sylvia, "We're heading back to J City tomorrow. What about you? Staying in C City?" Sylvia smiled softly, "No, I'm also returning tomorrow." "And what about you and Gabriel?" Magdalen probed, eyebrow raised. The sparks between them were undeniable, and she doubted they'd easily part ways. Gazing at the bonfire, Sylvia's eyes softened further, "I think he'll come back to C City. And if he misses me, he'll find his way to J City too."