Chapter 579

Chapter 579:

He could have chosen to stay. But Clement, with a resolute shake of his head, dismissed the thought instantly. In his heart, the choice was clear as day: between the arcade and Fernanda, she was his unwavering pick. He felt certain that with her around, he would never be without a home, no matter where their journey led.

Fernanda glanced at the bank card clasped in Clement’s hand, her mind swiftly replaying the tapestry of trials and triumphs they had navigated together. A gentle smile played on her lips as she pushed the card back toward him, her fingers brushing his. “Keep it. I have all I need.”

“This money belongs to you,” Clement asserted. “You were the one who launched the arcade, so it’s only right that the proceeds from its sale go to you. How could we possibly justify taking it?”

“They sold it and I’m grateful,” Fernanda replied, giggling. “You’ve been running this place for the last few years. Think of this as compensation for all the dedication and sweat you’ve poured into it. Are you still setting boundaries between us after all this time?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Not a chance.”

“No way.”

The boys in the room frantically shook their heads, eager to deny any awkwardness. “Then please, accept it,” Fernanda insisted with a laugh. “I can’t bear the thought of you going hungry in Esaham because you’re low on cash.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Clement murmured, a slight smile crossing his lips. “We’ve managed to put aside a bit of our own money as well.”

Fernanda’s eyes twinkled with approval, and her laughter filled the room. However, Clement’s smile gradually waned, replaced by a look of concern.

“Fernanda,” he began hesitantly, his voice tinged with uncertainty, “now that you have a boyfriend, do you still want us in your life?”

After Clement voiced his question, the other boys shifted their attention to Fernanda, their expressions mirroring his apprehension. Fernanda’s laughter came to an abrupt halt.

“How could that be?” she asked, shaking her head. “You guys are practically my family.”

Clement’s face still showed worry, his eyes drooping like those of a disheartened puppy. “There are so many people in Esaham, and you’re bound to make new friends. What if you eventually forget about us?”

“I won’t,” Fernanda assured him, gently ruffling his hair. “Sure, I have new friends, but you all are my family. Actually, when I’m in Esaham, I feel like a fish out of water. Even staying at my dad’s place, I feel like an outsider. When loneliness hits, I end up staring at Hiram’s picture. But with you guys around, it’ll be a whole different story.”

Clement’s mood visibly brightened. He grinned, revealing slightly crooked teeth. “Now that you put it that way, we can breathe a little easier!”

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