Cameras flashed as Edward and his two sons waded through a throng of reporters, each vying for their attention.
Tyson squinted against the bright lights, his discomfort intensifying with each click. He deliberately avoided exposure, turning his face just enough to escape the relentless cameras.
"Damn, I hate these flashes," Tyson muttered under his breath as he slumped into his assigned seat in the chopper, his fingers running through his black hair.
Alex, however, remained as composed as ever. He leaned back, his gaze steady, casually rubbing his calf muscle.
Tyson noticed the movement from the corner of his eye and raised an eyebrow.
"You alright?" Tyson asked,
Alex's expression was stoic, yet his hand rested on his leg as if he were concealing something.
"Nothing," Alex replied effortlessly. His smile was relaxed, as though he remained unaffected by the chaos surrounding them.
Tyson leaned back, his fingers tapping anxiously against the seat.
"Get used to those flashes, my sons," Edward's booming voice shattered the silence. He chuckled, clearly comfortable with the attention. "You all are the next generation of this world, after all."
Tyson rolled his eyes, trying to suppress his unease. He had never liked being under scrutiny. But Alex… Alex seemed unbothered, as always. Tyson couldn't decide if he envied his brother's calmness or was irritated by it.
Edward's laughter filled the confined space of the chopper, yet Tyson couldn't shake the feeling that his father was relishing this a bit too much. Perhaps it was his way of transferring the responsibility, or maybe he just enjoyed the attention himself.
The ride to the Carver family's farmhouse was long, and Tyson felt the weight of his discomfort increasing with each passing mile. To make matters worse, the news of Rogers and Carver's family vacations reached the media before Tyson could tell Nancy about his leave.
Tyson shifted in his suit, stiff and unfamiliar, which clung to his body like a second skin. It was a far cry from the jeans and t-shirt he had grown accustomed to, making him feel more like a puppet than a person.
His father had insisted that this would be a simple, stress-free vacation—just the Roger family and the Carvers, with no politics, meetings, or demands. However, Tyson couldn't shake the feeling that it was all just a prelude to something more complicated, especially given how carefully the president had extended the invitation. Edward's assurances that there would be no official discussions were met with Tyson's skepticism.
The truth was that Tyson wasn't sure how to feel about the president. His father, Edward, had long been a figure of authority, someone invested in Elria's political landscape. However, Tyson wasn't as interested in politics as the adults appeared to be.
In the distance, the remnants of old human settlements stretched across the horizon like scars on the land. Crumbling buildings, their once-sturdy floors now reduced to jagged structures of rusted metal and cracked stone, told a silent tale of a forgotten earth. Some structures had partially caved in on themselves, the walls eroded by time, while others still stood in twisted, defiant silence.
These were the ruins of a past civilization, remnants of a time before everything changed. They appeared ancient, as if hundreds of years had passed since their decline.
But as the chopper climbed higher, Tyson's eyes were drawn to the opposite side of the hill and there, perched on the crest like a farmhouse—a striking contrast to the devastation below—its white walls gleamed in the sunlight, untouched by time.
The expansive property looked well-kept and guarded.
The chopper's engines whirred louder as it adjusted its course, hovering gently over the riverbed. Tyson's gaze lingered on the waterfall; the sight was almost slumberous before the pilot veered toward the vast area below.
Two helicopters were already parked in the vast field in the distance. The field was vast and open, dotted with patches of wildflowers and tall grasses that swayed in the breeze. It was a peaceful haven surrounded by hills and a river.
The farmhouse came into view, its silhouette peeking over the hill, lodged between the rolling green fields and the distant sound of the waterfall. The Carvers greeted them warmly, smiling.
With her bright eyes and effortless grace, Seraphina stood out among the rest. Her honey-toned skin added depth to her natural beauty, and when she smiled, her red lips curved slightly, revealing a hint of both mystery and charm.
Her mother, Liora, stood quietly beside her, a more reserved presence, and smiled silently.
"Ed!" President Edmund Carver exclaimed as he pulled Edward in for a bear hug, both men laughing heartily during their embrace. "Finally, you bless us with your presence."
Edward chuckled, returning the hug. "You're the one who's always too busy, Carver. And yes, as promised, I brought both of my sons along."
Seraphina, casually dressed yet radiantly, sidled up to Edward for a side hug. "How are you, my dear?"
"I'm fine, Uncle," Seraphina replied. She briefly glanced at Alex, locking eyes with him before turning her attention to Tyson, her smile broadening.
"Tyson, I've heard so much about you," she said, her voice playful.
"Likewise," Tyson replied, feeling the warmth of her presence. "You're even more beautiful than the pictures I saw with the president."
Seraphina's smile brightened, and she responded playfully, "Thanks! It's great to see you too, Alex."
"Same here," Alex said, his typical calm demeanor hardly revealing his interest. "Shall we get going?"
As the two families watched Seraphina and Alex lead the way to the house, Liora's chuckle echoed behind them. She shook her head with an amused smile as Tyson stood momentarily speechless, still processing the unexpected scene before him. Did he see Alex blushing?
----
The small boat swayed gently as they navigated into the heart of the river, its surface reflecting the afternoon sun's light.
The air was filled with the scent of lush greenery and the sound of water. Alex, Tyson, and Seraphina sat together, their fishing rods cast into the water as they quietly waited for a bite.
Seraphina pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail as her eyes flicked between Alex and Tyson.
"So," she began, filling the silence, "tell me, how are you two brothers doing?"
Alex responded immediately, "We're not brothers."
Tyson remained quiet, his gaze fixed on the water as he cast his line farther out. His jaw tightened slightly, but he avoided looking at Alex.
Seraphina, momentarily surprised, opened her mouth to speak, but Alex interrupted her before she could finish.
"Just leave it," he said. "That's how I feel."
Not looking up, Tyson muttered, "Yeah, just leave it. His thick skull won't understand a thing, even if you try to change his mind."
A tense silence hung between them; the only sound was the water rushing around them.
Seraphina attempted to lighten the mood by forcing a laugh, but it came off as too rehearsed. "Well, that's one way to put it."
Tyson glanced at her for a moment. "You're trying too hard."
Seraphina smirked and leaned back slightly, casting her gaze over the river as she said, "It's just... I don't know. You two are so... different. I was hoping you might get along."
The words hung in the air, but neither of the boys replied. Just when it seemed they might remain that way for a while, Seraphina suddenly yelped as her fishing rod jerked in her hands.
"Got one!" she exclaimed, excitedly tugging at the line. But the fish was more substantial than anticipated, pulling hard against her. The boat rocked dangerously as she fought to reel it in.
"I can't get it!" Seraphina grunted, pulling harder, but the fish was putting up a fight.
Alex glanced at Tyson before grabbing the rod from her hands. "I'll take care of it."
"Why?" Tyson replied, raising an eyebrow. "I grabbed the string first."
"I'm better at this," Alex said with a slight smirk, tightening his grip on the rod.
"Guys, just help me!" Seraphina begged, clearly in a panic now. "I swear, if this fish escapes because of you two, I'll throw you both into the water myself!"
"You heard her," Alex said, glancing at Tyson. "Let me handle this."
Tyson narrowed his eyes. "That's why I'm telling you to leave it to me," he retorted, pulling the string toward him with resolve.
But before either of them could gain a clear advantage, they both jerked in opposite directions, attempting to take control of the situation. The boat leaned dangerously, and before they realized it, all three were thrown off balance.
With a splash, the boat overturned, sending them plunging into the icy river.
Seraphina's laughter echoed above the splashing water as Tyson followed with an exaggerated groan.
Alex's expression barely registered any surprise. He exhaled sharply as he started swimming toward the shore, his clothes already weighing him down. "Of course," he muttered, pushing through the current.
Tyson wiped the water from his face. "Well, that was a disaster," he chuckled as he followed Alex toward the riverbank.
Seraphina, still laughing, swam a little ahead, her smile wide and playful. "Maybe next time, you'll work together."