After dinner
Thank you for the delicious dinner, Maddie. I really appreciate it.
No need to worry, kid. You're always welcome here. But it's getting late now. Let me ask Nico and Ronan to take you home. It's dangerous to walk outside at this hour."
Odalis smiled reassuringly.
No need to worry about it, Maddie. I can go on my own."
Maddie, however, was stubborn. She called out for Ronan and Nico.
"What, Mommy?" Ronan grinned as he came toward them from the living room.
"Take her home, Ronan. She wants to walk alone in the dark," Maddie insisted.
"Sure," Ronan replied.
Odalis hurriedly said, "No, no, don't worry about me. Miss Maddie, I'm really fine. There's no need to bother."
"Are you sure?" Ronan asked, his expression serious.
Maddie crossed her arms. "No, no. Don't make this complicated."
"What complicated?" Maddie frowned. "You silly girl, who knows what roams outside?"
Then, out of nowhere, Nico spoke up. "Yeah, she's right. I'll take you if you don't oppose it."
Odalis quickly shook her head. "No, no, thank you for your offer, but I'm fine, Maddie."
Maddie shot her a look. "Girl, just let him take you home. Ronan, you go too, just in case."
"Nico's car only has two seats," Ronan said, looking at Maddie with confusion.
"Then lay it down in the trunk," Maddie snapped angrily.
Ronan scratched his head, still confused. "Nico can go by himself, Mom, I don't think they needs me.
Maddie raised an eyebrow. "Call me when you get home, okay?"
Odalis nodded reluctantly. "Okay," she finally agreed, giving up on opposing Maddie. She didn't want to make this nice lady angry.
Nico spoke up again. "Please wait, I'll grab my car keys."
"Okay, then I'll wait outside."
Maddie's house was a little farther from downtown, but this was exactly the kind of place Odalis liked. A quiet, peaceful atmosphere no car honks, no robots walking around, no clanking iron, and no loud voices or screams. She took a deep breath, smelling the air. It had rained a few hours ago, and the scent of the earth after rain was always refreshing to her.
Niko closed the door behind her. "Okay, let's go. My car's over there." He pointed at a sleek blue sports car with two seats. It was clearly a luxurious model obviously, he was very wealthy, judging by both his appearance and the car he drove. Odalis followed him without a word.
"Please, have a seat."
Odalis sat inside his car. The interior was just as nice as the exterior, and she couldn't help but notice how refined it all looked. This is what an expensive car in Rylos looks like, she thought to herself.
"Could you please scan your ID card here?" Niko asked, pointing to a small laser scanner. She did as instructed, and the scanner displayed her home address, followed by a map.
"You live pretty far from here, huh?" Niko remarked, glancing at the screen.
"Yeah. I usually drive Robikes," Odalis answered, her voice soft.
"Robikes, huh? They're convenient, right?" he said, trying to make conversation.
"Yeah," she replied simply.
Niko drove in silence after that, sensing that she wasn't the talkative type. Odalis gazed out the window, her eyes tracing the passing streets, trees, people, robots, and even dogs and cats. Niko wondered what she was thinking as she stared outside, her face unreadable.
The car's assistant voice broke the silence: "4 kilometers to destination."
"Do you live alone?" Niko asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.
"Yeah," Odalis responded, her tone cool and detached.
"Where are your parents?" he asked gently, not wanting to pry too much.
"Far," she answered, her eyes still fixed on the world outside.
Niko didn't want to push her further on the topic, so he nodded and fell quiet. He fished around in his pocket, then opened his wallet and pulled out a name card.
"I'll give this to you, just in case," Niko said, holding the card out to her. "Call me or Ronan if you ever need anything."
Odalis looked at him for a moment before replying, "No need, thanks."
"Please," Niko insisted politely, holding the card out again. "Take it, just in case."
Odalis hesitated, but then sighed and took the card, slipping it into her pocket.
Before long, they arrived at her home.
"Thanks for taking me home," Odalis said softly.
"No worries. Have a good night," Niko replied, giving her a nod.
"Good night," she said, and with that, she opened the car door and got out, walking towards her front door.
Niko stayed seated in the car for a moment, watching her retreating figure.
Niko returned to Maddie's house, feeling a sense of calm as he entered the cozy living room. Maddie, his father's younger sister, always made him feel welcome with her warm, inviting home. Ronan, his cousin, was already lounging on the couch, his mischievous grin appearing as soon as Niko walked in.
Ronan slapped Niko's back playfully. "So, how was driving her home?" he asked, clearly eager to dig for some details.
"Just normal," Niko replied, sitting down on the armchair next to Ronan. "She didn't say much nothing but silence."
Ronan laughed. "Kinda interesting, right?"
Niko shot him a glance. "Well, I'm glad to say she's not my type."
Ronan raised an eyebrow. "She's just not on our radar, plus she's a coworker of my mom's. Don't want to get involved in anything that could cause trouble."
Niko frowned. "What the heck are you talking about? What might happen?"
Ronan chuckled. "Just a joke, dude."
Niko sighed, shaking his head as he ignored Ronan's teasing and leaned back in his seat, looking around the room.
Niko: "By the way, where's Aunt Maddie?"
Ronan: "She said she'll make us some hot chocolate."
Niko: "What a kind of her" he said warmly.
They both sat in silence, the only sound coming from the crackling of the fire in the fireplace.
Ronan: "You dealt with them?"
Niko: "They're persistent. Can't offer them any more money. They're just greedy."
Ronan nodded silently, agreeing without a word.
Maddie emerged from the kitchen, carrying two cups of hot chocolate that smelled amazing. "Niko, you're here," she called as she walked into the living room. "I just made some hot chocolate."
"Thank you, Aunt Maddie," Niko grinned and took the cup, savoring the rich taste. It was obvious that she had a skill for making the perfect drink.
Maddie sat down on the sofa with her own cup of hot chocolate, settling into the quiet warmth of the living room. She sipped her coffee silently, her eyes fixed on the flickering flames of the fireplace.
"Your father will be a little late tonight. Looks like some overtime at work," she said.
Ronan, who had been watching the fire too, glanced at her with concern. "Just tell him not to push himself too hard," he said, his voice laced with worry.
"By the way, Mom? Odalis was her name, right? What a nice name," Ronan said, breaking the silence as he took another sip of his coffee.
"She's a nice girl, a little quiet, but good-hearted," Maddie replied, her tone thoughtful. "I've worked with her for almost two years now."
Ronan raised an eyebrow. "What exactly does she do?" he asked, curious.
"She's a librarian. Quiet, organized... she's good at what she does."
"She seems to be living alone," Niko said, glancing at Maddie with a thoughtful expression.
Maddie sighed, her gaze turning distant. "Yeah, it worries me sometimes. A young woman living alone, especially in a city like this." She shook her head. "It's not always safe."
"I just gave her my number, just in case she needs us," Niko said, leaning back in his sit.
Maddie smiled softly, her eyes warm with affection. "You were always a kind boy, Niko."
Niko returned her smile, a genuine warmth in his expression. "Thanks, Aunt Maddie."