Chapter 121 Last Day

Following the events that transpired earlier, the game was abruptly over. We did not learn whether or not the rumor that Kyle likes Jill is actually accurate; but, if I were to be questioned about it, I would say that I believe there is something going on between those two people. In addition to that, they have an attractive appearance when they are together.

Ares and I entered the space that was exclusively ours in the tent. The temperature dropped slightly at night, making it feel more autumnal. Ares and I quickly grabbed a thick blanket to wrap ourselves in. A split second later, mum began preparing a hearty lunch for the family by cooking it over the fire. I had the epiphany that a hearty supper and some stimulating talk would quickly bring us back to a comfortable temperature. Therefore, I suggested to Ares that he should share the dinner with the other people. After tearing down the tent, we followed them outside.

While we were all sitting down to eat together, Ares's grandfather pointed out the constellations in the sky and reminisced about his youth. His stories made us chuckle, and we thoroughly loved listening to them.

"Don't believe in his stories. It was all a fabrication on his part!" The mother inserted her thoughts.

"Hey! I am not making any of this up; everything that I have shared with you is accurate." Ares' stepdad maintained his position throughout the argument.

The moment they started mocking each other like teenagers playing, we busted out laughing and they had us right there with them. I got the distinct impression that I was finally getting a glimpse of what real love looks like as I stood back and watched them tease one other. I always imagined that one day I would have a love like this, and I have high hopes that it will come to pass when I am with Ares. I have come to the conclusion that I do not wish to continue to entertain any man. I hope that he feels the same way about being settled with me as I do about being settled with him...

I have his hand in mine, but I don't even bother to look at him. On the other hand, whenever he looks in my direction, I catch a glimpse of him in the corner of my eye.

"What are your thoughts, my son? In this new phase of your lives together as a married couple, what are your goals?" Mom asked.

I looked at Ares and waited for him to respond since I genuinely did not understand how to respond to that question. I have not yet resolved my concerns over the agreement we made to work together for a period of two years, and I have no idea whether or not Ares would be willing to spend the rest of his life with me. What if he was simply being kind because I am still with him and we are still in a contract? What if that was the only reason he was acting nice? What if, after the contract has expired, he makes a snap decision to change his behavior? I have no idea what is going to take place with me. I don't ever want to be abandoned in the wilderness again...

Ares' response to her mother's question was, "We still don't have any notion, but we are going to plan that."

"Oh, I am very happy to hear that. Kia, I was under the impression that you were still attending school. How are things going for you? Could you please tell me the name of the class that you are now enrolled in?"

"I am currently in the second year of my Bachelor of Science degree program in Psychology, and oh, if you're wondering where I am..."

"Wow, that's very fantastic! Are you thinking about enrolling in a medical degree program? Are you planning to earn a degree in psychology or psychiatry in the future?"

"I haven't given it much thought, but attending medical school is still on the list of things I would love to do in the future. However, I believe that it will be more beneficial for me to work first so that I can contribute to Ares and our family's financial obligations. I don't want to make his life more difficult by being a burden to him—"

"Whoever said that you make my life more difficult should answer that question. You do not constitute a burden in any way, dear. Being the breadwinner of our household falls squarely on my shoulders given that I am the male member of the unit. Therefore, there is no need to be concerned about the costs. In addition, I have a well-paying career that allows us to meet our requirements without worrying about money." Ares said.

"You shouldn't be concerned about anything, sweetie; everything will be all right. My kid is an upstanding citizen, and you can count on him to take care of all of your needs. Therefore, I want you to put in a lot of effort into your studies, and if you are interested in going to medical school, I encourage you to go ahead and enroll. We will contribute toward the costs of the event. You sure about that, Ares?"

"Of sure, mama. Respectfully, we are a unit of the same family. Please refrain from talking down to oneself in such a casual manner."

"You have no clue how thankful I am to be a member of this family. I couldn't be more thankful. I would want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your thoughtfulness and the generosity that you have shown me.

"You are quite welcome, sweetie..."

After that, we proceeded to eat some more, and while the clock was still ticking, Ares brought up Jill and Kyle as a topic of conversation.

"Mom, did you know that Kyle has a thing for Jill back when they were in high school? It's just too bad for them that Jill had to go back to the United States when she had to.

“Really? Kyle, do you really think that's the case?" The question that Mom posed to Kyle was one that she was able to see him answer immediately.

"Uhm— Ahh— Auntie… In point of fact, falling in love with her at that point was not something I had planned on doing in the first place. I couldn't help but be utterly taken aback by her astonishing attractiveness. However, it happened a very long time ago, Auntie... It's nothing to worry about..."

“Oh, no! Nothing to worry about! As long as your love for my daughter is genuine and your motivations are honorable, I have no problem with what you want to do—"

"What exactly are you speaking about? The age of my daughter is still considered to be young. Before getting involved in a relationship, she still has a lot of things she needs to accomplish and goals she needs to reach. There was a brief interruption from Uncle.

“Put a halt to that! Jillian is no longer a child in any sense of the word. We ought to make it possible for her to spend the remainder of her life with somebody who will always care for her and look out for her best interests. In our role as their parents, we have an obligation to show them support. Do you understand?!"

"As you wish, Mrs. Boss! I am very aware of what you mean!"

We couldn't help but laugh at them because we couldn't help ourselves. They make a pretty sweet couple when they're together.

"Jill, what gives with your reticence?" They were questioned by their mother.

"I am just weary mum. Now is a good time for me to go ahead and take a break. I would like to express my gratitude for the food. Jill commented on something before heading back to her tent.

After being there for close to a half an hour and conversing on a variety of topics, we eventually came to the conclusion that it was time for us to take a break because it had been a very long and exhausting day. The next morning, when I opened both my eyes and my ears, I could see and hear. It appeared as though the rain had finally stopped. The birds and the crickets in the area were chirping in a rhythmic pattern that I could hear. It was awe-inspiring to take in the natural splendor of the forest. It was something entirely new to me; I had never encountered anything like it before. The temperature was perfect, and there was a lot of charm in the air. I finally had an epiphany and realized why my friend Ares, along with his folks, was so pumped up about going camping. The remaining portion of the day was spent by us hiking along the rocky paths that surrounded our campsite. We had a wonderful time trekking in the late afternoon as the splendor of the sunset, which was rose and salmon pink in color, concealed behind the pine trees; it was amazing. In the evening, we gathered all of our possessions together and drove back to our house. As I looked out the window of the truck, I reflected on all of the pleasant times. The sound of the rain falling in the woods, the birds singing, and my father's stories were the things I remembered most vividly.

I had no idea that simply going out into nature could provide me with so many opportunities for fun, but it was one of the many things that I discovered during our camping trip. I was quite excited to find out what other mysteries the natural world had in store for me to uncover. I want to express my gratitude for allowing me to go on this camping trip. Not only did I get to witness the breathtaking scenery of the forest, but I also got to. I also discovered that my family and I are capable of adjusting our plans to accommodate mother nature even when the weather is less than ideal for camping in order to create memories that will last a lifetime.