Chapter 340: Slowly, I will be an open book for you!!
Chloe looked around with sparkling eyes.
"So..."
"Where are we going now?"
Miles briefly looked at his phone.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"He is here."
He slipped the phone back into his pocket before looking at her.
"Have you ever played bowling?"
Chloe blinked.
"Bowling?"
"There is a bowling alley inside the mall?"
Miles nodded.
"Yes."
Her curiosity immediately awakened.
"That sounds fun."
"But I have never done it before."
Miles smiled.
"Then let’s change that today."
Chloe gently smiled back.
"Wherever you take me..."
"I’ll happily go."
Miles slowly reached for her hand.
Without hesitation...
Chloe intertwined her fingers with his.
Their hands fit together naturally.
As though they had always belonged that way.
Together they walked toward the elevator.
Soft instrumental music echoed throughout the luxurious mall.
A pleasant floral fragrance drifted through the air from nearby boutiques.
Couples wandered through the elegant corridors carrying shopping bags while quietly enjoying each other’s company.
As Miles and Chloe walked side by side...
People naturally noticed them.
Whispers quietly spread.
"Look at those two."
"They look so cute together."
"Who is that angel?"
"And that man..."
"He is unbelievably handsome."
"They look like royalty."
"I wish someone looked at me the way he looks at her."
Neither of them paid much attention.
Around them...
The security team quietly coordinated through hidden earpieces.
Every entrance.
Every corridor.
Every blind corner.
Everything remained under discreet observation to make sure nothing disturbed their private day.
Chloe glanced around before smiling.
"This place is really popular with couples, isn’t it?"
Miles chuckled.
"You should ask Monica."
"She introduced couple discounts for many stores."
"Restaurants."
"Entertainment."
"Even activities."
He laughed softly.
"She really knows how to do business."
Chloe smiled with admiration.
"She really is a genius."
"I’ve learned so much from her."
Miles nodded proudly.
"So have I."
Suddenly Chloe pointed ahead.
"There!"
"The bowling alley."
Her excitement became impossible to hide.
"Come on."
She gently pulled his hand.
Miles laughed and simply followed behind.
...
The automatic doors slid open.
The bowling alley was surprisingly quiet.
No customers.
No children running around.
No background chatter.
Only soft music echoed through the spacious lanes.
The manager immediately approached them with a respectful smile.
"Greetings."
Chloe looked around curiously.
"There isn’t anyone here?"
The manager smiled.
"This time slot has been reserved exclusively for you."
Miles nodded politely.
"Thank you, Manager."
"Our pleasure, sir."
"I hope both of you enjoy your time."
He respectfully bowed before quietly leaving.
The spacious bowling alley became silent once again.
Only one sound remained.
The smooth rolling of a bowling ball.
Thud...
The ball glided perfectly across the polished lane.
Strike.
Every single pin scattered at once.
Chloe’s eyes widened.
"Wow..."
They slowly walked farther inside.
The man standing at the lane calmly picked up another bowling ball.
Without even appearing to aim...
He threw again.
The ball rolled with perfect precision.
Strike.
Not a single pin remained standing.
Miles smiled before clapping twice.
"I thought you were getting rusty, Ray."
The man slowly turned around.
The moment he saw Miles...
A warm smile appeared on his weathered face.
It was not the smile of the feared Commander of Graveyard.
It was the smile of a father seeing his son happy.
Chloe quietly observed him.
Ray looked at Miles for several long moments.
His eyes carried countless emotions.
Years of regret.
Years of pride.
Years of silent worry.
Finally...
He spoke.
"Years ago..."
"I regretted not giving you the childhood you deserved."
His voice remained calm.
"But I was afraid as well."
"I always wondered..."
"If I never taught you how to live like a normal person..."
"How would you survive after retirement?"
He looked toward Chloe.
Then back at Miles.
"It seems..."
"You figured it out on your own."
"Just like you always did."
Miles smiled warmly.
"Come on."
"Where is the Commander?"
"You don’t usually talk like this."
Ray suddenly laughed.
"You boy."
Chloe quietly watched the exchange.
She had never seen Miles smile like this.
It was lighter.
Warmer.
Miles looked toward her.
"Ray"
He smiled.
"Meet my girlfriend."
"Chloe."
Then he turned toward Ray.
"Commander Ray."
"My savior."
"My mentor."
"My foster father."
"He is the reason..."
"I am standing here today."
The importance of that introduction immediately reached Chloe’s heart.
Without hesitation...
She stepped forward.
With perfect etiquette she gave a respectful bow.
"Hello, Uncle Ray."
"It is very nice to meet you."
Ray looked genuinely impressed.
He smiled warmly.
"It is very nice to meet you too, dear."
He gestured toward a nearby seating area.
"Come."
"Let’s sit and talk."
...
They settled around a quiet table overlooking the bowling lanes.
A server soon arrived carrying freshly brewed coffee and light refreshments.
After placing everything neatly...
He quietly left.
Ray took a sip before smiling.
"You two really look wonderful together."
He glanced toward Chloe.
"No offense..."
"But you are completely opposite from old man Louis."
Chloe blinked.
"You know Grandpa?"
Ray chuckled.
"I worked with him years ago."
"He is unbelievably stingy."
Miles burst into laughter.
Chloe laughed as well.
"I actually agree with you, Uncle Ray."
Ray smiled proudly.
"Good."
"So I am not the only victim."
Everyone laughed.
Ray then looked toward Miles.
"Where is he now?"
"I haven’t seen him for years."
Miles smiled.
"You don’t know?"
"He is here in Star Harbor."
"You should visit him before leaving."
Ray raised his eyebrows.
"Really?"
"I definitely will."
Chloe looked between both men.
"It seems you two have quite a history together."
Ray immediately waved one hand.
"Let’s not waste time talking about that old man."
He smiled kindly.
"Let’s talk about you instead."
"I actually brought something."
He slowly reached beside his chair.
Then carefully placed a small leather photo album on the table.
Miles looked confused.
"What is this?"
Ray smiled quietly.
"I am sorry, son."
"This is something I never showed you."
Instead of handing it to Miles...
He placed it gently into Chloe’s hands.
Chloe looked surprised.
She slowly opened the first page.
The moment she saw the photograph...
Her eyes widened.
Miles leaned closer.
Then even he froze.
"Wait..."
"Those are my pictures."
"When did you even take them?"
Ray chuckled.
"This..."
He gently touched the cover.
"Contains your past seventeen years."
"I kept taking photographs whenever I could."
"For memories."
He smiled softly.
"Now, I think..."
"She should see your childhood too ..."
Chloe slowly turned another page.
Then another.
There were photographs of a much younger Miles training.
Reading books.
Quietly eating with Graveyard members.
Receiving his praises from seniors.
Sleeping during long journeys.
Learning to smile.
Standing beside Ray.
Celebrating small victories.
Pictures he had never even known existed.
Some photographs captured tiny moments that no one else had ever witnessed.
Chloe carefully touched one picture.
Her eyes gradually became moist.
"This..."
She looked at Ray.
"This is the most precious gift I have ever received."
"It is priceless."
She smiled gently.
"But..."
"Don’t you need it too, Uncle Ray?"
Ray laughed softly.
"I already made copies."
"I even sent one to his mother today."
Miles looked genuinely surprised.
"Really?"
Ray nodded.
"Son."
"You’ve grown up."
"I couldn’t be happier."
He smiled proudly.
"I want you to live peacefully now."
"Go explore everything life kept away from you."
"Make your family proud."
"You two have all my blessings."
For the next hour...
Time quietly disappeared.
Chloe asked endless questions.
"What was he like as a child?"
"Did he always read this much?"
"Did he ever get into trouble?"
"Was he always this quiet?"
Ray answered each one patiently.
He shared stories that made Chloe laugh.
Stories that made Miles embarrassed.
Chloe listened to every single story with complete attention.
Sometimes laughing.
Sometimes becoming emotional.
Sometimes quietly looking at Miles with even more affection than before.
And after few rounds of bowling
Eventually...
The hour came to an end.
Ray slowly stood.
"So..."
"I should leave."
Chloe stood as well.
"Uncle Ray..."
"Can’t you stay in Star Harbor for a few days?"
Ray smiled apologetically.
"I wish I could."
He laughed quietly.
Commander of Graveyard...Doesn’t really know how to live peacefully
Chloe lowered her eyes.
"I understand."
She gently hugged him.
"Please take care of yourself."
Ray was slightly surprised.
Then...
Like a father...
He gently patted her head.
"You too, dear."
He looked at Miles one last time.
Years ago...
He had feared that the little boy he raised would never become an ordinary human being.
That Ghost would forever remain trapped inside endless violence.
That the child who had forgotten his own past...
Who had almost forgotten what it meant to smile...
Would never truly live.
Today...
Watching Miles stand beside Chloe... he has family to take care
Watching the warmth in his eyes...
Watching the gentle way he held her hand...
Ray finally felt completely at peace.
The child he had worried about for so many years...
Was finally...
In the right hands.
.....
They walked out of the mall together.
The afternoon sun had become pleasantly warm, while a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers from the landscaped gardens surrounding Star Central Mall.
Commander Ray stood beside his car.
For a brief moment, none of them spoke.
Ray looked at Miles.
Then at Chloe.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Take care of each other."
Miles nodded.
"You too."
Chloe smiled warmly.
"Please visit us again, Uncle Ray."
"I’ll be waiting."
Ray chuckled.
"I’ll try."
He gently patted Miles’ shoulder one last time before getting into his car.
The vehicle slowly pulled away from the private entrance.
Both Miles and Chloe quietly watched until it disappeared into the city traffic.
Only then did Chloe lower her eyes toward the photo album she was still holding tightly against her chest.
She gently ran her fingers across its leather cover.
"Thank you..."
Miles turned toward her.
"For what?"
She smiled.
"For arranging this meeting."
"I got to know so many things about you today."
She looked down at the album again.
"I know it is only the tip of the iceberg."
"But..."
"They were all so important."
Her voice softened.
"He raised you well."
Miles quietly smiled.
"He did."
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then Miles looked at her with a playful smile.
"So..."
"Are you ready for the date?"
Chloe blinked in surprise.
"There are more places to go?"
Miles laughed.
"Of course."
"I told you."
"I prepared today’s date."
Chloe couldn’t help smiling again.
"To be honest..."
"Even if nothing else was planned after today..."
She hugged the album a little tighter.
"This meeting alone would’ve made my day."
"It was so sweet..."
She looked at him with a teasing smile.
"I am worried I might become diabetic before the day ends."
Miles laughed.
"You’ve started making terrible jokes."
"They’re your fault."
Just then, a luxury sedan quietly stopped in front of them.
The driver stepped out respectfully before handing the keys to Miles.
Miles opened the passenger door with a slight flourish.
"Come, my lady."
"Let’s continue."
Chloe giggled.
She loved this side of him.
The side that seemed relaxed.
Comfortable.
Almost carefree.
She gracefully stepped inside.
After Miles settled into the driver’s seat, the car smoothly rolled onto the road.
The city slowly drifted past outside the windows.
After several quiet moments, Chloe turned toward him.
"So..."
"Where are we going now?"
Miles kept his eyes on the road.
"There is a very special place just outside the city."
"There are some very special people."
"I want you to meet them."
He glanced at her briefly before smiling.
"But first..."
"Lunch."
Chloe immediately brightened.
"Now that’s exactly what I need."
She leaned comfortably against the seat.
Her thoughts had already shifted toward food.
"Wait..."
She looked at him hopefully.
"Are we going to Atelier?"
"I’ve been missing the food there."
Miles nodded.
"We are."
"But..."
"There is a twist."
Chloe tilted her head curiously.
"A twist?"
Miles smiled.
"I’ll be your chef today."
She stared at him for several seconds.
"You..."
"Can cook?"
Miles nodded confidently.
"Yes."
"I could never surpass Mom when it comes to cooking."
He smiled gently.
"But..."
"I’ll put my whole heart into today’s lunch."
Chloe slowly covered her mouth.
She looked genuinely surprised.
"Mr. Chairman..."
"Exactly how many things have you been hiding from me?"
She laughed softly.
"I even heard from Asher that you can paint."
Miles smiled.
"You wanted to know more about me."
"So..."
"Slowly, I will be an open book for you"
Chloe shook her head with an amused smile.
"I don’t know whether I should be excited..."
"Or worried."
She looked out through the windshield for a moment before turning back toward him.
"But honestly..."
"Thinking that you are actually going to cook for me..."
She smiled so brightly that even Miles couldn’t help smiling with her.
"I suddenly cannot wait for lunch anymore."