Dakota and Curtis had run away together again.
Reagan and Andre were still hoping their naughty son would bring Kota home for the New Year.
And so, on New Year's Eve, the two of them posted their location—right in the H City.
H City was much warmer than J City.
In the photo, Dakota was wearing a sexy black spaghetti strap dress, with a jacket casually slipping down below her elbows.
She was positioned at a top-tier restaurant overlooking H City's skyline, leaning against the rooftop railing, holding a glass of red wine.
A tall silhouette holding a phone could be faintly seen beside her, illuminated by the light from behind.
Ever since Curtis announced their relationship on social media, they've been flaunting their affection without restraint.
Noe was used to seeing them shower affection, but still commented, "Ugh, I'm stuffed, almost can't eat my New Year's dinner."
Jasiah: "Man, you're asking for it! They're all lovey-dovey, and here you are, practically begging to soak it all in. Why don't we just rename the group to [Noe's the Sucker] while we're at it?"
Noe: "..."
Lailah: "Awwww, so sweet, so sweet!"
Compared to Jasiah and Noe, Lailah accepted it much better. After all, she and Dakota had always been open with each other, and she gossiped a lot with Dakota about her and Curtis's affairs, rolling around on the couch screaming like a groundhog while listening to Dakota's stories.
From that moment on, she became a loyal fan of the Dakota and Curtis ship.
She'd constantly ask Dakota if there was any new juicy gossip to obsess over, and just from looking at Curtis, she'd joke that he was oozing sex appeal and probably had a strong back too." "He's probably really good at it, huh?"
Dakota noticed that Lailah had changed.
Especially after she returned from T City—apparently she managed to overcome the altitude sickness and won someone's heart.
After that, it was like a switch flipped in her, and the questions she asked always left Dakota blushing and her heart racing.
Dakota put her phone away after posting on social media.
Curtis reached out and naturally lifted her coat, gently draping it back over her shoulders.
"Evening breeze is chilly," he murmured softly.
"I'm fine," Dakota said, smiling up at him as she swirled the wine in her glass. "Will you have a drink with me?"
Curtis narrowed his eyes, giving her a sidelong glance.
Remembering her tolerance for alcohol and calculating how much she'd already had tonight, he calmly placed his hand over her glass and firmly refused, "No."
It wasn't a problem if she drank too much.
Even if she got a little flirty with him, it didn't matter.
But tonight was New Year's Eve.
He couldn't let her get too drunk and miss the special plan he had in store for her.
Dakota pouted, a bit disappointed, and switched to juice. But she remembered it would soon be midnight, and even though fireworks were usually banned in the city, New Year's Eve was an exception—there might be some fireworks to see.
And the V Harbor also held a spectacular fireworks display every year on the next day.
So Dakota had been looking forward to that.
That's why she had eagerly agreed to run off to the city with Curtis.
Curtis had booked the rooftop of the most luxurious restaurant by Victoria Harbor for tonight, but for some reason, he hadn't reserved the whole place.
From here, they had a perfect view of the entire city skyline, with V Harbor laid out before them—a prime spot for watching the fireworks.
Dakota sat on the rooftop, savoring the New Year's Eve dinner.
She leisurely cut her steak, glancing over at the lights on the building across the harbor—counting down from 60.
"Huh?" Dakota put down her knife and fork, checking her phone. "It's almost midnight."
Curtis had also been watching the countdown on the building, and only now did he shift his gaze to Dakota's face. "Yeah."
"Curtis,"
Dakota suddenly became excited. "This is our first New Year's Eve together, just the two of us."
It really was their first one spent like this.
In the past, Dakota would go out to celebrate with everyone, but Noe and Lailah were always there too.
In all the fun and laughter.
Usually, it was Dakota and Lailah huddled together at the front, bundled up in puffer jackets and scarves, watching as Noe lit the fireworks and then ran away like a gopher.
Curtis always stood behind them.
He'd lazily glance up at the sky, never quite understanding what was so fascinating about fireworks.
But this time, Curtis smiled softly, taking her hand and giving it a light squeeze. "Wanna go watch the fireworks?"
"Yes!" Dakota nodded without hesitation.
New Year's Eve fireworks might not be as grand as the ones on the next day, but Dakota didn't care—she loved both the small sparklers and the big displays.
The countdown had reached 20.
Letting Curtis lead her by the hand, Dakota walked to the edge of the rooftop. She leaned forward proudly, looking up at the countdown lights on the building.
Curtis turned to look at the person beside him.
Dakota was clearly in a great mood.
Her eyes sparkled, as if the stars and city lights were all reflected in her clear, shining pupils.
One of Dakota's hands was in Curtis's, while the other gripped the railing as she softly counted along with the lights, "10, 9, 8, 7, 6..."
"Count down with me."
Dakota turned her head, shaking Curtis's hand.
Curtis's eyes twinkled with an amused smile. He pointed at the countdown, "3—"
Startled, Dakota quickly turned her attention back to the countdown.
"Ahhh!"
"3—"
"2—"
"1!"
"Happy New Year." Curtis gazed down at her. "Happy New Year!" Dakota cheered, raising one hand and turning to look at the man standing beside her.
"Pound——"
At that very moment, fireworks exploded in the sky over V Harbor, dazzling and brilliant.
Dakota hadn't yet noticed the surprise Curtis had prepared for her. She leaned into his chest, tilting her face up. "Curtis, Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year." Curtis gazed down at her.
Dakota tiptoed, about to give him a quick peck before turning to watch the fireworks.
At that moment, she heard a few exclamations from others watching the fireworks, "Wow? Why are tonight's fireworks so grand?"
"My goodness, it's different from previous years!"
"Could someone be proposing?"
Dakota's attention was drawn by these comments, and she turned to look, indeed seeing grand and splendid fireworks blossoming under the starry sky of H City.
She tilted her face upward to look at the night sky.
An orange firework shot up high into the sky, a blue flame nearly a kilometer wide, bursting before Dakota like a tree of silver flowers.
"Oh my god! So beautiful..."
Dakota's eyes sparkled with awe, and she was instantly captivated.
