Regressing Through the Apocalypse with the Third Male Lead-Chapter 21

"Judgment Day."

"They say it’s when the world will end."

"But is this truly the era for that? The end of the world?"

"Strangely, only humans seem affected by this catastrophe. The birds still soar through the skies. Stray dogs and other animals wander in the shadows as if nothing is amiss."

"Perhaps, the world isn’t ending after all."

"Maybe it’s just us, humans."

"Whoever started this virus must truly despise humanity."

***

Freyah’s eyes fluttered open. A sharp, throbbing pain pounded in her head, and she instinctively massaged her temples to ease it. Glancing around, she realized she was inside an airplane.

"Did I doze off?" she murmured, her gaze shifting to her hands before landing on the view outside the plane’s window. Her voice softened. "That dream... or rather, that person..."

It had only been a few hours since she and the others had arrived at the airport. They’d found this plane to use as temporary shelter. Since then, she’d been busy helping to clear a runway so they could eventually take off. She had only meant to take a brief break but hadn’t realized she’d fallen asleep.

"This is the first time I’ve seen you manage to sleep, even a little," a familiar voice said.

Freyah looked up to see Florence approaching her seat with two cups of coffee. He offered one to her, asking with a small smile, "Would you like some coffee, Milady?"

"Yes, thank you," Freyah replied, taking the cup. She took a sip and froze. The coffee was far too sweet.

"Is something wrong, Milady?" Florence asked, noticing her expression.

"It’s... too sweet," Freyah muttered.

"Ah, my apologies," Florence said with a sheepish grin. "People often tell me I use too much sugar. Mine’s the same, actually."

"How many spoons?" Freyah asked, raising a brow.

"Five," he replied with a shrug. "But it tastes perfectly fine to me."

"That’s far too sweet," Freyah said, though she reluctantly continued drinking. "But since I already have it, I’ll finish it. Next time, though, I’d prefer my coffee without sugar."

"None at all? Wouldn’t that be too bitter?" Florence asked, looking surprised.

"I prefer it that way," Freyah insisted, placing the empty mug down.

"Understood, Milady," Florence said with a chuckle as he settled into the seat beside her. He took a sip of his own overly sweet coffee and let out a contented sigh. "I suppose even you are feeling tired now, huh?"

Freyah stared at her hands before closing them into fists. "I suppose so. Now that we’re here, I’m just glad everything is going as smoothly as it has been... I only hope it continues that way."

"Shhh!"

Startled, Freyah looked up just as Florence pressed his index finger against her lips, silencing her. Her brows furrowed in confusion.

"Milady," Florence warned, his expression serious. "You shouldn’t say things like that. You’ll invite the mischief of the god of misfortune."

Her confusion deepened. "What are you talking about?"

Florence sighed, as though exasperated by her ignorance. "You know... when someone says everything’s peaceful, and the next thing you know, chaos erupts. I’ve seen it countless times with rookie knights. They say something like that, and then all hell breaks loose." He rubbed his temple, clearly recalling unpleasant memories.

"I see what you mean by that." Freyah shook her head, suppressing a laugh. "By the way, are you adjusting well to this world? What do you think of it so far?"

Florence blinked in surprise before a slow, genuine smile spread across his face. "Is that concern I hear from you, Milady?"

"Yes, it is," Freyah replied, her lips curling into an amused smile. "We’ve been so busy lately, and you’ve adapted to this world so effortlessly that you almost seem like you belong here."

Florence chuckled softly. "You really don’t hold back, do you? Always speaking as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world."

"It is the truth," Freyah said, glancing out the window of the plane. "Lying is pointless. The more you lie and hide things, the more it’ll come back to bite you. And when it does, it’ll already be too late to fix anything."

"Hmm." Florence leaned back in his seat, gazing up at the plane’s ceiling. Her words struck a nerve. If he had been honest with Kathleen from the start, would things have turned out differently?

He sighed, a faint, wistful smile tugging at his lips. "But what if fate has already been decided? Would honesty even matter then?"

Freyah’s gaze shifted back to him. She knew exactly what he was talking about. Florence had hidden his feelings for Kathleen, the heroine, for far too long. By the time he confessed, she had already fallen for the male lead. That was how their fate was written—unchangeable, or so it seemed.

"Maybe," Freyah said softly, a knowing smile gracing her lips. "But the moment you step away from the path fate has written for you, you gain the power to rewrite your story."

"What is it that you really want, Your highness?" Freyah asked.

Freyah leaned back in her seat, her gaze fixed on Florence. "What is it that you truly desire, Your Highness?"

Without hesitation, Florence answered, "Kathleen’s happiness."

His immediate response drew a loud laugh from Freyah, her voice ringing through the quiet cabin.

Florence stared at her, startled by her reaction. "Why are you laughing?"

"You really are a simp," Freyah said, shaking her head in amusement. "But, honestly, I can’t blame you for it." She exhaled, trying to compose herself, though the corners of her lips still twitched with a lingering smile.

Florence frowned, clearly puzzled. "A simp? Is that some sort of insult? Or... is it because that’s how I was written?"

"No," Freyah replied, tilting her head slightly as if contemplating her words. "It doesn’t matter if it was written or not. What matters is that she became your salvation—the person who gave you hope. It’s only natural to give your heart to someone like that. Moving on isn’t easy, and sure, some might see it as foolish, but honestly? It’s perfectly normal."

Her words carried a weight that settled in the silence between them. Florence averted his gaze, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at his lips—one filled with both longing and regret.

Freyah glanced at her watch, breaking the quiet. "I should finish what I started. If all goes well, by tomorrow or the next day, we’ll finally be able to leave this place." She stood, brushing her hands against her sides. "And once things are settled, maybe you’ll find the time to enjoy this world a little."

With a small nod, she excused herself and walked away, leaving Florence to his thoughts.

Florence watched Freyah’s retreating figure, a warm, tingling sensation spreading through his chest. It had been only four days since he arrived in this world, yet he couldn’t recall ever being with someone who showed so many sides of themselves. Nor had he ever felt this free to talk about his feelings. Was it because of the contract?

No. Even without the contract, he wasn’t the type to share his thoughts and emotions so easily.

He chuckled softly to himself. "This is truly strange... very strange."

’Sometimes, you’re so harsh, as if you’re pushing everyone away, refusing to rely on anyone. But then, at moments like this, it feels like you’re longing for someone to lean on. Why is it that the more time I spend here, the less it feels right to leave? If I somehow manage to return to my world, leaving you in this mess would feel... wrong.’

With a heavy sigh, Florence stood and followed after Freyah. His mind was tangled in confusion, and his emotions were an even bigger mess.

***

Moments later...

Freyah grinned at the sight in front of her. "We have cleared the way. But since everyone works so hard, let’s leave by the afternoon tomorrow." ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Freyah looked around. Although she did the heavy lifting of the vehicles and planes that crashed with each other. Everyone helped in their own way by clearing the manageable objects that could be carried out.

The sun was already closed to the setting down.

"Dinner is ready everyone!" Gwenette called out from the plane. Together with her, was Tatay Timothy.

Everyone rushed in especially the twins pulling Harley and Agnes with them. It seemed the younger ones became closer this time as they spent the day helping clearing the obstacles.

Freyah looked at Harley who was being pulled by Cheral.

’I will still have more work to do tonight until tomorrow before the departure.’

"Let’s eat now,"

Freyah was interrupted of her thoughts when Florence called out to her. His right hand was outstretching towards her. And his eyes was beaming with excitement.

"Yes," Freyah sighed and smile. Then accepted Florence’s hand. It seemed Florence got startled by this, but didn’t say a word and proceeded to walk ahead.

***

Somewhere in the NAIA Airport, along with the Terminal 3 departure area...

There were five people hiding in one of the money changers. One of them was wearing a security guard uniform. Two were cabin crews. And the other two seemed just regular civilians. On the side, one could see the wrappers of food on the side and some empty bottles.

It seemed that in the past few days, they were living through the little supplies that they had.

They were startled when they heard a sudden knock on the door.

"It’s me. Nicholas."

They immediately opened the door.

"What happened?" The group immediately asked the person that arrived.

"There are indeed people that came to Terminal 2, departure area."

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