293 Duskmoor’s Local Market

    b~/bbiThird /i/bbiPerson /i/b~

    Meredith’s phone buzzed softly on the nightstand. She reached for it almost immediately and saw Dennis’s

    name shing across the screen.

    “Dennis,” she answered, her voice still calm, though a hint of curiosity clung to it.

    “Hi,” Dennis replied in his usual easy drawl,ced with mischief. “I heard you are sitting around doing

    absolutely nothing since you skipped training this morning. Unfortunately, I can’t let that happen.”

    Meredith’s lips curved faintly as a small chuckle slipped past her. “So what are you now? My enemy of

    progress who doesn’t want me to rest?”

    Dennisughed, rich and unapologetic. “Exactly that. I am your number one enemy of progress, and I will

    wear the badge proudly.”

    Meredith rolled her eyes, though amusement lingered in them. “You’re impossible.”

    “Maybe,” he admitted smoothly. “But here’s the thing. It’s been far too long since you got behind a wheel, so I

    thought it would only be right for you to exercise a bit.”

    Meredith blinked,pletely caught off guard. “You can’t be serious.”

    “I’m deadly serious.” His tone softened, just enough to be persuasive. “I want to head down to the local fruit

    market and pick up a variety of fruits. And I need a driver.”

    “So?” She probed.

    Dennis grinned hard. “And I happen to know a certain someone who had her driving skills sharpened by the

    great Dennis Oatrun himself.”

    Against her better judgment, Meredith chuckled again, shaking her head.

    “All right,” she said atst, her tone touched with reluctant amusement. “You win. I will be your driver.”

    Dennis’sugh spilled through the line, bright and unrestrained. “I knew you wouldn’t resist. I will meet you

    out front in ten minutes. Don’t keep your passenger waiting.”

    When the call ended, Meredith exhaled softly and gathered herposure as she rose from the bed..

    “Kira,” she uttered quietly to her maidservant, who hade to ask her what she wanted for brunch, “I will be stepping out with Dennis for a while.”

    “Sure, mydy” Kira bowed respectfully. “I will inform the others.”

    The mid–morning air greeted Meredith as she stepped outside. There, leaning against a sleek ck car with casual arrogance, was Dennis. His grin widened the instant he spotted her.

    “There she is,” he announced grandly, pushing off the car and spreading his arms as though she were royalty arriving for him alone. “My favorite chauffeur.”

    Meredith rolled her eyes but allowed herself to smile as she walked toward him, the faintest trace of lightness returning to her step.

    Dennis opened the driver’s side door with a flourish, only to step back and hold it out to her.

    “Well, go on then. Let’s see if you still remember how to drive without wrecking my car.”

    She shook her head and slid into the driver’s seat while Dennis walked around and slipped into the passenger side, immediately slouching with thezyfort of someone who had no intention of lifting a finger.

    Almost immediately, the engine purred to life under Meredith’s hands.

    “Not bad,” Dennis said approvingly. “I half–expected you to stall.”

    “Keep talking and I might drive us straight into a ditch,” Meredith replied smoothly, driving the car out of the

    driveway.

    He chuckled, tilting his head toward her. “That’s the spirit, always threatening me with doom. It warms my

    heart, really.”

    Meredith didn’t say anything after that. She just focused on driving out of Draven’s estate and hitting the

    main road.

    Then Dennis voiced again, lighter this time. “I will need the sweetest oranges and the juiciest pears when we

    get to the market. And maybe strawberries if there are any avable.”

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    Meredith shot him a sidelong nce. “But seriously, you dragged me out of my chambers only to buy fruits?b” /b

    He grinned, unabashed. “Of course, it’s a noble quest. Besides, you needed this fresh air.]

    She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at her lips as the heaviness in her chest loosened by degrees.

    The drive carried them out of Duskmoor’s quiet streets and into a busier stretch alive with thete–morning activity.

    Meredith slowed the car, her eyes widening slightly as the market came into view. It was a long strip of stalls packed together, their awnings bright and uneven, colors shing in a strangely beautiful way.

    She parked neatly where Dennis directed, but instead of stepping out right away, she lingered for a moment, studying the movement before her.

    Humans bustled in every direction, carrying baskets and bags, their voices rising and falling in a melody of bartering. Children darted between legs,ughter bubbling as they tugged on their mothers‘ skirts.

    This view was nothing like the polished shopping malls she had been taken to before. This ce was raw,

    crowded, and alive.

    “You are staring,” Dennis teased, opening his door.

    Meredith blinked, realizing she had been. She stepped out beside him, her gaze still flicking over the stalls.

    “I never knew the Humans had a market like this,” she confessed softly.

    Dennis smirked. “Well, wee to humanity’s finest invention–organized chaos.”

    She gave him a side nce, unimpressed, but couldn’t deny the small smile tugging at her lips.

    The scents hit her all at once, citrus sharpness, the earthy sweetness of ripe berries, the tang of onions and

    herbs. It was overwhelming, but strangely inviting.

    Then they slipped into the flow of the crowd. Meredith’s silver hair drew a few curious stares, but most

    people returned quickly to their shopping. She didn’t mind; she was too busy taking in the small details.

    “Come on,” Dennis said, steering her toward a stall piled high with oranges. He plucked one up and tossed it

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    lightly in the air before catching it again. “These look good.”

    The vendor, a sharp–eyed woman with sun–browned skin, narrowed her gaze at him. “Two dors each,” she

    said firmly.

    Dennis’s jaw dropped in exaggerated horror. “Two? For these tiny things? You must be robbing me blind!”

    Meredith couldn’t helpughing.

    The vendor swatted at Dennis with a rag. “You want them or not?”

    Meredith moved forward quickly, smoothing the tension with a polite smile.

    “We will take a dozen.” She said, then secretly pinched Dennis, a signal to hand the money over before the

    vendor passed the paper bag he filled to her.

    “You didn’t even haggle,” Dennis muttered as they moved on after she handed the bag to him.

    “I didn’t want to get chased out of the market on my first visit,” she shot back, shaking her head.

    He grinned, the mischief dimming just enough sincerity to slip through. “Fair point.”