Hades sighed, his face lined with a broad smile as he drove along the almost empty streets. They were already in her compound when she was finally awake from her slumber.
For a moment, she felt awkward upon realizing the scene — her furtive eyes scanned around in an attempt to avoid his eyes.
“ Sorry... I slept off, didn't know when I dozed off over your shoulder,” she said which made him share a smile — his eyes admired her innocence. 
“ Nothing to be sorry about — I didn't complain either.” He answered.
An uncomfortable silence clung to them as they stared at each other. Finally, she was the first to break the awkward silence, announcing her leave —a flustered look passed on her face.
 Hades immediately pulled her back to her seat as she flung off. Their eyes once again locked in each other — lurked in silence.
Despite herself, her heartbeat started picking up in tandem — her eyes laced after his hands which gently slides into hers, lacing their fingers together.
“There's something I've  got  to tell you, Gee...” He pursed his lips before continuing. “ I can't keep it anymore.” He stated, his voice becoming more of a whisper as she stared continuously.
Gina could still feel the warmth of his hands on hers as they locked eyes — she felt enchanted and powerless that, she couldn't utter a word.
Regaining his composure, his hands gently squeezed hers affectionately. “  I...Lo..ve you, Gina~  I can't hold back any longer.” The words finally made their way out— that's when she noticed his cute dimples and deep-set eyes.
“ I can't keep deceiving myself either, Gina~   would you be my girlfriend?~, please.” He slurred and her eyelids instinctively fluttered.
For a moment, nobody spoke. Hades didn't know what to expect either and Gina's gaze gave nothing off. It seems he made a wrong decision of letting it out — he thought.
In an instant, she leaned into him, and their lips were sealed together — sweet, warm, and obliterating. His eyes widened for a second but slowly shut after a moment. He leaned into her and pressed his body against hers.
“ Ye...s, I'll gladly be your girlfriend.” She mumbled, breaking away from him. “ I feel the same way for you too, Hades”.She generously voiced out.
Hades spontaneously leaned over and kissed her on the forehead — wrapping her in a hug.
                                    **************
Later the next day, Hades and Gina were seen almost everywhere, together and this kind of got on Miriam's nerves. But in good conduct and not to be in Hade's bad books, she decided not to interrupt.
Miriam was having a plate of potato chips with fried chicken at the school's Cafeteria when she spotted the two trod in hand-in-hand, chatting away with laughter.
She instinctively gestured at Sugar who traced her gaze towards where the two settled.“ Are they going out or something.” She inquired, but Sugar just struggled.
“ Can't but... from the look of things I think they are.”
Miriam looked like she was about to burst as she shot to her feet — her eyes shot daggers. Without another word, she stormed towards the couple.
“ Miriam !” She called in a whisper not to catch the attention of others but then she was long gone. “ Oh, gosh...!” She exclaimed and sped after her.
“ Here... let me help you.” Hades leaned over and gently wiped off a sauce from the ends of her lips.
“ Oh... didn't know I got that there,” Gina said, and they both chuckled. Their cheers were soon cut short by the uninvited tray which slid next to theirs.
Both eyes instinctively threaded to the invader. “ Oh...sorry~ mind if I share a table with you?” Miriam feigned a smile as she settled in one of the empty chairs. Gina wasn't happy about it but nodded anyways. On that note, Miriam quickly pulled Sugar to sit as well.
“ Well... I was doing a little shopping and I came across this wristband.” Miriam said, drawing it out from her bag. “ Here... I believe it will fit you perfectly Hades.” She turned to him, reaching for his wrist. Hades was about to object but then she insisted. “Please don't say no to this— it's just a thank-you gift.” She added. Since he didn't want to be rude, Hades allowed her to wear it for him.
Just then, a familiar figure from the doorpost caught her attention — her eyes instinctively scanned it, and it was her father.
“ Miriam!” He waved and she spontaneously shot to her feet, dragging Sugar along. John instinctively noticed Gina, his second daughter in the distance. His lips instinctively curved into a smile— knowing his daughters were getting along delighted him.
“ Hey... love~ is that your friend?” He asked, pointing to the table where Hades and Gina sat.
“ Not really — can we go now?” she said, as she strolled past him.
“ Oh... isn't that Hades?” He pointed after realizing who they were with.“ Had wanted to meet and thank him in person after the party— but couldn't. “ I think I should do that now.”
Before Miriam could say anything or decline, John had already proceeded to meet the duo.
Miriam sighed, her hands fled in the air in anger. This doesn't sit well with her at all.
“ Hades right?—” she heard him ask and he nodded in response. After a few pleasantries, John invited the two to dinner at his house as a way to thank him, but Hades readily objected.
“ I'm not taking a No for an answer.” John cuts off his hesitation. A warm smile danced on his face.
“ I just want to meet Miriam's new friends and get to say a proper thanks as well, this Saturday will do.”
“ Alright then...seems there's no escape from this — we'll be there."
“ Well said, son —I'll be expecting you Gina,  you're my guest.” He added before taking his leave. Gina looked at Hades, a little surprised.
“ Am his guest?” She mumbled and Hades just shrugged.
“Don't think too much about this — maybe it's just his way of welcoming you.” He explained.
                              **************
Nina deliberately kept her attention fixed on her drink. She reflected on what John said the previous day, with confusion drawn all over her, and didn't know what made John change his mind.
“ What's going on, why the sudden change of mind? Is there something am omitting? I need to get to the root of this matter.” She murmured looking very doubtful. After some time, she raised her head to inhale deeply. That simple gesture emerged to have straightened her up emotionally. 
In about 15 minutes she rose to bed. She repositioned the pillow to a more comfortable place and buried her face in its softness. She finally slept off like a baby.