Heading to the Eastern Mountains

Ailine stared out the window of her room, her eyes still slightly red from the tears that had colored her day. The video of Owen that had gone viral on the hospital’s TV kept replaying in her mind—his calm, focused movements, and the bravery he displayed while rescuing children from the rubble. Her breath caught again, but this time it wasn’t sadness; it was a mixture of awe, longing, and a pinch of guilt.

She pressed her chin against her palm, holding back a sob. “I have to go… I have to be there,” she murmured to herself. “Right now.”

Emma had already warned her to abandon the idea ever since they left the hospital and returned to her apartment. Messages had flooded in from Emma, all carrying the same meaning—stay put, stay safe.

Emma had just returned from the agency office. Ailine watched her from afar, taking a deep breath. She knew that if she really wanted to go to the Eastern Mountains, the only person she could convince was Emma.

Soon, she found herself standing in front of Emma in the living room. Emma’s eyes were full of concern as she looked at Ailine’s still-tense face.

“Miss Ailine… I don’t understand. Didn’t you hear my warning? This is extremely dangerous!” Emma said, her voice firm yet soft.

Ailine lowered her gaze for a moment, steadying her trembling voice. “I… I have to go, Emma. I want to see Owen. I know it’s dangerous, but… I’m sure I can help too, even if just a little. I won’t leave him alone—not now.”

Emma exhaled deeply, her expression serious. “You don’t understand… that area is still dangerous. Landslides, debris, extreme weather. If something happens to you… what about your agency, or the reporters who might find out? It could get messy. And your family… you’re the only heir of a major conglomerate!”

Ailine bit her lower lip, her eyes glistening. “I know all the risks, Emma. But I can’t just sit here and wait. This isn’t about ego, or even my feelings. I can… I want to do something for the victims too. I can help them, even if only a little.”

Emma scrutinized her closely. “Miss Ailine…” she said, holding back a hint of panic, “you’re really serious?”

Ailine nodded firmly. “I am. I promise, no one will know. I’ll just go, help out for a little while, and be back before my birthday break ends—or at most, in a week. Think of it as how I’m spending my birthday. Celebrating it with them instead.”

Emma raised an eyebrow, half amused despite herself. “So… even after all my warnings, you’re still going?”

“Yes.”

“In that case… I’m coming too.”

“What? No way! You can’t! It’s too dangerous!”

“You’ll be facing danger either way! So what’s the difference?”

That was true. But Ailine didn’t want Emma to come.

“I need you to stay here, at least so you can handle anyone who asks about me. Signal will probably be bad, I won’t be able to communicate. Be my shield, okay?”

“Since you’re dragging me along as your shield, I expect extra bonuses!”

“No problem!”

“Deal!”

Emma looked at Ailine, smiling at the thought of getting extra perks, but still weighing every word and gesture carefully.

“But Miss, are you really sure you can handle everything on your own?”

Ailine smiled faintly, a little mischievous but gentle. The truth was, she had always relied on Emma’s help for so many things; Emma was her right hand in every sense.

“Yes. I can. Besides… I have a reason.” She paused, taking a deep breath before adding, “I’ve already registered as a volunteer for the disaster area. I didn’t tell you before, but this… this is a logical reason for me to go. So you can feel more at ease, right?”

Emma stared at her, hesitant, but finally nodded slowly. “Miss… very well. But you must promise me, not a single person outside will know. And you have to be extremely careful.”

“Promise.” Ailine let out a relieved smile, feeling a weight lift off her chest. “Thank you, Emma. You always understand me.”

Emma only smiled faintly, though her eyes couldn’t fully hide the worry. She knew Ailine was headstrong, and when her heart demanded something, it was nearly impossible to stop her.

She could only pray that Ailine would be safe and find Owen.

Ailine immediately opened her laptop to check the volunteer registration confirmation. Her name and contact details were recorded; all the necessary documents had been completed. The response had been surprisingly fast—probably because volunteers were urgently needed.

She took a long breath, staring at the screen for a moment, then beamed. “Alright… it’s official. I can go without raising suspicion.”

She closed her laptop and checked her bag, which she had prepared since the night before. Mask, warm clothes, hiking boots, medications, and some basic medical tools—all neatly packed. She even tucked in a few snacks and bottles of water. There was a brief, comical moment when she stumbled over her oversized hiking boots, almost knocking over the entire bag, but she chuckled to herself, patting her cheek to calm down.

Time passed quickly, and now she was seated on the plane—a military volunteer flight. The team leader organizing the volunteers knew that Ailine Su, superstar, was on board, but since it was meant to be a secret, her request was respected. No fuss, no headlines.

Ailine sat by the window, watching the clouds drift slowly below. Her heart raced, but not from fear—this was a mixture of determination and excitement. She thought of Owen, how she had once rejected him, and how now he was standing amid the disaster, helping those in need. Her heart felt warm yet heavy with guilt for having sent him away before.

“I should have been by his side from the start…” Ailine murmured softly, holding back tears. “If I had stayed a friend, I could have been his support when he lost his mother… and I could be here now.”

That thought kept echoing in her mind.

Ailine closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. When she opened them again, the Eastern Mountains were beginning to appear outside the window, mist drifting over the slopes, the cold air clearly visible even from afar. Her heart pounded fast, but her face carried a determined smile, her eyes sparkling with resolve.

The plane began its descent as they approached the Eastern Mountain region. Ailine adjusted her mask slightly, looking out the window. The disaster was real, but she knew she had to be there—for Owen, and for herself.

She closed her eyes briefly, imagining Owen rescuing children from the rubble, and her heart trembled. “I will find him… I have to be by his side,” she whispered, her voice quiet yet resolute. “Nothing can stop me now.”

The plane touched down gently at a small airport near the mountains. The cold air bit at her skin, but Ailine didn’t mind. She hoisted her bag, took a deep breath, and stepped outside. Thin mist clung to the ground, while the faint sounds of emergency vehicles echoed in the distance. She smiled, breath heavy but full of determination.

“I’m here… now it’s time to find you, Owen,” she whispered, gazing at the towering mountains. Without hesitation, she walked toward the waiting rental car, ready to drive into the disaster zone, contribute as a volunteer, and—most importantly—reunite with Owen.

As the car sped forward, the mist slowly thinned, revealing the mountain peaks. Ailine stared straight ahead, her resolve hardening. She knew this journey wouldn’t be easy, but her heart was set. She would be by Owen’s side, no matter what awaited her there.