“What are we suddenly doing in the virtual net?” Colton thought that Ian was bringing him to the training room but who would have thought that the latter was coming to the virtual net instead? He does know how much he had to persuade Ian whenever he wanted to go to the virtual net by himself. So, how can someone who’s always uninterested instantly become interested suddenly? Their virtual hover car drove in the direction of the Creamery creamer outlet located in the C zone. Upon seeing this, a smile spread across Colton's face. “Wow. You're so great at reading minds, Ian. How do you know that I was craving for their beef burger? You’re my best friend indeed.” Ian ignored Colton who was yapping beside him and continued driving. After a while, their car arrived at the Creamery Creamer store. He then drove over to the parking lot. Just as soon as the car pulled to a stop, Colton immediately dashed out of the car and sprinted his way into the store. Ian shook his head in dismay when he saw this. He gently got down from the car and headed towards the entrance. When he entered; he saw that the receptionist behind the desk was already taking down Colton’s order. A look of disappointment suddenly flashed across his eyes when he saw that the receptionist wasn’t the familiar face he was looking for. “Hello. Welcome to our Creamery Creamer store. What would you like me to get for you?” The young attendant girl saw Ian walking into the store and greeted him with a professional smile. “Hello.” Ian nodded in greeting. His eyes scanned across the board menu and he made his order, “A cup of vanilla latte will do.” “Ho-ho, I never expected that you would be the sweet tooth type.” Colton expresses his amusement when he hears Ian’s order. Ian rolled his eyes at his statement. The two then walked over to the session area and sat down.It didn’t take long for their order to be brought over to them. Ian had his ordered cup of vanilla latte while Colton got his beef burger and a cup of ice cream to go along with it. “Mhmm.” Colton moaned loudly as he took a bite out of the beef burger. “This is so good. No matter how many times I’ve had it, I still can’t get over its delicious taste.” “Hmm,” Ian answered mindlessly as he swirled the cup of latte in his hand without any attempt to drink it. Colton saw this and swallowed the remaining residues in his mouth before speaking, “I'm pretty sure you didn't come to the virtual net just to order a cup of coffee. The Ian I know would rather spend his time in the training room than waste it by lingering outside here. Tell me, what's wrong with you? Are you out of love?” Ian looked up almost immediately when he heard Colton’s last statement. “Just...” He lowered back his gaze and resumed his previous action. “Did you and Lavinia fight?” Colton asked again. “No, we didn’t.” Ian shook his head. “It’s just… I've been thinking lately. What does it feel like to be in love?” Colton was confused by this unexpected question. “What do you mean? Shouldn't you be the one with more experience in that aspect?” But considering that Ian wouldn’t have asked such a question without a reason, he then answered. “Well, I’m not so sure myself since I don’t know how it feels either. But in my opinion, it should be just like the scene depicted in all romance drama. You know, their hearts start to flutter whenever they meet the one they like. Ah ha, and the blushing face part too.” Colton pointed out. “However, I think they are just fibs. Take Layla for example. She's almost every young guy's crush. But why doesn't my heart beat faster every time I see her on the screen? Oh, there was a time it did stir but that was because I was too excited to see her.” “Excited?” Ian's eyebrow rose in questioning. “Yeah. It felt as if my heart was going to pop out of my chest. But when I visited the doctor, he told me that it was anxiety and I should watch less of Layla's video. Which is why I had to give up on being Layla’s fanboy. It’s just so sad.” Ian lost interest in listening to Colton discussing how he had to give up on being Layla’s fanboy. But there was one statement that stuck to his mind. Could it be that what he feels for Sylvia isn't love but excitement? While in his thoughts, Colton had already finished eating his meal. He then rubs his stomach in satisfaction. “Ahh, I'm so full.” He wasn't full, since the food in the virtual net wasn’t real. However, the sense of fullness came directly from his brain. This was a program installed in all virtual cabins to stop users from overeating when using the pod. “Take it.” Ian threw the car key at him and got up to his feet. Colton instinctively caught the key that was thrown at him. He looked up at Ian with bewilderment. “What? Why are you giving me the key?” “Drive back yourself. I'm going to take a walk outside to clear off my mind.” Ian didn't bother waiting for his reply before walking out of the store. Colton stared confusedly at Ian's departing back. “What's going on with him?” ‘Could I have said anything that might have upset him in return?’ He ponders but can’t pinpoint anything wrong. Unknown to Colton’s inner thoughts, Ian began to walk down the pedestrian pathway. The passing by cars drove past him, making his figure look somewhat lonely amidst the rowdy streets. He didn't realize when he began to walk towards the location where he had first encountered Sylvia inside the virtual net. His feet suddenly halted. “What am I doing?” A cynical smile appeared on his face. He lifted his head, staring at the shopping mall in the distance. “It’s not like I’m going to meet her here.” Ian was about to turn around and leave when his sight subconsciously fell on the ten-person group that was standing in front of the mall. His already lifted foot rested back on the floor. ‘What are they doing here?’ His sight then drifted to the handsome man amongst them. It was the cheerful smile on the man’s face that suddenly caught him off guard.'Badum. Badum.' “Ahh.” Ian clutched onto his chest when he felt that pulsating feeling in his heart returns. Cold sweat instantly broke out of his forehead. “What's wrong with me?” === In the proximity, Sylvia was getting ready to leave with Miley and the group when Ryker's astonished voice fell into her ears. “Huh, it's Ian!” He pointed straight forward. Everyone’s head turned simultaneously to where he was pointing at. There, they saw a figure standing alone in the distance with a hundred percent resemblance to Ian. “Over here.” Ryker waves his hands in the air excitedly as he calls. “When did you two become close?” Kai noticed that Ryker didn't use honorific when pronouncing Ian's name earlier. “We did become closer after having a man-to-man discussion in the wilds,” Ryker answered. “I see.” Kai didn’t ask what the two of them had discussed and just nodded. Hearing Ryker call from the distance, Ian knew that he had been discovered. So, he walked over to them. “Hello, everyone.” He greeted. “I didn't expect to meet you guys here.” “Yeah. We came to the virtual net to have a team gathering dinner since most of us were quite busy during the day. Why don't you join us too?” Tyron proposed. “Although you've only been with us for a few days, you can also be considered as one of our members.” “Should I?” Ian made a glance at the rest of the group. Seeing that none of them were refusing him to partake in the gathering, he nodded. “Okay. You can put the tabs on me.” “No worries. Tyron already promised to treat us today. Perhaps, the next time we’ve another gathering like this.” Atlas explained. “Oh, okay. It’ll be my treat next time then.” Ian smiled. “Definitely.” “Our car is parked over there. Why don't we all get going.” “Okay, let’s go.” Everyone began to move. Colton, who had been following Ian from afar witnessed this. Seeing Ian talking to the group of people with familiarity, he was astounded. How come he doesn't know that his bro already has other friends besides him? Also, those friends even seem to be several times older than his bro. What’s going on here? “Or could it be that he’s ditching me so that he can sneak into a party?” He saw that the people were dressed in formal attire, most likely attending a party. A knowing look flashed across his eyes. “Tut, tut.” He clicked his tongue in dismay as if he had just found out a certain secret of the other party.