Then she suddenly realized that Kenzo hadn't absorbed the radiation. She walked to him and helped him unzip the spacesuit, and slid the box along his hair, neck, and shoulder over and over until he finally said. "Okay. Go to the back of the plane to get some food."
She found some food from a little fridge and asked, "How long have I been out?"
"Five hours."
"Am I alright now?"
"Yes. You are very lucky."
A wave of joy swept over her. She put the food in front of him. Then, on the sight of his blood-shot eyes, she said. "Let me drive for a while so you can have a rest. You need it."
"You're not familiar with this special area." He said flatly.
After looking at the alien starry sky outside the window, she picked up a calorific candy and put it in his mouth. He glanced at her, then ate it.
She opened a bottle of water and fed him more than half of the bottle. She drank the leftovers and ate a piece of bread.
"How long do we have to get back?" She asked, glancing at him.
"Six hours left to the nearest space station," He answered, "but fuel is limited.
"I see..." She sat back in the co-pilot seat.
The Cheetah flew fast at a sub-light speed. But compared to the whole galaxy, it was a small boat sailing in the ocean of stars.
Emerald put on the spacesuit helmet, trying to distract herself, but she couldn't help looking at Kenzo. How could an official in the alliance be such an expert in space flight?
Even under the mask, his face looked like a painting with the hale lines mixed with gentleness, and the dark eyebrows, high nose, and full, gritty lips. He had complete control over her since the day she met him.
She was so small and humble to him that he could easily determine her life. But why had she stopped hating him? Why did she not even hate him for taking her virginity as a form of punishment? Why was she thinking about his tan face, gritty eyes, and strong arms again and again?
This feeling disturbed her. While she was thinking, another thing suddenly occurred to her. She asked with lingering hope. "My Lord, can we save Zach in the same way?"
Kenzo answered indifferently. "It's too late."
Her heart ached for Zach. It seemed that Kenzo was reading her mind, and he laughed, "Feel sorry for him?" Out of Kenzo's expectation, she nodded silently.
"He helped me a lot. He was a good guy."
"Oh?" Kenzo tilted his head, "What about me?"
Emerald looked directly at his dark eyes and said softly, "My Lord, you are the best."
His pretty face slowly became apathetic. "Emerald, I like how docile you are, and I like your body, but remember, I'm never a good guy."
After all, Emerald was not as strong as Kenzo, so she slept again for a while. When she woke up and opened her eyes, she saw an enormous space fortress in front of her. The gate opened, and she saw Harvey rush to them.
Seeing that Kenzo was not hurt, he was relieved. Kenzo stood up and said to him, "Come here and pilot the plane."
Harvey nodded. Kenzo lifted Emerald up from her chair and sat on the co-pilot seat himself, putting her on his thigh quite naturally.
He took off his heavy helmet first and then hers. He was always unbridled in space and never thought about safety. His big hands gently wrapped up her shoulders, pressing her long hair against his chest.
His hands slid along her soft face, slowly rubbing it, then stopping on her waist. He was touching her like she was his pet.
Emerald raised her head quietly and saw him only an inch away from her. He must've been very tired and already had fallen asleep with his eyes closed with brows knitted.
Emerald slowly put her head on his chest with mixed feelings. The cold spacesuit somehow made her feel at ease. She watched the Cheetah leave the space fortress and fly into the endless space again in his arms.
****
The silver light showed up three times in the three hyperspace leaps. The scenery became familiar.
She could see two red stars surrounded by eight planets, which was Galaxy Eternity, where she woke up.
"One hour to go," Harvey said without turning back.
"Thank you," Emerald said.
After being silent for a while, Harvey said, "It's not been easy for any of us."
Kenzo's breath kept stable and long. Emerald's legs and feet started to sore after crouching in his arms for too long.
She grabbed his hands gently to stand up, but he suddenly squeezed her hands after she tried to open his hands.
"Stay here...." He said in a low voice.
She raised her head only to see his eyes still closed, without even one eyelash moving.
"Loyalty for us is everything." Harvey suddenly said, "I hope you feel the same way towards the Lord."
"Did he just say "us"? Emerald wondered, and then she nodded.
"You should trust the Lord more."
Emerald raised her eyebrows out of confusion, and Harvey continued. "The Lord said that you remind him of his youth, so..."
"Harvey." Kenzo interrupted him with an authoritative voice, "You've said too much."
Harvey stopped speaking. Emerald suddenly felt that her shoulder was heavier because Kenzo leaned his head on her.
"Stop looking around." He breathed onto her neck and bit her on the shoulder.
Her heart was pounding, and she really didn't dare to move now. How could she be compared to the young Kenzo Lane?
In spite of the confusion, she couldn't help but smile. Maybe it was because she was happy to be saved, or it was because of the hug of this man, which was so safe and reliable.
Even though he was not a great guy and he treated her like a pet, she somehow hoped that this trip and this silent hug could be longer and longer.
After flying through the bumpy atmospheric layer, she could see the full picture of Hope City.
Harvey was lit with relief, and Kenzo let Emerald down so she could tidy up his clothes.