My Cute Neighbor Invited Me to Watch the Meteor Shower… Then Whispered, “Stay After Everyone Leaves.”
Chapter 13
Six months later, Emma stood before a senate committee.
She testified about Horizon.
The investigation had become one of the largest financial corruption cases in the state’s history.
Executives were sentenced.
Assets were recovered.
Families were compensated.
The water system was placed under independent control.
Emma spoke clearly.
“We cannot prevent every corrupt person from gaining power.”
She paused.
“But we can make it harder for them to hide.”
Noah sat in the audience.
Their parents sat beside him.
For the first time, all four adults sat together in public.
The photographs from that day spread across the country.
People finally knew the truth.
After the hearing, Emma stepped outside.
Noah waited.
“You did well.”
“I was nervous.”
“You didn’t look nervous.”
“You never do.”
He smiled.
“Liar.”
She laughed.
Then she noticed something across the street.
A small observatory.
The city had reopened it.
They walked there together.
At the top, stars filled the sky.
Emma smiled.
“Remember the first time?”
“Yes.”
“You lied.”
“About what?”
“You said the meteor shower was just a party.”
He laughed.
“I was trying to get you alone.”
“You could have just asked.”
“I was scared.”
She looked at him.
“Of me?”
“Of what would happen if you said no.”
Emma smiled.
“I’m glad I said yes.”
He took her hand.
“So am I.”
They stayed until midnight.
Then a meteor crossed the sky.
Emma whispered:
“Make a wish.”
Noah smiled.
“I don’t need one.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because I already got mine.”
She rolled her eyes.
“That was terrible.”
“I know.”
They laughed.
Then Emma’s phone buzzed.
A message from Lily.
She had been investigating an old Horizon account.
She sent a photograph.
A document.
And one sentence:
I found something Mom never told you.
Emma looked at Noah.
“Not again.”
Noah laughed.
“Apparently our families are allergic to being normal.”
Emma opened the file.
It showed an old bank account.
The beneficiary was her mother.
But the date was only five years ago.
Her mother had been alive.
Emma stared.
“There’s more.”
Noah nodded.
“Then we’ll find it.”
She took his hand.
“Together.”
