She Stuns the World - Chapter 297: Chapter 297

They walked toward each other and stopped, standing face to face. Both seemed like they wanted to say something, but when their eyes met, the words just disappeared. Instead, they just stood there, silently taking in each other's presence as if nothing else mattered and the moment itself was more important than anything they could've said.
Louis, following Matthew closely behind, watched the whole thing unfold. Adjusting his glasses, he couldn't help but roll his eyes. 'Here we go again. These two are hopeless. Sure, they're both easy on the eyes, but is this staring contest really necessary?' he thought.
As he watched, a grin tugged at his lips—a mix of that cheesy, bittersweet feeling only single people know too well.
After what felt like forever, Louis couldn't take it anymore. He cleared his throat. "Mr. Graham, Miss Donovan. Dinner's ready. If you don't start now, it's going to get cold."
Matthew gave a small nod. "Shall we, Miss Donovan?"
Of course, Matthew had reserved the entire restaurant. There was only one table, beautifully set with dinner waiting.
Being the gentleman he was, Matthew pulled out a chair for Athena. Once she was seated, he sat down across from her and poured them both champagne.
He lifted his glass, smiling. "Miss Donovan, it's been a while. I'm glad we can catch up tonight."
Athena raised her glass and smiled back. "I'm glad too."
It hadn't even been that long—just a couple of weeks—but it somehow felt like ages since their last meeting.
Dinner was quiet. Neither felt the need for small talk since they both knew what the other had been up to. There wasn't much to ask, and it didn't seem like the right time to dive into deeper conversations. Every now and then, one of them would say something like, "This is really good, you should try it," or "Wanna order anything else?"
About twenty minutes later, as they were finishing up, Athena set her fork down and scooped a bit of ice cream. "So, how exactly are you planning to get to Asnaoya? You're not flying all the way there in a helicopter, are you?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Matthew said, "I'm taking a helicopter to the border, then switching to a private plane to get to Asnaoya."
Athena asked, "And the mercenaries?"
"They're on their way. We'll meet up in Asnaoya's capital," he replied.
Athena continued, "And how does the Graham family feel about your decision?"
Matthew let out a small, mocking laugh. "Some don't like it, but most are fine with it. Honestly, if I don't make it back, a few might even celebrate."
There was a brief pause before Athena placed her hand firmly on top of his. "You'll come back safe. I'll be waiting for you," she said confidently.
Matthew blinked, surprised. His eyes dropped to her hand as his heart picked up pace. But before he could respond, she pulled away, grabbed her bag, and started pulling out gears. One by one, she laid out several items, explaining each with precision.
"This is a multi-purpose backpack. Looks basic, but it's tough and stretchy enough to turn into a sleeping bag. It's fireproof, waterproof, virus-proof, and even knife-resistant. It can keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Forget bugs and snakes—even tiger claws can't tear it apart. It can even stop bullets, though maybe not a sniper rifle."
She paused, then added, "If you're using it as a sleeping bag, just try not to get wrapped up by a python. That could be tricky."
Matthew just watched her, not saying a word. His focus on her deepened with every moment.
Meanwhile, in the corner, Louis sighed to himself. Since sitting down, Matthew had not taken his eyes off Athena once. It was like nothing else existed except her.
Athena gave her backpack a pat. "If you're looking to cut back on what you're carrying, this bag is non-negotiable."
She picked up the second item. "Now, don't let the size fool you—it might look like a watermelon, but it's packed with features. I've already programmed everything—your face, voice, body stats. It recognizes you as the owner.
"You can command it by voice, or just press these buttons for different functions. This one is for light—it can illuminate a five-meter area for a thousand hours. This one's for heat—the max temperature goes over 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
"This button here ignites a flame that won't go out, even in the rain. And this one? It activates a protective net, but you've gotta be careful with it." She grinned, like she was some kind of high-tech saleswoman, showing off her latest product.
But Matthew knew better. Everything she gave him wasn't just some high-tech gadget—it was next level, like something out of a legend. In myths, these would be the modern-day Excalibur or Thor's hammer. In a fantasy world, they would be rarer than phoenix feathers or unicorn horns.
Yet, none of those legendary treasures compared to her.