Chapter 329 New Years Eve (1/2)

They spent the rest of the year at the penthouse.

Partly as a holiday and partly to avoid the havoc, the Ellen Show made after it was aired. As expected (except to Kyle), the moment the episode was shown, his popularity hit the roof. The Insta account hit a million new fans more overnight, nearly crippling the servers from the sudden surge at almost the same time.

No one knew that Kyle had never left Country AS, and those in Country Tz were abuzz. Now that it was fully confirmed that Kyle was the 'correct' Kyle, the hype was high.

All of that wasn't in Kyle's mind though. He had cut off all communications to the outside world, leaving everything to MIB during his break. He didn't want to be distracted and seriously just wanted to chill and relax.

So while the whole world was getting excited over the upcoming John Wick movie (making its investors and Chad extremely happy beyond belief), Kyle and his family were safe and sound in their own little cocoon at the penthouse.

It was nearing midnight of the final year.

Everyone (except Delilah and Patrick, who were asleep by then) went up to the rooftop deck and lay down on the deckchairs there. Kyle and Kay were sharing a deckchair and had a blanket wrapped around them.

The penthouse rooftop was the best place to attend the grand celebration that is done at the nearby Grand Park, without actually having to be there physically.

They had drinks and food with them, privacy and just the company of the four of them. Well, five really, since Ali was also there virtually. Using the group video chat, Kay had Skype'd Ali using two different laptops.

One laptop was facing the direction they were facing while the other was facing them. So at Ali's end, the computer screen was split into two. The left side showed the scenic view and the right side showed the Elite Five.

It was another tradition of the Elite Five to usher in the new year together, though this was the first time four of them were physically together and only one was there virtually. Kay had modified the laptops, of course, so the video and sound system was top-notch. Ali could see and hear everything clearly, more so since he was wearing headphones.

Still, it wasn't the same as actually being there so Ali was feeling a bit sad about that.

Sad, because it was only natural human feeling but he didn't let it make him act badly. What was important was that they were together now, and still sharing the end of the year together. Music could be heard blasting from Grand Park though it wasn't quite clear what it was.

”Wow, another year has passed,” Xing Han commented with a sigh, looking ahead, ”Three more years of freedom before I get engaged.”

Ali was silent at that, thinking about his Sophia.

”And you have two years to find someone before your parents do,” Xing Han commented to Kyle, ”What's your plan on that?”

Kyle gave a huge sigh.

”I ... seriously don't know. No, actually, I do but not that keen on it,” Kyle confessed, ”I just have to start dating.”

A collective gasp was heard from all of them.

”Are you serious?!” Ali shouted at Kyle.

”How else am I going to choose or find someone? It's just dating,” Kyle said with a slight shrug, ”To get to know them better. There's no one I'm particularly interested in so might as well try and see them in another setting?”