MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 673: Visit

”Any plans for today?” he asked.

Vega, who had just finished with the dishes, turned towards him, nodding lightly as she replied, ”Yeah, I do have plans, and I might not be able to return today.”

Anthony gave a small nod, about to ask what her plans were, but Vega spoke first.

”What about you? Any plans?” she asked.

Anthony shook his head slightly as he answered, ”Nope, I don’t. And since you’re leaving, I’ll probably have to spend some time with the boys until you return.”

Vega walked past him, stepping out of the kitchen and into the living room. With casual grace, she sank onto a couch and added, ”No need for that, you can come with me.”

Anthony joined her on the couch, curiosity flickering in his eyes. ”I don’t know about that, since my parents and the rest of the Supreme Monarchs are returning in a few days... but where exactly are we headed to?”

Vega smiled sheepishly before responding, ”I’m going to visit my father.”

Her words were like a bomb detonating inside Anthony’s mind. His thoughts spun rapidly, scenarios and possibilities clashing wildly in his imagination, each one more dramatic than the last. Meeting Vega’s father was no small matter, and his mind raced with the gravity of it.

”You’re making that face again,” Vega’s voice cut into his spiraling thoughts, pulling him back to reality.

”What face?” Anthony asked with a feigned innocence.

”The face you make when you’re overthinking,” Vega replied knowingly.

”I don’t make any face, and I’m not overthinking,” Anthony countered, shaking his head.

’She knows me too well,’ he thought, releasing a mental sigh.

”Don’t stress yourself over it,” Vega said with a reassuring smile. ”It’s not like we’re going to ask him to bless our marriage or something.”

”Hmmm... My mom will be back in a few days. I’m not sure I can come,” Anthony said calmly.

”We’re only staying at my dad’s for a few days. When we return, we can visit your parents together,” Vega explained in a steady tone.

”I suppose that makes sense,” Anthony replied.

Although his face was composed, his mind continued to whirl. Fathers were famously overprotective of their daughters. In his heart, Anthony knew if he had a daughter, he’d likely feel the same way, even a desire to string up whatever man dared to steal her heart.

He could already imagine the stormy look of a father who thought no man was worthy enough.

Anthony silently prayed that this encounter would not go disastrously wrong. After all, he couldn’t just walk up to Vega’s father and say: ’Hey sir, I’m Anthony. I’ve been sleeping with your daughter.’

By contrast, the thought of Vega meeting his own parents didn’t bother him in the slightest. He was certain his mother, Mitchelle, would be ecstatic to meet her.

Given how often she had pestered him to bring home a girlfriend, Anthony suspected that Vega might end up spending more time with Mitchelle than with him. He could already picture his mother whisking Vega away for endless ”mother-in-law and daughter-in-law bonding moments,” leaving him sidelined and forgotten.

”So, what made you suddenly want to visit your father?” Anthony asked, his tone calm.

”Well... It’s been over a year since we last saw or even spoke to each other. And since we went back to Blue Planet for the Forsaken Cult mission, I thought it was about time I paid him a visit,” Vega replied, her tone calm and thoughtful.

Anthony nodded, quietly accepting her words.

”What time do we leave today?” he asked.

”Anytime we want. He’s always at home whenever I visit, as though he somehow knows exactly when I’ll arrive. Besides, we’ll teleport there, it’s not like we’re taking an aircraft or anything,” Vega answered.

Anthony nodded again, her explanation making sense.

”Would Veronica be coming along?” he asked, knowing how inseparable Vega and her best friend usually were.

”I had initially planned to go with her, but since you’re coming with me, it’ll just be the two of us. Besides, I haven’t informed Veronica of my departure, so nothing changes anyway,” Vega replied casually.

Anthony leaned back slightly, thoughts stirring in his mind. ’I wonder just how powerful Vega’s father really is?’

Although Vega rarely spoke of him, from the scattered pieces of information she had shared, Anthony had already concluded that her father must be an immensely powerful figure. It even seemed that he held connections with many races across the galaxy, his influence extending far beyond what Anthony could easily comprehend.

”Should I get a gift or something, since I’m meeting him for the first time?” Anthony asked, uncertain but wanting to be respectful.

”There’s no need. Honestly, I doubt there’s anything you could bring that would even stir his interest. Don’t bother,” Vega replied, her tone steady, though tinged with a hint of amusement.

’I doubt that.’ Anthony thought privately.

With his system shop and the endless rewards from sign-ins, he couldn’t imagine anyone being wealthier or more resourceful than himself. Still, he wisely kept that thought to himself. Out loud, he only nodded, agreeing with Vega’s words.

”Well then, since we have nothing else to do, should we leave now?” Vega suggested.

”You decide. I’ll follow,” Anthony said calmly.

”Aren’t you going to tell our teammates we’ll be gone for a few days?” Vega asked as she rose from her seat.

”They’ll figure it out soon enough once they don’t see the both of us. Besides, I’m sure Veronica and Seraphim will contact you once they notice your absence,” Anthony replied, rising to his feet as well.

”That’s true,” Vega admitted with a small smile.

With a casual wave of her hand, a shimmering blue portal opened before them.

Just before stepping through, Vega turned to Anthony and said gently, ”Just be yourself. There’s no need to act or try to impress him.”

Anthony simply smiled, uncertain of how to respond. Instead, he only nodded.

With a graceful step, Vega crossed the threshold of the portal, disappearing into the swirling blue light. Without hesitation, Anthony followed close behind. In an instant, the portal sealed shut, leaving no trace of their departure.