Chapter 30: No one eats alone

The morning sun broke through the glass windows of the university, casting familiar golden streaks across the tiled floors. Another ordinary day had begun. Lectures flowed from one to the next—words, formulas, and sleepy scribbles on notebooks.

By lunch break, the college cafeteria buzzed with chatter, trays clattered, and the smell of cheap meals and vending machine coffee lingered in the air.

Miles entered the court quietly, as always—sharp eyes surveying the room with instinct honed by years in the Graveyard.

His gaze landed on a table near the back.

“Hey, little mama’s boy… what are you eating?” a loud voice mocked.

A boy sat there alone, shoulders hunched, clutching a plastic lunchbox. It was Josh, a quiet student from Miles’s class. Three students—two boys and a girl—hovered around him like vultures.

“A cheap lunchbox from the counter? Man, have some self-respect,” one bully sneered.

“C’mon, Josh, we’re just giving you company,” the girl added, grinning cruelly. “Who else would sit with you, huh? You should be thankful.”

Josh muttered, “Just leave me alone.”

Miles narrowed his eyes. He didn’t tolerate bullies. Not when he was a kid in the Graveyard, and not now.

At another table nearby, Celina was laughing with her friends. Miles glanced at her, then sent a quick message. She checked her phone and smiled.

But Miles didn’t head to his usual spot, nor did he pick up his signature black coffee.

Instead, he walked to the meal counter and grabbed a standard cheap meal tray—rice, curry, some fried vegetables.

Then, wordlessly, he walked to Josh’s table.

The bullies paused mid-laugh.

Miles calmly pulled out a chair and sat down. He set the tray before him, eyes down, then slowly looked up.

A cold, unreadable gaze.

Before the bullies could react, another chair scraped the floor.

Celina sat beside him.

Then came Becky, and Rose, taking seats like queens joining their king.

Josh stared wide-eyed, stunned.

The cafeteria quieted slightly, a few students glancing their way. The bullies hesitated, visibly shaken by the sudden shift in power.

Miles picked up his spoon, stirred his food gently.

“If you want to sit,” he said, voice calm but commanding, “then sit silently.”

He looked up, locking eyes with them.

“I don’t like anyone disturbing me… while I’m eating.”

The tension hung in the air like a blade.

The bullies muttered something under their breath—and slowly walked away.

Josh looked down at his food, unsure of what just happened.

Miles took a bite of his rice. “Eat up,” he said quietly. “It’s not good to waste food.”

Josh nodded, still stunned.

Celina leaned closer with a smirk. “That was smooth.”

Miles shrugged. “Just hate noise during lunch.”

Josh glanced at the table, hesitant.

“Thank you… all of you,” he mumbled. “You didn’t have to do this. Now they’ll target you… because of me.”

Becky let out a light chuckle, unfazed.

Rose leaned in with a sly grin. “Can they really? Josh, did you even notice why they walked away without a word?”

Josh blinked.

“They didn’t back off because of us,” Rose continued. “They left because he sat down.” She nodded toward Miles.

Josh glanced at Miles, then at the quiet confidence he carried even while eating a simple meal. For the first time, Josh noticed the slight tension in Miles’s shoulders, the kind of posture that came not from fear—but from experience.

“You don’t look well, Josh,” Miles said, his voice softer now. “Something bothering you? It’s not just the bullying… you looked off even in class.”

Josh hesitated. Then sighed.

“Actually… it’s my dad,” he admitted. “He’s in the army. He serves on the border.”

The group fell quiet.

“We spoke to him two weeks ago… He told me and mom he was going on some operation. Since then, nothing. We tried to reach out, but the officials said it’s classified. They won’t even confirm if he’s okay.

Becky’s smile faded. Celina looked concerned.

“I don’t care if I have to eat alone,” Josh said. “I just… I’m worried about my mom. She doesn’t eat properly anymore, barely talks. Keeps staring at the phone.”

There was a pause—long, thoughtful.

Then Miles spoke.

“I understand, Josh.”

His tone had changed. Not just empathy—but familiarity. A weight in his voice only a soldier or someone who grew up among them could carry.

“Operations can go silent for a reason. Sometimes, soldiers are deep in hostile zones. Sometimes they’re just not allowed to speak—not even to family. It’s standard procedure.”

He looked Josh in the eyes.

“Your dad is doing something important. Something he probably can’t talk about right now. But that’s the cost of protecting a nation. You should be proud of him. We all are.”

Josh’s lips trembled, just slightly. “Thanks, Miles… But I’m not worried about myself. I’m scared for my mom. She’s not taking it well.”

Miles nodded slowly, the corners of his expression softening.

“We’ll figure something out,” he said. “You’re not alone in this.”

Miles leaned forward slightly, voice low but gentle.

“Will your mom be okay… if she hears from your father? Even just for a moment?”

Josh blinked, confused.

“What do you mean?

Miles looked up calmly. “What’s your father’s name?”

Josh hesitated, then said quietly,

“Captain Riddle, 17th Battalion, Northern Sector.”

Celina, watching Miles curiously, grinned. “A phone call. That’s all he needs.”

Miles took out his sleek black phone and stepped aside. With practiced fingers, he typed in a secure sequence.

—

Border Security Base – Northern Frontier

A young soldier at the comms station froze.

“S-Sir, we’re receiving a priority signal… It’s untraceable.”

The supervising sergeant furrowed his brow. “Ask for authentication. Tag number.”

—

Back in the cafeteria, Miles brought the phone to his ear.

“This is border security base,” the operator’s voice came through. “As it’s a high-priority channel, please verify your identity. Provincial army tag number?”

Miles’s voice was calm, firm. “77777.”

Josh and the others watched. Becky whispered, “That’s five sevens… What is he doing?”

The operator entered the number.

Suddenly, the screen flashed red—an emergency override alert.

The sergeant rushed over, saw the tag code, and immediately grabbed the headset.

“Patch it through. Now!”

He took a deep breath. “Good afternoon, General. This is Sergeant West. How can we assist you, sir?”

—

Miles got straight to the point.

“I’m looking for Captain Riddle. Is he on duty?”

“Yes, General. He and his team are returning next week. They’re currently deployed on a classified watch-and-guard mission.”

Miles nodded. “I need to speak to him. Without compromising the operation.”

“Understood. We can route a secure comms link. No personal devices are allowed on-site—you know protocol.”

“I do. Set up the line. Two minutes. I’ll wait.”

“Copy that, sir.”

—

Miles returned to the table, face calm. He held out his phone to Josh.

“Call your mom. In two minutes, she’ll be able to talk to your dad.”

Josh stared at him, stunned.

“W-What…? Really?”

Celina smiled warmly. “Go on, Josh.”

Josh’s hands trembled slightly as he dialed.

“M-Mom… pick up… Hello? Yeah, it’s me. I’m still in college, but—listen… someone wants to connect you to dad… Yes, dad… just hold on…”

Miles stood nearby, arms crossed, watching quietly.

Behind him, Celina, Rose, and Becky exchanged silent glances—equal parts awe and disbelief.

Rose whispered, “He just made a classified connection across the border… during lunch break…”

Becky smirked. “I’m never skipping cafeteria again.”

The call connected.

Josh held the phone close, voice shaky with disbelief.

“Dad…? Is it really you?”

On the other end, Captain Raghav Dev’s calm voice came through.

“Josh… son, is that you? Is your mom there too?”

Josh handed the phone to his mother on the other line. Within seconds, the sound of her crying and laughing filled the call.

“I told you he’d be okay, Mom… I told you…”

Tears welled in Josh’s eyes as he sat at the edge of the table, quietly soaking in the relief washing over him.

—

Meanwhile, at the table, Celina squinted at Miles’s tray and leaned forward.

“Wait a minute… is that a friend mushroom?”

Miles raised an eyebrow. “A what now?”

Celina pointed dramatically. “That tiny fried thing with eyes. That’s a friend mushroom. It has feelings, Miles. You’re seriously about to eat that?”

Miles deadpanned. “It looked at me wrong. It knew the risk when it jumped in the fryer.”

Before he could grab his spoon, Celina snatched his plate.

“Gimme that. You’ve already committed emotional crimes today—leave this one innocent.”

Miles chuckled. “I’m filing a case for tray theft.”

Becky leaned in. “Careful, Celina. That mushroom probably has a tragic backstory. Like… he watched his whole fungus family get sautéed in front of him.”

Rose added with a smirk, “Now he’s about to be devoured by a spoiled heiress. The betrayal.”

Celina gasped. “I am not spoiled!”

Miles mock-nodded. “Of course you’re not. You only have a mansion, a bodyguard, three dogs named after Greek gods, and twelve skin-care routines.”

Becky clapped her hands. “This cafeteria drama is better than reality TV.”

They all burst out laughing just as Josh returned to the table, wiping his eyes.

He looked at Miles. “Thank you… I don’t know how you did it. But my mom—she was crying. She’s so happy now. So calm. I haven’t seen her smile like that in days.”

Miles gave a soft, warm smile and nodded.

“It’s okay, Josh. I’m just glad your mom’s okay.”

Josh sat down again, quietly overwhelmed, as laughter and warmth lingered around the table. For once, he wasn’t sitting alone.

Miles’s phone buzzed.

He glanced down at the screen: “Uncle Victor”

Celina, still holding his now confiscated tray, caught the name instantly.

“Hmm… why’s my dad calling you?” she teased with a playful raise of her brow.

Becky and Rose smirked.

“Oooh,” Becky leaned in. “So you’ve already had the meet-the-parents moment, huh?”

“Must’ve gone well,” Rose added, “he’s calling for a second date.”

Miles rolled his eyes but smiled faintly as he answered the call.

“Hello, Uncle Victor.”

Victor’s voice came through, calm but casual.

“Miles, there’s a charity event tomorrow night at the Meridian Grand. It’s for young entrepreneurs and future leaders—just your crowd. Why don’t you go with Celina? It’ll be a good opportunity to meet people, make connections.”

Miles blinked. “Tomorrow night? Sounds interesting.”

Victor continued, “Is Celina with you right now?”

Miles glanced at her across the table, smugly sipping on his coffee like she owned it.

“Yeah, she’s right here. Want me to pass the phone?”

Victor: “Please.”

Miles held out the phone. “Your Highness, the King summons thee.”

Celina rolled her eyes, took the phone with a grin.

“Hey, Dad… Yeah, I’m here. Uh-huh. Yes, I’ll go. No, I won’t wear that pink gown you hate. Yes, I’ll take him with me—he’s more responsible than you think… Okay, okay, love you too.”

She handed the phone back with a soft smile.

“Well, Mr. Sterling, looks like you’re my plus-one tomorrow.”

Miles gave a mock bow. “I’m honored to serve, Lady Wraithbourne.”

Rose grinned. “This is getting romantic.”

Becky laughed. “If they slow-dance at the event, I’m recording it.”

Celina smirked. “Only if you two promise not to cry when we outshine everyone.”

Miles leaned back. “I’m not wearing a tux.”

Celina: “Oh, you will be.”

Miles: “We’ll see.”

Everyone chuckled as the lunch period wound down, but an unspoken excitement hung in the air—about the event, the possibilities… and the growing bond that none of them dared to name just yet.

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