CHAPTER 39. DEFCON 1!

Andrea gave Zack a questioning look when he took her hand and led her to one of the gardens of the house. Inside the small wooden gazebo, a table was set with a romantic dinner, music, candles, everything needed for the perfect marriage proposal, and he was as nervous as if it were a real one. The sky was painted a deep black with a few clouds, and the garden was filled with soft lights.

"Zack? Don't scare me! What is this?" she whispered.

Zack pulled out a chair for Andrea, and they both sat down.

"I'll tell you in a moment, just play along with me."

She settled in and looked at the beautiful dinner as Zack poured champagne.

"This looks delicious... but I feel like I'm going to choke on the food," Andrea whispered, her eyes bright with anxiety. "Why do I feel like I'm going to choke on the food, Zack?"

They looked into each other’s eyes, and she saw he was just as worried.

"Because we’re at DEFCON 5, Sweetie!" he replied.

"That means everything is normal, Little