He dedicated some time to this before retiring for the night and sleeping soundly in his spacious master bedroom.
…
The following morning, Lucien maintained his early rising habit, commencing his routine with a refreshing shower and dressing for the day. After his preparations, he descended to the private garage, where Lucas had already arrived, poised to offer his assistance.
As they embarked on their journey to the Starwing Airways Airport, the city's streets were already bustling with the morning commute. Traffic was heavier than anticipated, but Lucien had allowed extra time, not wanting to risk missing his flight.
Upon reaching the airport, Lucien initially intended to proceed alone to the terminal, but Lucas insisted on accompanying him and handling the luggage. Lucien agreed, and they set out to locate the correct terminal. Upon arrival, they discovered that there was still ample time before his flight was scheduled to depart.
They decided to pass the time at a nearby café, enjoying some coffee and a simple breakfast. Lucien had only prepared a quick breakfast at home, which hadn't filled him up, and Lucas had initially ordered just a small coffee. However, Lucien encouraged Lucas to order something more substantial, insisting on covering the cost to put his mind at ease.
Lucas hesitated at first, but upon realizing Lucien's sincerity and concern, he eventually acquiesced, appreciative of the gesture.
After a leisurely breakfast and some relaxation, Lucien made his way to the boarding gate at the terminal. He bid his farewell to Lucas and expressed his gratitude for the service. His luggage had already been handled, leaving him with only his headphones, phone, and essential documents as he boarded the plane.
To his surprise, once he was on the plane, an attendant informed him that his ticket had been changed to first class. Puzzled, he inquired as to who had made the change. The attendant mentioned a person named Victoria Sterling and conveyed a message from her: "Have a good flight, Mr. Wilson. See this as a gift from me; I hope you don't mind my intrusion."
Lucien thanked the attendant and assured her it was fine. Although he had the means to purchase a first-class ticket, he hadn't deemed it necessary for a short two-hour flight. However, since it had already been changed, he decided to enjoy the upgrade.
Taking out his phone, he messaged Victoria to express his gratitude and reassure her that he didn't mind her kind gesture. Settling into his first-class seat, he put on his headphones and enjoyed some music.
The flight didn't last long, and before he knew it, the plane was in the process of landing. Lucien removed his headphones and peered out of the window, observing the picturesque landscape of Ardenvale from above. The view of the mountains and terrain made it appear quite adventurous and enticing from the sky.
After a relatively short flight, only half an hour had passed before their plane safely touched ground, and the cabin crew instructed passengers to remain seated for a brief moment before disembarking. He mentally braced himself for the possibility of a protracted wait for his luggage, and regrettably, that is precisely what unfolded. Nearly 45 minutes elapsed before his weary eyes finally spotted his suitcase gliding onto the conveyor belt. With a sigh of relief, he collected his belongings and hailed a taxi.
The digital clock on his phone read 9:40 am, and he swiftly decided to seize the opportunity to surprise Lizzie at her school. He knew her lunch break was just around the corner, and he longed to see her radiant smile. In a matter of minutes, the taxi pulled up, its yellow exterior contrasting with the cool, crisp morning air. He climbed into the cab, sharing a friendly nod with the driver who was all too accustomed to ferrying passengers to various destinations.
The journey to Ardenvale Central High School was a short one, no more than ten minutes, but it was filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement. The verdant landscape outside the window seemed to rush by, and as they approached the school, he couldn't help but recall the countless times he had come here to visit Lizzie. His school was not that far away, and his schedule was different, allowing him to make frequent visits during her first year of high school.
Shortly after they arrived in front of the school gates, Lucien retrieved his suitcase, walked a few steps, and settled onto a bench adjacent to the entrance. With a sense of eagerness, he reached for his phone and dialed Lizzie's number. As the call connected, he greeted her with warmth, "Hey Lizzie, I'm right outside your school gate. How about we grab some lunch together before you get back to your classes?"
Although Lizzie's graduation was just two days away, she still had a few obligations to fulfill. In addition to her regular classes, she was actively involved in organizing the graduation ceremony, which meant she had to attend meetings discussing the event's preparations and potential adjustments.
"Big brother Lucien, you're already here? Why didn't you say so sooner?" Lizzie chided him in a grumpy tone, though her excitement was evident in her voice. Lucien chuckled at her response, sensing her delight at his surprise visit. He was about to ask about her whereabouts when her voice broke through, "I'm coming, just wait a second."
Lucien held the phone to his ear, listening to the sound of echoing footsteps and distant voices in the background, presumably classmates or teachers inquiring about her abrupt departure before the call abruptly ended.
Lucien's eyes lit up as he spotted Lizzie sprinting out of the school's entrance, heading straight for their usual meeting spot—a well-worn bench where they had shared countless moments during their younger years. He knew she would find him there.
With the grace of a gazelle, Lizzie reached him, her youthful energy propelling her forward. Before he could even react, she leaped into his open arms, and he instinctively caught her. She clung to him tightly, and the world seemed to stand still as they embraced for several minutes. Lucien cherished every moment, aware that Lizzie must have missed him just as much as he missed her. It had indeed been a long time since his last visit, and this reunion was a deeply cherished one.
Lucien remained steadfast, holding her close until she finally motioned for him to let her down. Even once her feet were firmly on the ground, she refused to release her grip on him, standing by his side with unwavering affection.
It was only then that Lizzie took a closer look at her big brother and noticed the subtle changes in his appearance. He was no longer as thin as she remembered, his hair glistened with health, and he seemed to have grown taller. In fact, she couldn't help but think he looked considerably more attractive and handsome than the last time she had seen him. His newfound vitality and lean physique made her appreciate the transformation.
"You look different," Lizzie exclaimed, her eyes filled with curiosity and affection.
Lucien couldn't help but playfully respond, "Oh really, is that a compliment or an insult directed at me?" He drew closer and peered into her face, his tone teasing. "You, on the other hand, look even more beautiful than the last time I saw you, little sis," he added, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he nodded in acknowledgment of her changed appearance.
Lizzie grinned, her laughter like a sweet melody. "I know it's been over three years since we last saw each other, so it's only natural that we've both changed," she said, her tone warm and comforting. This simple acknowledgment captured the essence of their cherished reunion as they reconnected.
In that moment, Lucien noticed two girls and three boys approaching with a curious expression on their faces. As soon as Lizzie spotted the two girls, she rushed over to them, taking each by the hand and leading them over to Lucien.
With an enthusiastic smile, she introduced him, "This is my big brother, Lucien," as she pointed in his direction. She then gestured towards the girl on the left, saying, "This is Gabby." At first sight, Gabby appeared as a striking figure with her long, glossy ebony hair cascading down her back. Her porcelain skin and deep blue eyes exuded elegance and curiosity. Standing tall at 170 cm with a naturally regal posture, she certainly left a memorable first impression.
Lizzie then turned to her left and pointed at the other girl, continuing, "And this is Frankie." Upon the first encounter, Frankie's long, wavy auburn hair captured attention, reminiscent of a fiery sunset with its rich and radiant shades. Her hazel eyes were a captivating blend of green and brown, revealing the depths of her varied interests. Standing at 165 cm, she possessed an athletic build, setting her apart from her friends with a unique charm.
"Hello, I'm Lucien, Lizzie's big brother. It's a pleasure to meet both of you," he said with a warm smile. Gabby was the first to speak up, clearly surprised, "So, you're the big brother she's always talked about." She regarded him with a curious expression.
Frankie, too, regarded him with interest and added, "It's true, she's mentioned you quite a bit over the years." She let out a small chuckle as she observed Lizzie puffing out her cheeks, seemingly annoyed and betrayed by her friends' comments.
Quick to defend herself, Lizzie interjected, "That's not true! I only mention my big brother's achievements sometimes, that's all. Don't believe them, big brother." She turned to him, trying to convince him that she hadn't been boasting about him excessively.
Lucien chuckled and replied, "It's okay. It seems I've been gone for too long, so you even brag about me to your friends." He found the idea amusing, not really minding that she shared stories about him with others. He only hoped that she hadn't exaggerated too much in her tales.
Gabby leaned in, her curiosity piqued, and asked in a hushed tone, "Is it true that you're the top student at Alderbrook University this year?" She seemed somewhat skeptical, considering it was the country's top university they were discussing.
Lucien didn't mind the doubt and replied with a gentle smile, "Yes, I am the top student this year." He couldn't help but notice the baffled and shocked expressions on the faces of Lizzie's friends.
Lizzie seized the opportunity to gloat, saying, "See, I told you I wasn't lying, but you didn't want to believe me. I told you that my big brother is super smart."
Frankie rolled her eyes in a playful manner and retorted, "Yeah, yeah, you're always right when it comes to your brother, we know." She wore a teasing expression, playfully acknowledging Lizzie's unwavering support for her big brother.
Lizzie, with frustration bubbling up, took a step in their direction, but Gabby gently held her back. Lizzie's anger subsided as she sighed and pouted, muttering an exasperated "Humpfh" before releasing a deep breath.
Lucien observed their friendly banter with a warm smile, recognizing the closeness that had developed between Lizzie and her friends. He remembered the initial nervousness he had felt, unsure of how her school life had been in recent years. During the first year that he still lived nearby, she hadn't really interacted with her classmates and had always clung to him. However, it had become evident that she had made great strides in overcoming her shyness and had also adapted well to her school environment. Additionally, she didn't seem to have any issues regarding their family's average financial situation, which filled him with genuine happiness. The fact that she had not only made friends but also found really good ones was a source of great comfort and joy for him.