Lucien couldn't help but admire the dedication and hidden talent that had been concealed for so long. It was a moment of discovery and appreciation, and he silently contemplated how he could potentially nurture this talent and make his aunt's long-held dreams a reality.
For some time, a comfortable silence enveloped the room as Lucien meticulously examined the designs, pondering his next steps. He was deeply absorbed in the sketches, contemplating how to approach his aunt and her untapped talent. However, he decided to place these thoughts at the back of his mind for the moment, planning to address them once he had visited LuxeUniverse Couture and familiarized himself with the staff and the current manager.
Breaking the silence, Fiona smiled slightly as she noticed how seriously Lucien studied her designs. "What do you think? I was pretty good, right?" she inquired, her laughter carrying a hint of warmth as she gazed at her nephew.
Lucien looked up from the sketchbook, his eyes filled with admiration. "Aunt, you are not only good; you're really good," he affirmed. "But Lizzie is also old enough now, so why have you never tried to pursue your talent after all this time? You could probably make it big."
Fiona met Lucien's gaze, her expression reflecting a sense of nostalgia and contemplation. "I have thought about it," she admitted, her voice tinged with a touch of sadness, "but I haven't designed anything for so long, and my fashion sense is probably too old for the new times."
Lucien couldn't bear to see his aunt give up on her dream without even trying. He leaned in closer and encouraged her, saying, "Why don't you try designing something, Aunt? I truly believe that you still have what it takes to make it big. You just need to believe in yourself more."
Aidan, Lucien's uncle, joined the conversation with his own words of support. "We're about to start a new life in Starcity," he pointed out. "So why don't you finally pursue your dream? Lucien is helping me fulfill mine, and it's only fair that you try to achieve what you've always wanted. I know you still have that passion, and I believe you can make it big. Even if you're not at your prime, you're still better than many others."
Moved by the words of encouragement and support from Lucien and Aidan, Fiona's eyes glistened with tears. She smiled, her determination shining through. "Okay, you're right," she agreed, her voice filled with newfound resolve. "I should at least try. I've always wanted my designs to be worn by the world, and that belief hasn't wavered. So, I will try my best to achieve just that."
Her decision to pursue her dream reflected a newfound hope and determination to make her aspirations a reality. With her family's backing, Fiona was ready to take the first steps toward reigniting her passion for fashion design and making her mark in the industry.
With the sketchbook set aside, they continued to catch up on all the other things that had unfolded during the four years of separation. Despite staying in touch and having numerous conversations, there was something uniquely special about speaking face to face. They were genuinely happy while sharing stories of the significant events that had transpired in their lives.
To an outsider, the topics they discussed might seem ordinary, but it was the simple act of reconnecting and having these conversations in person that made it so meaningful. It was a time for bonding, laughter, and the warmth of family, and the content of their discussions was secondary to the sheer joy of being together.
After several hours of conversation, they suddenly heard Lizzie's door being opened, and she rushed into the living room. Without hesitation, she made a beeline for Lucien, taking a seat beside him and eagerly clasping his arm. Her eyes were filled with anticipation as she exclaimed, "Can I now get the present that you talked about? I'm so excited; I want to know what you got for us."
Lizzie's enthusiasm was infectious, and the promise of gifts from her big brother had created an air of excitement in the room. Lucien couldn't help but smile at her exuberance.
"Why not?" Lucien smiled at Lizzie.
"We have talked for long enough, and you are probably also tired," he observed as he looked at his aunt and uncle.
Then, addressing them all, he announced, "I'm going to go and get them; just wait a second."
Lucien left the room briefly to retrieve the surprises he had prepared for his family. He went to his suitcase and carefully took out the two necklaces and the gift for his uncle, ensuring they were safely enclosed in little bags and discreetly wrapped.
Returning to the living room, he sat down next to Lizzie, his face beaming with excitement. The atmosphere in the room was filled with eager anticipation as he distributed the gifts to their rightful owners.
Lizzie couldn't contain her excitement and quickly began to unwrap her gift, with Lucien offering a playful reminder to take her time. As she unwrapped the package, she unveiled the beautiful necklace inside. Lizzie examined it closely, then realized there was no picture inside the pendant. She turned to Lucien and embraced him tightly, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you, it looks so beautiful," she said. However, she also appeared a bit puzzled and asked, "Why is there no picture in it?"
Lucien explained that he wanted her to choose the picture to place inside, not wanting to make the choice for her without consulting her first. He smiled a little crookedly, showing his consideration for her preferences.
Fiona, Lizzie's mother, observed her daughter's necklace and noticed a small button on the side. Curious, she inquired, "What function does this button on the side have?" Lizzie also spotted the button on her necklace and looked at Lucien, awaiting his explanation.
Lucien answered in a serious tone, "It's an emergency button. You can configure emergency contacts into the necklace, so if you're ever in danger and press the button, a message will be sent to these contacts. I plan to include myself, the police, and a specialized security team that I'm going to hire."
Both Lizzie and her mother were surprised by the necklace's functionality and deeply touched by Lucien's thoughtful gift. His willingness to go to such lengths for her safety was a testament to his deep concern for their well-being, and they expressed their heartfelt gratitude for his care and consideration in protecting Lizzie from potential danger.
Afterward, Fiona unpacked her own gift and found the same beautiful necklace inside. She examined it in great detail for a while, appreciating the craftsmanship and sentiment behind the gift. Then, moved by the gesture, she stood up and went to Lucien, and they shared a warm embrace. Fiona conveyed her thanks to him for the thoughtful and meaningful present.
With Fiona back in her seat, Aidan, Lucien's uncle, began to unwrap his gift. After a while, he found an empty handcrafted Laboratory Notebook and examined it, noting the fine craftsmanship both inside and out. Further exploration of the bag revealed a lab coat, which, while similar to standard lab coats, had his name etched onto it, adding a personal touch. Aidan grinned, genuinely delighted by the thoughtful gift Lucien had prepared for him. He went over to Lucien and thanked him with a short hug, expressing his appreciation for the meaningful present.
Lucien grinned from ear to ear, he was truly happy by the positive reactions to his gifts to them.
After inspecting the gifts, Lucien configured some emergency contacts for his aunt and Lizzie through his laptop. He had specifically requested the necessary tools to handle this task himself, wanting to add the necklace to an app for quicker access in case of an emergency, allowing him to receive signals more promptly and accurately locate the emergency's source.
For the time being, he added his own contact details and included the police as an emergency contact. The system he set up would send an emergency notification to an app he had created, displaying the live location of the necklace and providing a brief description of the necklace's holder, ensuring the authorities had the necessary information to offer assistance promptly.
After setting up the emergency contacts, they all, one after the other, excused themselves and prepared to retire for the night. It was already late in the afternoon, and they were all quite tired. Lucien took a quick shower before lying down on the couch in the living room. When he was younger and still living with his aunt and uncle, they had placed a mattress on the ground for him to sleep on. Their small house only had two rooms, aside from the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. Consequently, the living room had served as his makeshift bedroom during that period.
This arrangement had lasted for five years until they could no longer support him financially, which led to him moving to a local orphanage. Lying on the couch now, he realized the stark contrast between it and his luxurious master bed in his penthouse. However, he wasn't disturbed in the least; being with his family meant more to him than the comfort of a bed.
Lucien closed his eyes and drifted into a peaceful slumber, wrapped in the warmth of family and the contentment of reunion. The night unfolded with dreams colored by cherished memories and the promise of the days ahead. As dawn's light began to gently filter through the windows, he stirred, greeted by the familiar feeling of morning.
Quietly, he changed into comfortable workout attire, aware that his family was still deep in the embrace of sleep. With practiced silence, he tiptoed out of the house, eager to embrace the serenity of the early morning hours.
The house was situated on the outskirts of Ardenvale, and a nearby mountain loomed on the horizon. Lucien had explored the paths and trails of this mountain extensively during his youth, and it had become a special place for him. He often ventured there to undertake his morning runs and reconnect with the solitude of nature.
The ascent of the mountain was a cherished routine. While it was not without its risks and challenges, Lucien had discovered a path that was both relatively easy and safer to traverse. This journey was his cherished escape, a time when he could leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city and enter a realm of tranquility.
As he made his way upward, the city of Ardenvale sprawled beneath him, waking up to the new day. From his vantage point, he could see the entirety of the city, stretching to its vibrant center. The view was extraordinary, but it was particularly magical during the night. When the city lights came to life, illuminating the landscape below, it created a stunning panorama. The glistening cityscape, adorned with countless twinkling lights, harmonized with the star-studded sky above, producing an enchanting display of beauty.
Yet, this place held a deeper significance for Lucien. It wasn't just about the captivating view or the invigorating exercise; it was a sanctuary for reflection. In moments when he needed to grapple with emotions or find solace in solitude, this mountain was his refuge. It was a place to unburden his heart and express his deepest thoughts, especially about his parents, whom he had lost at a young age. The mountain's quiet embrace, the starry sky, and the gentle birdsong created an atmosphere where he could pour out his grievances to the universe, a place to come to terms with the past and find inner peace.