He had booked an early flight for Lucas, eager to welcome his new assistant to Ardenvale. Lucien's plan was to pick Lucas up himself, saving him the trouble of a taxi ride.
Lucien arrived at the airport and found a seat in a nearby café. He ordered a coffee to help wake himself up while he waited for Lucas. Sipping his coffee, he observed the bustling airport, his thoughts occupied with the day ahead.
As he was about to finish his coffee, he spotted Lucas making his way over. Dressed in a formal suit and carrying a sizable travel bag, Lucas looked sharp and composed.
"Hey Lucas, nice to see you again. I hope the flight wasn't too early for you," Lucien greeted him warmly, concerned about the early morning flight.
Lucas, however, reassured him, "It's alright, Mr. Wilson. I managed to get some sleep on the flight and even before that, so I'm feeling quite rested."
Lucien appreciated Lucas's formality, but he also wanted to establish a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere between them. He smiled and said, "You can call me Lucien when it's just the two of us. No need for formalities unless we're in a work-related situation. We're a team, after all."
Lucas nodded in agreement, "Thank you, Lucien. I appreciate that."
Lucien then inquired about whether Lucas had eaten anything. When Lucas admitted that he hadn't, Lucien suggested they head to a brunch place he was familiar with. He mentioned that he had intended to visit the place earlier, unsure if it would still be open. Fortunately, it was, and he proposed they go there to grab a meal if Lucas didn't mind dining with him.
Lucas readily agreed, and they made their way to Lucien's Maybach in the parking lot. Initially, Lucien considered taking the driver's seat, but Lucas insisted he should drive, emphasizing that it was his role and responsibility. Lucien acquiesced, recognizing that Lucas was the better driver and appreciating the opportunity to attend to some matters he had on his mind during the ride.
Lucien led the way into the cozy family brunch place, with Lucas following behind him. The auntie running the establishment immediately recognized Lucien and greeted him warmly, her face lighting up with familiarity. Lucien had been a regular visitor in his younger days, and the auntie had played a significant role in helping him through a challenging period of his youth. Their bond had remained strong over the years.
At this early hour, there were only a few patrons in the restaurant. While it might not have been the most renowned place in Ardenvale, it was well-known among the locals who appreciated the warm, homely atmosphere and delicious fare.
They took their seats, and the auntie, with a warm smile, asked Lucien if he wanted his usual. He responded with enthusiastic nodding, conveying his fondness for her signature dish. Lucien turned to Lucas and explained that he always ordered the "Butterscotch Pancakes" because they were exceptional. He recommended the dish to Lucas, who became intrigued and decided to order the same.
Soon, the auntie returned with their orders, setting the "Butterscotch Pancakes" before them. Lucien couldn't wait to indulge in the dish he held dear. As he took his first bite, he couldn't contain his delight.
"Auntie, you're still as skilled a cook as always. The pancakes are as fluffy as ever, and the butterscotch glaze is just perfect," Lucien exclaimed with genuine enthusiasm. His warm smile was met with satisfaction on the auntie's face.
"It's wonderful to see you enjoying them, even after all these years," she replied.
Lucien chuckled and quipped, "That's because you made them."
Lucas, who had been observing this heartfelt interaction, was surprised by the genuine side of Lucien. It was the first time he had seen him smile so warmly and act so down-to-earth. Lucas had initially thought that their worlds were vastly different due to their contrasting financial backgrounds, but now he saw that Lucien, despite his wealth, was just like any other person.
Lucas offered a slight smile of his own and took a bite of the pancake. To his surprise, they were as exceptional as Lucien had described. He realized that he had underestimated the dish.
They enjoyed their meal, savoring each bite, and once they were done, they returned to Lucien's Maybach.
Lucien provided Lucas with clear instructions, outlining his expectations for the day. He wanted Lucas to become familiar with the managers of his two companies, understand the businesses and the personalities of the managers, and establish contact with them. Lucien also supplied Lucas with the necessary contact information for the managers and assured him that he would inform them of Lucas's upcoming visit.
Lucien further relayed some additional instructions to Lucas before instructing him to come and pick him and his family up at 12 pm to take them to Ardenvale Central High School for the graduation ceremony.
After dropping Lucien off at his aunt and uncle's home, Lucas drove to the address Lucien had provided. Meanwhile, Lucien still had some time to spare before the graduation officially began. He took a seat on a bench outside and began making phone calls. He contacted the two managers, informing them of Lucas's role as his personal assistant and encouraging them to share any necessary information with him.
Subsequently, Lucien placed a call to Alexander, inquiring about the hiring of the moving company. Alexander assured him that they had been hired and would arrive in Ardenvale the following day at noon. They briefly discussed some general matters before concluding the call.
Lucien entered the house and found his family up and about. His aunt was busy preparing breakfast, using up the leftovers in the fridge, as they were set to leave their current home the next day. Lucien had messaged earlier, letting her know that he would be having breakfast at Aunt Agnes' Brunch Nook with a friend, so he wouldn't be dining with them.
As the morning slowly passed, the clock eventually struck 12 pm, and the family was ready, dressed in their formal attire. When Lucien's aunt and uncle first saw the expensive suits and dress he had bought for them, they were taken aback and hesitant to accept such lavish gifts. But Lucien insisted, explaining that everything was already paid for and that he wanted Lizzie's special day to be perfect.
"It's Lizzie's special day, and we want it to be perfect, right?" Lucien reasoned, encouraging them to accept the gifts. Eventually, they agreed and changed into their formal wear. Lucien's uncle looked dashing in the suit, and his aunt appeared even more beautiful in the elegant dress. She seemed to radiate youth and grace when wearing it.
Lizzie, too, looked stunning in her dress, just as she had when she first tried it on. When they were all dressed and ready, they stepped outside. Lucien received a message from Lucas that he had arrived, so they climbed into the car, ready to depart for the graduation ceremony.
As they settled into the car, Lucien's family members couldn't contain their curiosity, and they began to ask about Lucas. In response, Lucas introduced himself, saying, "I'm Lucas, and I'm Mr. Lucien's personal assistant."
Upon arriving at the high school, Lizzie excitedly left to join her two best friends, who were equally eager to partake in this momentous occasion. Meanwhile, Lucien accompanied his aunt and uncle into the school's auditorium, with Lucas parking the car and planning to join them shortly.
Inside the auditorium, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as families and friends gathered to celebrate their loved ones' accomplishments. Lucien and his family soon encountered the parents of Frankie and Maddy, striking up friendly conversations with them. Curiosity got the best of these parents as they inquired about Lucien and whether he was the infamous figure they had heard so much about. With grace and politeness, Lucien introduced himself, leaving a positive impression with his good manners and amiable demeanor.
As Lucien mingled with the other parents, his attention was drawn to a familiar face in the crowd. Politely excusing himself from the ongoing conversation, he made his way toward the person who was already eagerly approaching.
"Well, if it isn't Ollie. Who would have thought we'd meet here again?" Lucien greeted Ollie with a warm chuckle and a friendly embrace.
Ollie playfully retorted, "Lucien! It's not unusual for me to be here, but you, you weren't in Ardenvale for the last four years. You never even visited." His expression carried a hint of betrayal and sadness, though both knew it was all in good humor.
Lucien, fully aware of Ollie's jest, hugged his old friend with genuine warmth and offered a sincere apology. "Okay, I'm sorry. But how come you're here? Oh, right, Aria is graduating this year. I remember she's the same age as Lizzie, right?"
"Yeah, that's right." Ollie confirmed it.
Their conversation soon shifted to catching up on the events and changes that had transpired during the past four years. Lucien couldn't help but notice that not much had changed in Ardenvale during his absence.
Ollie had followed his passion and realized his dream, establishing his own company that was thriving. His business focused on publishing novels and manga, and some of their works had garnered significant popularity, leading to the company's expansion. Ollie's lifelong dream of publishing his own manga became a reality, when he couldn't find a suitable company to work with, he decided to create his own. Determined, he gathered a dedicated team who shared his dream and set forth to make it a reality.
Lucien genuinely felt thrilled to hear about Ollie's success and the fulfillment of his lifelong dream. They shared a warm and heartening conversation, reminiscing about their past and sharing their present achievements.
Lucas, who had been standing nearby, gently interrupted them, advising that it was time to take their seats as the graduation ceremony was about to commence.
Lucien and Ollie, both somewhat lost in their conversation, suddenly realized that it was time to get seated. They quickly took their seats, with Lucas occupying the chair beside Lucien. Together, they turned their attention toward the front of the auditorium, where the principal had stepped up to the podium to deliver a speech.
The ceremony progressed with speeches, formalities, and the introduction of the high school graduates, who entered the auditorium donned in their gowns and caps. Lucien scanned the crowd for his little sister Lizzie and soon spotted her among the graduates. Alongside Lizzie, he also identified Aria, Ollie's sister, whose striking resemblance to her older brother couldn't be overlooked.
One by one, the graduates were called up to receive their transcripts and pose for photographs before stepping down. The ceremony continued with various speeches, making some attendees feel drowsy as they eagerly anticipated the event's conclusion.
Finally, the principal announced the end of the ceremony, and the graduates and their families were dismissed. As the crowd began to disperse, Lucien and Ollie found themselves caught in the midst of the departing attendees. They navigated the crowd, making their way to the location where their sisters awaited.
Upon reaching their sisters, both Lucien and Ollie offered their heartfelt congratulations. Lizzie, brimming with excitement, leaped into Lucien's arms, and he instinctively caught her. Her joy was palpable, and she was truly thrilled that Lucien was present to celebrate this moment with her. Lucien looked at her, playfully complaining, "You'll never change, will you?"
Lizzie, with a deadpan expression, responded, "Nope!" Her response was met with laughter from the group as they made their way out of the auditorium. The crowd had slightly thinned, making it significantly more manageable to exit the building.