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He knew most of them, so after greeting each one. He waited for his father to tell him what he needed from him. But he signaled for him to wait until he finished.

He proceeded to the kitchen to get something to eat instead. It was almost lunch anyway. He barely had breakfast earlier with his busy morning.

“Can you make me a sandwich and a cold fruit juice?” He asked one of the help who was busy preparing the meal, probably for his father and the guests.

The cook smiled at him and quickly did what she was told. He barely came home in this house, so he never knew the people around. It did not help that his father was very picky.

He kept changing his people like he changed his clothes. One wrong move, and then that person would be out of here. He always said that he had no time for incompetent people.

“Here you are, Sir Lance.” The old woman carefully placed the plate, the cutleries, and the napkins in front of him. She followed him to the garden, where he decided to wait for his father.

.....

He liked the peace and quiet of this place compared to the chattering inside. He loved his family, but his father could be overbearing sometimes.

He did not see his mother in the kitchen. He figured she must be busy catering to the need of the guests. She was always a great host of gatherings and parties.

“Thanks,” Lance quickly responded and smiled at the old lady, liking how she presented the food.

Instead of using the silver utensils, he grabbed the sandwich and never bothered with the napkin. He had lived long enough outside the roof of his father. He had stopped practicing the standard etiquette in his house.

He was already more than halfway through when another voice interrupted his snack. It was a familiar tone that he had not heard for a long time.

“Amelia, what are you doing here?” He quickly turned and greeted the girl walking toward him. “I thought you would be somewhere around the world, saving the planet.” Dropping the sandwich back on the plate.

He was surprised to see her. He did not expect to find her back in town. She had been touring with her organization, trying to help poor communities in different parts of the world, using donations from people supporting her work.

She lived just a few miles from this place. They had gone to the same school when they were young and almost played every Sunday in the garden when she had visited or the other way around.

“Even superheroes need some time to rest and recharge.” She responded to his teasing. She was used to him since they almost grew up together.

But after getting her diploma, she established her own organization. It catered to helping others less fortunate than them.

Plus, she promoted social awareness regarding global crises like climate change, the greenhouse effect, etc. She had become a household name, becoming an ambassador for change.

“I never thought of that. I thought you guys never sleep.” He continued taunting her, but he held a chair for her to sit down. “Do you want a sandwich? I can ask for another one.” He offered.

He quickly sat back on the other side, observing his childhood friend, who seemed to have changed from the last time he saw her. One thing, she was more stunning now, not that she was not beautiful before.

“Thanks, but your father had arranged lunch soon. Are you not joining us?” Amelia asked, giving him a puzzled look.

Her father said that Lance would be home today to welcome her. It was the reason she came along. But it did not appear that way, not after the surprised look on his face when he first saw her.

“Honestly, I was unaware that my father is entertaining some guests today. I did not know that you were coming.” He admitted to her, not wanting to get her hopes up.

He did miss her since she had been a good friend when they were young. He would want to spend time with her to catch up. But today was not a good time.

“Oh!” She responded, sounding a bit disappointed. “I guess I should have expected that since you are a busy man.” She was actually looking forward to bonding with him again.

She always had a crush on him, even when they were young. She thought it would eventually disappear over time, but it only grew as they got older.

She ran away, thinking that time and distance would drive her madness and stop her from obsessing over him. But until now, her heart sought him out, stronger than before.

“Don’t get me wrong. I would really want to see you again, so we can talk and get updated. I am sure you have a lot of wonderful stories to share.” Lance quickly stated, seeing the hurt in her eyes.

It had been a while since they had last talked, and it would be nice to know what she had been doing recently with her life. Good friends were hard to find, and he considered her a very close one.

He saw her smile appear on her lips once she heard what he said. But before she could respond to his statement, his father showed up in the garden, interrupting their conversation.

“Amelia, so you finally saw your friend.” The Count announced as he approached the two on the small table. “I called you today so you can join us for lunch.” He directed his statement to his son, who was looking at him.

There was no time to tell him about the changes in his plan, but he was here, so he might as well capitalize on the situation. It was like hitting two birds with one stone.

He did not know that his long-time friend would be taking his daughter with him today, but it was a welcome surprise. He could finally discuss his wish to join them in matrimony.

“You know you should have told me that. I could not just abandon my other appointments just for you.” Lance said, not liking the glint in his father’s eyes.

He could assume that his father was concocting something in his mind. He was not saying that his father was an evil man, but he could be ambitious and greedy on occasions. Something he never liked about him.

“Actually, I only called for you because I have something to discuss with you. But I was not expecting Amelia was coming with his father.” The Count explained the situation.

“I thought I might as well invite them for lunch so you two could catch up.” His father continued before he could respond to him, appearing like it was merely a coincidence.

He knew that his son would fight his plans. But in the end, he had no choice but to follow him. He had never disappointed him before, and he would not start now. He had always been a good son.