Chapter 465

Lucas‘ Visit

“I’m pretty free today. Mind if I swing by your office?” Lucas asked.

“Sure, come on over,” Arabella replied.

Lucas smiled. “Last time I visited, I didn’t want to interrupt your work, so I didn’t even go up to your floor.”

“How about I make it up to you with some coffee upstairs today?” Arabella offered.

“Sounds perfect,” Lucas said, his mood lifting.

Soon after, they arrived at Arabella’s company.

y took the elevator up to her office. Lucas glanced around, impressed. “This is really nice. your team–they clearly respect you a lot. You’ve come a long way for someone working firm.”

Arabella simply smiled, not bothering to explain that she actually owned the company.

“Ms. Hamilton, your coffee,” Chloe said as she entered, placing two mugs on the table.

“Have a seat,” Arabella told Lucas.

Once they were both settled, Lucas looked around curiously. “You guys hiring? I could totally work here.”

“You?” Arabella raised an eyebrow. “Doing what? Teaching my employees how to fly planes?”

“I could be an assistant or something. You know, grab coffee, run prints, take notes in meetings.” He might not be cut out for high–stakes corporate work, but he could handle the small stuff.

Arabella didn’t know whether to laugh or sigh. “What’s going on with the flight school, gold- medal instructor?”

He was seriously offering to be an assistant. Even if he was done with teaching, he could always step into the family business.

“Nothing

That

just crossed my mind. Working here doesn’t seem so bad,” he said casually.

see her every day.

head. “No way. My little operation can’t afford to have someone like you.

around.”

More importantly, if she actually let him stay, she had a feeling Lucas‘ parents might come knocking on her door.

“Heh, just kidding,” Lucas chuckled awkwardly. Being turned down so directly stung a little.

“I figured,” Arabella said. She hadn’t taken the idea seriously anyway.

Arabella returned to her desk. “I need to wrap up some paperwork first. We can grab lunch together during my break.”

“Okay, I’ll wait,” Lucas said, his eyes brightening immediately, the earlier disappointment fading away.

used on her work. Lucas quietly held his coffee and watched as she moved through

The reason, it crossed his mind just then–how nice it would be if time could stand still there.

Noticing his gaze, Arabella glanced up and frowned slightly. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Lucas said, looking away a bit flustered.

Arabella didn’t dwell on it and returned to her documents.

Lucas grew restless, his mind beginning to wander.

Then an idea struck him. He stood up and slipped out of the office.

Arabella noticed him leave but didn’t pay it much mind and kept working.

Finally, lunch break arrived.

“Let’s head out,” Lucas said. “I went ahead and made a reservation.”

“So that’s what you left for earlier–to book a table,” Arabella realized.

“Yeah,” Lucas replied with a smile. “All set. Let’s go.”

“Alright,” Arabella agreed, and they left the office together.

Soon, the

staurant.

2/4

14:07 Thu, Apr 16

Chapter 465 Lucas‘ Visit

It was a garden–style eatery with outdoor seating.

A stretch of vibrant green lawn was dotted with flower beds. Along a bluestone path, large market umbrellas were spaced evenly, each sheltering a small table adorned with fresh, colorful, lightly scented blooms.

“The atmosphere here is lovely,” Arabella remarked, taking in the surroundings. She felt genuinely relaxed.

“Glad you like it,” Lucas said, smiling.

She looked back at him. “You really do know every good spot in Doranor, don’t you?”

ot every one. Maybe I’m just a foodie at heart,” he laughed.

“You really

Arabella

Luc

have v

end,” Arabella said warmly. “Thanks to you, I get to try all these at views, great food.”

as‘ expression brightened.

slightly. “Of course. Why would I make that up?”

palms together nervously. “Well…”

sitate, Arabella looked puzzled. “Well what?”

a steadying breath and grew more serious. “Arabella, there’s something I need to

it? You sound so formal,” Arabella said, a little amused.

wait here a sec,” Lucas said, then stood and walked away from the table.

bella watched as he rounded a corner up ahead and disappeared from view.

hat’s he being so secretive about?” she wondered to herself. Lucas was acting strange today ad something happened?

short while later, Lucas returned.

He approached carefully, hands held behind his back.

Arabella raised an eyebrow, sensing he was hiding something.

“What’ve you got there? Not

ased lightly.