208: NEW THINGS LUKE’S POV So here I was, finally opening the doors to my new mansion. Yes, I had moved to a new one worth millions of dollars. And standing right here, next to the building, the excited chatter and flashes of cameras were all here. I could feel the weight of the keys in my hand, a symbol of all my hard work and success. And I gazed up at the sky, knowing my grandfather would be way happier with this. “Are you ready, Luke?” Jack asked with a proud smile on his face. He was standing right behind me, along with Randy and Ethan. I took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s do this.” With Jack by my side, I walked towards the grand double doors, Behind me, I could hear the excited voices of Randy and Ethan, and they seemed to be really excited about this. Anyone could tell as the little children’s eyes widened with wonder as they took in the grandeur of the mansion. It was like never before. Yeah, I knew that. I pushed the doors open, and the sound of applause and cheers filled the air. I stepped inside, my eyes scanning every inch of the vast, luxurious space. Randy’s dropped in awe at the sight of the high ceilings, marble floors, and elegant furnishings. I didn’t know why he was so stunned. It was not like this was his first time stepping foot into a mansion. Well, this house was quite better than the previous one. “Wow, Luke, this place is amazing!” Randy came out, looking everywhere. “It’s like a castle!” Ethan added, his eyes wide with amazement. I couldn’t help but smile at their glee. I really never imagined that I would have two young boys living with me, but they have become a big part of my life. And now they get to enjoy this wealth with me. As I continued to explore the house, I was followed by a swarm of people–paparazzi and journalists -eager to capture every moment of that monumental day. “Mr. Luke, can you tell us how having this new and wonderful mansion feels?” One reporter asked, shoving a microphone in my face. “It feels incredible. I am grateful for all the support and the opportunities,” I replied, trying my best to keep my composure amidst the chaos. These guys were like bees, but what could I do? That’s what you get for being famous. I paused for a moment, feeling a pang of sadness wash over me as I noticed a blank spot on the wall. I remembered the promise I had made to myself when I decided to get a new mansion–to hang a big frame of my Ariel–all because I missed her so much. It was a way to keep her memory and the little romantic moments we shared alive. They were still in my head. I took out the framed photo of her from my pocket and gently placed it on the wall, right where it belonged. I looked at her beautiful face, smiling back at me, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of emptiness. I wish she was there to share this moment with me. It would be really great. “You miss her so much, don’t you?” Randy set his eyes on the photo. I smiled sadly. “Yes, I do. It’s too bad that we didn’t spend much time together. It’s so sad that our relationship was short and meaningless. It’s so sad that she had to leave, being angry with me.” “I’m sorry,” Ethan said, his voice filled with sympathy. “It’s okay. You see, guys, Ariel will always be a part of my life,” I replied, my gaze still fixed on the photo. “Well, she wasn’t actually part of my life. As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, I realized that the mansion did not make that day special. It was the people standing by my side–my assistant, Jack, who had been with me through thick and thin- and these two young boys who had brought so much joy into my life. And even though Ariel was not physically there, her memory would always be with me. I turned to face the crowd, a sense of gratitude filling my heart. “Thank you all for being a part of that special day. I couldn’t have done it without all of you. The room erupted in cheers and applause, and I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with emotions, smiling at everyone. “Cheers, my people!” The mansion was filled with laughter, music, and chatter as the night went on. The party was a huge success, and I couldn’t be happier. I mingled with my guests, making sure everyone was having a good time. But as the night progressed, I started to feel a bit tired. I excused myself from the crowd and made my way upstairs to my room. I was greeted by a waiter who handed me a drink. “Here you go, Mr. Reynod. This will help you relax.” “And who are you exactly?” “I’m just a worker, sir. I came to the party and was told that I needed someone to serve me until it was over. “Oh, really,” I vocalized, and she nodded. “Who told you about that anyway?” “I have no idea, Mr. Reynold. But it looked like someone close to you.“. “Someone close to me?” I made a puzzled face. But I knew I had to shake the feeling off. It must probably be Jack. “Is it a man or a woman?” “A woman, sir.” “A woman?” I vocalized, wondering who that was. “Can you please tell her I want to see her?” “Yes, Mr. Reynold.” “Good, now go do that. Get it done as soon as possible, alright?” The waitress nodded before leaving the room. I was still wondering who she was talking about. But then Ariel’s face popped up in mind. NOW 208 NEW THINGS 3/3 Shaking my head, I tried to push away the memories of yesterday’s gathering. It seemed sort of impossible that I had seen Ariel. Well, it wasn’t that impossible, but it was the thing. I missed Ariel more than words can describe. She was constantly on my mind, occupying my every thought and emotion. Each moment that passed without her felt like an eternity. Whether I’m awake or asleep, she’s always there, lingering in the back of my mind. Memories of her flooded my thoughts, reminding me of the times we shared and the moments we laughed, joked, and argued until before the chaos unfolded separation. I could find myself daydreaming about her, imagining how it would feel to have her by my side once again. The ache in my heart constantly reminded me how much I longed for her presence. I missed her so much that I couldn’t help but think of her every single moment. Still lost in these thoughts, I took a sip of the drink. But something felt off. The drink tasted strange, and I started to feel dizzy before I knew it. I stumbled towards my bed, trying to keep my balance, but everything went black as I fell onto the soft mattress.