Between The Leongs
Birthday Present

A light wind blows in through the window gap that is not closed perfectly flick the curtain slowly on the side, causing a sound of friction between the hook and the iron buffer. Even so, Lucas seemed to be not bothered at all. The proof is that he is still sound asleep in bed. Occasionally a subtle snore sounded from him.

Every weekend he will usually choose to sleep longer, considering his busyness throughout the week as the CEO takes a lot of energy and time, so he often lacks sleep.

Amidst the calm, a waiter knocked on Lucas' bedroom door. "Mr Lucas, Miss Meredith is here."

Not receiving any reply, the servant passed. Meet Lucas's guests who have been waiting in the dining room. The blaster, blond-haired blond woman was having a serious conversation apparently with the head chef.

"The portion of the steak should not be too large, and the asparagus is replaced by chickpeas without seasoning with salt. Then the cake, make sure the temperature is not too cold when served later."

"Good, Miss."

Meredith nodded, allowing the head chef to begin preparing the meal.

"What about Mr Lucas?"

"Mr Lucas is still asleep Miss."

"Yes, let me go straight to him. I bought a new flower just left in the car, please take it and replace all the flowers in the vase."

The waiter received the car keys Meredith gave him, his body bent as Meredith passed him.

As he said, he approached Lucas's room himself. Without knocking open the door wide, found his boss still lying completely covered in blankets. Meredith clucked, pulled the blanket to the shoulder, exposing Lucas' face by exposure to the sun that was already quite hot.

Lucas groaning. "Close the window,"

Instead of following orders, Meredith did the opposite. "Wake up, sir. Don't you have to get ready and buy presents?"

"What gift? Don't fabricate. Come out Meredith, I'll sleep till noon."

"Surely, you haven't read the email that Miss Amber sent you?"

"Huh? What email?"

"He invited you to your daughter's birthday dinner."

"Porter?"

"Yes, sir. Your daughter, Miss Asteria."

Both sets of Lucas' netra spontaneously opened wide. Flipping his blanket, Lucas got up in a hurry to escape to the bathroom. As a personal assistant who has worked for many years for the CEO of the Leong Group company who knew him long before he took office, Meredith just found out the other side of Lucas this one. The plain side is full of enthusiasm, which at the same time risks fragility. And it was revealed since he decided to sue a famous model named Sabrina Hirai for child custody that Lucas believed to be his son openly, open to the media.

Causing pro-cons, as well as upheaval from within the company's structure. Moreover, Lucas has not long occupied the position of CEO, which is actually still contested by many parties. None other than his uncles who feel more entitled to manage the main company Leong Group. Miraculously, the stock price was not disturbed at all regarding Lucas' decision. So they can not make it as a reason for consideration dislodging Lucas' position. Lucas never let his guard down, although Meredith believes he must have kept a lot of mind load.

Yeah, well, at least Lucas showed that he's not the CEO for no reason. As well as the decision of Mr. Leong, as the owner of Leong Group and grandfather Lucas did not wrongly appoint a person who will bear the responsibility of the sustainability of the company in the future.

"Meredith, what are you doing? There is no time to eat. I have to go right now. Where are the best shopping centers to find gifts?" Lucas hurried over to Meredith who was waiting for him in the dining room with Lucas' favorite steak made by the head chef.

"But, the Great Lord asked me to make sure that you don't skip your meal schedule. He even left you a cake for your dessert, and a happy birthday."

Lucas was not moved one bit. He forgets Meredith just worked for him, and hasn't really understood the flow of Lucas' life yet fully. "No matter what the formalities are, I've long decided not to celebrate birthdays, Grandpa knows. I'll just celebrate my daughter's birthday today."

* * *

Limousine car one of a series of Tian Leong car collections that are now given to his grandson, Lucas stopped in front of the entrance of his destination hotel, precisely the place of decline of guests. The car he deliberately chose because he was lazy to drive alone, and according to him this car is the most suitable car when driven by others. A parking valet opened the door for Lucas.

Lucas went down, tidying up his suit. Right behind him Amber caught up, coincidentally they got together.

"A gift?" amber's comments saw Lucas carrying a paper bag. "I think you're the type who would buy a lot of expensive gifts without thinking long, but it turns out I misjudged yes.."

Sweeping slowly, Lucas tried to be relaxed even though he felt like he was almost caught. Amber is not entirely wrong. Lucas did at first buy some expensive items, between confused choosing and feeling Asteria deserved more. If only Meredith did not remind him Asteria was only six, so it is impossible to understand and make the expensive price as a benchmark gift that he likes.

Eventually Meredith proposed that Lucas think of one item that a little girl would gladly accept. "You didn't prepare anything yourself, Mrs Hirai."

"Who said? I brought the best gift." Amber said confidently. His eyes looked meaningfully at Lucas. "Come, there are still things to do before meeting Asteria."

Lucas manut, obey Amber's orders. He refrained from asking much, especially when Amber changed the dinner menu set at the Asteria event. Lucas knows less than he knows, so it's easier to keep Amber emotionally stable. Just know that side by side like now is too difficult for Lucas. All he did was pay off all payments, of his own accord without anyone's request.

They waited in the common area of fine dining for a while, for what purpose. Amber ordered a glass of champagne and cheese platter. They didn't interact that long, until the time Lucas was waiting for came. Amber led the way, waltzing into the vvip fine dining room reserved on behalf of Asteria. There were more guests than Lucas' shadow in it, their entire pair of eyes fixed on Amber and Lucas once aware of the arrival of the two.

But Lucas' eyes were accidentally adrift in one direction which made his steps immediately heavy. Lucas' body slowly grew.

"Oma's coming?" Asteria's innocent voice muffled amid Lucas's disarray.

Lucas could not have mistaken his figure after spending every night reminiscing through his father's only album. The middle-aged woman sitting among the guests was truly the person she had long since missed. Though time has taken away her youth, the dark-skinned woman still looks the same in Lucas' eyes. He, a figure he used to call Mother.

Lucas' heart was shaken, almost tears escaped his eyes. This situation is very confusing. The fact that his birth mother is here, gives a smooth way for his brain to connect the puzzle of the possibility of the reality of life that must be faced.

"Give me the same kind of affectionate guest that Oma brought." Amber patted Lucas' shoulder gently, pulling him back to full consciousness. He gestured for Lucas to follow him closer to Asteria.

In order to reach where Asteria is, Lucas passes the guests one by one including Rosalia who turns her back. Sabrina did not escape from Lucas' wry gaze, she seemed to be regulating her own emotions in order to help her faithful fiance hold her hand. Lucas' point of view is changing drastically now regarding Sabrina's fiancee.

Putting aside the chaos of his head, Lucas lifted his lips as he faced Asteria head on. For the first time since Asteria was born. "Hello, Asteria. Happy birthday, beautiful."

Asteria received a paper bag that Lucas offered. Peered into it, then screamed happily. "Well, fairy wings! Thank you very much, Om!" His little hands reached into the contents of the paper bag, and used gifts given by Lucas at that time. "Mama, Papa look! Eri pretty, do you wear wings?"

Despite objections to Lucas' presence. Sabrina and Navis responded to Asteria as calmly as they could, especially Sabrina. They don't want to ruin Asteria's happy moments. All the guests also built the atmosphere that had been somewhat dim, praising Asteria.

"Eri beautiful Om wearing fairy wings?" Without Lucas guessing, Asteria asked him as well.

"Yes, it's so pretty." Lucas brandished his two thumbs, his smile expanding more naturally.

"Oh, yes. But whose name is it? Later Eri will send a letter to Om, rich with Om Cio. You see Om is well rich Om Cio."

Lucas surprised. Errata, Lucas thought no one escaped showing the same reaction. Lucas coded for permission to Amber, the only person who looked happiest in the crowd. Amber recited the word yes without making a sound, her head nodding softly.

"Om's name, Lucas."

"Okay, Oh Lucas. Asteria will just remember the same Om, and send Om a letter."

For the first time in a long time, Lucas was able to feel the privilege of his birthday. And this meeting seemed to be a gift prepared by God specifically for Lucas.