Chapter 11

Lucas's POV

I awoke because my alarm clock rang. It was early. It was Thursday, and I needed to get ready for work. I got out of bed, put on my slippers, and stretched my arms and legs. I went to my cabinet and took my gray suit with white long sleeves and silver ties, which I would wear for the day with gray pants and black leather shoes, and laid it on the bed before picking up my robe from the cabinet.

I went to the bathroom, removed my pajamas, and entered the shower. I began to wash myself to look neat when I went to work. After that, I put on the robe and went to the mirror, then picked up the hair blower to dry my hair faster.

After drying my hair, I exited the bathroom and chose the gray suit I would wear today. I first wore my long white sleeves, then tucked them into the fitted grayish pants I had chosen and wore my tie and watch and my black socks and leather shoes while adjusting my belt.

I need to finish all of my work today and tomorrow because we have lunch with Aria on Saturday, and everything needs to be done. I'm glad she isn't afraid of us because she believes we are her protectors, and she is our master, and she will eventually learn to get to know us better.

After fixing myself, I picked up my brow bag and left my room. I went downstairs and saw Irish preparing breakfast at the table. I sat down at the table and ate the breakfast that Irish had prepared: bacon and eggs with toast.

"Thank you for breakfast as always, Irish. Today, we have to finish all of our work, so there will be no conflict this Saturday," I said to Irish, and she just smiled. The other protectors are already ready to go to work.

"You're welcome," Irish said with a smile while eating my breakfast.

"I wish Aria was here eating with us like we used to," Jaxon said as I stood up after finishing my meal.

"She'll remember everything someday when she's eighteen," I told Jaxon as I walked to the exit door, opened it, and took the remote from my sports car.

"I'm going to work now, and if anything comes up, I'll call," I told Irish.

"All right then, take care, and I'll let you know if anything comes up," Irish replied.

I went to the garage, opened the car door using the alarm remote control, went inside, put my bag on the side of the front seat, started the engine, and drove to work right now. When I saw the red light, I grabbed my phone from my bag and checked to see if anyone had messaged me.

I noticed Aria sending me a message to me, and she said she feels at ease when she's with us; I chuckled because I know she'll have a confusing moment when she's with us. She will feel as if she has known us for a long time, and that is the past of her life.

After a few hours, I arrived at my company's building and went to the parking lot. I stopped my car, turned off the engine, and opened and locked all of my car's doors with the alarm remote control. I started walking and went on the elevator and checked the time; it was just me with some strange music that I could hear. I believed some of my employees, particularly my secretary, were already there early in the morning.

My secretary needs to arrive at the company first because he manages all of my schedules. I felt the elevator stop, went outside to the floor I had chosen and walked towards my office. When I entered there, I looked at the wall clock, and it was 9 a.m., and the meeting I had was at 10 a.m., so I had time to prepare.

"Good morning, Mr. Collymore, don't forget you have a meeting at 10 a.m. about the new design our designer manager will present for today," my secretary said.

"I understand, but thank you; any updates on other designs?" I inquired of my secretary and placed my bag on my desk.

"The news about the peacock dress was already in process, and it will be added to the event on Monday night. I have also chosen the people who will model our product," my secretary said, and I nodded.

"That's great. Is the peacock gown visible? Is the color blue with green correct?" When I asked my secretary, he nodded and handed over the tablet he was using.

"You are correct, sir; an animal, the peacock, inspired it." While I was looking at the dress on the tablet, my secretary said.

"It's lovely; did you inspect the dress to see if there were any flaws? Are the measurements correct? Is there anything we need to change if the model wears it?" My secretary shook his head when I asked.

"I haven't checked it yet, sir, but I will right now because you mentioned it, so there will be no problems. I will let the models test the dress if any adjustments are needed," my secretary replied as I handed back the tablet to her.

"All right, go ahead and do your work now; report back to me if there is any problem," I told my secretary, who nodded.

"If you require anything, sir, please contact me," my secretary said as he walked away.

I looked at my laptop and scrolled down to see if there were any pending submissions for new designs of dresses, tops, shorts, and baby clothing. I scrolled down and saw a beautiful top cloth for women, and I also looked through the men's clothing and saw a complete material.


This will be beneficial if the model man and woman walk together on the day of the event and demonstrate the new clothing for men and women. Because the design for men and women was unique, I approved it. I scrolled down again and read the description of each garment.

It was 9:55 a.m. when I stood up and picked up my phone and notebook from the table. I walked out of my office and noticed my secretary on his desk in front of my office.

"It's 9:55 a.m. Are you all set for the meeting?" I asked my secretary, and he also brought his notebook and tablet.

"Sir, I'm ready. Let's go." My secretary responded, and we proceeded to the meeting room.

When we arrived, I went inside and greeted the managers of the other departments before sitting in the middle of the room with my notebook.

"Good morning to all, so let us begin the discussion," I said to the designer manager, knowing she was eager to talk about the new clothes for my company.

Minutes passed as I listened to her discussion about the new design. The other department members paid attention to what she said when my phone vibrated. I saw Aria's message that she was already at her school. She wondered what I was doing right now, even though I believe she is unaware that I own my own clothing company.

"Do you like the design on the shoulder of the dress, Mr. Collymore?" The designer manager asked me to point out the design, and I examined it and noted it in my notebook.

"Yes, I like it, but what's with the color scheme? What was your inspiration when designing the new clothes?" I inquired while taking notes, and she explained it to me.

After the meeting, I decided to approve the new clothing design by the designer manager to her team, and I went outside of the meeting room, even though it was already lunchtime. As I walk, I receive another message from Aria, and when I look at it, it is indeed her.

I immediately responded to her, went to my office, sat at my desk, and swiveled in my swivel chair. My phone notified me of a new message, and I read what Aria had replied to me.

Aria: What are you planning to eat for lunch? Are you preoccupied? Are you with the other protectors, or are you alone in your office because you're already working?

Lucas: I'm thinking about what I'm going to eat during our lunch break because our meeting just ended; did you bring any food to school?

Aria: Yes, my mother is always packing food for me so that I don't have to go to the canteen because she knows someone is bullying me. I don't need to spend money in the cafeteria.

Lucas: I'll protect you, and if I have to fight, I'll do it.

Aria: You won't do it because I won't command you to; I'm not a bad person to fight back; I can still handle it; and once I graduate from high school, I'll be free to start a new life in college, so don't worry too much.

Lucas: Where are you at the moment?

Aria: On the rooftop. Why did you ask?

I smiled and dialed her number, and she answered right away.

[I knew you'd call me if I said I'm on my school's rooftop building,] Aria said as she answered her phone.

"Are you currently eating? Is it just you up on the roof? I just finished our meeting and am contemplating the food I will purchase," I asked her, and she requested a video call, so I agreed.

[I'm done eating, but I see you're not,] Aria said, and I laughed a little.

"I can eat now if this call ends; do you want to talk about something in your spare time?" I inquired of Aria.

[I'm not sure why I keep texting you; it's as if something is forcing me to talk to you,] Aria said, and I know she doesn't remember everything.

Regarding the two of us in the past, I love her.

"Perhaps because we are closed in the past? You will understand it once you remember everything from the past. Don't force yourself right now." Aria smiled as I said this to her.

[I can wait; I'm looking forward to remembering you and the other protectors.] Aria picked up her lunch box and placed it in her bag.

"Are you returning to your room?" While looking around my office, I asked Aria.

[Yes, I know you're busy, and I apologize for bothering you. I will text you and the other protectors if anything happens to me or if I require assistance. Is there a group chat where I can quickly inform you?] Aria inquired.

"Yes, we have a group chat; I'll add you there; see you later or perhaps on Saturday?" I inquired of Aria.

[Have you decided to go on Saturday yet?] Aria inquired, and I nodded; she was now walking away from the rooftop.

"Yes, we agreed yesterday, and we need to finish our work before we come to get you.

I have to leave now. Take precautions and stay safe." I responded to what Aria said.

[See you this Saturday, Goodbye!] Aria responded.

The call ended, and I hung up the phone. I picked up the telephone to call my secretary and have her buy me some food and bring it up here.

I was wondering what would happen with Aria and the nine protectors this Saturday? I need to find ourselves as I smiled all by myself while I thought.