Chapter 34

Third person's POV

Aria awoke at 5 a.m., looked at the wall clock inside her room, and heard people downstairs; she didn't tell Lucas about hearing voices even though they were far away.

She rose from her bed and approached her cabinet, contemplating what she would wear to Lucas' event. She found a maroon dress and smiled because now that she has a dress like this, she is looking for sandals to go with it.

The maroon dress was elegant, sleek, and appropriate for Aria's body measurement. It was typically a knee-length gown. The dark maroon color is ideal for making the outfit stand out, and it goes well with the deep hue of the dress.

She found 2-inch sandals, and it was a black color, she picked that up, and she put the dress on her bed. Also, she put the sandals on the floor. She was about to go to the bathroom when she heard a knock on her door and opened it.

"Good morning. Are you getting ready?" Lucas inquired of Aria, who simply nodded as Lucas noticed the dress on the bed.

"Are you going to wear the dress on the way to the company while waiting for the event?" Aria nodded and smiled as Lucas inquired.

"You should wear casual clothes. First, you can change at my office; I have a room there where I change my clothes sometimes, you will be comfortable there. Here is a suit cover bag for your dress and a travel shoe bag organizer," Lucas said, and Aria was surprised.

"I didn't realize you had your own room there; I'll wear casual clothes. Then, after you give me the suit cover bag and travel shoe bag organizer, I'll pack the dress and shoes I was going to wear at the event." Aria replied to Lucas

The maroon dress is casual, and it was given to Aria as a birthday and graduation gift by Lucas.

"I'll go downstairs now and wait for you," Lucas said as he kissed Aria on the forehead.

Aria closes the door and returns to the cabinet, where she picks up her long pink sleeves. She chose fitted denim jeans and prepared her running shoes before going to the bathroom and removing her pajamas clothes, including her bra and panties.

She started taking a shower, and while she was washing, she noticed a glowing in the water. And when she picked it up, it was a small stone that she had no idea what it was. She placed the small stone on the sink after washing herself.

"I'm curious. What is this small stone?" After drying her hair and putting on a bathrobe, Aria talks to herself and picks up the small stone.

After she had finished dressing in her casual clothes, she packed the maroon dress on the suit dust cover pack and the sandals she would use. She put it on the shoe organizer bag Lucas had given her earlier. She took her accessories from her drawer and placed the earrings and necklace.

When she came downstairs from her room, she saw the nine protectors waiting for her.

"Did I really take so long?" Aria inquired of the protectors, who shook their heads.

"It's okay if you take so long, you're our master," Logan said, and she sat down in the middle, seeing Khalil already eating his breakfast.

"You can eat your breakfast without me because I took so long getting ready because I will be with Lucas today at the event he has in his company," Aria told them as she ate the sandwich.

"But you know we're always eating together, so no one will be left," Aiden said. Aria smiled because he remembered what she'd said before.

"Everything has changed, and I think you should start eating without me because sometimes I will be busy, and I hope you all understand," Aria told them, and they just nodded.

"Why are you telling us this? Are you going to set us free?" Irish stated, and Aria was surprised because Irish appeared sad.

"Why are you sad? I didn't say I was going to free you all; maybe someday it'll be your choice to have your own freedom," Aria clarified, and Lucas looked at her as she looked at him.

"Master was correct; every day is not the same. The day will come when we must make our own decisions." Lucas clarified what Aria was saying, and she nodded.

"I understand now; I apologize if I overreacted, you are correct, master. Someday we will decide for our own sake," Irish said, and Aria smiled and nodded.

Lucas finished his breakfast after Aria finished hers. Aria stood up and bid the other protectors farewell. Lucas followed her outside, carrying the items Aria was taking, and they went to the garage where the sports car was parked.

Aria and Lucas have left the mansion. Christopher is now on his way to Lucas' mansion, and when he arrives, he immediately presses the doorbell button. Jaxon opened the gate, and the other protectors were still not going to work.

"What are you doing here, Christopher? Aria and Lucas have just left." Jaxon inquired, and Khalil noticed Christopher.

"I'm not sure why, but I had a feeling something was going to happen to Aria! Did you have the same experience? You are her protector, am I right?" Christopher spoke up, and Jaxon remained calm.

"Nothing bad will happen to Aria, and Lucas is with her, and Logan will be at the event later this night," Jaxon assured Christopher, who was taken aback.

"There's an event tonight, and you let Aria go?" Christopher inquires, and he is now very concerned.

"I believe Lucas invited her, and we can't do anything because if our master wants to go, we can't stop her. The Auxier will punish us." Jaxon clarified that Christopher was thinking and planning to attend Lucas' event.

"I believe I need to visit Lucas's company; do you have the address?" Christopher inquired, and Jaxon took his phone from his pocket and texted the address of Lucas' company.

"Aria added you to the group chat; please protect her if anything happens. You call us for an emergency if we are not yet there," Jaxon said, and Christopher nodded.

When Aria and Lucas arrived at the company, Aria unbuckled her seatbelt, and Lucas did the same. They exit the sports car, with Lucas carrying Aria's belongings and holding Aria's hand after closing all of the car's doors.

"I know you're excited for tonight; I believe you're anticipating the food that will be served at the event," Lucas said. Aria was taken aback as the elevator door opened on Lucas' office's floor.

"I'm not going to wait for the food! I'd like to see the dress you made! Perhaps I'll try it after the event," Aria said as they entered Lucas' office.

"You can try it, and I'll take a picture of you wearing it," Lucas said as he placed Aria's belongings on the office sofa and approached his desk.

Lucas' secretary entered the office and greeted Aria respectfully. He handed a document to Lucas.

"If you're hungry, Aria, let my secretary know. He'll order you something in our cafeteria," Lucas said to Aria, who nodded in agreement.

"I found a model for tonight, sir. She said she can model the other dress you made." Lucas' secretary said.

"Is she certain about that? It's difficult to change clothes quickly. Remember, the event for tonight is a runway show," Lucas said, and Aria thought that something had happened, and that's why Lucas came home late last night.

"She said it was fine for her to change immediately after modeling the dress," the secretary said.

"We will test the dress on her first before the show to see if any adjustments need to be done," Lucas thought.

"I need to talk to her; is she already here?" Lucas inquired, and Aria took up her phone, scrolling down to avoid the two's conversation.

"I'll call her. She's in our models' private room," Lucas' secretary said, and Lucas just nodded and gestured.

"If she saw you, Aria, you need to behave, okay?" Aria was taken aback when Lucas said this.

"Do I appear to be misbehaving for you?" Aria answered, and Lucas laughed because he teased Aria.