A Place to call Home

"How about a quick stop at the Star Café before we go to meet Lila?" Lena suggested. "We have some time, and I could really use a coffee."

"Sounds perfect," Aiden agreed, looking forward to relaxing a bit after his training session. "We still have 40 minutes before the meeting " He said, while looking at his watch.

As they made their way to the café, they chatted about whether to order the same drinks as yesterday or try something else.

"I think I'm going to try their Café au Lait," Lena said, grinning. "I'm feeling quite classy today after all that shopping."

Mark nodded in agreement. "That sounds good. I might try their espresso. I need something strong to keep me going."

Aiden glanced at the menu displayed on a digital screen outside the café. "I'm in the mood for something sweet. I think I'll go with a caramel macchiato."

They entered the Star Café, then headed to the elevator, picking the 30th floor again. Which was bustling with customers as usual, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.

As they approached the counter, a friendly barista greeted them with a smile. "Good afternoon, do you guys have a reservation?"

"We don't, unfortunately. We kind of came on a whim. Can we still get a drink?" Aiden asked, looking at the barista.

"Of course you can. How about I book you in right now?" said the barista with a smile on his face.

"That would be great, thank you"

"I have reserved table #10 for you, I will assign a waiter to guide you there." said the barista, as he signalled for a waiter to come and serve them.

After the waiter guided them towards their table, he asked, with a warm smile on his face. " Would you guys like to order now, or later?" 

Aiden placed his order first. "I'll have a caramel macchiato."

The waiter nodded, noting down the order. "And for you two?"

"I'll take an espresso," Mark said, scanning the menu for any last-minute changes.

"And a Café au Lait for me, please." Lena added, already eyeing a selection of pastries in the display case.

"Great choices!" the barista said. "Would you like anything else? We have some fresh pastries today."

Lena looked at the others, raising an eyebrow. "What do you think? Should we get some snacks to share?"

Aiden shrugged. "Sure, why not? How about a couple of those chocolate croissants?"

Mark nodded in agreement. "Sounds good to me."

A few minutes later, their drinks arrived.

Aiden took a sip of his caramel macchiato , savouring the smooth blend of coffee, milk and caramel. "This was a good choice," he said, enjoying the moment of relaxation with his friends.

As they sipped their drinks and enjoyed the moment, the conversation shifted to the meeting with Lila later. The café buzzed with life, creating a cozy backdrop for their discussion.

"So, Aiden," Lena began, leaning back in her chair, "are you nervous about your meeting with Lila later? You are buying a villa, it's not a light decision."

Aiden nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "It's something I've dreamed about since the orphanage," Aiden admitted, a flicker of emotion crossing his face. "After my parents died, having a place to call home... felt like an impossible dream."

Lena smiled encouragingly. "You've come so far, Aiden. From the little shy kid who couldn't socialise with other kids in the orphanage, to your current self. We're really proud of you."

"Same here, I agree with what Lena said totally." said Mark.

"Hey! say something of your own, you thief." said Lena as she glared at Mark.

"Im kind of bad at these interactions" said Mark, as he scratched his head.

"Whatever." said Lena, acting mad. But on the inside, she knew Mark wasn't good at comforting others.

"Thanks," Aiden replied, grateful for his friends' support. "It's still a bit surreal, but I'm looking forward to it."

After paying for the bill. Soon enough, it was time for the meeting with Lila. The meeting was also outside star café, so it was a good idea to come and grab a drink. 

As they walked towards the exit of the café, Aiden, Lena, and Mark were greeted by the sight of a sleek, blacked-out futuristic limousine parked near the curb. The limousine's glossy exterior reflected the afternoon sunlight, giving it an almost ethereal glow. Its aerodynamic design featured smooth curves and sharp angles, suggesting a vehicle engineered for both luxury and speed.

The limousine's tinted windows ensured privacy, concealing the opulent interior from onlookers. Its elongated body sat low to the ground, supported by advanced suspension that hinted at a smooth ride, no matter the terrain.

Standing next to the vehicle was an older man who looked every bit the traditional butler, with an air of refinement and dignity.

He was dressed in a classic black tailcoat and crisp white gloves, his posture immaculate and his expression serene. Despite his advanced age, he exuded an aura of quiet strength and competence.

In front of the butler stood Lila, effortlessly beautiful in her attire. Her presence added to the scene's grandeur.

She waved warmly at Aiden and his friends, her smile brightening as they approached.

"Wow, Lila sure knows how to make an entrance," Mark whispered, clearly impressed.

Aiden nodded, feeling a mix of admiration and anticipation. Lila's family influence was evident in the lavish details surrounding them, reminding him of the importance of their meeting today. As they approached, Lila greeted them with a welcoming nod.

Lila stepped forward as Aiden, Lena, and Mark approached, her smile wide and welcoming.

"Hey, Aiden!" she greeted warmly. "You ready for the tour?."

Aiden nodded, trying to keep his nerves in check. "Thanks for setting this up, Lila." 

"No problem at all!" said Lila, with a kind smile on her face.

Lila gestured to the limousine. "This is Charles, my family's chauffeur and butler. He'll be taking us to see some of the villas we've lined up for you today."

Charles gave a courteous nod, his expression polite and attentive. "A pleasure to meet you, sir," he said to Aiden, extending his hand to Aiden.

"The pleasure's mine," Aiden replied, shaking the butler's gloved hand.

"I trust we're ready to depart?" Charles asked, looking between Aiden and Lila.

"Yes, I think so," Lila said, glancing back at Aiden. "Are you ready?"

Aiden took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "Yeah, let's do it."

With a nod, Charles moved to open the limousine door, revealing a luxurious interior that matched the vehicle's impressive exterior.

Plush leather seats surrounded a central console with touch-screen controls for lighting, climate, and entertainment.

The cabin was spacious enough to accommodate everyone comfortably, with soft ambient lighting creating a relaxing atmosphere.

Mark and Lena exchanged excited looks as they climbed into the backseat, clearly enjoying the experience.

Aiden followed, settling into the seat next to Lila as Charles closed the door and made his way to the driver's seat.

As the limousine smoothly pulled away from the academy, Aiden glanced out the window, taking in the cityscape of New Avalon as they travelled towards the villas. The ride was incredibly smooth and comfortable.

"So, did you have trouble finding these places?" Aiden asked, turning to Lila.

"My family has a pretty extensive network when it comes to real estate," Lila explained. "I had them select a few properties that I thought you'd like, based on what we talked about. So it was quite easy."

"That's good. I owe you one, thank you for helping me with this," Aiden said sincerely.

Lila waved her hand dismissively, with a genuine smile. "It's no problem at all. You deserve it, Aiden." she said, as her face started turning slightly pink, which she quickly hid.

The limousine glided through the streets of New Avalon, leaving the bustling city centre behind as they headed toward the more exclusive residential areas.

Aiden's heart raced with excitement as they approached the first villa, the reality of his dream coming true starting to sink in.

The limousine smoothly transitioned from the bustling streets of New Avalon to a serene, tree-lined road that led to the upscale residential district.

As they approached the first villa, Aiden's anticipation grew. The villa came into view, a beautiful modern structure nestled amid lush greenery, exuding an air of elegance and tranquillity.

Charles pulled the limousine to a gentle stop in front of the villa's entrance, and the group stepped out onto the neatly paved driveway.

The circular driveway unfurled before them like a grand invitation, a graceful arc of smooth cobblestones bordered by marbles.

At its centre, a fountain which had a crystal orb floating effortlessly, sending shimmering streams of water into the air.

As the water cascaded down, it caught the sunlight, scattering tiny rainbows everywhere, creating a magical dance of colours.

Surrounding the fountain were lush green plants and flowers in every colour, their petals gently swaying in the breeze. 

The villa's exterior featured large windows tinted that allowed natural light to flood the interior, and the clean lines of its architecture gave it a sleek, contemporary look.

Lila led the way as they approached the entrance, her enthusiasm evident. "This is one of my favourites. It has a lot of great features and a fantastic view."