Now I've done it. I boasted that I would run as the student council president. I mean, Grandpa didn't specifically assign us to which role or on what day we should declare, but there's still a chance that Lucas might be aiming for the presidency too. And judging by my impression of him, that guy won't simply back down no matter what. I totally can't just go and convince him that I should be the one running for president because that would make me owe him, and my pride won't let me do that.
I gnawed at my thumbnail, thinking about what I should do in this situation.
Looks like I have no choice but to talk to him today before my parents find out about it from other people. Grandpa is a different story since he can easily cover for me it's his plan after all but Lucas… Crap.
Knock. Knock.
"Young master." Benedict called from outside my room door.
"Come in." I replied, fixing my appearance.
He entered with the other male servants in the house, each holding a clothing rack and several bags in their hands. I was confused but kept a straight face.
"What's all this about?" I asked, with an eyebrow raised. One of the servants looked so nervous that he accidentally dropped the bag he was holding. I totally forgot, I've gotten so used to Benedict's behavior around me that I forgot about the reputation I have in the house, especially among the servants.
"These are the things we need to prepare for your clothes, accessories, and so on for the banquet." Benedict replied as he started organizing the bags on the floor while the others prepared the bathroom and arranged my clothes.
The preparation lasted about two hours until they finished dressing me up and cleaning the room before leaving. The fresh and modern scent of Dior Sauvage lingered in the air. I stared at my reflection in the mirror, looking like a man from the well-known family I belonged to. My hair was styled in a modern slick-back look. I wore an all-black waistcoat suit with a coat hanging over my shoulders, combined with golden trinkets like a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, a lapel chain, cufflinks, and a piercing I sneaked in earlier after the servants left.
Although I'm already aware that I have some looks as people often tell me seeing myself like this made me feel a bit in awe and biased by my own appearance.
I headed out of my room and walked downstairs. My parents were already waiting at the front door, and clearly, our outfits were matching in color. Mom wore a fitted backless long dress with her hair straight and loose, she especially looked young in it. And Father, well, he looked like an older version of me, except for the hair color. Both of them didn't look like a couple who had a child at all.
"My dear Jaewhi, you look really handsome!" Mom said happily.
"Thank you, Mom. You look especially pretty today too." I smiled at her in response.
"You totally resemble your father back in his teenage years." she chuckled, and as usual, Father showed no reaction to what Mother just said nor even sparing me a glance, not even during the car ride to the venue until we arrived. I wouldn't even be surprised if my father turned out to be a robot in disguise, judging by his personality.
The banquet was held in one of the most famous hotels in the country, which my mother supervises as the CEO. Outside was filled with paparazzi, their cameras ready after hearing the news of Grandpa's birthday banquet being attended by celebrities and high-ranking people. Father clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Gabriel, remember not to mess up. You understand me." he said sternly in a commanding tone.
"Yes, Father." I responded.
Father left the car first, then held the door open for Mom, extending his hand to help her out, wearing a soft, loving smile. The paparazzi flashes went crazy as we stepped out, making me wince a bit, but I still managed to smile for them.
This is my family's greatest secret behind closed curtains. A loving family in the outside and a messed up family in the inside.
"Here's the family we've been waiting for!" someone shouted from the hallway, calling us.
"It's been a while, Mr. Lin." Father replied to him with a soft smile.
"It has really been a while, Mr. Lee, and I see that Mrs. Lee is as beautiful as ever." Mr. Lin replied.
"My, you flatter me." Mom chuckled, holding on to Father's arm.
Mr. Lin's eyes met mine. "I see that you're here too, Jaewhi. You look just like your father," he said, smiling as he patted my back.
"Thank you, Mr. Lin." I replied with a smile. "Is Aviel with you today?" I asked. His eyebrow twitched a little before he smiled.
"Yes, my daughter is currently inside the venue, along with my eldest, Haoyu." he replied.
"I see, I'll greet her later then." I responded with a polite smile.
Mr. Lin Yuxian, Aviel's father. Due to business reasons, he and my father seem to get along quite well they always have great ideas when it comes to building something new. Despite being close to my father, he clearly isn't a fan of me being too close to Aviel. His favoritism toward his only daughter is well known in the industry, and he's extremely overprotective of her when it comes to boys. Unfortunately for him, he can't just straight up tell me to stay away from Aviel because of my father.
Though that doesn't mean I see Aviel as a romantic interest it's more platonic, like with Klaus and Caleb.
After our short conversation, Mr. Lin headed back inside the venue to join his daughter. We stayed in the hallway waiting for Grandpa to arrive.
"Honey, is Dad still at the Academy?" Mom asked with a concerned look.
"Don't worry. Father said he's already on his way earlier." Dad replied with a smile.
I almost let out a sarcastic scoff at the romantic scene in front of me, being played out by my parents.
"Am I late?" Grandpa entered the hotel with his assistant, the Vice-Headmaster, gasping for air beside him.
"Happy birthday, Father." my dad greeted him with a smile.
"Happy birthday, Dad." my mom followed after him.
"Thank you." Grandpa responded with smiled.
"Happy birthday, Grandpa." I said with a smile as I handed him a gift. He smiled brightly and lifted me up into the air with excitement.
"I thought my grandson hated me now, but I guess I was wrong. Thank you, Jaewhi!" he shouted happily, twirling me in his arms. It felt like I was on a rollercoaster back at the amusement park, except it was very suffocating.
'I ant—breath!" I said, my voice muffled against Grandpa's chest.
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. I got too excited." he said, letting me down immediately and fixing my hair that got messed up. I cleared my throat and handed him the gift again.
"Here." I said shyly.
"Thank you, Jaewhi. I'll treasure it forever." Grandpa smiled brightly and thanked me again. It was quite embarrassing to hear him say that after he scolded(?) me back in his office with Lucas…
"You don't have to do that.." I responded. My parents chuckled behind me after seeing our interaction.
After all that, we finally headed inside the venue. The host immediately announced our arrival. The crowd cheered as Grandpa walked to the center of the stage to give a speech to everyone attending his birthday banquet, while my parents and I stood beside him. His speech was quite long, and my eyes started to wander around the room, scanning the people in attendance.
I quickly saw a glimpse of Aviel with her father, and Caleb with his mother, from afar. Not long after, I spotted Klaus alone his mother was sick and couldn't come, and his older sisters were taking care of her. Other familiar faces were also present, like Lucas, Sevastyan, Yelizaveta, and Isaac. Just being in the same room with them felt awkward enough, and now that we're here with our parents as acquaintances, it's even more uncomfortable.