Dreams Unveiled

He continued, offering an alternative, "If you don't want to live in the apartment for free, I can provide you with a position in one of my laboratories. You'd work, and the income from that job would cover the expenses of the apartment. It's a way to maintain your independence and security while ensuring that you lived in safety."

Lizzie's father pondered the proposal, weighing his family's safety against the value of tradition and independence. After a moment of contemplation, he finally spoke, "I'm willing to consider your offer, Lucien, but on a few conditions. First, I'd like to maintain my independence and have a say in how we live in the new place. Second, I want the rest of the family to feel comfortable with this change. And lastly, I'd like to discuss the specifics of my role in your laboratory."

Lucien nodded with a smile, grateful that his uncle was open to the idea and willing to work towards a compromise. "Of course, Uncle. We'll make sure everyone is comfortable with the decision, and we can discuss the details of your role. Your independence and say in the new life will naturally be respected."

Lizzie couldn't hide her excitement and relief as she heard her father's willingness to consider the move and the conditions he had set. Her eyes sparkled with hope, and she couldn't help but break into a wide smile. "Thank you, Dad," she exclaimed, her voice filled with gratitude. "This means so much to me, and I promise we'll work together to make this transition as smooth as possible for all of us."

Lucien's voice held a tone of determination as he laid out his plan. "I'll arrange for someone to come in three days' time to pack and transport our belongings to the apartment in Starcity. In the meantime, we should each pack the most important items that we'll need immediately. The rest will be transported later in the day."

He continued, addressing the financial aspect, "I'll also cover all the expenses for Lizzie's education, and I won't accept any refusal. Consider it as my way of repaying you for taking me in and always being there for me as a real family."

As Lucien began discussing Lizzie's education expenses, his uncle and aunt exchanged glances and felt the urge to voice their concerns. However, as they noticed the resolute expression on his face and heard his firm declaration that he wouldn't accept any refusal, they remained silent.

It was clear that Lucien had made up his mind, and his determination left them with no choice but to accept his decision. While the conversation may have stirred some initial reservations, they understood his intentions and were ready to embrace the opportunities and changes that lay ahead.

Lizzie's face beamed with excitement, and she explained, "I'm going to my room for now; I still need to do some last-minute preparations for the graduation." Her happiness was evident from the wide smile on her face.

Lizzie was on her way to her room when Lucien called her name. "Lizzie," he called, capturing her attention. She turned to him, and he continued, "I still have gifts for all of you that I'd like to give later on. And let's make a day of it tomorrow and go shopping together."

Lizzie's eyes sparkled with anticipation, and she couldn't contain her excitement. She jumped up and down with joy, eager to explore what her big brother had in store for them and looking forward to their shopping outing. It was clear that the family's bond and shared experiences were making this reunion truly special.

"Okay, I will come out later," Lizzie responded with an excited and certain tone.

Once Lizzie left the room, Lucien turned to his uncle and asked, "Do you want to discuss what job you would have now or later?"

His uncle met Lucien's gaze with a thoughtful expression, and after a brief pause, he replied positively, "Let's discuss it now. I appreciate the offer, and I'm open to exploring the options."

"Okay, while you discuss that, I will do the dishes," Fiona said as she began clearing the plates and utensils, taking them into the kitchen for washing.

Lucien turned his attention back to his uncle and suggested, "Why don't we sit down in the living room and make some room for Aunt in the kitchen? We might be in the way there." The small kitchen would become crowded, so Lucien proposed moving to the living room to have a more comfortable and spacious conversation.

The uncle nodded in agreement and replied, "That's a good idea, Lucien. Let's move to the living room; it'll be more comfortable for our discussion, and we won't be in Fiona's way in the kitchen." He appreciated the thoughtfulness behind Lucien's suggestion and was ready to continue their conversation in a more suitable setting.

Lucien settled into the living room with his uncle, ready to discuss the job opportunity.

"Uncle," he began, "I've been thinking about where you could fit into my laboratory. Given your background in handcrafting and your degree in science, I believe there's an important role for you in one of my laboratories."

He continued, "We could use your expertise to oversee the employees, especially with your scientific background. I think your experience and education could make a significant difference in our projects."

Lucien was genuinely interested in utilizing his uncle's skills and giving him an opportunity to use his science degree, which he had been unable to do due to the limitations in their local job market.

Lucien's uncle listened attentively, taking in his nephew's words. After a thoughtful pause, he responded, "I appreciate your offer, Lucien. It's an interesting opportunity, and I believe I could contribute positively in such a role. However, I would like to know more about the specifics and the expectations of the position before making a decision. It's a big step, and I want to ensure it aligns with my skills and experience."

Lucien nodded in understanding and replied, "Of course, Uncle. We can discuss all the details and expectations that would fall on you. I want you to feel comfortable and confident in your decision. So just take your time to explore this opportunity further, and when you're ready, you can give me the answer."

"Can you tell me the expectations and explain it to me in detail so that I understand it better?" his uncle asked him.

Lucien appreciated his uncle's openness to the opportunity and was ready to discuss the details and expectations immediately. He leaned forward and began to explain, "Certainly, Uncle. In this role, you'd be responsible for overseeing the daily operations and employees within the laboratory or enterprise company. This includes ensuring the efficient workflow, quality control, and safety standards are maintained. Your scientific background would be valuable for problem-solving and making data-driven decisions.

"As for expectations, we'd need you to provide guidance and training to the employees, especially those involved in the handcrafting and scientific processes. You'd also be involved in project management, helping to plan and execute research initiatives. Your input and expertise would be highly regarded in our team's decision-making processes, and I believe your experience in the factory's handcrafting sector can add a unique perspective to our projects."

Lucien paused to allow his uncle to absorb the information and then asked, "How does this sound to you? Do you have any questions or specific preferences regarding the role?"

He saw his uncle that was still in thought, it seemed like he was still processing what Lucien just said. 

After some time Lucien reassured his uncle, "You don't need to be scared; you won't be alone in this role. We have another person with similar responsibilities who will work alongside you, providing guidance and support. This will give you time to slowly get accustomed to the position and its demands. I'm entrusting you with this role because I see you as my right-hand man, someone I can trust fully, and I believe your expertise will be invaluable to our team."

His words were meant to alleviate any concerns or apprehensions his uncle might have about taking on this new responsibility. Lucien didn't want to intimidate his uncle and understood the importance of making the transition into the new role as smooth and comfortable as possible if he would choose to take it.

Lucien's uncle, appreciating the trust and support being extended to him, nodded thoughtfully. "I understand, Lucien," he replied with a sense of gratitude. "It's a significant opportunity, and I'm willing to give it a try. I'm looking forward to contributing to your companies and making a meaningful impact on them."

Lucien was genuinely pleased to see his uncle's willingness to embrace the opportunity and not shy away from the new role. It reflected the determination and resilience he admired in his uncle, and he felt proud of the decision his family member had made.

"I'm really happy, and I'll do my best to assist you in making the transition as smooth and comfortable as possible. Don't worry," Lucien reassured his uncle with a warm and encouraging smile. The bond between them was strengthened, and they were both committed to working together for a successful transition.

After some time, Fiona came out of the kitchen and joined their conversation. They engaged in small talk, sharing laughter and enjoying each other's company. The atmosphere was light and heartwarming.

Curiosity got the better of Lucien, and he turned to his aunt. "Aunt, what was actually your dream job?" he inquired. "I think you never told me."

Fiona appeared surprised by the question but then answered with a somewhat wistful smile. "I...," she began, "I wanted to be a designer when I was young. I always loved designing clothes, but it didn't work out for me. Then we had Lizzie, so I put my dreams on hold and focused on part-time jobs to help us stay financially afloat."

Lucien's understanding of his aunt's aspirations and sacrifices deepened with her revelation about her dream of being a designer. He made a mental note to explore opportunities for her in LuxeUniverse Couture and potentially help make her dream come true. Although he wasn't sure about the quality of her work since he had never seen any of it before, he was determined to support her.

He turned to his aunt with an expectant expression and asked, "Do you have any of your work that I could see, or even have?"

Fiona replied, "Yeah, wait a second, I'll get some for you to see." She walked into the bedroom and returned with an old sketchbook in hand, showing signs of wear and tear.

Lucien accepted the sketchbook, its pages filled with the tangible traces of his aunt's dreams and aspirations. With a sense of anticipation, he slowly turned the pages and began to peruse the sketches and designs she had painstakingly crafted over the years. Each stroke of the pencil, every elegant line, and each imaginative design told a story of creativity, passion, and a deep love for the art of fashion.

As he carefully examined her work, he couldn't help but feel genuinely intrigued by what he saw. The sketches were diverse, showcasing a wide range of clothing styles, from timeless classics to bold avant-garde creations. Her talent was evident in the intricate details and thoughtful compositions that adorned the pages. It was clear that Fiona had a unique artistic vision and a strong affinity for fashion design.

Lucien couldn't help but admire the dedication and hidden talent that had been concealed for so long. It was a moment of discovery and appreciation, and he silently contemplated how he could potentially nurture this talent and make his aunt's long-held dreams a reality.