Perfect Dress and an Offer

Lucien, Lizzie, and her friends embarked on a quest to find a suitable shop that sold formal dresses. Their search led them to a boutique called Jovani, renowned for its elegant and formal evening dresses. 

Upon entering the boutique, the girls, including Lizzie, couldn't help but admire the selection of exquisite dresses on display. Maddy and Frankie, who had already purchased their dresses, casually browsed the shop while Lizzie eagerly explored the options, determined to find the perfect dress for her graduation. The boutique was a treasure trove of elegant choices, and Lizzie was excited to find the one that would make her feel like the belle of the ball. 

Maddy and Frankie, who had already discovered some dress options they thought might be suitable for Lizzie, watched as Lucien perused the selection. They were eager to see Lizzie find the perfect dress for her graduation. 

Lucien, not particularly known for his fashion sense, was usually cautious about making clothing decisions. However, when he spotted the forest green dress with its subtle V-neckline and delicate gold embroidery, he had an instinctive feeling that this was the one for Lizzie. He couldn't explain it, but something about the dress resonated with him, and he knew it was the perfect choice. His normally uncertain fashion judgment had taken an unexpected turn, and he felt confident in his selection. 

He called Lizzie over with a warm smile and told her, "I think I've found the one. Try it on." The shop assistant promptly joined them and carried the dress into the fitting room, offering her assistance to help Lizzie try it on. 

Moments later, Lizzie emerged from the fitting room in the exquisite forest green dress, and a hush fell over the small crowd. Her friends, Maddy and Frankie, exchanged impressed glances. Lucien's eyes lit up with approval and pride as he watched Lizzie in the gown. 

Lizzie twirled in front of the full-length mirror, her eyes sparkling with joy as she admired her reflection. The dress seemed tailor-made for her, fitting her like a glove and accentuating her natural grace and beauty. It was a perfect choice, and the shop assistant couldn't help but nod in approval, confirming that it was an excellent pick. 

In that moment, it became clear that Lizzie had found her dream dress for the graduation, and it was a sight to behold. 

Lucien turned to the shop assistant and, with a firm nod, said, "Please pack the dress up. We'll take it." The shop assistant efficiently assisted Lizzie in changing out of the dress and began carefully packaging it. After ensuring everything was in order, she approached Lucien for the payment. Without hesitation, Lucien promptly settled the bill. The dress was soon packed and ready to go. They left the boutique, Lizzie glowing with excitement, and her friends, Maddy and Frankie, eager to see her shine at their graduation in her stunning gown. 

While they were inside the boutique, Lucien had also taken the opportunity to choose a beautiful dress for Fiona, his aunt. The shopping expedition was thorough, and now they were on the hunt for a formal suit for his uncle, Aidan. 

Their quest for the perfect suit led them to the Dolce & Gabbana shop. Upon finding a suit that exuded elegance and style, Lucien and Lizzie agreed it would look fantastic on Aidan. Satisfied with their selections, they had both the dress for Fiona and the suit packed up, ready for purchase. 

After their successful shopping venture, they all piled into Lucien's Maybach. He carefully navigated through the city's bustling streets, eventually reaching their respective homes. Later, he parked his car near a charming restaurant, strategically chosen for its proximity to the café where Sophia worked. 

Lucien walked to the café and settled into a chair outside, patiently waiting for Sophia to finish her shift. The minutes passed quickly, and soon she emerged from the café, looking stunning in a beautiful dress and high heels. Lucien greeted her with a smile and offered his arm, escorting her to the nearby restaurant. 

Once inside, they found a quiet corner and took their seats, waiting for a server to come and take their order. While they waited, Lucien couldn't help but admire Sophia, surprised to see that she had even applied makeup, a rarity for her. He had always appreciated her natural beauty, but the makeup added a new layer of charm, transforming her in a way he hadn't seen before. 

Lucien couldn't help but be captivated by Sophia's beauty. Her teasing remark, "What, have you never seen a beautiful woman?" drew a playful reaction from him as he pointed to himself with a mischievous look that seemed to say, "You mean me?" 

Sophia chuckled at his response, but her laughter faded when Lucien spoke again, his words carrying a level of seriousness that took her by surprise. He stated, "Nope, you are the most beautiful that I have seen till now, right after Lizzie." 

Sophia blinked, momentarily stunned by his words. The sincerity in his tone left her almost lost for words. 

As she reflected on his transformation over the past four years, she realized that Lucien had indeed undergone significant changes. She couldn't help but think that he now possessed a level of handsomeness that could easily rival some of the models she had seen in magazines and on television. It was a remarkable transformation that had taken place during his time in Starcity. 

Their conversation was temporarily interrupted by a server who arrived to take their order and then promptly departed to fetch their drinks. As they waited for their beverages, Sophia couldn't help but voice her curiosity. "I really wonder what happened to you over the course of the four years that we haven't seen each other. You have changed in many ways." 

Lucien flashed a mysterious smile and replied, "Oh really, have I? Let's just say I had some fortunate encounters that completely changed my life." 

Their drinks arrived, and they raised their glasses in a cheerful toast. Soon, their food was served, and they enjoyed their meal while engaging in casual conversation. 

After they finished eating, Lucien broached a subject that had been on his mind. "I have an idea that could help you in terms of the contest. I don't know if you would like to hear it or not." Sophia responded, "Sure, go ahead." 

Lucien continued, "I would like to help you financially and assist you in achieving your dream. I'd be willing to cover your rent until you have the capital to pay for it yourself. Additionally, I can provide support in the contest application process. We'll need to shoot an audition tape, complete some formal paperwork, and secure a promise from the contest managers." 

Sophia was genuinely touched by Lucien's generous offer and took a moment to reflect on it. She couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude and amazement at the kind of person he had become over the past four years. She considered the challenges she had faced, trying to pursue her dream while juggling the high cost of living in the city. 

With a hint of uncertainty in her voice, she finally broke the silence. "Would you really do that? I mean, I know how high rent can be, and it's not an easy expense to cover, especially in the capital city." 

Lucien met her gaze with a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Sophia. I have multiple successful businesses that generate substantial income. I can easily cover the expenses, so you don't have to worry about it." 

Sophia contemplated his words, realizing that this could be her last chance to fully commit to her dream of becoming a singer. After a brief pause, she gave in to her aspirations. "Okay, then I will accept your offer. Even though it doesn't sit well with me to live on someone else's expenses, I'll see it as a loan that I'll repay when I can. I'm determined to follow my dream, and I truly believe you when you say I can make it big." 

Lucien couldn't help but chuckle with satisfaction. "That's the spirit! I have no doubt you'll achieve great things." 

They spent a little more time at the restaurant, exchanging stories and sharing their dreams and ambitions. As the evening wore on, they decided to call it a night. Lucien walked Sophia to his luxurious Maybach and opened her the door. As she entered the vehicle, her eyes widened in amazement at the opulent interior. 

The drive to her apartment was filled with comfortable silence as Sophia marveled at the luxury of the car. It was an experience that left her in awe, and she couldn't help but appreciate the unexpected turn her evening had taken. Lucien dropped her off at her apartment, knowing that they both had busy days ahead. 

As Sophia returned to her apartment, she couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anticipation for the new opportunities that lay ahead. She knew that her journey toward becoming a singer was about to take a significant turn, thanks to Lucien's generous offer. 

Sophia immediately got to work, knowing that she had to terminate her apartment lease, pack her belongings, and bid farewell to some of her friends. It was a bittersweet moment, as she prepared to leave her old life behind in pursuit of her dreams. 

Meanwhile, Lucien's schedule was just as packed, with Lizzie's graduation scheduled for the following day. He had to ensure everything went smoothly for his sister's big day. On top of that, the day after the graduation marked their move to Starcity, which would likely be a hectic and eventful time for both of them. 

As Lucien arrived home, he was met with a scene of orchestrated chaos. The living room, once a bastion of tranquility, had transformed into a haven for cardboard boxes of all sizes and descriptions. His aunt and uncle were like seasoned architects in the construction of this box city, their nimble hands fashioning the stacks with a precision that bespoke expertise. After a warm greeting and a brief conversation, they returned to their packing, while Lucien settled down with his laptop. 

He was determined to find more information about the person who had invited them to the gathering. Using the names he had gathered during their shopping trip, he began his search. Lucien discovered that the guy in question, Ethan, had a reputation as a typical partygoer with many girlfriends. He seemed to enjoy the party scene and wasn't particularly focused on his career or responsibilities. 

Though Lucien wasn't particularly fond of Ethan's lifestyle, he remembered Lizzie's enthusiasm about attending the event. Considering her wishes, he gave his approval and messaged Lizzie to inquire about the event's location and timing. 

After that, Lucien stepped outside to find a quiet spot and placed a call to Alexander, the manager of the Echelon Research Institute. With a calm and collected tone, Lucien requested Alexander's assistance in securing a moving company for their imminent relocation from Ardenvale to Starcity, a move that loomed just two days away. Alexander, known for his unwavering professionalism, assured Lucien that he would personally oversee the arrangements, guaranteeing the moving company's punctual arrival and ensuring a seamless transition for the family. 

With the complex matter of the move logistics resolved, Lucien's thoughts shifted to a personal matter that had been nagging at him for several days. Embracing the tranquility of the moment, he decided to reach out to Victoria. 

The call connected, and after a few rings, she picked up. Her voice sounded warm and familiar, and a sense of comfort washed over him as he greeted her. 

"Hey, Victoria, it's Lucien," he said, his voice reflecting his pleasant surprise at hearing her. 

"Lucien, who would have thought that I would hear from you again so soon?" Victoria replied with a teasing voice and a smile on her face.