Max stood frozen.
Right in front of him—on the driveway—stood a figure he hadn't expected to see. Sharp eyes. Calm presence. Familiar face.
Lucas.
He was looking directly at Max, eyes full of confusion. And Max… couldn't move.
Behind him, Astra and Amigas finally caught up, still pulling on his suitcase.
"Oh!" Amigas suddenly said, "I forgot to tell you—Lucas was coming this morning."
"You forgot?!" Max's voice rose with sudden shock. Everyone flinched. Even Lucas blinked in surprise.
Astra quickly stepped in, placing a hand on Max's shoulder. "Calm down," she said gently.
Max closed his eyes, breathed out slowly, then nodded. "I'm calling a cab."
But Amigas had other plans.
"No need," he said quickly. "Lucas will drop you off at the airport."
Max's eyes widened. "What?! No—absolutely not!"
But before he could do anything, Amigas grabbed Max's arm, Astra snatched the suitcase, and in the next second—thud!
Max was kicked into the backseat of Lucas's car. Literally.
Lucas stood there, stunned.
Astra calmly placed the suitcase in the trunk. "Thanks, Lucas," she said sweetly.
"Uhh… sure." Lucas blinked and got into the driver's seat.
Max sat in the back, stiff, awkward, heart pounding. He didn't even look at Lucas. Just stared outside the window, hands slightly trembling.
"I'm Lucas," came a calm voice from the front. "And you are…?"
"…Max."
Lucas smiled in the mirror. "Nice to meet you, Max."
They drove in silence for a moment.
"You're kind of strange," Lucas said suddenly, glancing back again.
"Huh?" Max turned to look at him.
"I mean… that white ribbon on your hand doesn't really match your whole look. You dress like you're in the mafia or something."
Max looked down at the white ribbon tied loosely around his wrist.
"I wear it to remember a promise," he said quietly.
Lucas's expression softened. "Oh. Got it."
Then he asked, "What do you do?"
"I'm in my last year of business school," Max replied.
Lucas almost hit the brakes. "Wait—what? You're a student?"
Max looked at him. "Why? Don't I look like one?"
"Honestly… no," Lucas laughed. "You look older. Like, CEO-level or something."
"I get that a lot," Max muttered.
Lucas nodded. "Well, I'm already handling my father's business. So maybe I'm actually older than you."
There was a pause.
Lucas added, "You can think of me like your older brother."
Max raised an eyebrow. "No, thanks."
Lucas blinked. "No?"
"We can be friends instead," Max said, looking serious.
Lucas stared at him in the mirror. "You sure you want to be my friend?"
"Yes."
Lucas smiled—genuinely, like something warm just touched his chest. "You're the first person who's ever said that to me."
Soon, the car pulled into the airport driveway.
Lucas didn't say anything, but there was a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
Max noticed.
He quietly took out his phone and handed it to Lucas. "Here. My number. Text me."
Lucas looked surprised.
"When you visit Thailand," Max added, "I'll make sure you have a good time."
Lucas smiled again, but said nothing.
Max stepped out, grabbed his bag, and without another word… walked toward the airport doors.
Lucas stayed in the car, still looking in the direction Max had gone.
To be continued…