Chapter 15
The Past and Future
Lucia took a breath, then began to speak softly, her eyes distant.
"Actually… in the past, my family was quite well-off. My father was wealthy—he inherited a few percent of shares from my grandfather's company.
"He was always busy with work, but sometimes he'd still give me rides to school on his vintage motorcycle.
"During holidays, my parents would take us on trips—beaches, log cabins in the mountains, even overseas. We visited amazing places all around the country.
"Our life was full of happiness. There was always food on the table. We lived in a beautiful two-story house, and we each had our own bedrooms.
"But more than that… my parents were kind. They fulfilled our wishes, but they weren't afraid to say no when we misbehaved. They taught us right from wrong, even punished us when we crossed the line.
"I remember the first time I stayed up all night to welcome the new year. We celebrated at the mountain cabin and watched the first sunrise together.
"Me, Dad, Mom, and Sister Sophia were all huddled together in the cold morning air. Eve was still little—only six at the time—so she stayed asleep inside.
"It was warm... so warm. When that first light rose over the horizon, it was breathtaking.
"It's one of the most beautiful memories I have.
"And it was... the last New Year we ever spent together as a whole family.
"Because not long after that, when Sister Sophia turned seventeen…"
Lucia's voice trembled, trailing off. Her expression cracked, and she pressed her lips together to keep her emotions in check.
Edward, watching her closely, gently spoke, voice filled with concern.
"It's okay. You don't have to continue if it's too painful. You've already told me more than enough. I'll still be your friend—no matter what."
He looked toward the sky instead of at her face, afraid his heart might break if he saw her tears.
Lucia's tears were already falling, silent and warm. She closed her eyes, inhaled slowly, then wiped her cheeks with trembling fingers.
Her voice, though still weak, carried determination.
"Thanks, Edward. But I want to tell you this. I need to.
"You've been so kind to me… This is the least I can do before I properly repay you."
She glanced at him and smiled faintly—then resumed her story.
"It happened when my parents and Grandpa went on a sudden business trip to Europe.
"Because Sister Sophia and I had an important exam, we were going to follow after it finished. Eve was sick at the time, so she stayed with our aunt.
"They… all boarded the same flight.
"At first, the authorities just said the plane went missing. We didn't believe it—we kept hoping they'd made an emergency landing somewhere remote.
"I was only ten. I didn't understand much. I just watched the adults panic and cry.
"Then the news came… The plane had crashed into the sea.
"They searched the area intensively for weeks. In the end, all they found were parts of the wings.
"I didn't understand. I couldn't process it. I kept telling myself it wasn't real.
"After that, it's all a blur. I… I don't even remember what happened next.
"All I can recall is the funeral. Sister Sophia was crying. Eve cried too, though she didn't understand why.
"But me… I didn't cry. Not once.
"My mind felt hollow, like someone had scooped out everything inside.
"For weeks after, my world was black and white. I couldn't feel anything. I ate barely enough, slept too much... Life just became a haze.
"It was the darkest time of my life.
"Eventually, I started to recover—slowly—when I realized I wasn't alone.
"I still had my sisters.
"With our aunt's help, we returned to school and tried to rejoin society… But that was when the next hardship started."
She clenched her fists tightly.
"My father's side of the family cut all ties with us.
"They didn't care. They took almost everything—most of the inheritance, most of our savings.
"We were left with very little.
"To survive, we had to mortgage our house… and eventually, we lost it.
"We lived with our aunt for six years. Only after Sister Sophia got a stable job were we finally able to move out.
"Since then, we've lived in our current home together.
"So… yeah. That's everything…
"Huft... Thanks for listening to all of that, Edward."
Lucia looked up at the sky. It had brightened even more—sunrise was coming soon.
Edward gave her a gentle pat on the back and smiled softly.
"Thank you for sharing all that with me.
"I'm so sorry for what happened to your parents and grandpa. Truly… You've been through so much.
"I know it might sound cheesy, but I mean this—don't hesitate to ask for help. Anything, anytime. I'll try my best to be there for you.
"You're honestly the only friend I've ever connected with this deeply, especially when it comes to hobbies and… life.
"So cheer up, dude."
Lucia laughed through the remaining tears, a genuine smile spreading across her face. The morning light kissed her features, revealing not just beauty—but strength, love, and resolve.
She had made peace with her past—not because she had forgotten it, but because she'd chosen to live forward.
Her love for her sisters, her respect for Edward, and her quiet determination for the future all converged in that one peaceful smile.
"You're really too kind, bro. I… might catch feelings if you keep being like this."
She chuckled lightly.
"Anyway, let's finish the final shoot. You must be tired, so let's wrap this up and get some rest."
They stood up together.
Edward nodded and prepared the camera, extending the mounted selfie stick.
Lucia dismissed her wings, and the two of them prepared to capture the last shots—framed against the dawn sky.
The shoot began with Lucia standing atop the stone wall, facing the rising sun.
Wind played with her hair and dress, as the early light painted her silhouette with golden hues.
The camera caught her from the side—her profile serene, eyes closed in silent focus.
A moment later, her wings unfurled from her back in a graceful, sweeping motion.
A gust of wind followed, scattering leaves across the grass.
The camera zoomed in and panned slightly, following her as she stepped closer to the edge of the wall.
And then, she fell.
A slow, deliberate motion—as if surrendering to the pull of gravity itself.
The camera tried to follow her descent, but lost sight of her.
Silence.
Edward swallowed hard, tension gripping him even though he already knew the plan.
Then—
A shadow flashed upward across the lens.
The camera caught her again—Lucia, emerging from below, soaring high into the sky, bathed in the golden light of dawn.
She climbed higher and higher, wings cutting through the morning breeze until she suddenly halted mid-air.
Her gaze locked on the horizon, the sun slowly rising beyond the misty hills.
Seconds later, she snapped her head toward the camera.
And with sudden momentum, she dove—
Her speed astonishing, her figure growing rapidly larger in the frame.
Just before reaching the camera, she halted once again.
Her wings stretched wide, catching the wind as she hovered with power and grace.
The morning light flared behind her, illuminating her form like something divine.
She reached out a hand toward the camera.
Edward let go of the mounted stick, allowing her to take control.
With a single beat of her wings, she ascended again—this time even higher.
Carrying the camera, she pushed toward the clouds above.
After nearly a minute, she burst through the morning mist, reaching the thin clouds where light shone brighter than below.
She hovered there, the world spread beneath her—forests, mountains, rooftops, and the distant hills, all bathed in the first light of day.
The camera lingered on the view.
Still. Silent. Peaceful.
Then it turned, revealing Lucia's smiling face.
She brought the camera closer—and ended the recording.
With a relieved sigh, Lucia let herself glide downward, heading back to Edward.
From the ground, Edward watched her descend from the heavens—elegant, confident, and radiant in the dawn light.
She landed softly on the grass a few meters away and waved cheerfully.
"Edward! Let's check the recording!"
Edward smiled, overwhelmed with pride and awe.
"Yeah! That was amazing! I hope the video looks half as good as what I just saw with my own eyes!"
The two nearly launched into their old signature celebratory pose—but after a moment of hesitation, both laughed awkwardly.
Still buzzing with excitement, Lucia stepped closer, handing him the camera.
"Alright, let's see the video!"
Edward took it, and together they reviewed the footage.
Their expressions slowly turned from anticipation to amazement.
The video was even more breathtaking than they had hoped—like a scene straight out of a fantasy anime.
When the final frame appeared on the screen, Lucia couldn't hold back her joy.
She jumped up and shouted with all her heart.
"YES!!"
Edward flinched at the sudden burst but smiled, shaking his head.
"Lucia, I think we've nailed it. Maybe just a little post-editing for brightness and some trimming... but otherwise, it's perfect.
"Let's make a backup copy right away, then we can rest. I'm about to crash—bed first, then shower, lunch, editing, and we head home.
"Let's go back to the villa now."
Lucia nodded enthusiastically.
"Eh? What should I do while you're asleep? Think it's okay if I take a tour around the villa and get breakfast?"
Walking beside her, Edward answered.
"Do anything you want. I'll have someone assist you—just let her know what you need."
As they approached the front of the villa, the head security guard—standing tall on the steps—bowed respectfully.
Edward returned the gesture with a polite nod and a word of thanks.
Inside the grand hallway, the villa manager was on a call. He quickly ended it upon seeing Edward and approached with a deferential smile.
"Manager," Edward began, "please assign someone—preferably a woman—to assist my friend. I'm going to rest for a few hours. Please wake me before 11 AM.
"I'll escort her to her room first. You can send the assistant there later."
The manager bowed slightly and replied.
"Understood, Sir. I'll assign Luna to assist your guest. We'll make sure she's comfortable and has everything she needs. Please rest well."
Fatigue was finally catching up with Edward. He didn't even bother to correct the manager's mistaken assumption about his relationship with Lucia.
Lucia, meanwhile, didn't seem to mind—it was too minor to fuss over.
They reached the top of the stairs.
After walking her to her room, Edward offered a tired smile.
"Alright, see you before lunch. The assistant will be there in a few. Oh—don't worry about the video, I'll back it up before I crash. Bye, Lucia…"
Lucia giggled at his drained expression.
"See you later. Sleep well! Oh—and dream about me, will you? Hahaha!"
Edward sighed and chuckled as he turned around, shaking his head.
Lucia stood in the doorway, still grinning brightly.
After seeing Edward off, Lucia gently closed the door, leaving him alone in the hallway. He let out a sigh and dragged his tired feet toward his own room.
Morning activity had begun around the villa. Workers were tending to the grounds, and the distant sounds of preparations echoed softly in the air. Lucia decided to make good use of the time. She took a light tour of the villa, appreciating its serene atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.
Around 8 AM, she had breakfast, then returned to her room and caught up with her sisters through messaging apps. Before lunch, she took a shower and asked the assistant assigned to her for a change of clothes.
She chose a comfortable outfit: loose black chinos, an oversized white button-down shirt, and a soft pastel cardigan. Though the style leaned toward menswear, the look suited her effortlessly.
"Who says women can't wear this?" she thought with a small smirk.
Next came her hair. She attempted to tie it into a low horsetail, but the result was a messy struggle of tangled strands. Sighing, she called the assistant for help. With nimble fingers, the assistant secured her hair with a silk ribbon, leaving it elegant and neat.
"Thank you," Lucia said, giving a grateful smile before walking toward the door.
Checking the time—it was almost 11 AM.
She wanted to wake Edward so they could review the video footage on a larger screen and talk about the edits. The plan was simple: review while he got ready, discuss edits after lunch, and hopefully leave by 4 PM, reaching home by 8.
---
Lucia walked to Edward's room, which happened to be right next to hers. Though both were originally guest rooms, Edward had chosen this one for privacy.
She knocked softly.
No response.
She knocked again, this time louder, calling out his name.
Still nothing.
Frowning, she pressed the door handle—surprised to find it unlocked.
"Huh? He didn't lock it...? Well, I'll welcome myself in then."
She cleared her throat dramatically.
"EXCUSE ME~"
Entering with exaggerated flair, more as a joke than anything else, Lucia glanced around—only to find Edward still sound asleep on the bed.
The exhaustion from yesterday's full day, the long drive, the late-night filming—everything must've hit him hard.
Lucia stood there for a moment, debating whether to let him rest.
But… it was nearly lunchtime. Tomorrow was Monday. Edward had class, and she didn't want to spend another awkward night sleeping in an unfamiliar place.
'Alright… just a gentle wake-up. Nothing mean.'
She tiptoed closer to the bed, then leaned forward and gently shook his shoulder.
"Edward… wakey wakey, it's almost time~"
Still in dreamland, Edward stirred but didn't fully wake. Lucia tried again.
"Edward… dude, wake up or I'll…"
That last word triggered something.
At once, his eyes snapped open. 'Dude'—a term only Lucius used.
In a flash, he sat up straight, panic on his face.
"HUH! Do what!?"
Lucia burst into a suppressed giggle, nearly losing her composure.
Edward let out a deep sigh.
"Come on... don't give me a heart attack just to wake me up."
He rubbed his face, still groggy.
"Alright, since I'm awake now, could you wait in your room? I need to shower and get dressed."
Lucia stepped back, giving him space.
"Hahaha, okay okay—but why not let me wait here? You've showered with me in the room back when I used to visit."
She gestured toward the nearby TV.
"Plus, I want to see the video again. Bigger screen, better quality. We can talk edits after you're done."
Edward sighed and gave her a slightly pained look.
"Haa... You do realize your current appearance makes that awkward, right?
"I mean—come on, think about it. A beautiful girl sitting on the bed while I'm walking around half-naked? I'm still a normal guy. Don't make me spell it out."
Lucia blinked, then smirked knowingly.
"Alright, alright, I get it."
She turned toward the door.
"We'll watch it after you're dressed. On the big TV, yeah?"
Opening the door, she stepped halfway out, then peeked back inside.
"Call me when you're done, okay?"
With that, she closed the door gently behind her.
But just as she turned, her heart jumped.
The villa manager was standing silently in the hallway, wearing a polite smile.
"I'm sorry to startle you, Miss," he said. "Is Mr. Edward awake?"
Lucia exhaled in relief.
"Yeah, he just woke up. Uh… did you need something? Or is lunch ready?"
The manager shook his head with a slight bow.
"No, no. I was just here to wake him. Since you've already done so, I'll return to my duties.
"Lunch preparations will be complete in about an hour. Please wait a bit longer.
"If there are no further instructions, I'll take my leave. See you later, Miss Lucia."
With another graceful bow, he turned and walked away.
Lucia stared at the empty hallway, sighing deeply.
"I really hope they don't get the wrong idea again..."
She shook her head and made her way back to her room.
About fifteen minutes had passed when Lucia's phone rang.
She picked it up instantly—it was Edward.
{"I'm done, you can come here."}
{"Okay."}
She jumped up from the couch and headed next door to Edward's room.
Inside, she found Edward connecting his phone to the smart TV, which ran on Android software. Once the connection was stable, he took a seat beside her on the long couch—keeping a respectful distance between them.
The footage began to play.
Together, they watched in silence, completely immersed. Occasionally, they exchanged feedback about the edits—timing, brightness, sound clarity, scene flow. Without realizing it, nearly an hour had passed.
A knock broke the trance, followed by the villa manager's voice.
It was time for lunch.
Edward disconnected the casting and stood up, then tilted his head toward Lucia.
"Let's eat. We can continue later, and I'll borrow a laptop from the manager to finish the editing after."
Lucia stood up and, in a theatrical motion, slapped her stomach.
"Let's gooo. I'm starving—I could probably eat a whole chicken by myself… maybe two!"
Edward blinked, speechless.
That was... impressively lame.
He simply turned and opened the door without saying a word.
Lucia winced at her own attempt at humor, quietly following behind him with an embarrassed smile.
They followed the manager to the dining room.
Before them was a feast—dishes of all kinds, beautifully arranged and steaming with fresh aromas. The long table seemed built for a banquet, but only the two of them sat to eat. Opposite each other, they enjoyed the meal in content silence, occasionally chatting between bites.
By the end, plenty of food remained untouched.
Before leaving, Edward turned to the manager.
"Please make sure everyone working today eats the rest. Don't let anything go to waste."
He always hated wasting food—it was a principle he lived by.
Back in Edward's room, they resumed reviewing the video while waiting for the laptop. Edward had already requested it before lunch, but the manager had informed him it might take some time.
Sure enough, the laptop wasn't available in the villa. The manager had gone all the way back to his house to fetch it.
In the meantime, Lucia leaned back into the couch, mind drifting toward the future.
This video would determine what happened next in her life.
If she passed the organization's screening, she could go abroad and begin the process of building a new identity. But if it failed… she might need to consider Plan B.
Still, even if the original plan failed, the video would retain some value.
'I hope this convinces the higher-ups in the organization…'
'My flight ability might be useful for prosthetic research, artificial limbs, human augmentation…'
'I'm not sure if anyone else has wings like mine. But even if they do, the more data they collect, the more accurate the results will be.'
Just then, the manager returned, slightly out of breath but smiling.
"Sorry for the wait. Here's the laptop, sir."
Edward thanked him, then immediately got to work—copying files, arranging clips, adjusting color and brightness, trimming silence, and syncing everything smoothly.
Two hours passed.
Finally, he pressed play.
Together, they watched the final cut—start to finish.
And it was perfect.
The scenes.
The atmosphere.
The script.
The performance.
All came together beautifully.
Lucia was so hyped, she couldn't hold back. Without thinking, she leaned in from the side, threw her left arm around Edward's shoulders, and smiled like a giddy lunatic.
Their old buddy gesture.
Edward froze for a moment. A surge of panic almost overtook him—but this time, he let it be. The moment felt right.
He smiled softly, accepting it.
Now, all that remained was for Lucia to upload the video to the designated email form.
Then… wait.
Would she pass the screening?
Would this be the start of a new chapter in her journey?
Time would soon tell.