Chapter 201: New plans

Mavis leaned forward excitedly. “Mr. Lucas, when are we having our first night out?”

Emily instantly burst into laughter at Lucas’s expression.

“A night out?” Lucas repeated, pointing at himself as if to confirm they truly meant him.

“Yes of course,” Mavis said casually. “We can’t be guarding you every day without bonding. It’s against brotherhood rules.”

“Since when did bodyguards have brotherhood rules?” Lucas asked, unable to hide his amusement.

“Since now,” Mavis answered proudly.

The second guard, Jerry added, “We already agreed Mavis can’t choose the place because he’ll definitely take us somewhere noisy.”

“That’s because life is meant to be enjoyed,” Mavis defended.

Lucas shook his head slowly, fighting back a smile. “You people are unbelievable.”

“Does that mean your agreement?” Mavis asked quickly.

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you smiled,” Jerry pointed out immediately.

Emily folded her arms, enjoying the scene. “Honestly, Lucas, I think they’re good for you. At least now you won’t stay locked up all day looking miserable.”

Lucas shot her a look. “You’re supporting this?”

“Fully,” she replied without hesitation.

Mavis snapped his fingers happily. “Perfect. Then it’s settled. Tomorrow is Saturday, and it's going to be our guys’ night out.”

Lucas laughed softly despite himself. For the first time since the guards arrived, the tension in him eased a little.

Maybe getting acquainted with them wouldn’t be so difficult after all.

Emily rose from the couch with a satisfied smile. “Alright, I’ll be taking my leave now. I only came to get acquainted with your guards.”

She glanced toward the men standing around Lucas before shaking her head in amusement. “From what I just witnessed, they definitely won’t stress you.”

The guards grinned proudly at her compliment.

But Emily’s expression suddenly turned serious. Pointing a warning finger at them, she added, “Be careful with that wife of yours and guys, don’t smile too much around her.”

Immediately, the room fell awkwardly silent for a second before Mavis straightened dramatically.

“We understand, ma’am,” he responded obediently.

Jerry coughed and looked away to hide his laughter while Mavis muttered under his breath, “Dangerous woman noted.”

Lucas sighed tiredly. “You people are already starting.”

Emily chuckled before walking over to him. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will,” Lucas replied softly.

She pulled him into a quick hug and rubbed his shoulder gently before heading for the door. “And call me if anything happens.”

“I know and I'm the elder one here.”

Emily laughed, “I don't care big bro. Just take care of yourself for me

The guards respectfully stepped aside for her to pass. Once the door closed behind her, silence lingered briefly in the room.

Lucas exhaled before turning toward the men. “I’m heading to the gardener’s place. I promised to make him lunch.”

“Then we’ll come with you, sir,” Mavis said immediately.

Lucas raised a brow. “You’re following me to cook too?”

“Of course,” Mavis replied proudly. “Protection doesn’t end in the kitchen.”

Jerry quickly added, “Yeah, and we’d like to have a taste too.”

Marvis nodded seriously. “Yeah for security reasons.”

Lucas stared at them for a moment before laughing under his breath. “You guys just want free food.”

“No denial there,” Jerry admitted shamelessly.

Lucas shook his head in amusement. “Alright, you can come along.”

“Victory!” Mavis whispered dramatically, earning himself a slap behind the head from Jerry.

The three of them stepped outside together.

The morning breeze carried the scent of wet grass as they walked through the quiet path leading toward the old gardener’s quarters at the far end of the estate.

Along the way, Mavis kept talking nonstop.

“So, sir, what are we eating?”

Lucas glanced at him. “You haven’t even seen the ingredients yet.”

“That’s why I’m mentally preparing my stomach.”

Jerry laughed and muttered, “I’m starting to think we’re guarding the wrong person. We should’ve protected the kitchen instead.”

Lucas found himself smiling again as their voices filled the peaceful morning air.

For the first time in a long while, the loneliness around him didn’t feel heavy.

The moment they arrived at the old gardener’s quarters, the elderly man welcomed them warmly with a bright smile.

“Ah, young master Lucas,” he greeted happily. “You really came.”

“I told you I would,” Lucas replied with a small smile as the man walked him inside to show him the food items.

The old man looked behind him and blinked at the two guards. “And you brought an army with you?”

“We came for inspection,” Mavis answered confidently.

Jerry corrected him immediately. “Food. We came for food.”

The gardener burst into laughter and invited them in.

A few minutes later, the small kitchen became lively.

Lucas stood by the counter slicing vegetables while Jerry helped arrange ingredients nearby.      The delicious aroma slowly filled the little house.

“You actually know how to cook,” Jerry said in surprise.

Lucas glanced at him. “What were you expecting?”

“I don’t know… rich people usually burn water.”

Lucas laughed softly. “Well, today you’ll learn otherwise.”

Mavis and the old gardener later stepped out of the kitchen.

Outside the house, Mavis walked around with the old gardener, chatting casually about farming and the estate.

Then suddenly his phone buzzed. The screen displayed Alex. Mavis immediately straightened. “Boss.”

He answered quickly. “Hello, boss.”

“Mavis, how’s it going?” Alex’s voice came through instantly.

“All good for now.”

“Did he go out or is he home?”

“He’s home. Well… technically. We’re at the gardener’s place.”

There was a pause before Alex asked, “What are you guys doing there?”

Mavis glanced toward the kitchen window where Lucas and Jerry moved around while cooking.

“Well, Lucas and Jerry are preparing something delicious. He promised the gardener a meal.”

“Who is this gardener?” Alex suddenly asked.

“He’s the estate gardener.”

Another brief silence followed before Alex spoke again carefully.

“Wait… how would you grade his looks?”

Mavis frowned deeply. “Boss, I didn’t get that. What do you mean by his looks?”

“Mavis,” Alex interrupted impatiently, “I mean, is he handsome? Did he carry himself well? Does he look fit?”

Mavis blinked repeatedly in disbelief. Then realization hit him.

“Whoa… boss, are you jealous of the gardener?”

“Damn it, Mavis,” Alex grumbled. “I don’t need any competition right now, so answer the question.”

Mavis nearly choked on his laughter.

“Relax boss,” he said quickly. “The gardener is an old man. He can’t take your baby away from you, okay?”

On the other side of the call, Alex released a dramatic sigh of relief.

“Oh thank goodness.”

Mavis shook his head in amusement.

“So tell me,” Alex continued carefully, “are they close?”

“Yeah… I believe so.”

Silence settled again.

Mavis thought the call had ended until Alex suddenly spoke with strange excitement.

“What if I become the gardener?”

Mavis froze.“What?” he nearly screamed.

“Yeah, you heard me,” Alex replied seriously. “What if I disguise myself as a gardener to get closer to him?”

Mavis stared at the phone like it had grown horns.

“Boss… are you serious right now?”

“Completely serious.”

“What will you do about the actual gardener?” Mavis asked cautiously.