Viya's POV
When Julian and I arrived, Dr. Elias and Elena already had most of the lunch prepared. The main courses were ready, and Elena just needed to cook a few side dishes to finish the spread.
I placed the gift bag on the counter and happily made my way into the kitchen. "Happy birthday, Professor! May you have many more wonderful years ahead!"
"At his age, too many more years and he'd be some kind of supernatural creature," Elena teased while adjusting the seasoning on whatever delicious dish she was preparing.
Dr. Elias pretended to be offended. "I'd be perfectly happy being immortal, and you'd better stick around to be immortal right alongside me."
Julian laughed. "Professor, we haven't even started eating yet and you're already making us feel like third wheels."
