The Young Billionaire: "LUCAS"

Chapter 9 Mutual Respect

Just as Lucas ordered, Macky dug everything there was to be found about Albert Scott. Within the next day, he presented the information to Lucas with printed copies of important documents. Some were information the person himself was not even aware of. Macky indeed did not leave any stone unturned, just like Lucas had ordered him. With Macky's ability, he was able to gather all information within the night and was ready to report to Lucas. He understood the graveness of the issue, so he could not feel his body feeling tired nor sleepy the whole time he was investigating. He might have broken some rules and laws as he had to break into some government files and records to complete his given tasks, but he knew how to sneak in and out so no one would even notice. He took a look and copied some files. He just came and left without leaving any trace of being there. He left things the way they were when he came. His mission was done, no one was harmed, so he did not feel guilty about anything. He is even satisfied and proud to realize that he was able to do his mission overnight. He sent a message to Lucas as soon as he finished organizing his report.

"Meet me at the school parking lot thirty minutes earlier than our class schedules," Lucas replied. They can talk inside his car to make sure nobody is eavesdropping. Whatever Macky was going to tell him, he wants to understand clearly and deal with the situation or the issue carefully but discreetly. He doesn't want to cause panic over anything if it turns out this person is not a threat. He might understand better of this person if they know more about his background. 

Lucas prepared to go to school earlier than usual. He arrived at the breakfast table with the servants just starting to prepare. 

"Young Master, good morning!" Everyone greeted the eldest young master as he arrived at the dining area.

"Good morning! Can I have a quick meal?" He politely asked the butler.

"How much time can we have to prepare?" the butler was not surprised to hear Lucas' request. It wasn't the first time, after all. There were times when he would join the PA for training that he would need to get up earlier than anyone in his family. Even earlier than today. But the butler was not informed in advance about his schedule today, so he was not sure how to assist him accordingly.

"Ten minutes. I will eat anything you can prepare within that time. I really need to be gone by seven-fifteen." Lucas answered while checking his things inside his backpack.  It was only six-fifty. Lucas was thinking about watching the news while he waited for the food and eat his breakfast within fifteen minutes and leave for school. He wants to hear what Macky found out about Albert Scott.

"I understand. We will try to speed up." The butler, Raphael Quinn, a bald man in his mid-fifties, had been with them ever since he started his primary school years. He knew almost all their preferences in daily life necessities that Lucas was so comfortable having him around them. He was like a grandfather to him and his siblings. And he treats them as his grandkids, too, like his service is not just for an employer's treatment. Raphael is also an orphan who took a Hotel Management course when he went to college. He worked for a good hotel for ten years but decided to stop and asked Chairman Betty Richards to let him serve John and Diane as their butler when the current butler at that time had to stop due to medical issues. Raphael was married once, but they got divorced when they found out he was not capable of having his own children. The woman despised the suggestion of adoption, so Raphael did not pursue, until one day the woman confessed that she was pregnant with another man's child. Raphael was hurt, but the guilt that he cannot give her that child weighed more on him, so he set the woman free by applying for divorce without a fight or an argument. The woman felt more remorseful for what she had done, seeing how her husband was dealing with their problem so diplomatically. Raphael was always a good man. Honest to himself and maybe because of the environment that he grew up with, with the trainers and attendants at the orphanage, they were nourished with healthy characters and principles in life that they grew up responsible and respectable individuals. When he worked for the couple Diane and John, he felt the family regards him more than a butler and servant alone, and so he always tries to return their appreciation of his hard work through heartfelt services he could offer. He is already happy that the kids, as well as the couple, were polite with him. He is much happier because they feel comfortable with him being around to assist them in their needs.

The food came just eight minutes after Lucas had ordered them. Bacon, sunny side up eggs, finely shredded New England Salad, wheat bread toast, mixed nuts and berries in a bowl, and freshly squeezed orange juice.

"Enjoy your breakfast, Young Master!" Raphael respectfully said as he helped the other servants place the food on the table in front of Lucas. 

"Just call me Lucas," he answered as he started to chomp on the food in front of him. Just as he expected, the butler knew what he would love to eat even at a short time notice. Well, he loves almost everything when it comes to food, but it is still amazing to realize that the butler seemed to know whatever Lucas would want to eat from time to time.  

"My apologies, Young Master." Raphael, as usual, would not comply with Lucas and everyone else in his family when they tell him to call them by their names instead of Master or Madame or Young Master or Young Lady. It was as if his respect for them would lessen if he ever does as they suggested. It was like he would break a grave rule in his duties that he just smiles and politely declines their suggestions. And they never give up, just like today Lucas reminded him again, but the old man declined again although he was beaming with joy. He had worked in a hotel for ten years, but he had seen how rich people, young and old were so demanding and difficult to serve for. Some of the other workers even cry in their quarters, knowing they cannot just quit because of some hard to deal with guests, but sometimes they are degrading service crews that it really hurts a lot, men or women, it hurts when dignity and pride are being trampled down. But this family had never intimidated any of their servants, workers, subordinates, and anyone around them despite status in life. It is sometimes said that really rich people are indeed refined and well mannered, unlike those who pretend to be rich or only halfway rich. They seem to feel like they are superior to anyone and everyone else around them. And even if they are indeed rich, when their attitude and behavior are rude, it only shows the true colors in them. Because money does not make a person, it only reveals its personality.