Breakfast ended just as the first guests began to arrive.
The dining hall still carried the faint smell of coffee and toasted bread when Selene walked in through the main doors.
Her steps were light and familiar.
"Isaac!" she called, smiling before he could even turn around.
He barely had time to react before she wrapped her arms around him.
Her perfume was the same. Soft and sweet, something that reminded him of early spring.
He was about to hug her back when his eyes met another pair behind her.
Chairman Lucius stood at the doorway. His was expression stiff and his gaze locked directly on Isaac.
The warning in his eyes was obvious: don't get too comfortable with my daughter.
Isaac smiled faintly, pretending not to notice.
He returned Selene's hug anyway, perhaps even a bit tighter just to see how far the Chairman's patience could stretch.
"I'm glad you're here," Isaac said.
Selene pulled back with a smile. "Of course. You called for us so we had to come."
