Chapter 3

Once he calmed down, he looked around, everyone was quiet and looking at him. Darius stared at him with deep eyes. He blushed from all the attention," Why are you all staring at me?" he asked sheepishly adjusting Lucas to sit more comfortably in his arms before sitting on one of the sofas awkwardly.

Once he sat down, he noticed another new face besides the nanny," Oh, I haven't seen you before, are you new?" He asked looking at a young male omega. The male omega had dark brown hair and had a comfortable look to him.

Mr. Woodchester cleared his throat, dispersing the awkward mood," That's right! How could I forget, this is Nanny Wei and Jamie the gardener. They're new here. Nanny Wei was hired shortly after you left and Jamie joined us recently."

Jamie... and Nanny Wei... weren't those the names of the abusing nanny and the gardener lover....????!!!!!

Adrien tried to not show his surprise and devastation. No way, was that dream actually real?! Lucas was acting a little weird today, he won't deny it. But Lucas was a kid... kids act weird sometimes!

"I see," Adrien said, putting the awkward atmosphere behind him," I didn't know you were here so I can only give you some chocolate he said handing both of them a box," I'll remember to bring something next time."

They both said their thanks and stood to the side as Adrien distributed the gifts. A chess set for Mr Woodchester, perfume and a shawl for Mrs Woodchester and some nice wine and whisky for senior brother.

Then he got to Lucas," Lucas look," he said excitedly," The big box is for you ."

The atmosphere quieted down again as Adrien handed over a beautifully decorated box to Lucas," Open it, sweetie."

Lucas looked at the box that was nearly as big as him with blank eyes. Adrien sat him on his lap more snuggly and opened it with him. A big panda bear suddenly showed itself, it was so big, it was nearly taller than Lucas.

Lucas looked at it silently,"...pan-da," he said after a long pause.

"That's right! Your favourite Mr Panda!" Adrien cheered clenching his fists and punching the air playfully.

"...Panda!" Lucas imitated waving his cute fists around.

"Oh my god! You're so cute!!!!!!!!!!" Adrien exclaimed hugging him," I also got you panda onesies, panda clothes and a cute panda hat!!!!"

Adrien showed off his conquests to Lucas excitedly and put the panda hat on Lucas and showed him using his phone. Lucas patted his head and rubbed the ears as he saw himself on the phone," ...Panda" he said quietly and hugged the panda bear.

Adrien smiled," Lucas is a lot quieter these days," he said turning to Mrs and Mr Woodchester," Did he start going to school yet?"

Mrs Woodchester seemed to jolt out of a stupor," Oh! Uhm, yes we did, but he wasn't adjusting well so we're homeschooling him now."

Adrien paused and then nodded.

This was not good.

Darius suddenly interrupted picking him off Adrien's lap and sitting next to him on the sofa," Don't sit on Uncle Adrien all the time, it will hurt his legs."

Lucas didn't respond and just clenched the panda tightly. He pressed the panda doll to his face.

Adrien pouted," It's fine, Lucas is so cute, I want to hold him."

Darius smiled," Alright, Lucas seems to like you very much anyway."

"It's time for his nap," the nanny suddenly butted in.

"Oh," Adrien blinked as Lucas was suddenly taken away by the nanny.

That was abrupt.

Adrien's eyes lingered on Lucas who once again became like a block of wood, clenching the panda doll as they went up the stairs.

"Adrien, let's have lunch," Darius said " You probably didn't eat much since morning."

"Yes, how could I forget!" Mrs Woodchester said clasping her hands," Jamie, go set up the table."

Jamie nodded, then cast a glance at Adrien before scurrying to the kitchen.

"He seems quite young," Adrien commented as they went to the dining room.

"He is actually your age Adrien," Mr Woodchester replied, "He's old Wang's son, the previous gardener. He got old and Jamie wanted a part-time job so he filled in. He's taking his Master's Degree at Y University near here."

"Why is he working in the kitchen then? What happened to Nanny and Butler Ming?"

"Nanny Ming fell ill a week ago and butler Ming is looking after her. Jamie said he would fill in as he needed the extra cash. He does his job well."

"I see," Adrian said sitting down," I hope nanny gets better soon, I didn't give her her gift."

"You can give it to me," Darius said," I'll send it over."

"Okay," Adrian replied and observed as Jamie came in with a trolley full of food and elegantly placed them on the table.

"Jamie," Mrs Woodchester said pleasantly as the dishes were served" Today's your lucky day, didn't you say you want to improve your cooking? Adrien here is a 3-star Michelin chef!"

Jamie looked surprised," Oh! Really? I've never heard of you."

"He's the first omega under the age of 35 and the youngest in all the world currently to be a 3-star Michelin star chef, surely you've heard of him?" Mrs Woodchester boasted," He was all over the news."

Adrien blushed and laughed good-naturedly," I'm not a celebrity or anything."

Mr.Woodchester cleared his throat," Anyways, let him eat in peace! How can he breathe with you in his face all the time!" he reproached Mrs.Woodchester and then turned to Jamie," Jamie, we have something private to talk about, please tell the others not to disturb us when you leave."

Jamie nodded and then left.

"What's the matter uncle?" Adrien asked when they were left alone.

"Adrien, dear, I don't know how to tell you this..."' Mrs.Woodchester started, she looked around the table at Mr. Woodchester and Darius before settling her eyes back on him.

"Lucas... he's not been doing so well recently," she mustered to get out.

Adrien felt his stomach plummet, this isn't what he wanted to hear," What do you mean?"

"Lucas has been very fearful of people and strangers recently."

"We called a doctor but the doctor said he was fine, and he was just growing, but he hasn't really talked to anyone and is not very apathetic to anyone."

Adrien was shocked, this couldn't be happening... it wasn't a dream?

Darius smoothed his hair comfortingly," I know it must be a shock, since the last time you saw Lucas, he was really loud and boisterous. After he went to school something happened and he kept becoming more and more quiet day after day. We thought someone was bullying him, but there was no evidence and nothing happened on the cams so we decided to homeschool him until he's ready."

"I don't believe it," Adrien murmured," how could that all happen so fast?"

"And Lucas was just quiet today," he tried to deny," He probably just forgot me..."

Mr and Mrs Woodchester looked at each other while Darius just put some food on his plate.

"Actually, he was very responsive to you, I haven't heard him talk this much in months!" Mrs Woodchester said," Would you talk to him a little more, we're really worried about him.

Adrien finally accepted the reality and slumped in his chair," Alright auntie, I'll pay attention."

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