I thought we were going somewhere interesting, but he just brought me home. Puzzled and confused, I turned to him only for him to smile secretively.

"We are going somewhere. I just want you to pack your bags for two nights. We'll be back on Monday. And, no skirts. I want you to be comfortable."

This was even more bemusing. "But where are we going that requires me to be comfortable? Why won't you tell me anything?"

"Because it's a surprise. One I'm sure you'd like."

That shut me up. Since when did he care what I liked or didn't like? André got out of the car and went inside the house, showing how serious he was. I followed him reluctantly and went to my room. Thanks to Lily, I now owned a few pairs of denims which I could pack for the trip.

Packing sweaters, cardigans and full sleeved shirts along with it, I packed my laptop, sketchbook and pencils just in case. My small suitcase was ready in no time, and I exited my room. I noticed André's room down the hall was open, meaning he must have gone downstairs. He had a habit of leaving his door open whenever he left. Not that it was a bad thing, it just made me uncomfortable.

I went down, but couldn't see any trace of André. I was about to call for Clara to ask her if she'd seen him, until I heard some voices. Following the noise, I reached the back garden. I could hear someone's deep but soothing voice, and I frowned. That was definitely not André.

"Whether it was because of your mom, or destiny, the result is that I'm elated and content with the life I'm living right now. It's time you let it go, and let yourself be happy. You're going to have a wife, for fuck's sake."

Who was this person? And was he referring to me?

"Who said I wasn't happy?"

"Are you kidding me? Why won't you take ownership of the company? Even I know Maddy's dad is a snake in hiding, but why do you sit here and do nothing?"

When André didn't reply, the other man spoke up again.

"I'll make sure this becomes an opportunity for you to appeal to the directors. Your marriage already has a positive effect, and the solidification of contractors will definitely become a deal breaker. That's what your big bro is for."

Big bro. Janvier?! Oh, that man who I met on the night of my engagement. The ethereal but mysterious man, who I'd caught dancing with Lily. I didn't see anymore of them afterward, but that was only because I had left the place.

But hearing what he was talking about made me excited to see him. If he was the lawyer helping André out, I would love to hear any news of improvement from him.

Leaving my suitcase behind, I entered the garden and immediately, two pairs of eyes fixed on me. I noticed the brothers sitting on the other side of the garden, and Janvier was dressed in another suit in the grey shade. I waved at Janvier, who smiled in recognition.

"Ah, Miss Lizette. We were just talking about you," he said, being his formal self as ever.

"Just call me Lizette. And this is a pleasant surprise.  Are you enjoying living in the city after so many years?"

He smiled. "Alright, Lizette it is. And yeah, New York is incredible as always. It's changed a lot in the last eight years, but I can still see traces of the place I used to live in. It's nostalgic, yet new at the same time."

I said, "That's poetic. Are you sure you're not a poet?"

We both laughed at that, and I liked how easygoing and funny he was. I'd only talked to the man twice, but I always forgot what I wanted to say.

"I'm going to put our luggage in the car. Come as soon as you're done," André said, and I nodded.

He looked upset and cold, like he used to be earlier. Did it have something to do with Janvier? I had heard pieces of their argument but couldn't make out everything.

Focusing on Janvier again, I asked, "Are you perhaps the lawyer working on the new law for the contractors?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I am. And are you perhaps, the one who urged him to take this step?"

His question caught me off guard. If André had told him about me, he wouldn't have asked in such a probing manner. Was he guessing right now?

"Yes, that's me," I said simply.

He nodded in satisfaction, and I caught a smile on his face. "Dad really made the right choice."

I stiffened, looking at him like I'd seen a ghost. Seeing me freeze on spot, Janvier laughed.

"He told me. I'm family, after all."

I nodded, slowly taking in long breaths. Of course, Florian must have told him. He was supposed to be the responsible elder child.

Feeling curious, I asked him, "André seems to be reluctant about taking over Panache, but I know he's not the idiot he pretends to be. Is there something holding him back?"

Janvier went silent at my question, but eventually said, "That's something only André can tell you. It was his decision, and if he decides to step up, that too, would entirely depend on him."

I nodded, feeling a bit stupid. Of course, he wasn't going to spill their family secrets. "I must go, André's waiting for me."

He stood up and came closer to me. With shining brown eyes fixed on me, he said, "Still, you have brought about changes I never thought I'd see I'm him. He's more aware of his surroundings, and as far as I know, hasn't been to a single party since your engagement. He's even working hard for this phenomenal change to complete it on time. I wanna give this credit to anyone else, but we all know it's because of you. So, thank you Lizette."

I blinked. Had he really gone through such a huge change after meeting me? And was it really all because of me? Skeptical and unsure of what to say, I simply smiled and turned around. My feet felt like stones as I forced myself to walk back to the door.

There were thousands of questions swirling in my mind, but I had no answers to them. Knowing I had no time to think about all that, I went inside the house towards the front door, where André was waiting for me.

As I entered the car and buckled myself up, I could see André was still somber. He seemed to be deep in thought, so I let him be. I too, had a lot of things to consider. Silently, we drove out of the city, and towards the quiet outskirts. It was the perfect place for contemplation and relaxation, but I didn't know André liked these kind of places too.

"Are we staying on the outskirts?" I asked him as he parked the car in front of a lake.

"Yeah. I love the peace and quiet of this neighborhood. Also, camping is one of my hobbies."

I turned to him in shock. André Beaumont, who's a certified party goer, likes camping? Was this another secret nobody knew about?

"Why are you so shocked?" He asked and stepped out of the car.

I followed him to the trunk, and helped him unload our luggage, although it was only two suitcases. "Why I'm shocked? What happened to the man who loves partying with all his heart? You're literally always in a bar or club–"

He interrupted me and said, "Don't you think that's a bit stereotyped?"

I shut up after that, realizing my mistake. I had just admonished him for making up things about me, and now I was doing the same. People while projecting a peculiar image, couldn't be fully defined by it. They could have different emotions, mood, habits and hobbies, and not everything was visible on the surface.

I followed André into a clearing that revealed a huge lake. The ground around it was empty, with only a solitary wooden cabin on the left. Weeds and wild plants grew out of the soil, but there was a podium made of wooden planks. It must be the foundation for laying the tent, and I heaved a sigh of relief.

At least, we didn't have to lay on the dirty soil. 

It was my first time camping, and it made me excited and nervous at the same time. Although I loved being in the midst of nature, I wasn't a fan of living in unfamiliar settings, so it scared me a bit.

Also, there was nobody in my life who would come for camping with me, but that was besides the point.

On my way towards the cabin, I paused to look at the setting sun. Pinkish and purplish rays spread both on the clouds and the waves. The calm waters of the lake rippled occasionally, and I wished it would be a full moon night tonight. Seeing the moon melt into these waters would remove all ounces of stress from my body.

The view from here was already beautiful and we were going to witness this scene for two more days. Smiling to myself, I made my way towards the cabin.

I had a feeling that the first vacation of my life was going to be the best one.

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