Chapter 186: New Year. (1/2)
The days passed slowly yet steadily as Lukas settled back into the comfortable rhythm of his life at the suite in Philadelphia. His mornings began with early stretches, the glow of the sunrise slipping through the floor-length glass panels. He’d tug on a hoodie, pull his cap low, and head to the gym inside the luxury high-rise. The air smelled of iron and eucalyptus. He worked out hard—sweat dripping, music blaring in his ears—focusing his mind and sculpting his body with intensity that mirrored his discipline.
Breakfast was always a feast of lean meats, poached eggs, grilled tomatoes, and fruits—prepared by the suite’s personal chef under strict dietary requests. Afterward, he changed into a fitted blazer or a smart hoodie-and-jeans combo before heading out for classes at Princeton, a thirty-minute commute made smoother by Roy’s driving.
At the university, Lukas was always focused. He might be running a tech empire on the side, but he didn’t allow himself to slack off in education. Professors, peers, and even administrators had learned to see him not just as a student, but as the rising star he truly was.
Back at the Facebook office, located just a block from the suite in Philadelphia’s business district, work was ramping up. Custom servers were humming in the new building. Engineers were testing backend code. Yaho was in her element, coordinating between Tokyo hires and stateside staff. Lana kept the financial streams in control, and even the old staff from the original Facebook setup was working harmoniously in the other wing.
Facebook’s launch date loomed closer. The halls buzzed with tension and caffeine. Lukas was there for every major meeting, every test run.
In the evenings, he’d return to the suite, where Annie and Bella waited. Their presence grounded him. The trio often watched movies, had hot pot together, or talked long into the night. Annie loved interior magazines, and Bella browsed furniture design catalogs as their mansion’s customized pieces were being crafted in New York. The rooms would be designed to perfection.
Lukas was beginning to settle into the tempo of this final stretch. There was peace in routine. Every morning felt like a reward. He woke before sunrise, walked to the gym alone with nothing but his thoughts, and returned drenched in sweat, victorious over his body. The suite staff grew accustomed to his presence—his quiet routines, his exact coffee preferences, and his habit of staring out at the skyline for minutes before diving into work.
The custom furniture from New York was taking longer than expected. Lukas didn’t mind. He didn’t want a rushed job; he wanted a palace—not just a mansion—for Annie and Bella to call home. Both girls stayed with him, rarely leaving his side. They cooked together sometimes. Annie loved preparing Korean comfort food, while Bella learned to bake cookies that filled the suite with warmth.
News from home had shaken him slightly—his mother’s health had kept her in the hospital. The doctors had been firm: no flights till after January. She would be safe, but not home for the holidays. Lukas visited her through calls. They spoke gently. He missed her. She, in return, smiled at his growth and worried about his stress.
Work, of course, didn’t slow down. Yaho was managing operations flawlessly. New engineers from Tokyo were still arriving, and the Philadelphia building was almost fully operational. The tech stack had become something out of a Silicon Valley dream.
Yet in all this, Lukas didn’t lose sight of the small things. His walks with Bella. His chess matches with Annie. His late-night reading by the window, sipping warm cocoa and letting himself rest.