Julia continued to stare at her father with a frown and while it was clear she was not pleased with his news, she didn't overreact.
She knew her father enough to know that he wouldn't force her to do anything. It was why he did not make any complaints about Julia dating Alex.
'But he has already given his word. And that means I'll have to entertain a jackass for a few days.'
She lowered her head with a sigh and when she lifted it back, she spoke, "I understand your dilemma, Father. But know that it will not result in anything."
She needed to make sure her father understood that, even if he knew already.
"Of course, princess. Just be a good host for a few days and everything will be fine." Lucas reassured, silently surprised by Julia's maturity.
'She's grown up.' He smiled inwardly.
There was no requirement that Julia and the Younge heir would have to be romantically involved, as it was only a way for the two to meet each other and see if there was any connection that could result from that.
"When am I to expect him?"
"He will be here in a week's time," Lucas answered with an apologetic smile when he noticed how Julia's frown deepened.
"You seem to have plans…"
He muttered and Julia nodded, "Yes. I have plans with Alex as well as meeting Uncle and Lord Mason sometime later."
Lucas nodded and didn't bother with an explanation as he could more or less guess what the S-Class hunters wanted with the kids.
'Maybe I should join in on the fun.' He flashed a brief smile in thought.
"Is there something else I need to know to avoid being blindsided?" Julia raised a question.
"Hmm…" Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose, already dreading what he was about to say.
"How do I say this…? Henry is a bit difficult to deal with." He stated and for a moment, silence settled between the two.
"What does that mean?" Julia narrowed her eyes at her father. She didn't like the sound of that no more than having to meet the Henry fellow.
"Well… He doesn't know how to take no for an answer and a whole lot of other character flaws."
"So basically, he is stuck-up." Julia summarized and Lucas affirmed.
"Yes."
"Haa…" Julia sighed, already feeling the stress of dealing with an entitled prick.
"How did you even end up making such an agreement with the Younge?" She couldn't understand how someone as meticulous as her father could make such a blunder.
"Well…." Lucas turned his gaze away with a guilty look.
Noticing his expression, Julia understood that there was something more to the story that her father was not telling.
"What did you do?" She pressed him for answers.
Naturally, if he wanted to avoid telling Julia, he would have maintained his poker face, but it was something she would come to know of eventually.
Besides, it wasn't going to amount to anything, so there shouldn't be any issues.
Probably.
"I made a bet with him and lost." He admitted, not daring to look at her daughter's expression.
"A bet, huh? That's unlike you." She sighed. "I'm not even going to bother asking what the contents of the bets were as I'd probably be displeased more than I am."
"That's for the best, sweety." He added with hope. But a sharp glare from Julia shut him up.
"Hmph!"
She looked away with crossed arms. Suddenly, an idea came to mind on how to forgive her old man.
"Because I am so benevolent, I'll forgive you only if you pay the price."
There was no way her father was getting out of this without being extorted. Lucas caught her drift the moment she mentioned paying a price.
"Fine."
He sighed, giving in to his baby girl's demands. He begrudgingly retrieved a black card with glowing circuitry lines and passed it on to Julia who received it with an innocent smile.
'It's not like she doesn't already have all the money she could wish for. But she sees this as a form of punishment for me.'
She thanked him and quickly got to her feet and waved at her father before heading for the exit.
Watching Julia's happy figure leave his office, Lucas couldn't help but feel proud about how her daughter turned out despite some of her own character issues.
Of course, they were issues to everyone else, not those she had connections with. Well… There was the aspect of her possessive self too, but that was only for the person she loved.
And at this point, it was already decided before he even returned.
"Tell James to come in. I want to have a word with him." Lucas stated as Julia turned around with a nod before continuing her way.
....
A few days later
Today was the day Julia was visiting Earth for her planned date with Alex and while she wouldn't be coming alone, her company would keep a distance from the young couple.
"Come on, James. Move it!
"Alex might already be waiting for my arrival." Julia urged James to pick up the pace as they headed for the family's private teleportation centre.
"Of course, Miss Julia."
James shook his head with a smile as he hurried his steps.
After a quick play around by the operators, the two disappeared from Mars and appeared on Earth where a vehicle was already waiting for the two.
Julia rushed into the vehicle before James could even step out of the teleportation circle. With their destination already inputted into the vehicle's navigations, it zoomed away the moment James closed the door.
'My word. When was the last time I was rushed?'
A few minutes later, the vehicle stopped at the amusement parking space as the two got down and made their way to the main grounds.
Julia's bright smile captured the attention of every passerby as some males even attempted to approach her, but then they would feel a cold shiver down their spine and quickly disappear.
"Hey, handsome."
Julia called out softly the moment she arrived behind Alex who looked around from time to time.
Alex froze for a moment before a smile adorned his features. He slowly turned around and froze again when his eyes fell on Julia.
"Wow"
He muttered with a slight gulp.
It was an instinctive utterance, but it described how Alex felt at that moment.