C41 A Day Beneath The Summer Sky

"You really plan on coming back after your studies are finished?" Sarah nodded. "Yes, Dad. I have already made up my mind." Kelvin's smile widened immediately. "I knew my daughter would return eventually." Sarah laughed softly. "Don't get too excited. I am still not interested in taking over the company or working there." "That doesn't matter." "It matters to you." "No," Kelvin replied confidently. "What matters is that you are coming home."

Sarah shook her head helplessly. "I still don't know much about handling a corporation. You and Ben have spent years managing the company. I would be completely lost." Kelvin waved his hand dismissively. "You can learn." "Learning takes time." "So take your time."

Sarah smiled. "My studies end in three months. After that I'll decide what I want to do. Besides..." She glanced inside the house. "I can help Samantha take care of Monica. " The moment she mentioned Monica, Kelvin's face brightened. "Exactly! See? You already have a perfect job."

Sarah laughed. "Dad, babysitting isn't a job." "It is when it involves my granddaughter." Kelvin suddenly added, "Since Ben is getting married in eight weeks, soon we will have to discuss your marriage too." Sarah nearly fainted. "Dad!" Her beautiful face immediately turned red.

Kelvin laughed loudly. "What? You aren't getting any younger." "I am still young." "You say that now." "And besides," Sarah argued, "you already provide everything I need. Why would I rush into marriage?"

Kelvin smiled knowingly. "Sooner or later you'll meet someone." Sarah shook her head. "Let's survive Ben's wedding first." The conversation continued amid laughter before they both went inside.

On the other side of the city, I was facing an entirely different problem. Before dinner, I sent Laura all the details about the picnic. After pressing send, I spent nearly ten minutes staring at my phone. When she eventually replied with a simple: "Got it. I'll be there." I felt happier than I should have.

At dinner my parents immediately noticed. Mary looked at me suspiciously. "Why are you smiling at your phone?" "No reason." "There is definitely a reason." "There isn't." Quinton laughed. "Let me guess. Tomorrow's picnic."

I nodded. "Yes." Mary smiled. “How are the planning going” "Alicia planned everything" I said "She did?" Mary Smiled in Amusement "Your girlfriend seems very organized." Quinton Added I nearly dropped my spoon.

"Mom! Alicia isn't my girlfriend." Quinton laughed. "Then why do you always talk about her?" "Because she organized the picnic." Mary immediately responded. "So you admit you always talk about her?" I froze.

Somehow every conversation with my parents turned into a trap. Seeing my expression, both of them burst out laughing. The rest of dinner passed peacefully, but sleep did not come easily.

The moment I closed my eyes, Laura's face appeared. I imagined our conversations. I imagined introducing her to my friends. I imagined confessing. Then I imagined being rejected. That thought alone was enough to make me open my eyes again.

For nearly half the night I planned speeches that sounded perfect in my head and ridiculous a few minutes later. Eventually exhaustion won.

The next morning I woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed. Since it was picnic day, I chose a comfortable outfit, a pair of shorts and my favourite dark-blue polo shirt.

After breakfast I grabbed my bicycle and headed toward the park. Along the way I stopped at a small convenience store and bought snacks according to Alicia's carefully written list.

When I arrived, Chris was already there. As usual. He was carrying several bags filled with drinks. "You are early." "So are you." We greeted each other and began setting up while waiting for the others. Not long afterward, Alicia arrived.

The moment she stepped into view, both Chris and I fell silent. Today she looked completely different. She wore a sky-blue dress that moved gently in the breeze. Flat shoes exposed her pale feet, while her long hair flowed freely behind her instead of being tied up as usual.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. Then before I could stop myself, the words escaped. "You look very beautiful today." The instant I said it, Chris turned and stared at me. Alicia froze as well. For a brief moment her heart skipped a beat. Then she laughed. "Thank you, Big Brother."

Only then did I realize what I had said. I quickly looked away while Chris struggled to suppress his laughter. "Oh? So my brother can compliment women now?" "Be quiet." "No, no. This is historic." Alicia laughed even harder.

The awkwardness quickly disappeared as we continued arranging everything. Then another figure appeared in the distance. Laura Tryon. She wore a simple white summer dress that matched her gentle personality perfectly. The morning sunlight made her seem almost unreal.

She looked stunning. Yet strangely, when she walked toward us, my thoughts drifted back to Alicia's earlier smile. I immediately shook the thought away. What was I thinking? Laura was the one who had captured my attention. Laura was the one I wanted to know better. And today was the first step.

As Laura approached, she smiled softly. "Good morning." The four of us stood together beneath the bright morning sky. No one knew that the simple picnic would become one of the most unforgettable days of our lives.

The atmosphere felt strangely awkward. Perhaps it was because they were unfamiliar with Laura. At the company, there were gossips, departments, desks, tasks, and responsibilities that naturally kept conversations flowing. Here, under the open sky, there was nothing to hide behind.

Fortunately, Alicia had planned for everything. She clapped her hands together and pointed toward the large picnic mat. “Everyone stop standing around and help me.” Chris immediately raised his hand. “I object.” “You object to what?” “You suddenly acting like our commander.” Alicia narrowed her eyes. “Do you want breakfast or not?” Chris instantly sat down.

The rest of us burst into laughter. Even Laura, who had been slightly nervous, covered her mouth as she laughed softly. The tension disappeared almost immediately.