Bonus: Children Growing Up

“Happy 18th Birthday, Freya!”

The crowd cheered while Freya stood on the stage. Her parents, Adrian and Riley, were beside her. 

Freya embodied youthful elegance and charm, a rising star in high society at eighteen. She dreamed of taking over her mother’s jewelry business one day.

In her late forties, Riley’s presence was captivating and serene. Her thick, golden blonde hair cascaded in soft waves, and fine lines around her bright eyes added wisdom and warmth to her beauty.

Adrian stood tall and confident, his well-built physique reflecting years of self-care. His long, tousled dark-brown hair framed his ruggedly handsome face. 

Holding the microphone, Adrian expressed, “Today is my first princess’ 18th birthday. I could not be happier for Freya.”

With a smile, he turned to Freya and added, “Freya, since you are now eighteen, you can start dating -”

Adrian paused and noticed Freya’s excitement. He smirked and restarted, “You can start dating when you are twenty-five.”

“Hahaha!”

“Twenty-five? Haha!”

Freya frowned, and Riley laughed her heart out. Since she turned sixteen, Freya had asked about dating high school boys, but Adrian had firmly said no to this request. 

After the initial introduction, Adrian and Riley settled at their table with their friends. Having grown up, the kids chose to sit at tables with their classmates. 

Supporting Adrian through thick and thin in the business, his former assistant, Clint, now his VP, said, “They all grow up so fast. It wasn’t long ago when they were too clingy as kids.”

“Well, the good thing is, we have time for ourselves now,” Prince said as he wrapped his arms around his wife, Trina. Like Clint, Prince remained to work for Adrian but had now separated under the conglomerate. King’s Pay had grown so successful over the years that it needed to operate independently.

“Let’s look at it this way,” Zia said beside Clint. “We have taught them to be self-reliant.”

“True,” Megan said while offering a toast, and Brian, who was already sipping his wine, raised his glass with everyone else. 

“Honestly, I’m not sure if I am ready to let go,” Riley said while looking back at her children. 

Just then, two important figures unexpectedly arrived. 

“Oh, my god!” Riley exclaimed. “Gaby! It’s been ages!”

Yes, the Wright couple had graced Freya’s birthday. While they remained business partners and friends over the years, the distance made them seldom visit. This was also true with the King’s side. 

Riley ran to Gaby’s direction and offered a hug. Gaby said first, “I know, it’s been like three years since we have not seen each other!”

“I remember today was Freya’s party, and it just so happened I had some business in Dowel. I decided to drop by,” Kyle Wright revealed.

They all exchanged pleasantries and greeted Riley and Adrian’s parents. After this, they settled down. The Wrights covered how their kids have started doing things independently. 

Charlie approached Riley while Gaby shared, “And Kenneth, he chose to study in my home country. It was so hard for me to let go, but he yearned for independence, a nature-loving environment -”

Gaby looked teary-eyed as she shared, “I miss him so much. This year, he only intends to return on Christmas. He wants to finish college fast.”

Riley and Adrian never realized how much Gaby’s story about Kenneth influenced Charlie. During their chat, Charlie, being fifteen, only listened closely to the adults. However, the next day, Charlie said at breakfast, “Mom, I want to go to college in another city.”

The couple’s eyes rounded. Their gaze landed on Freya, but Freya said, “I’m taking arts. Halliport has one of the best art schools, so I’m staying there. Don’t worry.”

“I haven’t decided where to go to college,” Jasper Anton said. 

“I think I want to take engineering,” Kian Abner declared. “I want to study in Dowel.”

“Come on, Dad. We can always chat or call. You have a private jet to visit us anytime,” Charlie suggested, speaking like she was truly ready for college. 

The couple fell silent, but soon, Adrian responded, “Well, I guess it’s bound to happen. We just did not realize how quickly time flew by.”

“Yes, our children have grown up,” Riley acknowledged before smiling. “Okay, well, Charlie, Kian, thank you for giving us time to prepare.”

A laugh escaped Kian’s lips. He responded, “Dowel is only a drive away, Mom and Dad. And it’s not like no one will be watching over me. My uncle Carson will be taking care of me. Haha!”

“You underestimate Uncle Carson.” Freya scolded her brother. “He may be younger, but he is strict. Mark my word; he will hold up to his ‘Uncle’ title.”

They all resumed their breakfast in the next few seconds, but afterward, Freya said, “Dad, about the whole dating thing. Don’t you think twenty-five is a bit too long? My friends are already dating -”

“Study first before boys,” Adrian firmly said. “Wait for the right time, and you’ll marry a man.”

He pointed to his children, saying, “This advice goes to all of you, including Jasper and Kian. Be a man before starting a family.”

“Really, Dad? Mom?” Freya asked with a frown. “When did you start dating?”

Adrian coughed against his fist and said, “I started dating when I was twenty - *cough* *cough*

To help Adrian with the situation, Riley changed the subject, “Maybe, at the right time, you will end up dating your Aunt Gaby’s eldest son, Kenneth?”

“Kenneth?” Freya asked with a frown. “I don’t remember him. I haven’t seen him since we were kids. Wasn’t he short and thin and always bringing his inhaler?”

“Nah, Mom. He is not my type,” Freya claimed. “Fine! I’ll date when I’m twenty-five, but I’m choosing who I will date, okay? Don’t dictate whoever I go out with!”