How do we feel about the new book cover?
Greek translations for this chapter:
Σε αγαπάμε. - we love you.
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Chapter Thirty-Seven
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*•LEON'S POINT OF VIEW•*
Goodbyes were the worst.
Especially when they include moving away five thousand miles to a new state away from all your family and friends.
"Are you ready to go?" Addie said, popping into my room.
I was standing in the middle of the room, looking around. Most of my items were already packed away for moving.
All I left is my bed, my futon, my (empty) dresser, and my TV.
"I guess."
Adrian walked in and put one of his arms around my shoulder. "Did it sink in?"
I nodded. "I just realized this house isn't my home anymore. I'll only come back here for visits. It's one of the hardest goodbyes."
I've lived in this house ever since I moved to the US with my family. Even after my parents started their business and their net worth skyrocketed, we never wanted to leave the home we started in.
I loved every aspect of it. Our backyard with all the different plants and flowers, our neighbors who would make Adrian and I cookies and teach us English when we still had thick Greek accents, and our family fish, Elmo.
We were all too busy to get a high-maintenance pet, so we ended up with a clownfish named Elmo. He's been with us for five years now.
"This will always be your home, man," Adrian started. "Whether you live in it or not."
I grinned lightly, nodding. "I know . . . It'll just be different, I guess."
"Good different," he stated. "You'll have fun things to tell us when you visit, and you'll finally start being independent."
My parents have always supported Adrian and I financially, they didn't let us get any summer jobs or anything like that. However, Adrian and I were taught the value of money very well. They made sure we were happy, but not spoiled little brats.
I was thankful for that.
I was excited to start earning my own money and buying things for myself. That's why I'm renting an apartment in Hawaii rather than staying at the mansion.
I needed to be on my own, I can't rely on my parents forever. It makes me even more guilty because I chose not to be part of the family business, and yet they still gave me a very generous allowance every month.
"You're right," I responded. "I'll miss you guys a lot. Especially you, you know?"
Addie patted me on the back. "I knew you're also sappy."
I pushed him away and flipped him off, causing him to laugh. "Okay, okay. Your flight's in three hours. We have to go."
I nodded, exiting my room for the final time.
We walked downstairs and put our shoes on. I wore my comfortable slip-on white vans. There was no way I'm wearing sneakers for ten hours.
I was also wearing grey sweatpants, a fitted white t-shirt, and I black zip-up hoodie. Thankfully, I didn't have to worry about my hair and tying it since I got a haircut a week ago. I had short hair again.
When it came to traveling, comfort came before anything.
We left the house and got into Adrian's car, which was a 2019 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
Our parents were in Germany, so they couldn't see me off at the airport.
"Good thing Ryan's mom offered her SUV for your luggage."
Dianne, being the absolute angel she is, offered her car for my three suitcases and carry-on. My car was being shipped to Hawaii, and Adrian's trunk was full of random things, it couldn't fit all my stuff.
"Damn right."
"In honor of it being your last day here, you're free to play your own music," Adrian said, starting the car and exiting the garage.
"You know damn well I was going to play my music anyways."
"Yeah right," Adrian said sarcastically.
I shushed him and connected my phone to his car's Bluetooth, shuffling my liked songs.
And the rest of the drive was spent comfortably listening to music and jamming out when needed.
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"I'll miss you, bro," Ryan said, pulling me in a tight hug. "Don't make new best friends."
I chuckled. "I won't, that's a promise."
"Good."
I pulled away from Ry, then said goodbye to Sky, Nate, Addie again, and then Lilly.
"Thank you for everything, Lilly," I whispered. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for that night with you."
Lilly smiled. "There's no need to thank me," she said. "We're all so proud of you."
I smiled and nodded, moving on to Riley. "Ri . . ."
She had a sad smile on her face. "Lee . . ." she whispered. "Come here."
She opened her arms and immediately walked over, pulling her close to me. "God, I already miss you and I didn't even leave yet."
She chuckled into my neck. "Call me as often as you can, please."
"You don't have to ask, baby."
We lingered for a few moments, then had to pull away because I was about to be quite late.
" Have a safe flight, man," Nate said. "Call us when you get there."
I nodded, then turned away from them, looking at Riley one more time.
She slowly waved at me, and I waved back, trying to contain my emotions.
I walked further and further away until I couldn't see them anymore.
This is it. I'm moving out of Miami.
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Eleven hours later, I walked into my new apartment and got surprised to see it fully furnished in a modern style decor. "What the hell?" I asked myself, pulling in my luggage and setting it to the side.
I found a note on the low pine coffee table, I walked over to it after taking my shoes off, then opened it and read its content.
Hey Leon!
We know you said you didn't want us to help with anything, but we couldn't help but furnish your apartment, you know your mother has a love for interior design and you know you would just end up getting a single chair and a TV. So, as our last gift to you before you start to do everything on your own, we did the apartment for you.
Please, don't hesitate to reach out if you ever need anything. We're still your parents no matter what.
Σε αγαπάμε.
Adonis Adamos.
I rolled my eyes but smiled widely. Dad was right, I fully planned on just getting a couch and a TV.
I looked around, taking in the incredible decoration with the stunning view. I had saved enough money since high school in order to be able to comfortably live on my own when I decide to move out, and so when I looked for an apartment, I looked for a view.
The floors were all pine, and there was a massive balcony that faced the ocean, just as I wanted. It was a very spacious apartment, with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a laundry room, along with the kitchen and the living room of course.
And my mom did an exceptional job with the furnishing.
I walked further in, making my way to the master bedroom.
I walked inside, getting absolutely blown away by the view. The bed faced straight to the ocean, with two nightstands on each side. There was a flat-screen on the right of the bed, with a comfortable-looking bean couch.
I sat on the bean couch, it was even comfier than the one in my room in Miami. "Oh my god, I love it here."
I laid on my back and unlocked my phone, texting everyone that I arrived safe, then called my dad on FaceTime to thank them for furnishing the apartment.
Here it is, my new apartment. My new journey.
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"Great first day, Leon," Dr Campbell, the researcher I was assisting for said. "You're very smart, I know you'll climb up the promotion ladder very quickly."
I smiled. "Thank you for saying that, Dr," I said.
It was now three days after my arrival, and today was my first day at the Kewalo Marine Lab. Dr Campbell's main research was microbes found in the deep sea.
Microbes that survive in the dark depths import and process a molecule in seawater to armour their innards. Subjected to pressures found 4 kilometres below the ocean surface, bacteria fare better when fed the compound trimethylamine than bacteria that go without.
"There's no need to thank me. I'll see you tomorrow, have a great rest of your day," Dr Campbell said, smiling at me.
"You too."
I collected my things and left the building, feeling all sorts of excited. I walked over to my car, which finally arrived at seven in the morning today, and unlocked it.
I have to teach a shark diving class in about thirty minutes, which means I can go get some coffee somewhere. I drove to the nearest coffee place, grabbing an iced americano, and then heading to the diving academy.
The diving academy was about a 10-minute walk from the family mansion, so I knew the way pretty well. I parked my car in the mansion's garage, then headed out, coffee in hand.
I was about two minutes away from the academy when a familiar voice called me over.
"Leon! I heard about your new job! Welcome back to Hawaii, permanently."
Laura Jacobs.
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I know I know, short crappy chapter. I'm sorry! 😭 This was the last filler chapter before everything explodes all over again.
What do you think of Leon's new apartment? Are you excited to see what happens with Laura?
Also, some people have asked if there will be a Laura POV in the book and I said later on. Well, guess what, IT'S THE NEXT CHAPTER!!!
Only three chapters left! (and a bonus chapter and an epilogue🫣)
See you next chapter! - Lana.
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