259: Throwback: I SEE YOU THROUGH THE STARS LUKE’S POV FLASHBACK I stood outside my mansion, the cold winter air biting at my skin as I shivered in my thin coat. It was New Year’s Eve; I was just seventeen. As I gazed up at the starry sky, memories flooded. I remember when I was just a little kid, my mother would take me outside on New Year’s Eve, and we would shout. at the top of our lungs until the clock struck 12:00 am. It was our little tradition, one that I looked forward to every year. But now, my parents are gone. They had passed away In a car accident ten years ago, and everything has changed since then. I was left with my massive mansion, countless servants, and a large inheritance. And there was my grandfather, who was always there for me. But none of it mattered to me. I would give it all up just to have my parents back and to have them by my side on this special night. I watched as people around the neighborhood set off fireworks, their shouts and laughter filling the air. It was a cheerful sight but only made me feel more alone. I longed for my mother’s warm embrace. and my father’s booming laugh. I closed my eyes and tried to imagine them standing next to me, celebrating the new year together. “Luke, are you okay?” A voice brought me back to reality, and I turned to see my butler, James, standing behind me. “I’m fine, James,” I replied with a forced smile. “You should come inside; it’s freezing out here,” he said, concern evident in his voice. “I’ll be there in a minute,” I assured him, wanting to be alone for a little while longer. “As you wish, sir,” James said before walking back into the warmth of the house. I turned my attention back to the sky, watching as the fireworks continued to light up the night. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy towards those families celebrating together. I wished I could join them, but I couldn’t bring myself to face the world without my parents: Suddenly, a loud bang caught my attention, and I looked up to see a group of teenagers shooting off a large firework. They were laughing and cheering; their joy was contagious. I couldn’t help but smile at their excitement. It reminded me of the times when I was their age, carefree and full of life. “Hey, you want to join us?” One of the boys called out to me. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I wanted to be around other people. But then I remembered my parents and how they would want me to enjoy this night. So, I made my way towards the group and joined in their celebration. When the clock struck 12:00 am, we all shouted “Happy New Year!” at the top just like my mother and I used to do. And in that moment, surrounded by new friends, I felt a sense of peace. I of our l 259 Throwback TSCE YOU THROUGH THE STARS knew my parents were looking down on me, happy to see me finally moving forward. “Happy New Year, Luke,” one of the girls said, giving me a hug. “Happy New Year,” I replied with a smile, feeling grateful for this unexpected moment of joy. The night went on. I laughed and talked with my new friends, feeling like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I knew I still had a long way to go in dealing with my loss, but for now, I was happy to have this memory to hold onto. As I watched the fireworks light up the sky, I knew that my parents were with me in spirit, celebrating the new year together. Although we were rich, I had never been to a party like this before. The grand ballroom was filled with chandeliers, expensive art pieces, and people dressed in their finest designer clothes. My grandfather and I were invited to this party by one of our business partners, who was throwing a soiree for all the billionaires in town. As we made our way through the crowd, my grandfather introduced me to various people, all of them incredibly successful and wealthy. “Luke, this is Mr. Roberts, one of the city’s most prominent real estate developers,” my grandfather said, shaking hands with a man who looked to be in his sixties. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” I replied, trying my best to sound confident and composed. After a few more introductions, I excused myself and headed towards the bar to get a drink. As I sipped on my scotch, I couldn’t help but feel a little out of place. I was only eighteen and surrounded by people at least twice my age. But I felt a tap on my shoulder before I could dwell on it. I turned around to see a stunning woman with long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. She had a mischievous smile on her face as she extended her hand toward me. “Hi, I’m Hailey,” she said, her voice smooth and seductive. Her forwardness and her beauty took me aback. I introduced myself, and we struck up a conversation. Hailey told me that she was the daughter of a notable billionaire in New Haven and had recently moved back home after studying abroad. Our conversation continued, and I felt drawn to her. She was smart, funny, and incredibly charming. But then she said something that caught me completely off guard. “You know, I’ve been watching you all night, Luke. And I have to say, I really like what I see,” Hailey said, her eyes roaming over my body. I could feel my cheeks flush as I tried to formulate a response. Before I could say anything, she leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. “I want to have sex with you.” My heart raced, and my mind went blank. I had never been in a situation like this before. I was only eighteen, and she should be like twenty–five or something. But as I looked into her eyes, I could see that she was serious. 25% throwback 1SEE YOU THROUGH THE STARS “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I stammered, trying to find the right words. “You should be like teri years older than me.” “Why not? Age is just a number, and besides, you’re legal,” Halley said with a sly smile. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks as I tried to think of a way out of this situation. But then 1 remembered something my late father used to tell me. “Luke, don’t be misled by women. They’ll tell you anything just to get what they want,” he would say. And in that moment, I knew what I had to do. I took a deep breath and looked at Halley. “I appreciate your offer, Hailey. But I’m not interested in women,” I said firmly. Hailey’s smile faltered for a second before she regained her composure. “Well, that’s a shame. But you know where to find me if you ever change your mind.” She winked at me before walking away. I sighed in relief and took a sip of my drink. Looking around the room, I felt kind of proud of myself. So I went outside and looked at the starry sky, smiling and remembering some good moments spent with my parents. My grandfather found me a few minutes later and aske
