After sealing the deal with Mr. Ghassan, the Mercedes cruised down the tree-lined driveway of the fortress-like mansion. Lana sat in the backseat beside Lukas, still digesting the grandeur of everything they had seen. She looked quiet but thoughtful, stealing glances at Lukas as if trying to match this mansion-buyer version of him with the classroom genius she knew.
Henry, in his usual polo and cap, drove with one arm resting on the window, humming an old-school tune. The Princeton coach looked more like a suburban dad than a man who had just toured a multi-million-dollar estate.
"Alright, Lana, this is your stop," Henry said as they neared her neighborhood. He smiled at her through the rearview mirror.
"Thanks, Coach," she said, opening the door. She turned to Lukas, her pink hair catching the light. "See you in class tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Text me if you need anything," Lukas replied.
She gave him a small nod, then closed the door, still visibly dazed from the whole experience.