The road ahead
For new readers: This book is the third part of the Lavens Family series. If you’re new here, you might want to check out the first two books:
📖 Housekeeper – The story of the Lavens parents.
📖 Gigolo – Following the journey of Emily Lavens.
Each book can be enjoyed on its own, but for the full experience, start from the beginning!
*Eighteen-year-old Dale*
Life hit me harder than I ever expected.
I had just turned eighteen, still in secondary school, juggling classes and odd jobs, when Mei dropped a bombshell that changed everything.
“I’m pregnant, Dale,” she said flatly.
The world around me blurred. The hum of the café faded into silence, replaced by a sharp ringing in my ears. My stomach twisted, the half-eaten sandwich on my plate suddenly feeling like lead.
Pregnant?
My throat went dry. I had convinced myself she just had the flu or something—this wasn’t even close to what I had thought.
“Are you sure?” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Mei exhaled sharply, crossing her arms. “Why would I lie about something like that?” There was an edge to her voice, but beneath it, something else wavered—fear. The same fear clawing at my chest.
She had always been strong, sharp-witted, and full of quiet determination. But now, uncertainty dulled the fire in her deep brown eyes. Her long, jet-black hair framed her face, a few loose strands falling over her delicate features. She was beautiful—effortlessly so. Porcelain skin, soft lips that trembled like she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words. She was my first love, my only love, and for the first time, I saw her as something more than just my girlfriend. She was the mother of my child.
I ran a shaky hand through my hair, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. “What do we do now?” My voice cracked, betraying the panic I was trying to keep at bay.
Her eyes flashed. “What do we do? That’s all you can say?” She leaned forward, fingers gripping the edge of the table like it was the only thing keeping her steady.
“What else can I ask?” I shot back, desperation creeping into my tone. “We’re still in school. We have to figure this out. We have to think about the baby.”
Her shoulders tensed before she let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “I want to graduate, Dale.” Her voice was quieter now, but I heard the plea in it.
A heavy silence stretched between us before she finally spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. “I thought about… other options.”
I knew what she meant. The word didn’t need to be spoken aloud. My chest tightened, but I forced myself to stay calm. “Is that what you want?” I asked, my voice careful, measured.
She hesitated, her fingers tracing the rim of her coffee cup. “No,” she admitted. “But I was scared. I still am.”
I reached across the table, hesitating before resting my hand over hers. “Then after this year, I’ll find a job. I’ll work. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
She stared at me, her dark eyes searching mine, trying to see if I meant it. “Are you serious?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I’ll do anything to put our family first.”
Her lips trembled before she bit down on them, nodding slowly. The tension in her shoulders eased just a fraction, but uncertainty still lingered in her expression.
I squeezed her hand gently. “We’ll figure it out together, Mei. I promise.”
A shaky breath escaped her, and for the first time that day, the corners of her mouth lifted just slightly, like she wanted to believe me.
Reality hit hard.
Finding a stable job wasn’t easy, and every rejection felt like a gut punch. The pressure built with each passing week. I worked at a garage for a while, fixing up cars, but it wasn’t enough.
Mei deserved more. The baby deserved more.
Then I heard about the Lavens family.
They were wealthy, influential, and paid well—more than anything I could find on my own. A driver position had opened up, and even though I had no formal experience, I applied. When I got the call for an interview, I almost didn’t believe it.
Walking into the Lavens Company building, my nerves were on overdrive. The place was massive, polished, and way out of my league. The kind of wealth I had only ever seen in movies.
I took the lift to the top floor, my heartbeat drumming in my ears.
Inside the office, Mr. Lavens sat behind a sleek desk, his expression unreadable. He was the kind of man who could command a room without saying a word—calm, in control, but sharp enough to cut through anyone who wasted his time.
“What makes you think you’re right for this job, Dale?” His voice was steady, firm, just intimidating enough to make me sweat.
I swallowed hard. “I know I’m young, sir, and I don’t have a lot of experience. But I learn fast. I’ve always been good with cars, and I’m willing to work hard. Whatever it takes.”
He leaned back in his chair, studying me. I couldn’t tell if he thought I was just another desperate kid or if he saw something worth considering.
Then, after a long pause, he nodded.
“You’ll be driving my wife and children. Their safety is my priority. Do you understand that?”
I straightened my posture. “Yes, sir.”
“Let’s see what you’ve got. We’ll take a test drive.”
That drive? The most nerve-wracking moment of my life. But I kept my grip steady, my eyes sharp. When we finally pulled back into the driveway, I held my breath, waiting for his verdict.
“You’ve got potential,” Mr. Lavens said. “But there’s more you need to learn. We’ll train you. If you pass, the job’s yours.”
For a second, I thought I misheard him.
The weight pressing on my chest for weeks suddenly felt lighter, like I could finally breathe again. This was it—my chance, my way forward. Not just for me, but for Mei. For the baby.
I clenched my hands into fists, trying to keep my expression steady, but I could feel the grin threatening to break through. A real job. A real shot.
“Thank you, sir.” I kept my voice firm, but inside, something cracked open—a flicker of hope I hadn’t dared to hold on to before.
I wasn’t just some broke kid scrambling to survive any more.
I had a way to fight for my family.
On my first morning on the job, I stood outside the Lavens’ mansion, adjusting my uniform. The estate was overwhelming—the kind of place that made you feel small just by standing in front of it. Its sheer grandeur was both intimidating and exhilarating.
Rupert, the outgoing driver and a grizzled veteran of the job, handed me the keys with a knowing look. “Stay sharp, kid. They expect perfection.” His tone carried both a warning and a challenge. I nodded, gripping the keys tightly. This was my shot, and I couldn’t afford to let it slip away.
Then, the grand double doors swung open, and I held my breath.
Two figures emerged.
Mr. Lavens—tall, imposing, exuding authority with every step. And beside him, one of his daughters.
She moved with quiet confidence, her posture poised. The way the sunlight caught her golden-blonde hair made it shimmer, and her ice-blue eyes locked onto mine—sharp, assessing. A jolt of something unsettling ran through me.
She looked older than I expected—sixteen, maybe seventeen—her presence commanding attention. I had seen many people in my life, but there was something about her that intrigued me and unsettled me at the same time.
“Meet my youngest daughter, Eva. She’s fourteen,” Mr. Lavens announced, and I barely managed to conceal my surprise. Fourteen? The way she carried herself was far beyond her years.
I straightened, clearing my throat, trying to project confidence. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Lavens.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if sizing me up. “You’re the new driver?” Her tone was sharper than I expected, cutting through the air.
“Yes,” I replied, keeping my voice steady, even as my pulse quickened.
She smirked, something unreadable flickering in her gaze. “Let’s see if you last.”
I caught a hint of amusement in Mr. Lavens’ eyes, but I ignored it. I wasn’t here to entertain them—I was here to prove myself.
As I moved to open the car door for her, Rupert did the same for Mr. Lavens. The moment I settled into the driver’s seat, the old driver climbed into the passenger seat beside me. His presence was both reassuring and suffocating, like a safety net in a high-wire act.
“You know the schedule?” he asked gruffly.
I nodded. “Ballet school, then the office.”
“Good start. This family expects nothing but the best.”
I turned the ignition. The engine purred to life, and I eased the car out of the driveway, my palms slightly clammy against the wheel. The world outside blurred into a muted canvas as I drove, but I could feel Eva’s eyes on me through the rearview mirror.
“So, do you have a name, or should I just call you ‘driver’?” she asked, her tone laced with curiosity and challenge.
“Dale,” I answered simply, keeping my voice neutral despite the tension prickling at the back of my neck.
“Dale?” she repeated, rolling the name around as if testing its worth. “Not very fancy for someone working for my family.”
I saw a flicker of amusement dance across her face, catching me off guard. “What kind of name were you expecting?”
“A name that fits the family’s status,” she replied, arms crossed.
I chuckled quietly, surprised at how natural it felt to banter with her. “Good thing I’m not here to impress you, then.”
Before she could retort, I felt Rupert shift in his seat, his gaze sharp on me.
“Eva,” her father warned, his tone carrying enough weight to put an end to the exchange.
I stole a glance at her reflection in the mirror. Irritation mixed with intrigue lingered on her face. She was different from the others I had encountered—there was a fire in her, a depth I didn’t expect.
The rest of the ride was filled with silence, punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine. My mind raced as I focused on the road ahead, trying to push away the whirlwind of emotions stirring inside me.
I didn’t know if I would last in this job, but I was determined to give it everything I had.
With each passing moment, I realized this was more than just a job—it was an entry into a world I had never imagined, and Eva Lavens was going to be a significant part of that journey.
I had no idea what the future held, but I was ready to find out.
