"We still have an hour to meet the client," Vivienne, Andrew's secretary, assured him. Their steps were fast and steady as they navigated through the sea of people, eager to make their way out of the crowded airport.
Andrew gave a silent nod, his mind focused on the upcoming meeting, when suddenly a little boy stumbled in front of him. The boy quickly regained his balance and brushed off the dust from his white pants. He wore a striped light blue long-sleeve shirt and a navy blue suit jacket on top. Furrowing his brows, the boy looked up at Andrew and firmly said, "Mister, watch where you're going."
A smile appeared on the corner of Vivienne's lips, amused by the situation and the adorable boy standing before them. She couldn't help but notice the similarities in attitude between the boy and her boss, finding it quite endearing.
Andrew expressed his disapproval, questioning the boy's lack of manners. "Why are you behaving so rudely? Didn't your parents teach you good manners?" Andrew scolded.
The boy, with a firm voice, responded, "You're the one who bumped into me. You should apologize to me first," he asserted.
"Since time is of the essence, let's cut to the chase. How much do you want?"
The boy laughed sarcastically and retorted, "Huh? I bet your child didn't learn manners from you either," before turning his back and leaving.
"Where did you go?" I asked my son, Andreas.
"I went to the washroom," he replied, taking a seat at the table.
"Here's your sandwich and juice. Hurry up, or we'll get stuck in traffic," I urged him. "Next time, make sure to stay with me and not wander off, or you might run into someone strange."
As we rode in the taxi, I couldn't help but gaze out the window and take in the view. So much had changed in Evermore City over the past seven years. New buildings had sprung up, streets had been repaved, and the city seemed to have a different energy altogether. It was a reminder that time stops for no one, and life moves forward, even in the face of personal struggles.
With each passing moment, my resolve grew stronger. I was no longer the person who had left this city all those years ago. I had faced hardships, grown stronger, and now I was back to face those who had hurt me. This time, I wouldn't let them get away with it. I was determined to reclaim my power, find my voice, and seek the justice I deserved. Evermore City would witness my transformation, and I was ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead.
"I've missed you!" Alyssa greeted me with a warm hug as soon as we stepped out of the car. She had been waiting for me outside our villa. Yes, it was our own villa.
Alyssa had been discovered by a major entertainment agency while she was still studying music in college. She had risen to fame as a member of a popular girl group. Her passion for music and her talent never waned, and now it had become her source of income.
Of course, my parents were overjoyed with her success in her career, as it made her the new financial pillar of our family. Little did they know, Alyssa had been sending me half of her earnings, which I had discreetly deposited into a private account to ensure she still had her own financial independence.
"Who is this child?" my mother Alice exclaimed, pointing at my son, as soon as we arrived at the foyer.
"Mom, Dad, this is my son, Andreas," I introduced him. They raised their eyebrows and scrutinized him from head to toe.
"Who is his father?" she asked, her tone sharp.
"It doesn't matter. He is my son," I replied firmly.
My grandmother, Beatrice, approached us, shaking her head. "I've heard this before. It's probably the same man. She never learned. She still has feelings for him."
I brushed off my grandmother's comments, holding my son's hand as we entered the living room and took in the interiors.
"What do you think?" my mother asked, proud of Alyssa's achievements. "Your sister never disappoints us. She is the complete opposite of you," she added with a smirk.
"Sweetie, go with your aunt and check out our room," I commanded my son, wanting to shield him from our conversation.
"I hope you're not pressuring my sister too much," I said, raising my eyebrows.
"Who else can we rely on?" she countered. "As the eldest in the family, you chose to run away and came back with a bastard! How heartless of you to cut off communication with your family! We thought you were dead!" Filled with frustration, she continued, "Now, tell me, what is your purpose for coming back here?"
"I am expanding my business," I replied.
Her expression changed. I knew that my mother had an unwavering love for money. The mention of business was enough to pique her interest in me.
"What kind of business?" her eyes lit up with excitement.
"I am now the owner and CEO of Infinite Designs, a renowned interior design company. I am planning to relocate the main headquarters here," I revealed.
My father clapped his hands with joy and pride. "I knew it! Our precious daughter has always been smart. I knew she would achieve great things!" He called for the servant, instructing them to prepare a feast for dinner.
Grandmother Beatrice cleared her throat and spoke in a softer tone. "It seems that you can always emerge like a phoenix from the ashes." Her expression softened further as she asked, "What is the name of my great-grandson again?"
"Andreas," I replied curtly. I knew that from this point forward, they would make sure to treat my son well.
As I woke up late in the morning, I groggily tapped the bed, searching for my son, but he was nowhere to be found. Concerned, I opened the door and followed the noise coming from the kitchen. There, I found Grandma Beatrice preparing a bowl of oats and milk for my son. A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I realized he was safe and well taken care of.
We had chosen the room downstairs for our stay, as for some reason, using the stairs made my knees weak and suffocated me with painful memories from the past. It was as if the weight of those memories pressed upon my chest, making it difficult to navigate the staircase.
Andreas, even at his young age, was observant and understanding. He would always suggest living on the first floor of an apartment, even if we had access to an elevator. His concern for my well-being was heartwarming. I felt a sense of protection from my little boy, as if he was always looking out for me. His empathy and care touched my heart, and I was grateful to have him by my side.
After freshening up in my room, I felt a surge of excitement and anticipation. Today was an important day as I had a meeting scheduled with various departments to discuss the preparations for our move to a new building.
Over the years, I had worked diligently to build my career, but I had also pursued my lifelong dream of completing an interior design course. Now, I had the opportunity to combine my professional expertise with my passion for design. I had carefully prepared a detailed interior design plan for our new headquarters, ensuring that it reflected our company's values, aesthetics, and functionality.
As I reviewed my designs and engaged in discussions with the team, a sense of satisfaction washed over me. I had poured countless hours of hard work and dedication into this project, and now I was finally making progress.
"I like this one," I said to the presenter, seeing their eyes light up in response. After hours of careful consideration and discussion, I had finally made a decision on the building where our company would relocate to.
"That's a great choice," a manager chimed in. "It's in a prime location, easily accessible to the mall, condominiums, and the bustling district. It offers convenience and visibility."
Another team member spoke up: "This building is right beside Vanguard Holdings, isn't it?"
"Yes, exactly," I replied, feeling a sense of excitement building within me. "It's the perfect location for us. The proximity to Vanguard Holdings will provide us with great opportunities for collaboration and networking."
"Stop the car," Andrew commanded, his voice firm.
Robert obediently halted the vehicle, his curiosity piqued as he wondered what his boss wanted to do at Serenity Park.
Andrew stepped out of the car and approached a little boy sitting on a bench. "It's you, isn't it? Are you lost?" he asked, his gaze searching for the boy's parents.
The boy pointed towards a group of elderly individuals playing cards. "My grandpa is right there," he replied, indicating the gathering.
Andrew nodded silently, his eyes scanning the boy's face. He looked strangely familiar, yet Andrew was certain they had never met before.
Furrowing his brows, he said, "Mister." Glancing at the car parked nearby, adorned with a Vanguard Holdings logo, the little boy couldn't help but feel reassured. This man, with his professional appearance, did not fit the image of a kidnapper.
Andrew crossed his arms, standing in front of the child. "Do I look like a human trafficker?" he asked, his tone tinged with amusement.
"No," the boy responded curtly. "But that doesn't mean you're a good guy."
Andrew's lips curled into a faint smile. This kid always managed to surprise him with his sharp tongue and intelligence. "Do I look like a bad guy?" he asked, genuinely curious.
The boy averted his gaze, remembering his mother's advice. "My mom said I shouldn't talk to strangers," he replied, looking away.
"This is our second meeting. I should still be considered a stranger, right?" Andrew teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"What's your name, mister?" the little boy asked, displaying a hint of curiosity.
"You can call me Drew," he replied, taking a seat beside him.
The boy paused for a moment, contemplating the name. "You too?" he remarked, shrugging his shoulders. "It seems like it is quite a common name."
"I see," Andrew acknowledged, understanding the boy's observation. "You can call me Andrew if you want, and I will call you Drew," he suggested, offering a compromise.
Andreas couldn't bring himself to correct him. Considering the possibility that they might not meet again, he decided to brush it off and let it go.
"I'll have to go," Andrew said. He handed the boy his business card. "Call me if you need anything," he offered, taking a few steps back towards his car.
As we visited the cemetery the next day, I held a bouquet of flowers in my hands and approached my grandfather's tombstone. "Meet your grandfather," I said to Andreas.
"Hello, grandpa! Nice to meet you," Andreas greeted with a warm smile, innocence shining in his eyes.
"It's been so long, grandpa. I'm back," I whispered, my voice filled with nostalgia as I reminisced about the past memories we had shared.
Curiosity sparked in my son's eyes as he asked, "Were you close with grandpa when he was alive?"
I paused for a moment, reflecting on the bond we've shared. "Yes," I replied with a hint of emotion in my voice. "He was one of those few people who truly cared for me. His presence in my life meant a great deal to me."
As we stood there, paying our respects, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the love and support he had given me during his time on earth. Though he was no longer physically present, his memory and the impact he had on my life would forever remain.
"Are you done?" Chester asked as he approached us, his presence bringing a shift in the atmosphere.
"Dad!" Andreas greeted him with a warm hug, their bond evident in their embrace.
Chester lifted Andreas up in his arms, his love for my son shining through. "Did you pay your respects to your grandpa?" he asked, his voice gentle and caring.
"Yes!" Andreas responded enthusiastically, his young voice filled with innocence and sincerity.
"Put him down," I said, rolling my eyes playfully. "He's getting too heavy," I added, teasing Chester.
Chester chuckled and gently placed Andreas back on the ground. "And besides, you're no longer a baby," I said to Andreas, a hint of nostalgia in my voice.
Chester looked at him with a smile. "But he'll always be our little sweetheart," he said, his love and affection for Andreas evident in his words.