The next morning, Dorothy prepared the clothes of the twins for the outing. Leo wore a crisp white shirt and navy-blue suspenders, while Isla twirled in a pale-pink dress with a matching bow.
"Perfect, as always," Dorothy said proudly as she fussed over Leo's collar. "Now are we ready for our adventure?"
"Yes!" the twins echoed eagerly, holding Dorothy's hands tightly with their small fingers.
They stepped out into the bright morning light, heading to a high-end shopping district. Dorothy had a list of essentials to buy, but she wasn't prepared for the attention the twins would draw.
Everywhere they walked, heads turned towards them, with strangers smiling, shop owners waving at them, and even passersby stopping to compliment the kids.
"Hello babies!" a woman exclaimed from her table at the cafe.
"Hi!" Leo shouted while waving a little.
"Oh, just look at that smile!" another one in the background cooed. "Adorable. Are they twins?"
Dorothy smiled politely. "Yep, Leo and Isla."
"Oh, they look like angels," said the woman. "Must be their mother."
Isla cocked her head in innocence."Mommy says we look like Daddy too!"
Dorothy stifled a laugh, steering them into a boutique. Inside, the twins continued to charm everyone they encountered.
"Hi, Mommy! Please give me one!" A little girl tugged on her mother's sleeve, pointing at Isla's glittery shoes.
"Sweetie, that's not a toy," the mother replied, embarrassed.
Leo turned to the little girl and grinned. "My sister's shoes are shiny, right? You can get some too!"
The girl's mother laughed, clearly smitten by Leo's manners.
"Dorothy," one of the boutique staff whispered as they rang up the items, "they're such delightful children. The store would love to feature them in our upcoming campaign. You must let us know if their mother is interested!"
Dorothy only smiled politely, refusing to answer. The twins, oblivious to the attention, were busy deciding which macaroons to share at the nearby café.
As they exited the shop, Leo walked with a tiny shopping bag filled with pride like none other while Isla skipped away.
"Isla, wait!" called Dorothy, but the little girl had already halted in front of a bakery window, transfixed by the colorful cakes displayed.
Behind them, whispers filled the air.
"Who are they?"
"They look like little celebrities."
"They're simply magnetic."
Dorothy exhaled, guiding the twins back toward their car. As they climbed in, she muttered under her breath, "You two are going to give your mother a heart attack with all this attention."
Leo blinked up at her. "But everyone was nice, Aunt Dorothy!"
Isla nodded. "Maybe they want to play with us."
Dorothy smiled softly, though her thoughts lingered on Ever.If only she knew what happiness those things make for others.
Alessandro was seated, perched behind his hugely spacious office, with the distant metropolis brightly shining beyond the window. He was browsing through a couple of contracts when suddenly, without much noise, entered his assistant Matteo.
"Mr Wales, something you might want to see," Matteo said, extending a tablet.
"What?" Alessandro asked, not looking up.
"Your children, sir."
That got his attention, and he put aside the contract, grabbing the tablet. It was a video making the rounds online: Leo and Isla walking through the shopping district with Dorothy. Their brilliant beaming and playful waving had captured the hearts of everyone who saw them.
In the video, Isla giggled as she twirled in front of a bakery, while Leo proudly carried a tiny shopping bag.
The caption read: "Who are these charming twins?Indeed, future stars in the making!"
Allesandro chuckled, and, in a dry tone, with a hint of pride in his voice, muttered, "They are naturals."
"That's not all, sir; the social media is gushing; nowadays, people have started calling them the "Wonders of Wales." Matteo smirked and reported.They have all become spotlit almost overnight."
"Incredible," Alessandro sank back into his chair and rubbed his chin. "And they liked the attention?"
Matteo nodded at him. "As per some reports from the boutique staff, they were well-mannered and charming, not at all aware of how much they stole the limelight," he said.
Alessandro could not help smiling. He could readily visualize Leo's innocent confidence and Isla's vivacious spirit.
"Dorothy must've had her hands full," he said, shaking his head.
"She did," Matteo replied, "but she handled it well. Sir, if I may suggest... you might want to be cautious. This kind of attention can escalate quickly, especially with the press sniffing around."
"Noted," Allesandro replied firmly. "Have my PR team monitor the situation. I don't want anyone exploiting them or invading their privacy."
Matteo hesitated before adding, "Sir, there's more. People are starting to speculate about their mother. Some think... He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Some think you and Ever are reconciling."
The smile vanished from Allesandro's face, replaced by a tense expression. He handed the tablet back to Matteo.
"Let them speculate," he said coldly. "But ensure the twins remain out of harm's way. That's my priority."
"Yes, sir," Matteo said, bowing slightly before leaving the room.
Once alone, Allesandro leaned forward, staring out the window. The image of Leo and Isla filled his mind, their laughter echoing in his thoughts.
He whispered to himself, "If only you knew how much I've missed you both."
His phone buzzed, pulling him from his reverie. It was a message from his mother.
"Saw the twins in the news. Beautiful children, but don't let this jeopardize your future with Natalia. Handle it."
Alessandro clenched his jaw, irritation rising. He tossed the phone aside, the weight of his conflicting responsibilities pressing heavily on his chest.