5. Her

"Are you still going to your meeting with the Sy Corp. for lunch, dear? I'm asking because I want to come with you if it's okay with you."

I looked at her and smiled. "Don't you want to stay at home and rest? You might get tired again, and Papa will worry about you."

She walked around my table and sat in front of me. The pearls around her neck and wrists shimmered as she moved.

"Your Papa can't do anything about it. Besides, Amanda and I have plans to meet today. You can join us, and afterward, we can go shopping together."

I couldn't help but grin as I stared at her. She's in her mid-50s, but she acts like a teenager. Her age doesn't show on her because she remains healthy and beautiful. It seems like she's never been stressed in her life.

"Fine, Mom, but we'll go home right after. I also need to pick her up," I replied.

The door swung open and my secretary, Pau, walked in carrying the files I had requested. She placed them on the table and bowed in front of her.

"Good morning, Madame Harper," she greeted the lady who nodded and smiled back at her.

"Good morning to you too, Paula," she replied, turning to face me. "I have to go, dear. I'll accompany your father to his appointment with the Waltons. I'll see you later before lunch."

I stood up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Take care."

Once the older woman left, my smile disappeared. I shifted my gaze to Pau, who was still watching me, so I smiled at her."What's up? Do you like your new office?" I asked her, taking a seat in my swivel chair.

"I didn't expect you to be serious about what you said before, that you'd resign when I leave."

She scratched her head and sat down in front of me, placing the folder with my schedules for the day in front of me.

"I'm just used to you being my boss, Ma'am," she said.

"But what about your job? What did you do after you resigned? While you still don't have an offer here?" I asked her curiously.

"My brother owns a coffee shop. I'm doing a side job there as a barista. I don't have a family to support yet, so the income is just for myself. But I'm still grateful that you took me back after…" She didn't finish her sentence, hesitating to mention it.

I forced a fake smile and started focusing on my paperwork again. "It's fine, Pau. That was a long time ago."

"I'm sorry, Ma'am Celeste. By the way, Mr. Scott is requesting an appointment today before your late lunch meeting with Sy Corp. He said it's important."

My attention shifted to Pau when I heard that name. "Scott the son? Or the father?"

"The son, Ma'am."

"I still have free time before my late lunch meeting, right? I'll call him myself. Thanks, Pau."

As soon as Paula left my office, I quickly dialed his number. He answered after just one ring.

"Celeste!" He greeted me immediately. "I had to make sure it was really you calling."

"Jerk. You requested an appointment to talk to me. I still have free time right now. We can meet at the nearby coffee shop," I suggested. I could hear him chuckle.

"Actually, I'm on my way there. I'll be there in a few minutes. Wait for me before you go downstairs," he replied enthusiastically.

"Sure, Liam." I ended the call.

I straightened myself up, put on my coat again, and walked towards the large French window in my office. I embraced myself slightly, feeling the cold.

The AC in the room wasn't too strong, but the rain pouring outside made it feel excessively chilly. I could see the chaos and hassle in the city due to the heavy rain. It was gloomy even though it was still early.

I wonder how she's doing over there? I hope she's fine. She's afraid of thunder and heavy rain. I hope she didn't cry while I was away.

It didn't take long for Liam to arrive, and we immediately headed to my favorite coffee shop in the city. I ordered my usual coffee, and then we sat at a table for two. I noticed Liam staring at me.

"You look great, better than before. Spain looks good on you, huh?" he remarked.

I blushed and scowled at him. "I've always been beautiful, Liam."

"I know that. Everyone knows that, anyway," he chuckled. "How are you, really? This is the first time you've met up with me since you returned from Spain. I couldn't even squeeze into your schedule last week." He said it with a hint of playfulness, making me laugh.

"You know I was busy with the upcoming social event in one of our towers, right? Besides, you could have just visited me directly in my office so that I wouldn't have had a choice but to talk to you," I teased him.

"You always say that, but you never show up. Not that I'm complaining, but I'm really glad that you agreed to meet today. This conversation isn't just about business. I genuinely want to check up on you after everything that happened," he explained, his expression suddenly becoming serious.

"I'm sorry, Celeste, for being so far away during those times."

A pang of pain surged through my heart as I recalled his words, but I didn't allow it to consume me completely.

I shrugged. Our orders arrived just in time. I immediately grabbed my cup of coffee and felt a sense of calmness from its warmth.

"Let's not talk about it anymore. I've moved on. It's not important anymore. Besides, I understand. You had to accompany your dad to the UK for his surgery. It's all fine. At least I'm here now, right?" I said, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Liam's gaze on me deepened. He's my best friend. We've been together since we were kids until now. I'm glad he's here now.

Six years ago, he left the country to accompany his dad for his open-heart surgery. The operation went well, but his dad still needed him to take over the management of all their businesses.

Liam and I talked about our personal lives for almost half an hour before he finally turned to the real purpose of our meeting.

"I sent a proposal to your email. Dad has been asking me to do this, especially when he found out that you're now managing the Percepta Group. I'll give you enough time to think about the proposal before we proceed with anything else, don't worry," he said, taking a sip of his coffee while still keeping his gaze on me.

"I'll check it when I get back to the office. Papa mentioned it to me as well. I think it's fine," I replied, referring to the bidding that will take place at Aomori Resort and their long-standing proposal for a partnership.

"I don't understand why there's so much interest in that resort. It's not particularly special. I've been there once, and there are a lot of things that need to be changed, especially in the management."

"Don't you know?" he asked, surprised.

I shook my head. "Know what?"

"Who the former owner of that resort was? The Rioflorida owned that resort before, but the old man Rioflorida sold it immediately after his wife passed away for over a year now. Maybe because it was registered under someone else's name, you didn't find out, but I'm certain about that information."

My lips parted when he mentioned that particular family name. And someone died? The wife of the old man Rioflorida? Why wasn't I aware of that?

They are a prominent family, and any news about them doesn't escape the media. Why wasn't it reported? Was it because I was in Spain? But their name is known all over the world.

"What happened to her?"

"Heart attack. I'm not sure about the exact details because their family kept it private. The news only reported about the funeral. After that incident, their only son ran away. I heard he still hasn't shown up to anyone until now. I think he's hiding to avoid being seen by his father," he continued.

Once again, my mouth fell open. Their only son? Was Liam referring to him? How? What happened?

After briefly eating, Liam accompanied me back to my office. I quickly prepared for my late lunch meeting with Mom and the Sy Corp. and then headed straight to her.

Fortunately, the rain had stopped.

Even from a distance, I could see her standing by the glass door of the facility, patiently waiting for me, with her teacher by her side. Her eyes were dull, and she seemed to be feeling something, but as soon as she spotted me, her face brightened, and she signaled something to her teacher.

"I told you your mom would come. She was just a little late," I overheard Teacher Amelia say to her. Instantly, guilt washed over me. I knelt down in front of her to be at eye level.

"I'm sorry, baby. Mommy got stuck in traffic. Can I make it up to you?" I cooed at her and took her unicorn bag from her.

"It's fine, Mommy. I understand. I was just worried because of the heavy rain, and I didn't know what happened to you. But I'm fine now that you're fine," she said, hugging me tightly.

My heart melted. I saw Teacher Amelia's smile widen.

"She's so sweet," she mouthed.

I nodded and stood up. "Alright. Get in the car. We'll get your favorite snack."

"Mac 'n cheese?" she exclaimed, and I nodded. "Thank you, Mommy!"

My daughter got into the car. I quickly said goodbye to her teacher before we headed to her favorite restaurant, where they served the best Mac 'n cheese she loved.

"Do you want to go inside or just wait for me here in the car?" I asked her, knowing that she often preferred staying in the car.

But this time, it seemed she had a different plan.

"I need to pee, Mommy. I'll go with you inside," she said, so I nodded.

Carrying her unicorn stuffed toy, we entered the restaurant. I placed my order at the counter first, and then I accompanied her to the restroom.

"I can do it alone, Mommy," she said as if insisting on going into the cubicle by herself.

I bit my lower lip and nodded. I waited outside instead.

I can't help but feel sad. She's turning 6 this year, and I've noticed that her mindset is different from other children. I mean, she's more mature for her age.

he often prefers to do things on her own, especially if she's capable, but there are still times when she needs me and wants to do those things with me. I'm starting to get worried. I don't want her to grow up so quickly. I feel like I won't be able to handle it if she no longer needs me.

It took a while for Ariah to come out of the bathroom. We were about to leave the restroom when we encountered a man wearing a cap and a jacket.

But I couldn't help but notice the tattoo peeking out from the side of his neck. It looked extremely familiar to me, so I couldn't help but stare at his face.

My whole body went cold when I recognized him. He looked rugged, especially when he suddenly took off his cap before entering the male restroom. I got chills when I saw his entire face. He had his hair in a man bun. His body had grown larger, and his attractiveness and appeal had increased.

"Oh, God. No..." I whispered and quickly left the place when I saw him glance at me. I pulled Ariah along, swiftly grabbed my order, and returned to the car.

Was it really him? Why does he look like that? And why are his eyes like that? I only saw him twice before, but I'm sure his eyes were both brown, so why are they different now?

"Mommy?" Ariah tugged at me.

"Yes, baby? I'm sorry. Did you say something?"

"Your phone is ringing, Mommy," she said, pointing to my phone.

As I looked at it, I immediately saw the name Aurora. Her call disappeared quickly, and my mind was occupied again by what I saw earlier.

Was it really him? He has changed a lot. He looks miserable and worn out. He doesn't look wealthy. Am I hallucinating?

His eyes have different colors. Gray and green?