“The company’s already gone bankrupt,” the secretary said. “Apparently, his wife mortgaged the entire thing and ran off with the money. Word is, he’s in serious debt now and his mental health is taking a hit.”
I thought for a moment, then calmly drew a line through his company’s name on the list. “We’re not touching any companies with financial problems.”
When work was done for the day, I headed home. My parents had both retired and were living their best life, spending time gardening, taking care of their cats, and walking the dogs.
When I walked in, my mom looked up and said, “We’re having dinner tonight, so get ready. Put on something nice.”
“Mom, seriously? I just got home and you’re already setting me up on a blind date?”
“It’s not a blind date. Just a casual family dinner. Someone you’d never expect is coming.”
Sighing, I went to change into something a little more formal, preparing for the evening.
At the family dinner that evening, the last person I expected to show up was someone from my childhood. It was our old neighbors from when my parents and I lived in Aveloria.
My parents had moved to Aveloria to start a business, and I was born there. I lived there until my teenage years before returning to our home country.
Our neighbors, Victor and Olivia, had always been incredibly kind to me. I remember they had a daughter and a son, plus a cute little dog. After so many years, it felt like a reunion with family when we hugged and caught up. We reminisced about the past, chatting about everything that had happened in the years since we last saw each other. It was such a nostalgic moment.
Olivia told me they’d stayed in Aveloria all this time and that their daughter was married now with a big, chubby little boy.
“But my younger son is still single,” she added with a smile.
I couldn’t help but laugh. I remembered that chubby little boy from back when he was always tagging along behind me and her older sister. He’d let us dress him up in princess costumes and play models for us, no complaints.
Now, he must be in his twenties, probably graduated from university.
As we were chatting, the doorbell rang unexpectedly.
My mom nudged me. “Go open the door.”
Even though there were servants who could handle it, I was a little puzzled, but I went to the door.
Standing there was Lance, holding a huge bouquet of flowers and a round cake.
I was caught off guard. I quickly tried to push him back outside. “What are you doing here? We have guests today. It’s not a good time for you to visit.”
life.
“I brought you flowers and your favorite cake. Do you like it? I had to wait for over an hour to get it.”
“Thanks, but today’s really not the best time. How about we grab a meal sometime soon instead?”
Before I could finish speaking, my mom came over from behind me, smiling when she saw Lance. She waved him inside.
“Ah, Lance is here!”
Lance wasn’t shy at all. He greeted everyone confidently and walked right in. He waved at me as he headed toward the dining room.
I was completely confused. When had Lance become acquainted with my parents?
My mom pulled me aside. “What are you standing there for? Don’t you recognize Lance?”
Of course, I knew him. He had been my assistant for two years, traveling with me and managing my work and personal affairs.
My mom smiled. “Think again.”
I was still puzzled.
Olivia, laughing, turned to me and said, “He’s my son.”
I was stunned.
Lance was the same chubby little boy from my childhood.
He smiled at me, as if saying, “You didn’t recognize me until now?”
That night, the family dinner was filled with laughter and warmth, and it made me feel a joy I hadn’t felt in ages.
Lance, who had been beside me this whole time, was slowly merging with the memory of that little boy.
My dad said that after graduating from university, Lance had been eager to come back to the country to find me.
When he found out I had just gone through a divorce, he applied to work at my company as my assistant and started taking care of everything in my
I was deeply touched but still couldn’t understand why he’d always been so kind and attentive to me.
Now, I finally got it. Teasing him, I said, “So you came back to find me after all, huh?”
Lance looked at me with deep affection. “Selene, I’ve liked you since we were kids. I think everyone knows that except for you. So, after all this time, will you marry me?”
And just like that, in front of both our families, he dropped to one knee and proposed.
I was overwhelmed with emotion. I had always thought Lance’s feelings for me were inexplicable, maybe even driven by some hidden agenda. But in that moment, I finally understood. He had a purpose all along, and it was a secret he’d been holding onto for over twenty years.
I accepted his proposal, and with our parents as witnesses, Lance slipped a ring onto my finger.
Our families immediately started planning our wedding.
The next day, my mom took me to a luxury store, where we bumped into a familiar woman.
As soon as she saw my mom, she started chatting away non–stop.
Later, my mom told me that the woman’s husband had recently been seduced by a mistress, and she’d sent that mistress to a remote area.
I was shocked and impressed by how ruthless this woman was.
My mom, with a mischievous look, asked, “Do you know who the mistress was?”
I shook my head.
“It was Marina! She’s the type of woman who targets rich men, playing the victim to manipulate them. Her methods are despicable.”
I shook my head and sighed. She really brought it on herself.
My mom added, “She was probably sent abroad. Whether she’s alive or dead, who knows?”
I shook my head and gently urged my mom, “Let’s not get involved in all that drama. Help me choose which of these shoes looks better.”
The End
