Lea's POV
Kai and I were happily getting ready in our spacious walk-in wardrobe, sunlight streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows and casting a warm glow on the polished wood and glass. The room was filled with neatly organized rows of clothes, shoes, and accessories, everything in its place. Yet everything felt out of place. "Mommy, can I wear my dinosaur shirt?" Kai asked, his small hands rummaging through his drawer filled with colorful clothes.
"Of course you can, sweetheart," I said, smiling at his enthusiasm. "Let’s find your favorite green shorts to go with it." I was going through one of my sluggish days. I had those days quite often where I would just slouch back and relax. Had it not been for Kai's day care, I wouldn't have bothered to get up. But I promised the little one I would drop him off that day.
He grinned, holding up his dinosaur shirt with pride. "Roar! I'm a dinosaur!"
"Roar! You're the cutest dinosaur ever," I agreed, helping him into his shirt and pulling up his shorts. "Now, let’s find your socks."
We both giggled as I helped him into his socks, and he wriggled his toes happily as I tickled him a little. I couldn't resist ruffling his hair, and he laughed, swatting my hand away playfully. "Mommy! My hair!I will look bad in school. "
"Okay, okay," I said, holding up my hands in mock surrender. "How about we find your hair brush and get you looking sharp?"
As Kai carefully combed his hair in front of the mirrored dresser, I turned to my side of the wardrobe. Rows of elegant blouses, tailored trousers, and chic dresses greeted me. I picked out a soft blue blouse and a pair of black slacks, knowing they'd be comfortable yet professional for the day ahead.Just as we were about to head downstairs, I heard the unmistakable sound of the door bursting open. "Lea! Thank goodness you're here. Why haven't you been answering your phone?" Lisa's voice echoed through the house, filled with urgency.I turned to see my personal assistant standing at the doorway of the wardrobe, her usually neat hair slightly out of place. "Lisa, what's going on? Why the rush?Why are you in my house early in the morning?"
Lisa's eyes widened in disbelief. "The Paris party, Lea! The one we've been planning for months? You can't miss it. You’re supposed to meet with some of our most important business partners and launch your new book. This is crucial!"I felt a sudden weight drop in my stomach. "What? That's today? But I... I thought it was next week."
"No, it's tonight. We have to leave immediately if we're going to make it," Lisa said, her voice bordering on panic as she glanced at her smart watch. I knew she was checking the flight schedule as she scrolled up.
Kai looked up at me, his face falling. "Mommy, you go bye-bye?" I crouched down beside him, taking his small hands in mine. "Kai, remember what we talked about? Sometimes, mommy has to go to work, but it doesn’t mean I love you any less.I will be back even before you realise. "
Kai's lower lip trembled, and he clung to my leg. "But I don't want you to go!" That was the worst part of being a working,single mother. Lisa sighed, rubbing her temples. "Lea, I get it, I really do. But this event is not just about you. It’s about the company, the book, and all the people counting on you.We are a new company even though your family has history.Nobody buys history these days.They need to see the commitment to invest." I understood her concern. She worked around the clock to make sure I didn't screw up which I was about to do on many occasions. I was a novice and an easy target for fraud. She was like my guardian angel. It was because of her that we were able to build a strong team that helped the company in the long run. She also looked after my book lauch, marketing and publishing affairs. Though I had put it on the side line at the moment.
I glanced at Kai, who was looking up at me with those heart-wrenching eyes. "I’ll make it up to you, buddy. We’ll have a big adventure when I get back, I promise." Lisa nodded, trying to be encouraging. "It’s only for a few days. Kai will be in good hands. Plus, you’ll be back before his big play date, right?"
Kai's face lit up a little. "You'll really come?" I hugged him tight. "Wouldn't miss it for the world, champ." I whispered some words of bribery into his ears and his eyes sparkled at the notion. He hugged and kissed me. I kissed him back, "Now go finish your breakfast." As Kai reluctantly went to sit at the table where the housekeepers had set out his favorite cereal, I turned to Lisa. "Okay, I'll go. But you better have everything ready. I don’t want any surprises."
Lisa exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Lea. I promise, everything will be taken care of. Just get through this, and then you can focus on Kai.I will take care of the rest. ."I nodded, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. "Alright. Let's do this."
But as I watched Kai from the corner of my eye, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being pulled in too many directions, and something had to give. I just hoped it wouldn’t be my heart. That boy was obsessed about his father. I sometimes wondered how selfish I was being ,keeping the two of them apart. But then I didn't have a clue what was going on in Jake's personal life. If he was busy with his other child. I didn't know if he needed us anymore. He hadn't tried to reach me over the past years. Not that it would be easy to forgive him. But I hoped he would. A little, maybe.