Lea stepped out of the art gallery to take the call. Her phone had been ringing nonstop and she was worried for a moment because the call was from back home. As she reached for her phone, it buzzed in her hand again. Seeing Kai's name on the screen, she immediately accepted the video call.
"Mooommyyyyyy!”Kai wheezed on the other side as his excited face filled the screen, with his nanny, Anna, holding the phone for him. “Guess what? I made a tower with my blocks!Like the one in Paris. ”
"Did you now?Like the Eiffel Tower you mean? ” Lea beamed. “That’s awesome, sweetie! Tell me all about it.Did you take a picture? Where is it? ”
Kai launched into an animated recount of his playtime, his enthusiasm was infectious. Lea laughed, her heart warming with every word he babbled. Kai's speech was perfect but she loved it when he stammered a little. “You’re becoming quite the builder,” she said. “I’m so proud of you.”Anna chimed in with a smile, “He’s been talking about showing you all day.Sorry,I couldn't stop him from calling you. You might be really busy. ”
" Don't worry about that, Anna. Kai is always priority! " Lea smiled.
“Can you show me around Paris, Mommy?” Kai asked, his eyes wide with curiosity as he focused on the background immediately loosing interest in his own creation. Kids... They were easily distracted.
Lea turned the phone, giving Kai a panoramic view of the gallery's exterior and the charming street. “This is where I was, an art gallery. Isn’t it beautiful?”
"Cool! Are there any big pictures?” Kai asked, his eyes brightening up with excitement.
“Tons, Kai. Maybe one day I’ll take you here, and we can explore together.I think you will love it. ”
Kai’s eyes sparkled at the idea. “That would be fun, Mommy!”
Just then, Lisa pulled up in the car and rolled down the window. “Lea, we gotta go. We’re running late for lunch.”Lea nodded, turning back to her phone. “Alright, Kai, I’ve got to go now. Lisa’s here to pick me up.”
“Okay, Mommy. I miss you.” The kiddo's face immediately dropped and he looked reluctant to end their conversation. “I miss you too, sweetheart. Be good, okay? Mommy will be back in no time. ”
“I will. Love you, Mommy!” His voice dropped even further but he smiled. “Love you too, Kai.” She hung up the call, still smiling, and slid into the passenger seat of the car.
Lisa glanced at Lea as they drove off. “How’s Kai doing?”
"He’s great. Made an Eiffel Tower with his blocks and couldn’t wait to show me.”
Lisa chuckled. “He’s got your genes, that’s for sure. He is still a kiddo but already so creative.So, did you enjoy the gallery?Did you get any piece,like I suggested?”
Lea leaned back, glancing out the window. “Yeah,I did. It was nice. But I couldn’t help feeling a bit...distracted.” Lisa raised an eyebrow. “Oh? By what?”
Lea hesitated, the image of the familiar man who looked like Jake flashing through her mind. “It’s nothing. Just... thoughts.”
Lisa smirked. “Thoughts, huh? Sounds like you need this lunch more than ever. Let’s get some good food and clear that head of yours.”
Lea nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Yeah, let’s do that.”
As the car rolled through the scenic streets of Paris, Lisa glanced at Lea. “You know, we still have some time before that dinner date with those potential business partners. How about we hit a spa after lunch?”
Lea sighed, relaxing into the idea. “That sounds perfect. I could definitely use some pampering.”Lisa grinned. “Great! And hey, who knows? Maybe one of those business partners could be a potential suitor.They all looked quite interested,not only in your business but also in you, as a woman.”
Lea chuckled, shaking her head. “Lisa, really? You’re incorrigible.”
“Come on, Lea. You need to clear your mind. Spending a night with someone you like, someone new might just do the trick.Life is too short to keep hanging in the past, won't you agree? You are young,rich, and beautiful.” Lisa leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Come on, Lea. You need to clear your mind. Spend a night with one of them, have some wild sex, and get him to fuck your brains out. You might actually relax for once.”
Lea’s eyes widened in shock, her face flushing with a mix of anger and embarrassment. Without thinking, she slapped Lisa hard across the cheek. “How dare you!” she snapped, her voice trembling with fury.Lisa’s hand flew to her cheek, her expression shifting from surprise to hurt. “Lea, I was just joking... trying to lighten the mood.”
Lea took a deep breath, the heat of the moment immediately cooling as she realized what she had done. “I’m sorry, Lisa. I shouldn’t have... I just...”
Lisa nodded slowly, her eyes softening. “It’s okay, Lea. I went too far. Let’s just... forget about it.” The car grew quiet as they drove to the bistro, tension replaced by an awkward silence.