I slipped on the other heel of my sandals, making sure the pair matched. I fixed myself first before deciding to walk inside.
I hurried toward the two children. The little girl was crying while her older brother tried to comfort her. They were adorable.
"Hello," I greeted. They immediately turned toward me—along with the policewoman beside them.
"Are you their mother?" the officer asked.
"Wow, straight to 'mother'? I'm still young, okay? That's kind of offensive!" I said, pretending to be annoyed.
"I'm just their brother's friend. Um… future girlfriend, to be exact," I added confidently.
"I'm sorry, but if you aren't their guardian, we can't allow you to take them. Please call their parents instead," she said.
I held my chest. Ouch. That hurt a little.
"You're pretty harsh. I'm not here to kidnap them. And I already called their brother, he's on his way," I explained. She finally nodded.
I crouched down to be on eye level with the little girl.
"Your brother's coming. So don't worry, okay? No more crying," I said gently.
"Who are you?" she asked, stepping away from me. My pride took another hit. Lucky kid—you're cute, and your brother happens to be my dream guy.
I was about to answer when she suddenly ran to the door.
"Daddy!" she cried.
She threw herself into Sir Carl's arms.
Wait… what?
She cried even harder when he hugged her back. For the first time, I saw real worry etched on his face. He kissed her forehead, held the boy's hand, and gave a small smile. A different kind of smile—the kind you give when you finally feel things might be okay again.
I stared at the three of them, unable to move. The scene almost brought tears to my eyes.
Carl carried both children in his arms while talking briefly with the policewoman. A few minutes later, he walked out of the station carrying the two kids. I quickly followed behind him.
A car was waiting outside. He placed the children inside carefully and, once satisfied they were comfortable, turned to me.
"Are you coming?" he asked.
I nodded without hesitation and got in first. I sat in the front while he took the driver's seat. I glanced at the two children—they were already sleeping in the backseat. Still adorable.
When he started the car, I faced forward. A smile tugged at my lips. The silence filled the space—no one spoke. It felt awkward. Maybe I should break it?
I found my moment when the car stopped at a red light.
"Um, so—"
"Thank you," he said, cutting me off.
"O-oh… it's nothing… really," I replied, smiling back. My breath caught when he actually smiled at me. His first real smile. Damn. After that, the silence returned.
"Um… can I ask something? It's fine if you don't want to answer, but I really want to—"
"Go ahead."
"Are they… your children?"
He looked at me, then at the sleeping kids. Suddenly I wished he'd say no.
"Yes."
Ouch. Heaven and earth might as well have collapsed on top of me. He already had kids. Which meant he probably had a wife. It didn't hurt. It was just… like getting bitten by a dinosaur.
"How old are they?" I asked after a long silence.
"Xai is eight. Chian is ten."
"Oh…" I nodded. "They're beautiful. And handsome. So I guess…" I hesitated. "I guess their mother must be beautiful too." I forced a small laugh. "You should introduce me to their mother someday."
But the air grew cold instantly. I slowly turned to him. His eyes were void of emotion.
"She's not with us anymore," he said quietly.
I froze. I blinked several times, trying to process what he said. They weren't together anymore? Why?
"She passed away."
I wasn't expecting him to open up like that. His fist tightened, and even though he didn't explain further, I could feel the pain behind his eyes.
Guilt washed over me.
"I'm sorry…" I whispered, bowing my head.
He cleared his throat and adjusted his seat.
"It's okay," he said, then started driving again.
A few minutes later, we arrived at their home. I couldn't help but stare. It was huge—and stunning. Even more breathtaking with all the lights around it.
He parked and lifted the two sleeping kids in his arms. A woman—probably a helper—opened the door. She took Xai while Carl carried Chian upstairs. I quietly waited on the sofa.
My eyes wandered around. The place was massive. Almost everything had touches of gold. So, he liked gold.
Soon enough, Carl came back down and walked straight toward me.
"I'll take you home," he said, heading for the door. Damn. I couldn't stop smiling as we went back to the car.
A few minutes later, he stopped by a pharmacy. He went inside and returned with a small paper bag.
"What's that?" I asked.
He opened my door.
"Get out," he instructed.
I frowned but obeyed.
"Sit," he said, pointing to the edge of the car doorway. Confused, I sat.
My eyes widened when he knelt in front of me. Oh my God. Was this a proposal? Already? My heart flipped. Should I say yes?
But then he pulled out a bandage from the paper bag.
He moved closer and gently lifted the hem of my skirt up to my knee.
Oh. So that's what this was.
He opened the bandage and carefully placed it over the scrape on my knee. I had almost forgotten about it. When he stood back up, embarrassment washed over me.
"Thank you," I murmured. He nodded and went inside the car. I followed quickly.
The ride to my apartment was quiet. When we arrived, I stepped out and straightened myself.
"Thank you for taking me home," I said.
"Thanks for tonight, Gael," he replied before getting back into the car and driving away.
I blinked. Did he really just call me by my name? For the first time? Wow. A new level unlocked?
I went inside my building grinning like a fool.
Until I reached my room, the smile never left my face.
Damn it. I knew it. Even that cold, aloof man would eventually soften up to me.
I really am gorgeous.