Adeline’s POV
The restaurant is unusually busy today with different customers, obviously it’s Friday, and a lot of families eat out.
Despite getting a job now, I still came back to the restaurant to work part-time after leaving the company. The money is the most important, especially now that I have a child to care for.
I haven’t had the time to even go pick Maya from school, but I called Steve to help me with that already.
“You should rest a bit again, Adeline” Madam Brooke said, and I smiled as I wiped my sweat.
“No ma’am. The others will probably hate me if I keep resting in between.
“And that’s because you work harder than anyone here. You served close to twenty tables in the space of 10 minutes.” Madam Brown said and she smiled again.
“I’m seriously fine and I’m not tired.”
A new customer rang the order bell, and I rushed there to take it.
I got there and met two right-looking men with full beards, obviously businessmen talking about business. So I had to wait for their talks to the end.
“The dump site land? I heard it was abandoned because a dead body was found there three years ago” the first one said.
“It doesn’t matter, the government is planning to build the biggest hospital in this city on that land soon, amd ig we buy it now, we can resell it twenty times the price.” The second one replied, and my eyes widened a bit.
“Bring us turkey risotto” They finally faced me, and I bowed before going to serve their meal.
I was in the restaurant till past 6, and immediately after I finished my shift, I rode to Steve’s place. I told him to pick Maya for me, so she’s with him.
I opened the door and met her playing with Iris in the living room with lots of balloons.
“Mom!” She sprang up and rushed into my arms. And I carried her and swayed her happily.
“Steve cooked my favorite egg fried rice for us and I’m full already, so you don’t have to cook when we get home.” She said.
“For real?” I smiled.
“Yeah. I’m a 5-star Michelin chef” Steve replied, coming downstairs.
He’s shirtless and sweating, his blue pants barely hanging on his waist, showing off his V-line.
I scanned the perfect body for a while before blinking, and he smiled.
“What are you… sweating!” I asked.
“I was doing push-ups on my bed.” He winked, and I chuckled.
“Thanks for always helping” I said and he nodded.
“Can’t you spend 10 minutes here before leaving? He practically begged.
“Please Mrs. Orlov, I really want to play more with Maya” Iris added and Steve raised his brows.
“I’m so sorry Iris, my husband hates it when I serve his food late so…” I replied.
“That’s bad” Iris pouted.
“Don’t worry I’ll come here to play again tomorrow” Maya said.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Steve” I said and he smiled as I walked out of the house.
The taxi was still waiting so I placed Maya in it. “Miss Adeline!” Steve came rushing out.
“Steve?” I faced him and he handed me a bag.
“It’s a flask, I cooked a lot of the egg fried rice and Maya loves it so…” he said and I smiled.
“Thanks, Steve” I took the bag and waved at him before entering the taxi.
Steve watched it drive away and smiled again before going back in.
Luckily, Ethan wasn’t back when I arrived, but Maya was already sleeping.
I placed the sleeping cutie on the couch and went into the kitchen to fix something for Ethan before he got back.
Oliver’s crying video kept disturbing me throughout, but I was waving it off successfully till I heard the door opening in the living room.
I went there, and my eyes widened when I saw that Ethan was back, and he’s currently sleeping on Maya on the couch!
I rushed there and pushed him away from her, then I carried her fast.
“Are you trying to kill her? Can’t you see?” I asked angrily and he laughed on the ground, obviously drunk.
“She’s…she’s not even your child, so why so… protective …” he mumbled drunkenly, scratching his cheeks.
“I nurtured her till she grew up like this so no matter what you say, she’s my child!” I replied and went in fast.
I put her to bed and decided not to cook for Ethan anymore, so I entered the bathroom to take a bath.
I came back in my robe and sat in front of the mirror, staring at myself.
“I can do this, just a few more months and I’d be free” I muttered, touching my wounded lips.
“Ah!” I gasped, taking it into my mouth gently.
I arrived at the office a little earlier than I should have. Damien arrived not long after that and immediately went in with his cup of coffee as Theo instructed.
Damien’s eyes accompanied me till I got to him and dropped it gently on his desk.
“Good morning, boss” I greeted, and he nodded taking the cup to drink from.
“I got an intel “ I said and he looked up.
“What’s it about?” He asked.
“The dumpsite land, the government is planning to build a hospital there soon, we can sell it for twenty times the original price if you buy it now” I replied.
“How sure are you?” He asked dropping the cup.
“Theo taught me well, and I also love to do my job well anywhere, anytime, when I get the intel from a reliable source. The fact that someone died there means nothing because it has already been years, and people probably forgot about it. It’s going for just 100M according to my research, and if you get then imagine how much this company is going to make when we sell it to the government and…
I stopped talking when Damien started smiling.
“Why are you smiling?” I said and he nodded.
“Fine, I’ll buy the land” he said, and I nodded, not sparing a smile.
“Ok…” I said dryly and left.
“Mini boss is coming” Julia announced, rushing into the office.
“What?” Alexander and Stefan sprang up at once.
“He’s in the elevator with Mira like I heard, and they are coming up together. Julia replied.
“Mini boss is coming!!!”. The announcement was made with a loudspeaker, and it echoed throughout the building.
Meanwhile, I went to the restroom immediately after I left Damien’s office, and came out to meet Klara in front of it.
“You again?” I said.
“I guess Alexander and Stefan told you who I am. I’m the girlfriend of the head of staff here. And if I tell Kay to fire you, he will.” Klara said arrogantly.
“Whatever” I said confidently and started living but Klara placed a leg on the way, and I fell flat immediately I bumped into it.
“Ouch!” I whimpered and my ankle got sprained.
“Serves you right” Klara smiled and turned to leave, but her eyes widened when she saw Oliver standing right there with Mira.
“Mini boss!” She gasped in shock.
“You are a witch” Mira said and walked to me, helping me up.
“Are you ok? She asked, and I nodded despite the pain in my ankle.
My eyes stayed on Oliver when I was answering, and they are wide as hell.
Even without an introduction, I’d recognize him in twenty and even thirty years to come.
Oliver, my Oliver…my baby.
My eyes stayed on Oliver and everything around me disappeared. The pain in my ankle, Klara, the office, the voices, everything.
All I could see was him. Oliver. My Oliver. Eight whole years.
He had Damien’s eyes, Damien’s posture, even the way he stood with one hand inside his pocket.
But he was still my baby. The little boy I cried for and searched for in my dreams. The little boy I never stopped loving.
My vision blurred immediately. I wanted to run to him and hold him. I wanted to tell him I was his mother but I couldn't.
So I just stood there, staring at him while my heart broke all over again.
He’s glaring at Klara, and Klara quickly goes on her knees in front of him.
“Mini boss, she was…
“Mention any punishment you want for her” Oliver interrupted, facing me that I’m fighting back tears of joy.
Klara’s eyes came crazily wide, and Mira smiled facing me too.
“Any punishment. Don’t worry Oliver is the second boss here.” She smiled.
He was looking at me straight in the eyes too, waiting for my answer.
“I…I want her to start rubbing her mouth on the ground, till I’m satisfied” I muttered.