Chapter 5
1182 Words
“Ben, stop it… stop staring at those statues that way.”
I sighed deeply, rubbing my forehead tiredly as I watched my son move from one sculpture to another with suspicious eyes.
Honestly, I had lost count of how many times I had warned him today. Touching the statues was already enough trouble.
But standing before them and giving them strange expressions like they were about to move anytime soon looked even funnier.
Still… I couldn’t really blame him. Paris itself looked magical. Everything around me felt too beautiful to be real. The city was glowing with elegance and luxury. The streets looked alive with lights, music, expensive cars, and stylish people walking confidently like they owned the world. Everywhere smelled expensive and peaceful at the same time.
For the first time in years, I truly felt happy.
The twins were currently at my apartment arranging their room we all will be sharing together. Immediately the company assigned my apartment to me, I officially invited them over after the competition, they booked their flights without wasting time and took Ben along too..
Everything happened so fast. Too fast. Yesterday, I was struggling to survive. Today, I was walking through one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
And honestly…It still felt like a dream. Today was my official swearing-in at the company, so I decided to look different for once.Special.
I had gone shopping earlier and bought one of the most exquisite outfits I had ever worn in my life. My hair was newly restyled, my makeup looked soft and classy, and for the first time in a very long while… I actually looked at myself in the mirror and smiled proudly. I finally looked like the successful woman I always dreamed of becoming.
Meanwhile, Ben was busy running around excitedly.
“Mummy! Mummy!” he shouted suddenly, pointing ahead excitedly. “Get me this teddy bear!”
I turned immediately and almost screamed.
“You must be joking, Ben!” I laughed. “That teddy bear will scare you in the dark. Can’t you see its face? It looks like a monster!”
“But I still want it,” he complained stubbornly while folding his tiny arms. “It looks like one Korean king from my movie.”
I closed my eyes dramatically.
“Oh God… Ben.”
His obsession with Korean movies was slowly becoming dangerous.
“Let’s go,” I ordered gently, trying to pull him away.
“I’m not going anywhere until you buy it for me, Mum!” he protested stubbornly, refusing to move.
I ended up dragging him away forcefully while he continued grumbling under his breath.
“This Korean thing is already twisting your brain,” I muttered.
A few minutes later, we finally arrived at the company building. The moment we entered, my entire body froze. The building was breathtaking. Luxury practically screamed from every corner.
The giant crystal chandeliers sparkled beautifully above us while the polished marble floors reflected the lights perfectly. Workers moved around elegantly in expensive outfits while assistants walked swiftly carrying documents and tablets. Everything looked rich… sophisticated and powerful.
“Welcome to Maison Lumière Fashion Home, Madam Davina,” the familiar man greeted politely with a smile.. I remembered he was the man that offered me the letter of yesterday's competition. “You can kindly come this way.”
Maison Lumière Fashion Home… Even the name sounded luxurious.
I adjusted my bag nervously while following him quietly with Ben beside me. The man introduced himself as Mr. John, the personal assistant to the CEO.
As we walked through the hallway, I noticed workers turning to stare at me respectfully.
Some whispered softly. Others smiled politely. It felt strange.
Was I really the same Davina people once mocked and ignored?
Mr. John finally stopped before a luxurious office and opened the door for us.
“Please have your seat,” he said politely.
I moved toward the nearest chair immediately.
“No, ma’am,” he interrupted gently. “That seat belongs to your assistant . Your chair is over there.”
I blinked in confusion.
“My chair?”
“Yes,” he smiled warmly. “This office belongs to you now.”
My heart skipped instantly. Slowly, I turned toward the large elegant desk positioned beautifully near the glass window. And then I saw it. The golden nameplate boldly written on the desk.
DAVINA GABRIEL
Senior Professional Fashion Designer
Maison Lumière fashion house
I stepped backward unconsciously.
My chest tightened emotionally.
This… This office belonged to me?
After years of rejection, humiliation, and suffering… I finally had something of my own.
Ben didn’t even notice my shock. He was too busy admiring the office excitedly.
“Mummy!” he shouted happily. “Even this office smells rich!”
I laughed softly despite the tears gathering in my eyes.
Then Mr. John crouched slightly before Ben.
“Hello there, little man,” he said kindly. “What’s your name?”
“He is Ben,” I answered immediately before my son could start another Korean speech.
But suddenly, Mr. John paused. His eyes remained fixed on Ben’s face for a little too long.
“You’re a handsome boy,” he said slowly. “But strangely… you remind me so much of my boss.”
My smile faded instantly.
Ben stood proudly as if he completely understood the compliment.
“Does he look like a Korean?” he asked excitedly while posing dramatically.
“Oh God, Ben,” I groaned. “You and this your Korean obsession.”
Mr. John burst into laughter seeing Ben mention random Korean idol names proudly while dancing around the office.
“Seems he really loves Korean movies,” he said.
“You guessed right,” I replied helplessly. “This boy can literally sell his soul for Korean idols.”
Both of us laughed loudly. But suddenly, my eyes caught something strange. Ben was already unboxing a gift excitedly.
I frowned immediately.
“Wait… where did you get that from?”
“Oh, that?” Mr. John replied casually. “I gave it to him. It’s a gift from my boss… the CEO of this fashion empire.”
Ben didn’t even let me process the information properly before shouting excitedly.
“It’s my Korean idol toy!..the exact one his mum refused to get for him.. I love this so much!” He hugged the toy tightly against his chest happily.
But my mind had already stopped working. Questions flooded my head immediately.
Why would the CEO suddenly buy my son a gift? And how did he know the exact kind of toy Ben liked?
Before I could think deeper, Ben suddenly looked up innocently and asked…
“Mummy, is he my daddy?”
Mr. John laughed awkwardly.
“Ben!” I snapped instantly.
“Oh boy… don’t call him that.” l insisted.
But what if he truly is? My heart skipped strangely.
Completely impossible.…Right?
“Where is the CEO office?… Is it possible to see him now?” I asked inquisitively.
- Writer
