TAMING THE COLD-HEARTED BOSS

Chapter 04: An Unexpected Visit

Chapter 04: An Unexpected Visit

"What are you... what are you doing here?!" Maggie exclaimed, unable to believe her eyes.

The tension was obvious. Neither of them took their eyes off the other for even a second. This was far too much to be just a coincidence.

Around them, nothing else seemed to exist; only faces, skeptical and confused looks.

Suddenly, behind Maggie, Mother Sarah walked toward the gate.

"Maggie? Who is it?"

That was enough to make her jump and bring her back to reality.

She took a small step backward.

"Mother Sarah!" she answered softly, while still keeping a confused and troubled eye on this unexpected and unlikely visitor...

As for the visitor, he turned and nodded at his driver.

Mother Sarah moved a little closer, placing her hand on Maggie's shoulder.

"Maggie, my child!"

Maggie quickly turned around, the confusion visible in her eyes.

"What is it? Who is at the gate?"

Maggie's lips moved, but she could barely get a word out.

Mother Sarah looked outside. That was when she saw a little boy approaching a neatly dressed man.

"Who are they?" Mother Sarah murmured, narrowing her eyes.

"Step back for a moment, Maggie!"

Maggie obeyed, nervously running her hands through her hair. She even took a few small steps back and forth, lightly biting her fingers because she was so nervous.

The man turned back toward the gate, and this time, the little boy was holding his hand tightly.

But when his eyes met Mother Sarah's, the cold, dark, and firm expression he had shown Maggie disappeared, replaced by a softer face.

It was as if he had become another man.

"Mother Sarah," he said in a calm, almost warm tone.

Behind her, Maggie tried to understand what they were saying, but she could not make sense of it.

Mother Sarah frowned, intrigued. She did not seem to recognize him.

"Excuse me, sir, but..."

"Oh, forgive me. I am Richard Evans, and I don't know if you remember the young couple from six years ago, the ones you gave hope to..."

"I am glad that you remembered me," Mother Sarah replied, looking rather flattered, although she still seemed unable to remember the man standing in front of her.

"Anastasie, my wife, would be glad too," he answered more softly, almost in a whisper that seemed difficult for him to say.

"Anastasie?!" Mother Sarah exclaimed, bringing her hand to her mouth, her eyes widening as if she had finally remembered.

"You are Richard Evans... and Anastasie, my beautiful and sweet Anastasie. Of course I remember you."

She moved toward him with her arms open and her eyes slightly wet.

Richard stepped toward her as well and took her hands.

"I am happy to be back here!"

"Thank God..." Mother Sarah whispered.

Maggie tried to see what was happening, but she was just as afraid of meeting his eyes again.

Suddenly, Mother Sarah's voice rang through the doorway.

"Maggie! Maggie!"

"Yes, Mother!" she answered, startled.

Maggie moved toward her, but her gaze remained lowered, afraid of meeting the man's eyes.

"We have visitors, my child. Please prepare the chairs in the living room so we can sit down."

Maggie nodded and immediately obeyed. Without wasting another minute, she hurried inside, more stressed than ever.

"What if he tells her that he almost ran me over? I would have to tell him the whole truth... that I need money. How? How can I ask him for that now?" she whispered, completely overwhelmed.

Mother Sarah invited them inside and led them toward the living room.

Completely lost in her own thoughts, Maggie forgot to arrange the chairs as she had been asked.

Mother Sarah, followed by Richard Evans and the little boy, entered the room and found her standing there, nervously biting her fingers.

"Maggie!" Mother Sarah exclaimed.

Maggie jumped, and despite herself, her eyes immediately met Richard's again.

His distant expression returned at once.

"I... I..." she stammered, losing her composure.

"Maggie, my child, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, Mother... everything is fine..."

She began arranging the chairs nervously, but from time to time, she could not help looking at him.

"There, Mother. It's done. Uh... I'm going outside to finish my work," she quickly said, trying to get away as soon as possible.

Once outside, she leaned against the wall and sighed.

Then she looked up at the sky, her heart beating a little faster.

"Life is so strange... how is this even possible? I will never forget that terrible look he gave me... He could have reacted better instead of frightening me so much..." she thought, deeply troubled.

Inside the room, Mother Sarah remained frozen for a moment, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked toward the door.

She could clearly feel that Maggie was hiding something from her.

And this unexpected visit was not helping either.

"Come on, William. Go say hello," Richard said, bringing Mother Sarah's attention back to them.

William looked at his father for a long moment.

Richard nodded encouragingly.

Then the little boy turned toward Mother Sarah, who smiled warmly at him.

William slowly walked toward her.

She took him into her arms.

"And Anastasie, where is she? I haven't seen her anywhere. How is she?"

Richard lowered his head slightly.

His eyes tried to hide an emotion he was forcing himself not to feel anymore.

Then he raised his head and answered,

"Anastasie is no longer with us," he replied calmly, without avoiding the truth.

His voice was neutral, and his face was closed off.

"Oh my God!" Mother Sarah exclaimed.

"And this is our son..."

"Anastasie lost her life while giving birth to him. And coming back here was always her greatest wish," he confessed, his voice becoming slightly tighter.

"I am so sorry. Anastasie, my child... I will pray for her soul. And I am certain that she is watching over you from up there."

"I..." Richard began, but stopped immediately.

He turned his head toward the door, as if something important, a memory, had suddenly come back to him.

"Mother Sarah, I will come back tomorrow if you don't mind. I have something important to do!"

He stood up quickly, taking Mother Sarah by surprise.

"William! Come on, son!"

William waved goodbye to Mother Sarah and walked toward his father.

"I'll come back..." Richard simply said.

Mother Sarah froze for a moment, then smiled at him.

"Yes, my child. Come back whenever you want."

Richard and his son moved toward the door...

Just as they were about to leave, Maggie finally decided to move away from the wall she had been leaning against.

Richard stepped through the doorway, and at that exact moment, Maggie was coming back inside.

Suddenly, they bumped into each other.

Maggie almost fell to the floor when, once again, Richard Evans found himself standing right in front of her.

And this time, instinctively and gently, he stopped her from getting hurt.