It was one of those evenings where the air feels charged with nostalgia and affection.
Elio and Liora sat perched on the living room steps, the glow of lamps casting golden rings around them. Their curiosity lay heavy in the air.
"Dad…" Liora began, voice quiet. "We only know bits and pieces, but… how did you actually meet Mom?"
Zayden paused, straightening the stack of notebooks on the coffee table. He took a slow breath and motioned them closer.
"All right," he said softly. "But this isn't just a business story—it's a love story."
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Part 1: The Flight
"It started on a flight to London," Zayden began, eyes drifting to the window. "I was upgrading a lot of people to first class—nothing special. But then, a lucky upgrade seat went to her—Elena."
He rolled a pencil between his fingers. "We sat next to each other. A spilled drink. A pink heart-shaped band-aid you two saw in the photo box. And she didn't know who I really was.
"I didn't want her to. I wanted her to see me—not the CEO. So I stayed under the radar."
"But she saw something," he added, swallowing hard. "She saw kindness. Curiosity. And something… human."
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Part 2: The First Office Day
"The real story started the next week," he continued gently. "She joined Wolfe & Co., unaware I was the founder. I watched her walk into that office—confident, hopeful, gripping her welcome folder."
He sighed, eyes closing for a moment. "I tried to treat her like any other junior—cold, distant. But when she reached the 21st floor and finally saw me, everything changed.
"She called me Elena a map… And I realized: if I ever became the one at the top, I'd only ever want to be good for her."
He paused. "We fought, we argued—but she taught me a lot. She made me better."
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Part 3: The Honeymoon Period
Zayden smiled wryly. "We had rooftops and turbulence and road trips. But she also had the fire I couldn't contain. We made mistakes. I disguised my identity. She pushed me away."
Their voices shook a little—the memory of turmoil and passion both vivid after all those years.
"But she came back," he said, voice thick. "And I chased her like my heart depended on it—because it did."
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Liora reached forward and touched his hand. "We found the photo of that flight… you were both smiling."
Elio looked from dad to sister. "So it all started because of coffee—liquid spilled."
Zayden chuckled. "And pink band-aids."
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Letter From Elena to the Twins
Just then, Zayden stood and retrieved a small envelope from the mantle—Elena's handwriting on it. The twins gathered around, unhurried wonder in their eyes.
> To my brave kids,
This is how your dad fell in love. Flight turbulence, spilled drinks, and someone noticing you without knowing your name. He hid. I chased.
We kept going because the world had plans, but love had ours.
I hope you find someone who sees you—really sees you—even under disguise. And never hides.
Love forever,
Mom
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