CHAPTER FIVE
By the time they got home, little Eidan was already fast asleep, his tiny body giving in to the exhaustion of the day. Thank goodness Aidan had built a children's room in the company, though Alina still wondered why. That hadn't been in the original building plan.
She tucked him in carefully, brushing a kiss across his forehead before closing the door with a soft click.
"Alina."
She turned. Alix was in the kitchen, arranging vegetables into a bowl with deliberate care.
"I need to find a nanny for Dan," she said, her voice steady but edged with concern. "I can't risk him staying at the company."
She feared Aidan would see him if she kept taking him to the building.
She can't risk it.
Not even a chance.
"That sounds good," he replied,
Alix replied while fixing himself a cup of coffee.
"Maybe we should also prepare a school for him, one of the best in town."
Alina nodded, busying herself with coffee"Yes. I'll help with that."
Alina smiled faintly. "Anyway, you did great today."
His lips tugged upward. "We did great. And you were… composed in front of Aidan."
Her smile faltered. That ring. It still lingered in her mind, taunting her. Was he truly married to Nyla? She'd never checked who he got married to.
Always skipped over it. Always avoided the truth.
"Will you stay for dinner?" she asked, shaking the thought away.
"Nah, I need to get ready for myself."
They left the kitchen together. At the gate, Alix paused by his car, suit jacket draped in his hand.
"Thank you for today, Alix." Her palms rubbed together, her smile soft yet warm.
"You should take care. See you tomorrow," he said, waving before slipping into his car.
Alina closed the gate behind her, returned to her little meal, and then went to call Eidan. She climbed the stairs, tying her hair into a ponytail.
"Eidan," she called gently, pushing open his door. "Dinner is ready."
He rubbed his sleepy eyes and grunted, but smiled when she kissed his cheek. She carried him downstairs, and they ate together at the small dining table.
"Mom?"
Alina looked up immediately.
"Am I going to see Ophelia again?"
Her brows lifted. "Who's Ophelia, baby?" She couldn't help but ask
"The little girl that was with me," Eidan explained with his usual earnestness.
"Oh." Alina smiled softly. "Why do you want to see her again?"
"She's friendly. And kind."
Her heart warmed. "Well… if we can see her again."
His face lit up instantly, joy spreading like sunshine.
Later, after dinner and bath time, Eidan still refused to sleep alone. He clung to her, the doll clutched in his tiny hand, until she finally gave in and let him rest in her arms. He fell asleep quickly, safe against her heartbeat.
With one hand free, Alina scrolled through school options. So many prestigious ones. Yet her gaze halted on one particular name, Aidan's school.
Her breath caught. Would it be too great a risk? To let her son step into his world, even unknowingly?
She sighed, shutting the phone. Tomorrow. She will decide tomorrow.
...
Alina dressed Eidan quickly, deciding she had no choice but to take him with her to work. Since the lady she had hired earlier had family problems and needed to be settled before she could start her job leaving Alina with only one option.
At the company, she dropped him off at the children's department. A smile tugged at her lips when little Ophelia ran to hug her. Alina kissed the girl's cheek, whispered goodbye, and forced herself to walk toward the boardroom.
Today's meeting was about the new changes in the company.
But from the moment she stepped into the hall, Aidan's eyes never left her. His stare was a weight pressing into her chest, peeling her open like a secret he already knew. She fought to remain composed, shifting in her chair as his wife, Beatrice, sat nearby completely unaware or perhaps not.
Now she could really see the lady Aidan had married and come to think of it, she's elegant and she is a lady who would be able to help him when things go wrong.
The lady named Beatrice White owns a lot of fashion companies and her father…
Alina rolled her eyes burning the thoughts away and focused more on the meeting but Alina could still feel the stares of Aidan.
How dare he look at me like that in front of her…
Alina's pulse hammered as she scribbled notes she couldn't even read. Relief washed over her only when the meeting ended.
"Are you alright?" Alix asked, studying her face as he fiddled with her necklace.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just… suffocating."
Alix's gaze narrowed. There was air-conditioning. She was sweating anyway. He didn't ask further, only gave her a soft smile, and went to fetch the car.
Alina took the elevator back down to the children's department, only to find Eidan gone.
Her chest seized.
Her eyes darted everywhere, panic clawing its way up her throat. She hurried to the receptionist, voice breaking.
"Have you seen a little boy? My son, Eidan?"
The receptionist blinked, then quickly grabbed the phone. "Wait, check the cafeteria"
But Alina was already running, heart thrashing. How could he have gotten there? Did someone take him?
She stumbled into the cafeteria, breath ragged then spotted him. Eidan, sitting safe and smiling. She nearly collapsed in relief, rushing forward and pulling him into her arms.
"Eidan! Why did you walk off? You scared me!" Her voice trembled.
"I told you not to go with strangers"
"Momma, he wasn't a stranger!" Eidan pouted.
Alina froze at the sound of that voice. A voice that coiled like smoke, deep and husky.
"I had to take him to eat."
She turned and there he was. Aidan. Seated casually with Ophelia at the table. The cafeteria was crowded, but to Alina it felt as though every sound had gone silent.
"Mr. Aidan"