Elias released a breath he had not realised he had been holding before quickening his pace toward the living room. His mind was still in turmoil, and he needed a moment to collect himself after the unexpected call.
He had barely made it downstairs when the urge to slam his phone against the round table crossed his mind. However, with Aiden in his arms, he could not afford to be careless and risk startling the baby. Instead, he tossed the phone onto the nearby sofa, letting out a quiet sigh of relief when it landed against the soft cushions with a muted thud.
Only then did the tension holding him together begin to unravel.
His legs suddenly felt weak and he could no longer bring himself to stand upright. With heavy steps, he made his way to the sofa and sank onto it, keeping Aiden safely nestled in his arms. A long, weary sigh escaped him as he leaned back, his thoughts spiraling despite his attempts to calm himself.
He was still trembling from the unexpected phone call he had received.
Never in his wildest dreams had he expected Claude to call him after so many years of silence. As far as Elias was concerned, his older brother had long since abandoned him and moved on with his life. He had spent years coming to terms with that painful truth, convincing himself that Claude would never come looking for him.
And yet, out of nowhere, he had called.
'But... why now? Why did you call me now?'
The question replayed in his mind over and over, refusing to leave him in peace. No matter how hard he tried to make sense of it, he could never understand what had prompted Claude to reach out after all these years. The call had stirred up feelings he thought he had buried long ago, leaving him struggling to regain his composure.
Just as he was about to lose himself in his thoughts again, a tiny hand began patting his chest.
Elias lowered his gaze to find Aiden wriggling in his arms, apparently determined to reclaim his father's attention. The little boy had had his small hands repeatedly tapped against him. When Elias finally looked at him, Aiden responded with a series of delighted squeals, his chubby cheeks lifting into a wide, gummy smile. A little drool trickled from the corner of his mouth as he giggled, seemingly pleased with himself for having successfully interrupted his father's brooding.
Elias stared at him for a moment before the corners of his lips curled into a smile.
"Look at you," he murmured affectionately, reaching out to wipe the drool from Aiden's mouth. "You've got drool all over yourself, little rascal."
He sat up straighter and carefully cleaned his son's damp chin and cheeks before adjusting the baby in his arms. Then, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he brought Aiden closer and lowered his face to the baby's chubby tummy, blowing a raspberry against it.
Aiden immediately burst into giggles.
"Oh? You like that, do you?"
Elias did it again, peppering the little one's tummy with playful raspberries. Aiden squealed with delight, his tiny hands pushing weakly against his father's face as he squirmed in an attempt to escape the relentless tickling. His laughter only encouraged Elias to continue, and soon, the room was filled with the baby's cheerful giggles.
For a little while, the painful memories of the past faded into the background.
A sudden vibration from his phone brought Elias's movements to a halt. Keeping one arm securely wrapped around Aiden, he shifted the baby against his chest before reaching for the device with his free hand.
A notification from an unfamiliar number appeared on the screen.
His brows furrowed slightly. He unlocked his phone and opened the message, his expression growing colder as he read its contents.
Come home tonight by 7 p.m.
We need to talk.
It's about Aiden.
— Your beloved big brother, Claude.
For a moment, Elias stared at the screen in silence, his expression unreadable. Then, his fingers tightened around the phone.
Of all the things Claude could have said, he had chosen to bring Aiden into this.
Elias's gaze instinctively dropped to the baby nestled against his chest, his little face peaceful and untroubled, completely unaware of the storm his name had just stirred. A faint crease formed between Elias's brows as unease settled in his stomach.
What did Claude want with his son?
And more importantly, how had he even learned about Aiden?
Before he could type a reply, the doorbell rang, its sudden chime cutting through the silence of the house.
With Aiden still cradled securely in one arm, Elias slipped his phone into his pocket and made his way to the front door. He opened it, his brows still knitted together in a frown.
However, the moment he saw the familiar figure standing on his doorstep, the tension in his face eased, and a small smile tugged at his lips.
"Bad morning, hun?" his mother teased, eyeing his expression with amusement. "Why the sour look on your face?"
"Good morning to you, too, Mom," Elias replied dryly, stepping aside to let her in.
His mother chuckled as she walked into the house, but her attention quickly shifted to the little bundle in his arms. Her eyes lit up at the sight of her grandson, and whatever she had intended to say next was immediately forgotten.
"Oh, there's my precious boy!" she cooed, reaching out to gently stroke Aiden's cheek. "Come here, sweetheart. Let Grandma have a look at you."
Elias let out a soft laugh and carefully adjusted Aiden in his arms, allowing his mother to get a better look at the baby.
"Goodness, look at those cheeks!" she exclaimed, her face melting with affection. "Have you been giving your daddy a hard time this morning?"
Elias merely flashed her his usual toothy grin. "It's nothing. I should get going. I have an interview to attend."
He carefully handed the baby over to his mother before gathering his bag and other essentials, making sure he had his wallet and keys. Before leaving, he leaned down to press a gentle kiss to his son's chubby cheek, then planted another on his mother's.
He had barely taken a step toward the door when his mother caught him by the arm.
"Wait."
Elias paused and turned to look at her. "What is it?"
His mother sighed softly, reaching up to give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"You know you don't have to deal with everything on your own, don't you?"
For a moment, Elias said nothing. He just offered her a faint smile. "I know."
"Good." Satisfied with his answer, she pulled him into a warm hug and gave his back a few gentle pats.
"Now, go crush that interview. I know you can wing it!" she cheered, her voice brimming with encouragement.
Elias chuckled at her enthusiasm and returned the hug before finally making his way outside. After exchanging a few lingering goodbyes, he climbed into his car. With one last wave to the two people waiting by the doorway, he flashed them a smile before starting the engine and driving off.
*********************************
As Elias approached the office building, he did a double take. At nearly fifty stories tall, it towered over the surrounding buildings, its sleek glass facade reflecting the sky and cityscape in shades of silver and blue. The reflective panels concealed the interior, making the building seem more like a fortress than an ordinary workplace.
He drove into the parking lot, found an empty space, and parked. After grabbing his bag and securely locking the car, he headed for the entrance.
Inside, Elias found himself in a vast lobby with high ceilings and polished marble floors that gleamed beneath the overhead lights. The grey and silver veins in the stone added a touch of elegance to the otherwise immaculate space.
He could not help whistling in amazement.
"Rich people and their rich buildings," he muttered, shaking his head.
He took a deep breath before striding toward the front desk. The receptionist looked up with a gentle smile, though her eyes briefly wandered over him, assessing him from head to toe. Fortunately, his broad build and well-fitted suit seemed to work in his favor, and she made no attempt to turn him away.
"Welcome, sir. How may I help you?" she asked, her smile professional despite the eagerness in her voice.
Elias gave a slight nod. "I'm here for an interview regarding the management position—"
"Oh! You're here for the bodyguard position, correct?"
He blinked. "The– what?"
However, before he could clarify, the receptionist had already stepped out from behind the desk.
"Right this way, sir. The CEO is expecting you."
"Wait, I think there's been a misunder—"
She tapped her access card against the scanner beside the elevator, and a soft beep sounded as the doors slid open. Before Elias could get a word in, she gestured for him to follow and ushered him inside.
The elevator was just as luxurious as the rest of the building, with polished metal walls, soft overhead lighting, and a control panel that gleamed beneath the lights. The receptionist stepped forward and pressed the highest button on the panel.
50.
The doors closed with a quiet chime, and the elevator began its smooth ascent.
Elias glanced at the illuminated number above the doors before turning toward the woman beside him. He opened his mouth, intending to explain that he was here for a management interview, not whatever position she seemed to have mistaken him for.
Unfortunately, she beat him to it.
"Starlight Company is owned by our young master, Alexandre Marquis," she began, speaking so quickly that Elias barely had time to process her words. "He's the one who will be interviewing you today. He's a very busy man, so I hope you've prepared yourself properly."
She paused briefly, then continued without waiting for his response.
"Our young master has rather high standards. He doesn't like people who waste his time, and he expects everyone to be professional when dealing with him. So, whatever you do, make sure you answer his questions clearly and don't speak out of turn."
Elias stared at her. 'Young master?'
The title sounded more appropriate for the heir of some wealthy aristocratic family than the owner of a modern corporation. Then again, with a building this extravagant, perhaps he should not have been surprised.
"Excuse me, miss, but I think there's been a slight misunderstanding—"
"Oh, and don't worry too much about his temperament," she added, seemingly oblivious to his attempt to speak. "He can be a little difficult to read, but as long as you do your job properly, you'll be fine."
Elias closed his mouth with a sigh. He was definitely not going to correct her at this point.
There was little point in trying to get a word in when she seemed determined to deliver an entire briefing before they reached their destination.
He adjusted the strap of his bag on his shoulder. Whatever happened, he would explain himself once he met this Alexandre Marquis. Surely, a man responsible for running an entire company would be capable of distinguishing between a management candidate and someone applying for a security position.
At least, that was what Elias hoped.
The numbers above the elevator doors continued to climb.
Thirty-five.
Forty-two.
Forty-eight.
With a soft chime, the elevator finally came to a stop at the fiftieth floor.
The doors slid open to reveal a spacious corridor, its polished floors and glass walls reflecting the warm glow of the ceiling lights. Unlike the busy lower floors, the atmosphere here was quiet and almost intimidating. There were only a few offices along the corridor, each with its own access panel and discreet nameplate.
The receptionist stepped out first, and Elias followed close behind.
"His office is at the end of the hall," she informed him, resuming her brisk pace. "Just remember what I said. Be professional, answer honestly, and whatever you do, don't keep him waiting."
Elias followed her gaze toward the imposing double doors at the far end.
He straightened his suit jacket and took a steadying breath.
'All right. Let's get this over with.'
He had prepared himself for a difficult interview, challenging questions, and perhaps even a demanding employer.
What he had not prepared for was being dragged halfway across the building for an interview he had not even applied for.
Yet, somehow, he had a feeling that explaining the mistake would not be nearly as easy as it should have been.