As soon as the Valen family stepped into the private office room, Charles let out a long breath, the tension melting off his shoulders. Kairo still looked lost in his own thoughts. Sara gently took Zayn from his arms, and the baby immediately curled into her neck, blissfully unaware that he had just survived a storm of camera flashes.
Charles loosened his tie, his eyes shining with the smug amusement only a father who'd waited years to bully his son could manage.
"Well," he said, settling into his chair like he was preparing for a long lecture, "if it wasn't for Sara, my very responsible son would have set this whole building on fire with that uncontrollable temper of his."
Kairo's head swiveled, glare sharp. "Don't start already, Dad."
Charles only lifted a brow, enjoying every moment. "Boasting at home is easy, my boy. But handling the world? That takes more than good looks, muscles, and pretty confidence."
Kairo narrowed his eyes, and Charles chuckled even more. "'It's my turn to handle things…'" he mimicked Kairo's deep voice dramatically, making Sara press her lips together to hide her laugh.
"Watch yourself again in that conference video," Charles went on. "Your face was burning up like you were ready to bury that reporter alive."
He shook his head, amused. "If it wasn't for my daughter-in-law stepping in, you would've created a brand-new scandal today."
"I handled most of the questions pretty well," Kairo argued, trying to defend himself.
"But you went completely blank when the important one came," Charles shot back.
"Dad!" Kairo growled.
Charles didn't react to his growl at all. Instead, he turned to Sara.
"My dear daughter-in-law," he said with theatrical seriousness, "I honestly wonder how you fell for my son. He got charm, I agree. But a brain?" He shook his head, tragically disappointed. "Occasionally functional."
Sara chuckled, unable to hold it back. Kairo looked like he'd been personally wounded.
"What do you mean by occasionally functional?" he demanded.
"It means it shuts down when someone provokes you," Charles replied dryly. "You were one question away from flipping the table."
Kairo glared again, harder this time.
Sara stepped in gently, unable to see him sulk deeper. "He handled ninety percent of the conference, Dad. Don't underestimate him."
"Exactly," Charles said, raising a finger. "That remaining ten percent could have destroyed the entire ninety. This is why I call it malfunctioning under pressure. And thank you, dear, for saving the whole situation."
"Mention not, Dad," Sara said, still smiling.
"See?" Charles gestured grandly. "Learn from her. She stays calm, composed, strategic. Meanwhile, you…" He glanced at Kairo, "You were shooting daggers with those eyes at the reporter when he provoked you."
Sara couldn't help smiling at Kairo's scolded, wounded expression. He caught her, giving her a sharp glare. She quickly reached out and brushed his hair. "You did well, baby. I'm proud of you," she said, trying to protect him from more damage.
"I regret making up with you," Kairo announced suddenly to Charles, sulking.
Charles only smiled, too amused to be offended. "Good. That's expected. That means I'm finally behaving like a real father. Something you always wanted. Now enjoy the privilege."
Sara broke into quiet laughter, completely losing it. Charles smiled, completely enjoying looking at Kairo's expression. Straightening his blazer, he walked to Kairo, patted his shoulder, and said, "Now deal with the PR team as you promised. I'm going to spend time with my grandson."
"Come here, my little ball of joy. Let's go have some fun," Charles said, lifting Zayn from Sara's arms.
Kairo watched every movement, face twisted with pure offence and jealousy.
"You're taking advantage of my son," he declared.
Charles paused, brow lifting in amusement.
"You're spoiling my son," Kairo added, voice low like he already knew he was losing this argument too.
"So what are you going to do about it?" Charles challenged calmly.
Kairo blinked at him, stunned. "He's my son. I gave birth to him; you don't get to claim him whenever you want," he insisted, tossing out his strongest card. Sara's eyes bounced between them, entertained and helpless.
"And I gave birth to you. Did I say anything?" Charles replied.
Sara's body trembled as she fought not to burst out laughing. Kairo's face was a masterpiece of shock and defeat.
"You're bullying me," he muttered.
"That's my love language," Charles said and walked out holding Zayn, relaxed and unbothered, leaving his moody, sulky son behind.
Sara laughed again at Kairo's expression. He shot her a look that clearly said, You too?
"Don't laugh," he warned.
A tiny laugh still escaped her. "I'm not laughing," she lied, poorly.
"You are." His voice dropped into a low mutter, the kind that carried bruised ego and boyish sulk in equal measure.
Sara scooted closer, fingers sliding into his hair, brushing it back like she was smoothing the ruffled feathers of an offended hawk. Kairo's shoulders loosened despite himself.
"You did well," she murmured. "More than well."
He tried to hold the sulk, but her touch disarmed him like always. His breath softened, posture sinking into the chair as if savoring the praise.
"Then why does it feel like my own father just roasted me alive?" he muttered.
She laughed again, soft and warm. "Because he did."
Kairo shot her a betrayed stare.
"But," she added gently, thumb brushing his cheek, "it only means he finally feels close enough to annoy you like a real dad."
Something flickered in his expression, raw for just a heartbeat. That old longing. That half-forgotten ache. He swallowed once, gaze dropping to their intertwined hands.
"Doesn't mean he's allowed to bully me," he muttered, softer now.
Sara leaned in, pressing her forehead to his, her smile small but full. "Of course not. But I'll protect you."
His lips twitched. "From him?"
"From everyone."
He stared at her for a long second, that sulky edge dissolving… replaced by something warmer, deeper.
His hand wrapped around her waist, tugging her closer on the office chair until she nearly tumbled into his lap.
"Good," he said, voice close to her ear, low enough to curl against her spine. "Because after today, I need your full emotional support."
She snorted. "You mean cuddles."
"I mean all forms of emotional support, like this morning," he corrected, eyes darkening with playful intent.
Sara flicked his forehead.
"Later. We have meeting with the PR team in five minutes."
He groaned like a man whose entire world had just collapsed.
"That's it," he muttered. "I'm resigning."
She tugged his tie. "No, you're not."
He sighed dramatically. Sara rolled her eyes and took his hand, pulling him up from the chair. "Come on, occasionally functional Director Sir. Let's go."
Kairo glared, but his fingers tightened around hers, and he followed.
On the other side, News tickers sprinted across every major outlet, the headlines mutating at light speed:
"KAIRO VALEN BREAKS SILENCE."
"THE MYSTERY WIFE: SARA VALEN."
"AISHA'S CLAIMS IN QUESTION."
"THE 'HIDDEN FAMILY' WASN'T HIDDEN, JUST PRIVATE."
The entire press conference went viral immediately on different social media sites. Few said cover-up story, but few defended Kairo fiercely, like:
"Aisha should be investigated immediately."
"Man was protecting his family from rabid media, how is he at fault?"
"Respect to Kairo for acknowledging his past and standing firm today."
To be continued...