"Mommy mommy , we're early today."
Leo said cheerfully walking out of the car and looked around with excitement in his eyes.
Lila came out after him. "Yeah why not,Leo."
Selena locked the car.
"Are we in the wrong school or sumn because everywhere looks calm?" Leo added.
Selena laughed softly.
"We're in the right place."
Lila folded her arms. "Mommy, I kinda don't wanna go to school today i want to stay with you."
Selena raised a brow slightly. "Oh really?"
"Yes ,mommy."Lila said.
Selena shook her head, smiling. "Oh my cookie go inside and I promise to come pick you guys up early today."
"Hmm…mummy," Leo narrowed his eyes. "I'm waiting for you."
"You do that," Selena replied.
Lila smiled. "Pick up some chocolates for us too mummy ."
"I will."
Leo pointed. "You said that yesterday for ice cream ."
"And I did it."
"No you did not,you took us to the dentist instead mummy," he said while running to catch up with a friend .
"Bye, Mom!"
"Bye."
Selena watched them walk in, her eyes soft without trying.
Then she turned and left.
Alena Building — Strategy Floor
Selena walked in, calm as usual.
She got to her desk, dropped her bag, and turned on her system.
"Second day and you're already early."
She looked up.
A man stood beside her desk, holding coffee, looking way too relaxed for work hours.
"Seems like you've been watching me?" Selena asked.
"Not really," he said. "You're just noticeable."
Selena leaned back slightly. "That sounds like a problem."
He smiled. "Depends."
He pulled a chair and sat like he belonged there.
"I'm Daniel."
"Selena."
"I know."
Selena gave him a look. "Already?"
"Everyone knows you because you made an epic presence in your interview ," he said. "People notice that."
Selena faced her system again. "That's their problem."
Daniel laughed. "I like that."
"Daniel."
They both turned.
A woman walked over—neat and composed in her suit and blonde hair packed in a sleek bun,tablet in hand.
Her steps were steady, her expression even.
"Morning," Daniel said.
"You're distracting her already, Daniel?" she asked.
"I'm welcoming her."
She looked at Selena.
"You're Selena."
"Yes."
"I'm Tessa."
Selena nodded. "Nice to meet you."
Tessa studied her briefly.
"I work in the secretarial department and I'm Adrian the boss secretary."
"Should be a whole lots of work"
"It is…but I like you already,if you need anything…I'm just a floor away"
Daniel leaned back. "See? Approval."
Tessa ignored him.
"If anything is unclear, ask," she said to Selena.
"Okay."
Tessa glanced at her system.
"You started already."
Selena said, "There's work."
Tessa gave a small nod. "Alright."
Then she walked off.
Daniel watched her leave.
"She's like that every day."
Selena said, "She's nicely strict ."
"She doesn't smile."
Selena replied calmly, "She doesn't need to."
Daniel looked at her. "You're interesting."
Selena didn't respond
A few minutes later, her phone rang.
She checked it and stood.
"I'll be back."
Daniel nodded. "Don't run away."
Selena walked off.
Hallway
She picked up.
"Hello."
"Second day and you've disappeared already," Luke said.
Selena smiled faintly. "You're dramatic."
"I learned from you."
"How's everything?" she asked.
Luke sighed. "Busy."
"That's normal."
"Not this kind."
Selena leaned against the wall.
"What happened?"
"Nothing bad," he said. "Just… things coming up."
She nodded. "Handle them you're in charge now Luke."
"I am," he replied. "But I keep thinking I should ask you first."
Selena's expression softened slightly.
"You don't need to."
"I know," Luke said. "Still feels weird."
"We closed that deal,the Apex deal," he added.
"Good."
"And there's another meeting tomorrow."
"Look it through before taking it, I trust you."
Luke laughed softly. "You really left everything with me."
Selena smiled faintly. "You'll survive."
"Wow….typical Selena."
"You will."
There was a small pause.
Then—
"How are things going over there?," Luke said.
Selena looked ahead. "Better than I thought it would."
"Sure?"
She didn't answer directly.
"Call me if something goes wrong," she said.
"You always say that."
"Because it works."
Luke chuckled. "Alright."
"Take care."
"You too."
She ended the call and went back inside.
Highest floor, Adrian's Office
The office was large and neat, with a wide window letting in soft daylight and a clear view of the city. A dark desk sat at the center, paired with a high-backed chair and a few shelves along the wall.
Behind the desk, Adrian sat, looking through a report in silence.
Tessa stood in front of him.
"Do you have any other thing to report?" he asked.
"No sir,everything is settled ."
"Anyone worth noting?"
Tessa paused slightly.
"One."
Adrian looked up. "Who?"
"There is someone new in the strategy department who seems different ."
He leaned back a little.
"How?"
"She works with precise calculations ," Tessa said. "No pressure. No showing off."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"Keep an eye on her," he said.
"Alright."
After she left, Adrian stayed still for a moment.
"Selena…" he repeated quietly feeling like the name rings a bell that he is supposed to know that person.
Then went back to work.
After Work — School
"Mom!"
Leo ran straight to her again.
Selena caught him lightly. "Careful."
"I'm always careful but I know mommy would catch me ."
"Oh my silly boy." Selena chuckled while shaking her head.
Lila walked up. "You're really early today mommy."
Selena smiled a little. "I said I would be."
Leo squinted at her. "Mommy, I feel like something is going on."
Selena opened the car door. "Get in."
Inside the car—
Leo leaned forward immediately.
"Okay, tell us."
"Tell you what?" Selena asked.
"What you're hiding."
Selena glanced at him through the mirror.
"Okay my babies…nothing really gets pass you guys, well I have a surprise for you at home."
Both of them look at each other with pure excitement in their eyes.
Lila turned squealing,"Oh mummy I love surprises!!!."
"Me too."Leo chirped in.
" Okay mummy what's the surprise about?." Lila asked expectantly.
"Come on Lila,It's a surprise for a reason my dear."
"That's suspicious," Lila said.
"Very suspicious," Leo added.
Selena laughed softly.
"Okay Guess."
"Food?" Leo said.
"No."
"A trip?" Lila asked.
"No."
"A new phone??"
Selena laughed. "No."
Lila narrowed her eyes. "It's a person."
Selena didn't answer.
Leo gasped loudly. "IT'S A PERSON."
Selena laughed again.
"I knew it!" he shouted.
"You didn't know," Lila said.
"I felt it."
"Who is it?" Lila asked.
Selena smiled. "Wait and see."
Leo groaned. "You're enjoying this."
"A little."
At Home
Leo ran inside. "Okay I'm ready!"
"Sit down," Selena said.
"No—"
"Leo."
"…fine."
They both sat.
Selena walked to the door and opened it.
"Come in."
Footsteps.
Then—
Leo froze.
"…Grandpa?"
Bruno smiled warmly. "Hello."
Leo jumped up and ran to him. "You didn't tell us!"
"That's the point of the surprise my chipmunks ," Bruno said, laughing.
Lila walked over, smiling. "Hi, Grandpa."
"Lila."
Leo hugged him tightly. "When did you come?"
"Today."
"And you didn't call??"
"I wanted to surprise you and I'm sorry for not coming back sooner, I had an urgent meeting in Australia but don't worry I didn't forget to bring goodies for my grand babies."
"Yay!!!….we love you grandpa!!." The twins chorused
Selena stood there watching them.
Quiet.Soft.
Leo turned. "Best surprise ever."
Selena smiled. "I know."
Bruno looked at her.
"Of course I didn't forget about my big baby….come here…come give your old man a hug."
Selena shook her head smiling while she walked into her dad's arms."
He smiled. "You haven't changed a bit …still daddy's little girl."
Selena laughed softly.
Leo pulled him to sit.
"Come, I have stories!"
"I'm all ears."Bruno said.
Selena walked toward the kitchen, then paused.
She looked back.
Leo talking nonstop. Lila smiling .Bruno listening
Her expression softened again.
Her family.
In Selena's study,
The study room was quiet, lit only by the soft glow of the desk lamp and the screen in front of her. The rest of the room sat in shadows, still and undisturbed.
Selena sat behind the desk, eyes fixed on the system as she went through the reports Luke had sent, scrolling slowly, focused.
The door opened quietly, and Luke stepped in.
She didn't notice.she was so focused.
Luke sat down from across her.
"Hey Selly." Luke said breaking the silence .
"Oh….hi Luke,Didn't hear you come in " Selena replied finally looking up from her system.
" Don't worry about it….you seemed really busy..didn't want to disturb you at first." Luke said.
Luke continued after a while.
"So….i made the research you requested about Adrian but from what I gathered he seems to be on the low because there's nothing about him out there..no scandal..no controversy not even a myth….almost like he is so perfect."
Selena adjusted on her seat removing her glasses and tucking her misplaced hair behind her ear.
"That's weird and at the same time not surprising….Adrian has always been a quiet and unpredictable person."
She continued.
"My Dad is back and he said that he wants to disturb with me so I'm waiting for that now….lets just keep on digging about something to bring Adrian down he must surely have a lose end."
" I'd do just that Selly." Luke replied
"Another thing about Adrian…" Before he could complete what he wanted to say the study door went open and the twins came in with their grand father.
"Uncle Luke!!" Leo ran and lunged himself against Luke in pure excitement.
"Wow wow wow …calm down little man." Luke said with laughter trying to steady Leo who is now on his shoulders.
The boy grinned, balancing himself as Luke adjusted his grip, careful not to let him slip. Around them, the room that had been quiet only moments ago now carried small bursts of laughter and light footsteps, a contrast to the stillness Selena had grown used to.
She watched from behind the desk, her expression composed, though her eyes lingered a moment longer than necessary on the scene before her attention slowly returned to the screen in front of her.