Chapter 3 ARGUING WITH A LITTLE KID

FIVE YEARS LATER TRISTAN'S POV I walked into the airport terminal with Luke half a step behind me and a few of my bodyguards flanking our perimeter. I was going for a short business trip cause I needed to be back immediately to stay by the Old Madam's side. The Old Madam's health had taken a turn for the worse. I was slightly exhausted and visibly different from how I used to be. The past five years had dragged by in a dull grey blur, it was like I had lost a part of me cause nothing seemed to be worth my time and attention anymore. Something I couldn't explain. I thought I would feel better with Lara by my side, but strangely there was this unexplainable emptiness I felt. I paused in my tracks as I felt a sudden impact against my knees. Something, or rather someone, had bumped into me. I looked down to see a tiny figure sitting on the floor from the impact of the bump. She had her hands covering her eyes, my forehead creased as I thought she was going to cry, which would be bothersome, but she looked up, and I noticed a striking set of crystal blue eyes that were strangely familiar. My bodyguards reacted immediately, stepping forward to take her away, fearing she was a threat, but I held my hands up, signaling them to stop. I reached down, wanting to help her up, but stopped in my tracks, unsure of how to behave in front of a child Luke noticed my awkwardness and crouched down to help the little girl up "Little girl, are you lost? Where are your parents?" he asked, but she surprisingly turned to me "Mister, you bumped into me, aren't you meant to say sorry?" she questioned, puffing out her cheeks, and I was rendered speechless; no way she had just demanded I apologize to her. She was clearly not looking and ran into me, so why should I be the one to apologize "You were careless and bumped into me," I pointed out, finding myself explaining to a toddler "Mister, are you arguing with a little kid?" she said, and for the second time I was tongue-tied. Was I actually arguing with a little kid in the middle of an airport? "Where are your parents?" Luke had to ask again, probably thinking I was angry, but I was only intrigued by how bold she was. Kids weren't this brave to approach me or question me this way, but she was different. "Mister, you clearly don't want to say sorry, so I will be the bigger person and let this go." I froze. Behind me, I heard a few of my men clear their throats, hiding chuckles. Normally I would have them fired on the spot. But staring down at this fearless little girl, I felt a rare flicker of amusement. She unfolded her hands and turned to Luke. "I don't have a father," she explained, not a hint of sadness in her voice. "I was looking at the big screen; I didn't know when my mom walked away," She said, and I was annoyed at how careless her mom was to lose track of her daughter in a place as busy as the airport "Assist the little girl to find her mom" I ordered, oblivious to the weird glances the men passed around themselves. I was also surprised by my behavior. I was not one to bother myself with tasks like this, but it was the least I could do for bumping into her, right? "Oh! There she is!" The little girl pointed towards a woman in the distance with long, brown, wavy hair; she had her back to us, looking frantically everywhere, probably for the little girl. I walked forward with the little girl's hands between mine, her hands, though tiny and warm, felt nice within mine. Suddenly Luke came forward again, with his phone in his hands and a complex emotion on his face. My jaw tightened. "Sir, the Old Madam Blackwell had collapsed again." I had expected it, but it only meant I had to reschedule the trip "Call the Millers and have them reschedule." I looked at the woman's back one last time before looking at the little girl. "Ensure the young lady reunites with her mum." I turned around and left the airport "Bye, Mister," I heard her say, and unknowingly had a little smile on my face. What a strange, bold little girl EMILIA'S POV "Dr. Winston, we've checked the whole left wing but did not come across Miss Xenia." This was the second person coming to tell me they did not see my daughter. So where the hell did she go Panic clawed at my chest. I had just set foot back in Axel City after five years, and my daughter was already missing. Was coming back here a mistake? I looked down at my four-year-old son, who was seemingly unbothered by the disappearance of his sister as he leaned against a luggage cart with his arms crossed, completely unfazed. "You could at least show how worried you are, Xavier," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I offered to go look for her minutes ago, but you refused" "Of course I can't lose you both." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You know what? Don't bother." I was deeply troubled to care about how nonchalant he was "We might need to notify the airport security. Dr. Winston," my assistant, Judy, suggested softly. If I involved security, my return won't stay quiet for long. The press would pick on my arrival. But I had no other choice; this was not how I expected my first day at Axel City to be. 'Xenia, just wait till I find you first' "Mummy." I heard an all too familiar voice, and my heart leapt with joy watching her small legs run so fast as she jumped into my arms. I quickly pulled her back to check her arms, legs, and face to see if she was okay or if there were any bruises on her body, but she seemed to be in good condition "Where did you go, Xenia? Are you okay? How could you run away without letting me know?" I scolded her, "Do you have any idea how terrified I was? You had the whole team looking for you." Several thoughts had gone through my head while Xenia was missing, considering this place held many bad memories "Mummy, how could you blame me when you were the one who walked away without me?" Xenia pouted; her blue eyes were wet with tears, and I was instantly rendered speechless. I had forgotten how much I had spoiled her. Yes, I am the one to blame "You were careless, and as usual you won't take responsibility after putting everyone on high alert," I heard Xavier say behind me "Mummy told you to hold my hand, but you dropped it! And walked away without taking me along; who is to blame?" Xenia said, glaring at her brother "Your careless self for not being fully aware of your surroundings," he retorted smoothly, and I could tell their usual bickering was about to start "Enough, both of you," I interrupted, positioning myself in between both of them and grabbing both of their hands. "We've wasted so much time already. Let's go" Not much had changed, but I had. Five years ago, I had left Axel City in a bloody wreck with the most painful memories, stripped of my child, my dignity, and my name, and today I was back as a whole new person. It was a miracle I was still alive and with kids who had made every single day worth living for, so now I just have to live my life without thinking of my past, which was going to be difficult considering the reason why I came back.