Seven years Later
Nora paid the taxi driver and turned her head towards a familiar voice calling out, "Mommy!!!""Mia!!" Nora waved at the little girl, then ran towards her with open arms as they hugged tightly. After unlocking the hug, Nora apologized, "Sorry I'm late Mia, I was so busy at the office.""No problem, Mom," Mia replied with a grin.Nora smiled and pat Mia's head, "Where is Axel?""Your prince charming is right here on his way," a little boy said, walking towards Nora and Mia with both hands in his pockets and a backpack crossed on his chest. "What's up, beauty?" he said with a smile.Nora couldn't help but feel overjoyed to see her kids. Months after arriving in France with Alice, she found out she was pregnant with twins,Mia and Axel. 6 years old Mia and Axel.Mia bears a striking resemblance to Nora, sharing the same deep brown eyes that shimmer in the light. Her hair cascaded down her back in luxurious waves, framing her face in a flattering manner. Speaking of her face, it is remarkably similar to Nora's, with high cheekbones and a softly rounded chin. But what really catches people's attention are her lips - a soft shade of pink that looks almost too perfect to be real.As for Axel, he has piercing blue eyes that seem to reflect the depths of the ocean. His hair is a rich dark black color, tousled in a way that suggests he doesn't put too much effort into his appearance. His face is angular, with a strong jawline and a prominent nose that adds to his ruggedly handsome appearance. Overall, Axel exudes a sense of confidence and charisma that draws people to him like a magnet.Axel was a hit with the girls his age, both at school and in their neighborhood. He had a certain charm that drew people to him, and it wasn't just because of his good looksNora couldn't help but chuckle at Axel's words. "I know I'm pretty, you don't need to remind me," she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice."A lady is always meant to be reminded how beautiful she is by a young, handsome guy," Axel retorted, his eyes twinkling with mischief.Mia giggled at Axel's cheekiness, admiring his confidence."You won, I give up," Nora said, raising her hands in mock surrender."I always win, Mom," Axel replied with a smirk, clearly pleased with himself.Mia's giggles faded as she brought up a difficult topic. Nora's heart sank as she listened to her daughter's words, her mind racing to find the right thing to say.Mia glanced at Nora, her eyes filled with sadness. "Mom, a classmate of ours called me names today," she said softly.Nora's attention shifted immediately to Mia. "What name?" she asked, turning to face her daughter."She called me 'Fatherless,' saying we only have a mom and no dad," Mia explained, her voice trembling slightly. "Even though Axel told her off, it still hurt, Mom."Nora felt a pang of guilt in her chest. "I'm so sorry, Mia. I'm sorry that you both couldn't meet your dad. I really have no control over that," she said, her voice filled with regret."It's okay, Mom. Don't beat yourself up. That's life. It isn't fair for everyone," Axel chimed in, his tone comforting.Nora smiled weakly at her son, grateful for his wisdom beyond his years. People were drawn to Axel not just because of his good looks and charm, but also because of his high IQ. He was incredibly intelligent, and it showed in the way he spoke and carried himself.After Nora apologized to Mia, the little girl seemed to accept her mother's words. They hailed a taxi and climbed inside, ready to head home."I'm okay with your apology, Mom," Mia said softly, her hand resting on Nora's knee.Nora smiled gratefully at her daughter, feeling relieved that Mia wasn't holding a grudge. "Thank you, sweetie. I just want you to know how much I love you and your brother," she said, her voice filled with emotion.Mia nodded, her eyes shining with love. "I know, Mom. We love you too," she said, squeezing Nora's knee gently.As they settled into the backseat of the taxi, Nora couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for her two children. They were the light of her life.As the trio got down from the Taxi as Nora paid the taxi driver, Nora couldn't help but feel amused by the attention Axel received from the younger girls in the neighborhood. She even heard a few of them call her "Belle-Mère," or "mother-in-law" in French, as if Axel was already a part of their family.It was clear that Axel had a way with the ladies, and Nora couldn't help but wonder what the future held for him. Only time would tell if he could maintain that same charm as he got older, but for now, Nora was content to watch him work his magic on the girls in their community.Nora had just finished having lunch with her kids while they watched TV in the living room when she received a call from Alice.Alice had graduated five years ago from the University of Paris and had returned to Amzone city after spending her sixth year in France. Nora walked into her room to answer the call."How are you and the kids doing?" Alice asked Nora."They are fine, and Mia always asks about you, saying she misses Aunt Alice a lot," Nora replied with a smile."I miss her more," Alice said. "And Axel too, he's just too smart for his age," Alice said fondly."He's very smart and understanding," Nora said. "Today, Mia was laughed at by one of her classmates, and Axel told her off. When Mia told me about it and I apologized to her, Axel told me I shouldn't beat myself up and that life isn't fair for everyone. I really almost shed a tear when he said that," Nora narrated, her voice filled with pride."That's amazing," Alice said. "You're doing a great job raising them, Nora.""Thank you, Alice," Nora said, feeling grateful for her friend's kind words. "How's life in Amzone city treating you?""Same same, just like old times but much better," Alice said, happy to hear Nora's voice."I'll be coming back to Amzone city," Nora announced to Alice, determined."Really?" Alice asked in shock."Yes, I have been thinking about it for days now. It's high time I get what's mine back," Nora declared with a newfound sense of purpose."Hurray! That's a nice start in getting your properties back. Have you told the kids about it?" Alice asked, excitedly."Nah, I will after this call," Nora replied, feeling a bit nervous about how her children would react."End it and share the good news. I can't wait to see them again!" Alice said, ending the call herself. Nora chuckled at her friend's enthusiasm.Nora took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. She walked back to the living room, where her kids were still watching TV. "Hey guys, can we talk for a minute?" she asked.Mia and Axel turned their attention to their mom, sensing that something was up. "What's up, Mom?" Axel asked.Nora took a seat next to them and took a deep breath. "So, I have some news. I'm going back to Amzone city," Nora said, watching their reactions closely."Really? That's awesome!" Axel exclaimed, his face lighting up with excitement.Mia looked a bit confused. "What does that mean, Mommy?" she asked."It means that we're going back to Amzone city, where I used to live before," Nora explained gently.Mia's face lit up with excitement, and she hugged her mom tightly. "That's so cool! I can't wait to see Aunt Alice again!" she exclaimed."Me too," Axel said, grinning from ear to ear."I can't wait to meet Dad," Mia said happily."Dad?!!" Nora asked in shock." Yes Dad, I saw him on TV yesterday," she said, her voice filled with conviction." Dad On TV?" Nora asked in shock.Nora's mind was racing as she tried to comprehend what her daughter had just said. "Dad on TV?" Nora repeated, her voice laced with shock."Yes, Mom. I saw Dad on TV," replied Mia, a grin spreading across her face. "He was as cute as ever, Mom."Nora's heart sank as she realized the implications of Mia's words. Her mind immediately went back to the one-night stand she had years ago, and she began to question if there was evidence of that night. "Did the stranger and I snap a picture when I was drunk?" Nora thought to herself. "Did he snap a photo of me before leaving that morning when I was still asleep?"As she gasped for air, Axel, her son, noticed Nora's face turning paler by the second. "Mom, are you okay?" he asked, reaching out to touch her arm.Nora snapped back to reality, her mind still preoccupied with the thoughts of that night. "Oh, yes, my love. I'm...okay," she said awkwardly.Nora noticed the tension in the living room and asked, "Mia, where did you see Dad's picture?"
Nora watched her children with a sense of contentment. "Okay, I'll tell them tomorrow," Axel agreed, giving his mother a smile.Nora smiled back at her son and walked them to their respective rooms. She tucked Mia and Axel in with their blankets, making sure they were comfortable and warm. "Sleep tight, my loves," she whispered, kissing them both on the forehead.Mia yawned and snuggled deeper into her blankets. "Goodnight, Mom," she said sleepily."Goodnight, Mom," Axel echoed, already feeling drowsy.Nora smiled at her children's peaceful faces and made her way to her own room. As she settled into her bed, she couldn't help but feel grateful for her two wonderful children and the love they shared. She closed her eyes, feeling content and at peace, looking forward to the journey that awaited them in the morning.****The next morning, Nora woke up at the crack of dawn and quietly made her way to her children's rooms. She gently shook them awake, telling them to start getting their t
Merrick Wilkinson and William Taylor arrived in France with the purpose of conducting business deals that would last for a week. Throughout their stay, they resided in a comfortable hotel while working diligently to secure the deals they had come for. As the week came to a close, they successfully finalized the agreements and decided to embark on their journey back home to the picturesque City of Amzone.As Merrick Wilkinson settled into his spacious first-class seat on the plane, it was hard not to notice his striking appearance. He stood tall, with a broad chest and an athletic build that suggested he took care of his body. His black hair was styled perfectly, and his chiseled jawline and high cheekbones gave his face a rugged yet refined look. However, it was his piercing blue eyes that truly captivated those around him, resembling the color of the ocean on a clear day. Merrick exuded confidence and charisma in his every move, making him undeniably handsome. As the flight took off,
After a five-hour flight, the plane carrying Nora, Mia, and Axel, along with Merrick and William, and other tired travelers, finally touched down in Amzone City. As the female voice speaker on the plane announced their arrival, Nora gently shook Mia and Axel awake. Mia rubbed her eyes and stretched, feeling a little disoriented from the long flight. Axel yawned and looked out the window, taking in the cityscape below. Nora gathered their belongings and they made their way off the plane, eager to begin their life in Amzone City.Merrick and William descended the airplane stairs, carrying their simple luggage as they made their way outside of the airport. William had arranged for a ride to pick them up, but it was running late. They stood outside, taking in the hustle and bustle of the busy airport and patiently waited for their ride to arrive. Merrick checked his watch while William paced back and forth, growing increasingly impatient since he has a meeting with his company's board of
Mia and Nora were thrilled with their new accommodations. The room was tastefully decorated with colorful accents and plenty of closet space for their belongings. "It's perfect, Alice. Thank you so much!" Nora exclaimed.Alice smiled, "I'm so glad you like it. Make yourselves at home, and let me know if you need anything."As the kids settled into their new surroundings, Alice went to the kitchen to start preparing dinner. Mia and Axel peeked around the house, exploring every nook and cranny. It was such a different experience from what they were used to in France.As the evening wore on, Alice called out to Nora and the kids to come and have dinner. She had prepared a delicious meal, and the smell wafting from the kitchen was enough to make anyone's mouth water. The table was set beautifully with plates, silverware, and glasses."Come on, guys, dinner's ready!" Alice called out.The kids eagerly took their seats at the table, ready to enjoy the feast before them. As they ate, they ch
"You're really going all out for this, Nora. I'm impressed," Alice remarked admiring her friend's dedication.Nora grinned as she continued typing, "I have to give it my all if I want to stand out from the crowd. Plus, I'm determined to get this job, no matter what!"As she finished her application, Nora took a deep breath and hit the submit button. She leaned back in her chair, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. "Now all I can do is wait," she said to Alice, who had come to stand behind her.Alice placed a reassuring hand on Nora's shoulder. "Whatever happens, just remember that this is just the beginning. You have so much potential, Nora, and nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams," she said, smiling warmly."Whatever happens, just remember that this is just the beginning. You have so much potential, Nora, and nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams," Alice said, her warm smile putting Nora at ease."Thank you so much, Alice. I really appreciate your words of e
The following morning, Nora roused from her slumber and began to prepare Axel and Mia for their school day. As Axel grumbled about his reluctance to attend, Nora couldn't help but smile at his childish complaints. "I can't wait to grow up and be an adult," Axel whined.Nora paused for a moment and turned to her son. "Trust me, Axel, once you grow up, you might find yourself wishing to be a child again," she said with a gentle smile.Axel looked up at his mother, his expression pensive. "Really?" he asked."Absolutely," Nora replied. "So, enjoy the stage you're in now and make the most of it. Time flies faster than you think."Axel nodded, taking in his mother's words.Once the children and Alice were ready, Nora took a moment to glance at herself in the mirror. She was dressed in a sophisticated black suit, tailored to perfection to fit her frame. The sleek blazer and matching trousers complemented her curves, while the crisp white blouse added a touch of elegance to her ensemble. The
As the interview continued, one of the high-level interviewers was about to ask Nora another question again as he said, "What will you contribute to this company if you are …..?" But before the interviewer could finish the question, Merrick gestured with his hands to stop the interviewer from speaking. The interviewer stopped mid-sentence and looked at Merrick curiously. He obeyed, and Merrick took over.Merrick smiled and focused his attention on Nora and studied her application once more. He noted that she had worked as a secretary for many CEOs, "I see here that you've worked as a secretary for many CEOs," he said, looking up at her. "Is that correct?"Nora nodded and replied, "Yes sir, that's right."Merrick leaned forward, studying her face. "And this was in France?" he asked, double-checking the information. Nora nodded, and Merrick leaned back in his chair, repeating the words to himself - "in France." Merrick leaned back in his chair, repeating the phrase "In France" again to