chapter 5

Sonia's POV

"And with this new design concept, we project a 30% increase in our sales for the next two years,” Jake, one of my senior designers, said confidently as he pointed to the screen.

The room was silent, except for the clicking of his laser pointer and the hum of the air conditioning. The rest of my workers watched me expectantly, waiting for my reaction.

I leaned back in my chair, my fingers intertwined on the desk in front of me. It was a good presentation... no, it was great. They had worked tirelessly on this, and it showed.

“That’s... impressive, Jake,” I said with a smile. “You’ve all done a fantastic job. Let’s proceed with this strategy and you all will be getting a bonus for this.”

Jake and the rest of the workers exchanged relieved smiles, their faces washed with joy as they all shouted and jumped with excitement.

I knew they had put their all into this, and they deserved to feel proud.

"Thank you, ma'am." They appreciated, bowing their heads.

I watched as they packed up their things with excitement and left the conference room one by one until it was just me and the silence.

After the meeting, I made my way back to my office. The soft click of my heels echoed in the hallways, and I couldn’t help but feel a wave of satisfaction. Life had taken so many unexpected turns, but here I was, stronger than ever.

I had barely sat down at my desk when the door burst open. Shirley, my secretary, rushed in, her eyes bright with excitement.

“Ma'am! You won’t believe it!” she exclaimed, barely able to contain herself.

“What is it, Shirley?” I asked, smiling at her enthusiasm.

“You’ve done it, Ma'am! We’ve won the contract!”

I blinked at her, momentarily confused. “Contract? Which one?”

“The multimillion-dollar deal! The company in London—they’ve chosen us as their gold designer for their new luxury line!” she explained with excitement. "They are expecting you to be there before the end of this week."

"What! Are you serious?" I question, my heart glows with excitement.

A contract... in London. I couldn’t help but smile. I had left London years ago after my life had fallen apart, and now here I was, being invited back as a successful businesswoman. The irony wasn’t lost on me.

“London,” I whispered, the memories flooding back. It had been five years since I left the city. the city where everything came crashing down. I had nowhere to go after my divorce. I was shattered, wandering the streets, completely lost.

I still remember the day I ran into Lily, my old high school friend. I was roaming around London, feeling hopeless, when I bumped into her by accident. She recognized me immediately even though I was a mess. Without hesitation, she offered me a place to stay, a glimmer of kindness that I so desperately needed at that time.

Lily didn’t just give me shelter; she took me with her to Europe, gave me a place to stay, and helped me find a job in the gold design industry and that was the beginning of my new life.

I had worked hard and saved every penny, and after four years, I had enough to start my own company. Just like play, my business grew, and now, here I was, running one of the most successful gold design companies in Europe. And now this contract... a multimillion-dollar deal. I couldn't be happier. Not only had my business flourished, but I also had an adorable, handsome boy by my side. Life was finally coming together.

“Ma'am? Are you okay?” Shirley’s voice brought me back to the present.

I blinked, realizing I had been lost in my thoughts. “Yes, sorry. I’m just... overwhelmed, I guess. You know…it’s been a long time since I’ve been there.”

“I can imagine,” Shirley said, her expression softening. “But this is a new beginning, right? You shouldn't be sad because You’re going back as a different person.”

I nodded. “Yes, I know.”

Just then, the office door creaked open, and a small figure bounded into the room.

It was Jay, my little boy, his face lighting up the moment he saw me.

“Mommy!” he exclaimed, running into my arms.

I laughed, hugging him tightly. “Jay, my darling. what are you doing here?”

His nanny stood in the doorway, giving me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, ma’am. He insisted on seeing you and he wouldn't take no for an answer.”

“It’s okay,” I said, smiling down at Jay. “Mommy doesn’t mind.”

Jay pulled back, looking up at me with those bright, curious eyes of his. “What were you talking about, Mommy?” He questioned, gazing at me with his cute little eyes.

“I was just telling Shirley that I have to travel for work,” I explained gently with a smile. “I’m going to London for a week.”

He frowned, his little face crumpling. “London? Without me?”

I nodded, brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead. “Yes, There’s some important business I need to take care of, and you’ll have to stay here with your nanny while I’m gone.”

He shook his head furiously. “No, Mommy! I want to come with you. I have to protect you!”

I raised an eyebrow, trying not to laugh at his seriousness. “Protect me? From what?”

“From everything!” he declared, his small hands gripping mine tightly. “And besides, we’re on holiday. I can come, right?” He pouts his mouth, pleading.

I sighed, knowing I wouldn’t be able to say no to him. He always had a way of convincing me, no matter how hard I tried to resist.

“Alright, alright,” I relented, kissing his forehead. “You win. You can come with me.”

Jay’s face lit up with joy. “Yay!”

“Shirley,” I said, turning to my secretary. “Please book two tickets for London. We’ll be leaving tomorrow.”

The next morning, Jay and I boarded the plane for London. As the aircraft touched down, a rush of memories swept over me.

The air was cool against my skin as we stepped out of the plane, and I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. I never thought I would come back to London. I had promised myself I wouldn’t. But here I was, stronger, more independent, and with a beautiful son by my side. This time, I wasn’t the shattered woman I once was but a strong and fulfilled woman.

Jay tugged on my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Mommy, look!” he pointed, his voice filled with excitement.

I looked down at him with a smile, ruffling his dark hair before my mind drifted back to that day, the day I left London, broken and abandoned. How different things were now? I had built a life and a career, and I had Jay. I was no longer that vulnerable woman.

As I stood there, lost in thought, I suddenly realized something was off. The Jay that I know would have started asking me a series of questions by now but he was suddenly quiet which was very unusual of him.

I looked down and my heart leaped to my throat. Jay... Jay is no longer beside me.

Panic surged through me. “Jay?” I called out, spinning around, my heart racing. “Jay!”

My heart beat like a galloping horse, as I scanned the airport, looking for him.

Where has he gone? He was just right here beside me. Has he been kidnapped?

My heart pounded against my ribcage, I couldn't think properly as tears welled up in my eyes. Jay is my world, my strength, my everything. I can't bear to lose him. No, not now.

I rushed toward the security desk, with my heart thumping in my chest, “I can’t find my son. Please, help me.” I choked on my words as I spoke.

The security officers looked at me with shock. They asked for his description and I quickly brought out my phone to show them his pictures.

They immediately began their search after assuring me that I would find him. But I couldn't rely on their words. I need to find my Jay, my boy.

I ran through the terminal, fear gripping my chest. How could I have let him out of my sight? How could I be so careless?

Just when I thought I would collapse from the panic, I saw him. Relief washed over me as I spotted Jay standing by the large windows, staring out at the planes. But then, my heart stopped.

He wasn’t alone. Standing next to him, deep in conversation, was a man I hadn’t seen in years. A man who had once been my entire world, and then, my deepest heartache.

Ethan.

My breath caught in my throat. Ethan? Here? In the airport?