Ch4: Return

…

Present

I walked slowly, pulling two suitcases with a small kid beside me.

It felt so great to be back in the country. It has been five years since I left.

“Big Yan, I need to pee,” the child beside me said. And I pointed in the direction of the washrooms.

“Will you need my help?“ I asked.

But the kid shook his head. “No! I am a big boy now, Big Yan. I will be fine,” he said.

I sighed as I looked at him. He had really grown up. I was happy to see him able to run around like that.

…

In the washroom

Little Lion walked towards the sink to wash his hands. And just beside him, a young man dressed in a black suit was also washing his hands.

Little Lion stopped his actions when the man brushed his hair to his side, just like he himself had done.

But he realized that the man had also stopped to look at him. The little boy sighed and scratched the back of his hand, and the man did the same.

A pout formed at the corner of Little Lion's lips. “Uncle, don't you think it's a little ashaming to imitate me?“ He asked, his voice very clear, and the man was shocked.

The man looked at the child for a second, then he shook his head. “Do you have any misunderstandings, little one? I think it was you who imitated me,” he said.

Little Lion shrugged. His mom had told him that it wasn't right to argue with older people. So he took some tissue paper to dry his hands.

But after some thought, he handed one to the man beside him.

The man looked at the kid and smiled. Still, he dried his hands. “Why are you here alone?“ He asked. He was sure that most kids his age wouldn't go to the washroom by themselves.

Little Lion creased his brows. “You would never want anyone to escort you to the washroom, would you?“ He asked. He thought it was normal for him to be in the washroom by himself.

The man chuckled. “Of course not,” he said. He found the kid funny. He was talking about him, not himself.

“Goodbye, handsome man." Little Lion waved his hand and rushed out of the washroom. He didn't want to keep his mom waiting.

…

“Big Yan, the men here are funny,” Little Lion said while chuckling.

I creased my brows. “What did the men do?“ I asked. He had been in the bathroom for only a few minutes. How could he be judging people already?

However, before he spoke, I caught sight of a man walking in our direction. I froze for a second.

Without thinking, I ran behind a car that was on the side to hide, forgetting that I was with a child.

And I widened my eyes when I saw Little Lion smiling at the man. “Hey, you scared us to death!“ He said.

“Us? Were you with someone, little kid?" I heard Xin ask. I had not expected to see him at the airport, or worse, that he would be talking to Little Lion. Wasn't he always silent?

“Um… I mean, I was scared. Wait, are you following me?” Little Lion said, and I sighed in relief. It would be shameful if he exposed me from my hiding position.

Xin paused and looked at Little Lion. Then he rubbed his hair. “You are too insecure, buddy. This is the exit, right?“ He asked. The funny thing was that his voice was just so calm.

“Uh, that's right,” Little Lion replied. “You keep going. I will go look for my mommy.“

I sighed in relief when Xin got into his car and left. I hurried towards Little Lion. “Are you okay? Why were you talking to a stranger?“ I asked.

Little Lion looked at me while smiling. “Mommy? Why did you hide from him? He is not Daddy Eze,” he said.

I felt a little ashamed at his words. “Listen to me, Little Lion. You still should not talk to strangers,” I said fearfully. I was back, but I did not want any interactions with people who had hurt me.

"But he doesn't look like a bad person,” Little Lion said. I could see confusion on his face.

But I shook my head. “You still don't know him. Stay away from him in the future,” I said worriedly. I hoped that things would not be bad.

…

“Miss, you passed the interview. You will be the personal secretary of our president,” the man who had introduced himself as Birdie said as he handed me a contract.

I was stunned. “This first?“ I asked. I had just gone for the interview the same day. They could not be so fast with their selection, right?

“Um, the panel was satisfied with your qualifications. And besides, there were only the two of you. You should be grateful that you were chosen. Do you accept the job?“ he asked.

I hesitated for a second before nodding my head. I knew that there were only two candidates for that job since I had hacked into their systems and cancelled the other applications.

I didn't want too much competition. After all, I was here for a reason. I wanted to gather enough evidence that the owners of the company were bad people. I could never let them off for acquiring my dad's company forcefully.

“That's good! You can meet the president now. Still, you can choose to come tomorrow. But I would advise you to meet him now and talk so that things are easier for you,” Bridie said.

“I will talk to him now,” I said. I wanted to see who that heartless person who was associated with my parents deaths was. It was time for my revenge.

…

I had a serious look as I walked into the president's office. But when the man inside lifted his head to look at me, I froze.

“Um…” I turned around to look at Birdie. Was he playing a trick on me?

“Is something wrong?“ Birdie asked with raised brows. Then he bowed at the man who was still looking at me. “Boss, she is your new secretary.“

Xin, the man seated on the president's seat, waved his hand at Birdie, asking him to leave.

My heart was beating so loudly against my chest, and so many things were going through my head. Xin owned the company?

“It has been long, Isabel,” Xin said as he stood up.