10

Sam set his coffee mug down on the small plate beside him and looked at Barrister Noah. After offering a small smile, he stood and walked around the disorganized office with wooden floors instead of tiles.

He paused beside the aquarium, watching the fish swim inside before turning his attention back to the Barrister, who had already begun observing him closely.

Clearing his throat, Sam finally said, "Barrister, why are you pushing for me to replace Janet? I'm perfectly satisfied with her...she's punctual, efficient, and knows her responsibilities."

Barrister Noah stepped forward and replied earnestly, "Sam, like I mentioned before, the girl really needs this job. Aurora is my wife's younger sister...she just arrived from Boston. The conflict back home has left their area devastated. I'm convinced this job will help. She plans to send money back home too. Right now, she's staying with me because she left Boston to care for my kids since their mother’s no longer around. I work full-time and Finn and Mia are in school. Being alone in the house isn't helping her mentally process what she went through. I want her to gain experience. That's part of why her relatives insisted she get a change of environment. Please, Sam, I’m asking you...help her out."

Sam remained quiet, absorbing Noah’s words. He sipped his coffee slowly, deep in thought.

Returning to his seat, Sam asked, "Do you have her CV here?"

Noah hesitated slightly, but quickly regained composure...ever the quick-thinking lawyer. Adjusting his suit, he replied, "Aurora is only nineteen, just finished high school. I had planned to enroll her in college, but her documents were lost due to the chaos she fled. That’s why I want her to work for now, and by the next academic year, she’ll retake the entrance exams and go back to school. I promise she’s smart and capable. Honestly, I think you’ll prefer working with her over someone who constantly parades around in tight skirts, flirting non-stop. You can transfer Janet to another department."

With that, Noah locked eyes with Sam, confident his words had done the job.

Sam nodded slowly, then asked, "But do you think she’s educated enough to work with us?"

Grateful that Sam was softening, Noah replied quickly, "You can interview her yourself and see."

"Alright then," Sam agreed. "My schedule’s packed today, but maybe sometime this week."

"But sir..." Noah jumped in, "She’s already here. If possible, could you interview her now?"

Sam raised an eyebrow and smiled, "You sound desperate, Barrister. But don’t worry. I said I’ll interview her, and I will."

He checked his watch. "I’ve got a client waiting. We’ll talk again soon." With that, he answered his ringing phone and headed toward his private elevator, the only one with access to his executive floor.

Noah let out a quiet sigh of relief and stretched his arms...success. He hadn’t expected to convince Sam so easily, especially knowing how business-minded he was. But today, it worked.

When he stepped out, he found Aurora sitting in the lobby, gazing up at the towering twenty-story building in awe. Her curiosity and quiet strength always impressed him. She loved his children already, and he was confident she'd treat them with care....unlike his ex-wife, who had left them without looking back and even threatened legal action if he tried to reconcile.

He shook the thought away before it dragged him down and walked toward Aurora. She smiled the moment she saw him, her heartbeat quickening with hope for feedback.

Noah forced a small smile. "Don’t worry. You got the job. You’ll have your interview with the CEO later this week. Honestly, if it weren’t for the distance between here and the house, I’d take you back now. But I have to pick up Mia from school soon. If you can wait a bit, I’ll drop you off after."

Hearing that they were headed to Mia’s school lifted Aurora’s spirits. She couldn’t hide her happiness.

Noah watched her with quiet admiration. He hadn’t expected her to agree so easily to working with him. She even helped out in his office, and that time together had already deepened their bond.

At exactly one o’clock, they left to pick up Finn and Mia from school. When Mia saw Aurora, she jumped with excitement. It reminded her of when she was much younger and her mom and dad used to pick her up together.

Finn, on the other hand, wasn't thrilled. He barely looked at Aurora and stayed close to his dad, visibly annoyed. He didn’t like her near his father, didn’t want her in their house. Meanwhile, Mia happily chattered away with Aurora, who followed along, chatting back. Noah simply smiled at their growing connection.

****

Harper handed the car keys to Lucian, teasingly dangling them in front of his face. He grinned, spinning the keys in his fingers as he said, "Wow, the niece of Sam doesn’t ride in just any car, huh? Looks like he always gives you exactly what you want, when you want it."

Smiling coyly, Harper replied, "Lucian, when I told you Uncle Love would give me the car, you thought I was joking. But now you know...there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for me. And anyone who dares come between us... well, let’s just say I’ll make sure they regret it."

Lucian chuckled, stroking his jaw thoughtfully. "You really are something, Harper. I believe you’d do anything for Sam. But what’s your plan about Lavinia? She’s clearly obsessed with him...calls him constantly, practically worships the guy. She’s fully into him."

He gave a knowing smile. "Sam is the kind of guy no girl can resist. And honestly, I pity you. If Lavinia ends up marrying him, she’ll block your way into the Smooth Group family just like you helped separate Adrian from his parents. If you’re not careful, you’ll be the one shut out."

Harper said nothing for a moment, her chest tightening at the thought. Then she gave a sly smile and said, "Delusional. Do you really think that’s ever going to happen? Just wait and see."

She leaned in close, running a hand along his face as she whispered, "Just trust me, sweetheart. And remember...no one messes with Harper Smooth, the one and only Queen of the Smooth family."

Lucian laughed softly, "I trust you, darling. I know you’ve got this. So... am I still borrowing the car for a bit, or what?"

Without turning back, Harper started walking toward the house they usually met in, calling over her shoulder, "Don’t take too long," with a playful wag of her finger mid-stride, her hips swaying purposefully.

Lucian grinned with satisfaction and said to himself, "I won’t, darling." Then he hopped into the car and sped off.

Lucian took a few steps into the nearby woods and began searching the car. He had assumed he would find the documents once he opened it, but they weren’t there. He knew Sam....stubborn as ever...would never play around with something that important. So, he actually removed them...

Lucian let out a harsh hiss of frustration and started pounding on the car tires, muttering, “Damn it! Damn it…!”

Just then, his phone rang. When he saw who was calling, he let out another irritated sound before lowering his head and answering.

The voice on the other end asked immediately, “Any progress?”

Lucian rubbed the back of his neck, troubled, and replied, “I... I’m sorry sir, he took the documents...”

Before he could finish, the caller cut him off sharply. “Shut up, you fool. Don’t call me again unless you’ve made progress.”

And with that, the line went dead.

Lucian swiped his hand over his forehead, growled in frustration, and jumped back into the car, speeding off.

Brownsville, Nebraska

Isla was surprised to hear that the head of the town’s Peacekeeping team was visiting. She stepped outside to see what the matter was, especially since they had parted on good terms the last time.

To her surprise, both men had arrived not in uniform but in formal suits. As soon as they saw her, they quickly approached with their heads bowed.

In her mind, she thought, Look at this awkward guy...acting all shy. I know he’s not here for anything good.

She nodded silently, waiting for them to speak, ready for whatever they had come for.

To her shock, as soon as they reached her, they both knelt down to greet her. Taken aback, she also knelt down slightly, fluttering her eyes as she adjusted her scarf and responded to them with flirty politeness.

Alistair glanced at his friend Theo in surprise...was this really the same woman whose daughter he wanted to propose to?

Isla stood up again, still grinning. “You should’ve let me know you were coming! That’s why I wanted you to take my number earlier...or I could’ve taken yours!”

Alistair stammered, “Uh... M-Ma’am, we just wanted to...”

She quickly interrupted, “Don’t worry about formalities, just call me Isla. That’s my name...no need to stress.”

She twirled her fingers like a teenager in front of her crush.

At first, Theo was just puzzled, but now he was clearly irritated. This is the woman my friend says he’s interested in?

Isla then rushed to get them something to drink, but before the small talk could continue, the men quickly excused themselves, insisting they were already full and had to leave.

Alistair's legs nearly buckled as he made for the car, Theo right behind him.

Isla stood at her doorway, fluttering her lashes and waving goodbye until their car disappeared from sight.

Then she scoffed and muttered, “Pfft, opportunists. I knew it...you’re only chasing after my daughter. Well, you're not getting her. Sending your clueless friend ahead of you...please! What does Mery want with someone like you? She’s far too good for you, a bright light like the moon, shining like the sun. You think I’d let that go? Come back tomorrow....I'll be the one to meet you again.”

With that, she slammed the door shut.

She found Mery lying asleep and sat beside her, watching her silently. From the very first day they met, she had fallen in love with this girl. She loved Mery more than anything in her life. She didn’t care about anyone else’s love...only Mery’s. Nothing could separate them, not even the sun at its peak.

She smiled gently and adjusted Mery’s sleeping position.

Thursday Morning – New York

The way Harper burst into the house made it obvious that something wasn’t right. She composed herself, straightened her shawl, and walked with deliberate grace as she always did.

She could hear the noise from the sitting room....it seemed everyone was getting ready for the big family event. Today was the launch of the new center for people with disabilities, a long-time dream of Ava’s. Since childhood, she had been determined to support those facing any kind of disability.

Harper frowned slightly as she observed everyone’s excitement. Not seeing Ava among them confirmed her guess—she must still be in her room, getting ready.

Harper smiled and headed upstairs.

Sure enough, when she opened the door, there Ava was, seated at her dressing table, applying lotion.

Ava smiled at her sister, and Harper returned it warmly. “May I?” she asked.

“Please come in, sis,” Ava responded happily.

Harper walked in and gently shut the door behind her before sitting at the edge of the bed, watching her sister closely.

“Have you picked your outfit for the event?” Harper asked.

Ava shook her head. “No, I haven’t. I’m so nervous. I know there will be a lot of people... You know I’m not used to crowds.”

“Oh, Ava. What’s all this? Don’t worry....it’ll all go well. Trust me, okay?”

Ava smiled. “Now that you’re here, why don’t you pick something for me?”

Harper tugged playfully at Ava’s cheeks. “Goodness, what kind of a sister do I have, who doesn’t know how to dress herself to her own taste?”

Laughing, Ava replied, “The best kind in the world, I guess.”

Harper stood up and moved to the wardrobe, picking out elegant clothes for Ava, including special coverings for her legs. Surprisingly, Harper even did Ava’s makeup...something Ava never bothered with.

Granny entered just then, hoping to check if Ava was ready, only to find Harper applying makeup and both girls chatting joyfully....a rare sight.

Overwhelmed with happiness, Granny had to blink back tears. This was all they’d ever hoped for: that the sisters would truly care for one another. Quietly, she stepped back out to avoid interrupting.

Harper finished styling Ava beautifully. The resemblance between them was undeniable....especially now, with Harper’s touch evident in Ava’s appearance.

Staring at her reflection, Ava marveled, “I look so different... This makeup is too much....can we tone it down?”

Harper immediately pouted. “Oh, you don’t want to look like me, huh? Am I too much for your taste? If you don’t like anything I do, fine! I won’t even come to your event!”

She pretended to storm out.

Ava hurriedly grabbed her, shaking her head. “No! I love it, Sis. I’m sorry. I do look beautiful...just like you.”

Harper smiled and hugged her. “It’s okay. Just don’t cry and ruin all this glam. I know how hard you’ve worked for this.”

They shared a smile and descended the stairs together.

Everyone turned to look as they came down. The resemblance between them today was striking. But no one was more stunned than Lucian, who couldn’t take his eyes off Ava. He had never seen her this radiant before, and now, compared to Harper, he thought she might even be more beautiful. There was something about her that made him uneasy... intrigued.

Arabella, on the other hand, merely scoffed. Her instincts told her Harper was up to something. She didn’t believe in kindness without motive. Still, whatever Harper planned, she would follow Ava’s lead.

Sam was genuinely moved by what Harper had done. His greatest wish had always been for the children to love and support one another. He was so touched that he even considered staying for the whole event, despite his busy schedule.

Together, they all headed out toward the newly established support center. One thing was clear...Ava was truly loved by her family.

Later at the center

He lifted his gaze to the beautifully decorated building. A stream of disabled individuals made their way inside with ease, while those without disabilities had to present an invitation.

Jaxon pulled his hat over his head and muttered to himself, It’s now or never.

And just like that, he slipped into the crowd, blending in with the others...

To be continue...