Theron's POV
The night breeze carried the faint scent of leaves and flowers, mingling with the distant sound of waves clashing against the shore. It was oddly soothing, allowing my mind to momentarily drift.
This riverside park—somehow, I always end up here whenever thoughts of the mansion resurface.
It feels familiar, yet I have no memory of ever being here. My childhood before my father's coma is a blur, and after that, I spent my entire life overseas. I only returned to Zhephondor eight years ago when he finally opened his eyes. That was the moment I had been waiting for.
I wasted no time. The moment I saw him awake, I put my plans into motion. Not that it changed anything....he still hasn't spoken a single word. All he does is stare at the walls or watch the world outside his window, barely moving under the caretaker's support. But from that point onward, I clawed my way to the top. Now, I am the CEO of Drakos Corporation, the parent company.
I surpassed my uncles and their sons, outmaneuvered them at every step, thanks to my knowledge and the fire that has been burning inside me for years.
I sighed.
"Uncle, why do you sigh? Did you losht something here?"
I opened my eyes and looked down only to find a tiny human staring up at me.
Justmyluck. Akid.
"Who are you? Why do you care?" I muttered.
"I'm Ayla, Of course, I care! Because Uncle seems… lonely."
I blinked.
This tiny thing knows what loneliness is? Kids these days really are something else.
"Even if I were lonely, I don't need your company. I doubt you'd be of any use to me AND don't call me UNCLE"
"Hmph! Even if you wanted my company, I wouldn't stay here," she huffed, crossing her arms.
"Then why are you still here? And what's with that pout? You look like a pig."
"Me, piggy?!" Her eyes widened in shock before she scrunched her nose. "Then you look like a PANDA!"
"…Me, WHAT?!"
And what was with the way she spoke? Did she not know how to talk properly yet?
"I didn't even wanna stay here," she added, her voice suddenly quieter. "I… I'm lost."
Just great.
I clenched my jaw. Why, of all people, did I have to deal with a lost child?
"If you're lost, stay put. Your people will come looking for you. Don't wander off." I got up, ready to leave.
Two tiny hands grabbed my leg. I froze.
"What now?" I snapped, looking down at her tear-filled eyes.
"Mister, I'm tevvified… Please stay with me until Mommy comes."
A pang of something unfamiliar hit me. My heart skipped a beat.
I could just walk away. It wasn't my problem.
But for some reason maybe to avoid hearing her cry.... I sighed.
"Fine. Just… don't cry."
She nodded eagerly and sat beside me. I pulled out my phone, trying to ignore the little glances she kept throwing my way.
It was irritating.
But not as irritating as her talking.
Thirty minutes passed. My patience was wearing thin.
"Listen, I don't think they'll find you here. Why don't we walk towards the crowded area and look for your mother?"
"Of course, Mister!" she beamed.
I started walking briskly, forcing her tiny legs to run just to keep up. Well, not my problem. Even most adults struggled to match my pace.
Suddenly, she stopped and plopped down onto the path.
"What now?" I groaned.
"Mister, can you carry me? My legs hurt."
"No."
"Waaahhhh!"
Heads turned. People stared.
Fucking hell.
"Fine! Just shut that factory alarm already," I hissed.
She grinned victoriously as I picked her up. I scanned the area for a police officer to hand her over to—someone more suited to deal with lost children.
That's when I heard frantic voices calling out a name.
"Ayla! Ayla!"
The girl in my arms lifted her head. Her eyes widened before she screamed, "I'm here, Nanny!"
A group of people rushed toward us, their faces full of panic.
A woman, breathless and red-eyed from crying, nearly collapsed in front of me.
"Baby Ayla! You promised me you wouldn't go anywhere while getting ice cream! Where on earth did you go?!" she sobbed.
Not again. How many people was I going to see crying today?
"Sowwy, Nanny," Ayla whispered, guilt evident in her tone.
The nanny turned to me. "Thank you for helping the young madam, Mr…"
"That's fine," I cut her off. "Just keep an eye on her. These tiny legs can cause a lot of chaos in the blink of an eye."
She stared at me for a second, but before anyone could say more, I turned and left.
Tomorrow's meeting is important—no, more than that. It's a crucial step in my revenge. I need to take every ounce of that company.
Yet, for some reason, I could still feel the softness of those tiny hands. And the faint scent of milk and warmth still lingered in my arms.