Aurora's POV
Theodre is leaving for his business expansion trip to Velmora, another major city in Zhephondor. Unlike Eldoria, which thrives on corporate dominance and finance, Velmora is a bustling business hub with a vibrant cultural scene, high-end luxury, and lush green landscapes. It's where the elite gather, deals are made, and fortunes are multiplied.
And why am I here at the airport, seeing off the so-called "Ladies' Man" Theodre?
Thanks to Ayla.
This little lady threw a long, dramatic tantrum, refusing to let him leave unless she personally bid him farewell. Thanks to that, all my appointments and meetings were either rescheduled or canceled, and here I am... carrying my stubborn daughter, who is practically vibrating with excitement.
"Uncle!" Ayla beamed the moment she saw Theodre. Without wasting a second, she jumped from my arms straight into his, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck.
And there starts the drama.
I rolled my eyes.
"Uncle, I won! Finally, Mommy gave in, and here I am to say bye!" she declared triumphantly.
"Ayla baby, it's not like your uncle is leaving this planet. He flies at least twice a month, and yet, without fail, you throw a tantrum at least once a month just to send him off."
"Mommy, that's because I love my faborite uncle!" she huffed, hugging him even tighter.
"Of course, baby," Theodre responded, grinning. "Not just favorite—I'm your one and only favorite. Never give my place to anyone, got it?"
"Of course, Uncle! You're my one and only uncle," she assured him, her voice filled with unwavering devotion.
These two and their dramatic love saga. I shook my head in disbelief.
My phone rang.
"Sorry, guys. I've got an important call..it might take around fifteen minutes."
"What?! We can't be left alone that long!" Theodre gasped theatrically, clutching Ayla as if I'd abandoned them in the middle of a battlefield.
"Don't exaggerate. You still have an hour before boarding. You're the one who started urging me to hurry from midnight, so deal with it," I shot back, narrowing my eyes at him.
"Ayla baby," he suddenly cooed, shifting tactics. "Why don't we go and get your favorite vanilla ice cream?"
"YAYYYY!" Ayla cheered, her eyes sparkling.
I narrowed my eyes at Theodre again, but he pointedly avoided my gaze, swiftly carrying Ayla away toward the ice cream stand.* Coward.*
He just escaped from my wrath.
I sighed and finally focused on my call, getting a brief moment of peace.
Theron's POV
"Boss, I have informed the team so we can start the operation immediately," John reported.
"Good. Don't let anyone know about my absence. Ensure everything runs smoothly, and do not disclose my location to anyone," I instructed coldly.
"Yes, sir."
"Contact me only if it's an emergency. Use the private number I provided."
With that, I dismissed him and was about to leave when a peculiar conversation caught my attention.
"Tell me I'm your favorite uncle, and I'll give you this ice cream."
"Of course, Uncle! You're my one and only favorite uncle!" a little girl's voice chirped in delight.
I turned my head slightly and froze.
Theodre?
And a child?
For a brief second, my mind scrambled to connect the dots. When did he become a father? Did he… impregnate his side chick? That didn't seem possible. He was reckless with women but not this reckless.
Before I could process further, I felt a tiny hand tug at my pant leg.
"Mister Panda."
I blinked down at the culprit.
It was her.
The tiny menace from the park.
"What in the actual hell…" I muttered under my breath, staring at her in disbelief.
"Mister Panda, is that you?" she asked, blinking up at me with innocent eyes.
I crossed my arms. "What if I am? And don't call me PANDA."
"But you called me Pig," she huffed, crossing her own little arms.
…This little thing even knows how to hold grudges. No wonder she caused chaos that day. I suddenly pitied her mother.
"Where's your guardian?" I asked, deciding to keep this encounter short.
"My mommy got a call, so she left me with my uncle," she explained simply.
"And why are you here?"
"Because I saw you."
I gave her a blank stare. "And?"
"So I came."
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Do I need to feel blessed that you recognized me?"
"You don't even know how to be grateful," she pouted.
"You're the one who said—" I stopped myself, exhaling sharply. "Did you forget how you hugged my legs when you got lost?"
"And you threatened to leave a small child alone in the park," she shot back.
"You getting lost in the park was my fault?!"
"Isn't a responsible adult supposed to help children in need? Are you a child like me? You don't even know that?"
"YOU LITTLE—"
Before I could finish my sentence, she bolted.
Since when did kids come with built-in lawyers? She's debating me like she's in a courtroom.
Damn it. I wasn't about to chase a child in a public airport.
I turned to John, who was watching the exchange with pure amusement. "Go after her. Make sure she finds her guardian and doesn't wander off again."
John looked me up and down. "You… want me to chase a child?"
"HURRY UP."
"Yes, Boss! On it!" he yelped, scurrying after her.
A few minutes later, he returned, confirming that the girl had reunited with a woman she called "Mommy."
"Hm. Then leave it."
John, however, kept staring at me.
I narrowed my eyes. "What now?"
"Who was that child?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know, yet you had such a hilarious conversation with her?"
"She got lost once, and I helped her. That's all," I replied curtly.
"Wait...you helped a child?"
"…What?"
John gasped dramatically, gripping his chest. "Boss, is this a sign of the apocalypse? The cold, ruthless Theron helping a child?"
I stared at him blankly. "Do you want to lose your job?"
"No, Boss!" he yelped, stepping back. Then, under his breath, he added, "But you two match each other perfectly."
I grabbed my briefcase. "You're getting replaced."
"NOOO, BOSS!" He ran ahead, laughing.
I exhaled, shaking my head.
That little devil is going to be trouble in the future.
And for some reason… I wasn't sure if that was a bad thing.