Chapter 5 The Candidate One

The drive from the airport to their new home had been filled with giggles, questions, and little fingers pointing at every passing street sign. But once they arrived and settled in, Thira noticed something strange. Kai was unusually quiet, his eyes darting around thoughtfully.

"Kai?" she asked gently as he stood by the window, staring out into the tree-lined estate. "What's on your mind?"

He turned and blinked at her, his small face carefully blank. "Just checking out the nearby parks, Mum."

Before Thira could say anything, Niko jumped in awkwardly. "Yeah, we... um... we wanna see where we'll play after school."

Their voices sounded too rehearsed. Thira raised an eyebrow but said nothing, deciding to let it go for now.

The apartment provided by Dax Holdings was breathtaking. Surrounded by tall trees and guarded gates, it felt peaceful yet imposing. The ceilings were high, the floors dark polished wood, and the windows tall enough to make even the towering oaks outside seem small.

While Thira and Carden began unpacking boxes in the living room, the triplets ran through the halls, their laughter echoing off the walls.

Elara twirled in the entryway, her dress fanning out like soft petals. "It's beautiful, Mummy," she declared. "Just like Florence, but with more magic."

Later, in the kitchen, Thira stood holding a clean glass, staring at her reflection on the smooth surface. Her fingers trembled slightly.

Carden entered, carrying folded towels for the pantry shelves. He paused when he saw her expression.

"Do you think I can do this?" she whispered without turning.

He walked over and placed the towels down before gently taking the glass from her hand. "You've already done the hard part," he said quietly. "You survived."

She looked up at him, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. After a silent moment, she let out a shaky breath and gave a small nod.

"Let's cook dinner," she said, her voice steadier. "I want the kids to feel at home tonight."

In the triplets' new room, sunlight streamed through wide windows onto their fresh beds and stacks of unopened boxes. Kai sat cross-legged on his mattress, typing quickly on his small laptop.

Niko watched him from his desk. "What are you doing?"

"Checking what the driver said," Kai replied calmly, not looking up. "He said I looked like his boss."

Elara, sitting at her art table, lifted her head. "Do you think his boss is... you know... Daddy?"

Kai's fingers paused on the keys. Niko blinked. "Wait... what if he is? Have you found him yet?"

Kai's lips curled slightly. "Almost. One moment."

A minute later, he turned the laptop towards them. On the screen was a photo of Riven Dax, standing at a podium in a black suit, addressing a crowd.

Niko leaned in, eyes wide. "His ears... they're shaped like yours. And his hair too."

Kai's gaze didn't waver. "And the eyes."

Elara tilted her head thoughtfully. "We don't know if he's our dad. He's just Candidate 1," she said calmly, folding her hands on her lap. "We need evidence."

All three nodded in silent agreement. Their mission had just become real.

Morning sunlight filtered into the apartment kitchen as Carden zipped his suitcase closed. Thira stood nearby, helping Kai adjust his backpack straps while Elara braided Niko's hair into a neat little ponytail.

Carden knelt down to hug each child tightly. Elara clung to him for a moment longer, burying her face in his neck.

"Uncle, will you come back soon?" she asked softly.

"Of course, Princess," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Just call if you need me."

Kai tugged his sleeve before he stood. "Can I still message you if I need help with my codes?"

Carden chuckled, ruffling Kai's hair. "Anytime, buddy."

Thira walked him to the door. They hugged tightly, her cheek resting against his chest. "We'll miss you too," she whispered.

"I know," he said quietly. "But this is your time now."

Carden dropped the kids off at their new school while Thira prepared for her first day at Dax Holdings.

Thira stepped into the gleaming lobby of Dax Holdings, dressed in a simple but elegant navy dress. The marble floors reflected her heels with every step, and the tall glass walls rose endlessly above her. Her heart thudded in her chest, but she kept her back straight and her chin lifted.

"Miss Calderon?" a staffer called out, holding a clipboard. "Welcome. I'm Julius. Please follow me to the CEO's office."

She nodded silently, following him through quiet, sleek hallways lined with minimalist art. Her pulse quickened with every step

Riven sat at the end of the long boardroom table, flipping through a proposal file. When Julius led Thira in, he didn't look up at first.

"Mr. Dax, this is Miss Thira Calderon."

He raised his eyes, and for a brief second, his entire body froze. Her face, her eyes, her dark hair - something about her cut through him like lightning through stone. A flicker of a memory he couldn't place.

He cleared his throat, stood, and extended a hand. "Welcome, Miss Calderon."

She shook it firmly, her touch light but confident. "Thank you for the opportunity."

"Let's introduce you to the team," he said, his voice returning to its calm authority.

They walked into the boardroom. Thira's eyes scanned the polished table, lined with executives and assistants.

At the far end sat Vela Calderon.

Vela's face turned pale at the sound of Thira's name. Her eyes widened, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

Thira approached her, a faint cold smile curling on her lips.

"Still working at Club Altere?" Vela hissed under her breath.

Thira tilted her head slightly. "Not since you resigned. How's your mother?"

Vela's jaw clenched, her eyes flashing with anger before she smoothed her expression and turned towards Riven with a syrupy smile.

Riven sensed the tension instantly. His gaze moved between both women, sharp and unreadable.

"That concludes introductions," he said abruptly. "Miss Calderon, please come see me in my office."

As Riven turned and walked out of the boardroom, his mind buzzed with questions about Thira's face, her voice, the strange pull in his chest.

In the lobby, Elara suddenly shouted, "Mummy!"

Riven turned around sharply. He saw a little girl with thick dark curls run towards Thira, wrapping her small arms around her waist. Two boys followed, identical except for their expressions - one calm and serious, the other smiling with quiet mischief.

Behind them walked Carden.

Riven felt his chest tighten unexpectedly. She has triplets? She's married? He frowned slightly. Why didn't I notice this in her file?

His heart twisted in a way he didn't understand, but his face remained smooth and expressionless.

While Thira and Riven walked away towards his office, Elara pulled out her small pink tablet and opened their secret sibling group chat.

She typed quickly with her thumbs:

Elara: This is Candidate 1's office.

Niko: Mission update?

Elara: We need evidence to prove if he's our dad.

Kai: Working on it.

She pressed send and looked up with a quiet smile. Their investigation had begun.