Chapter 5 Unease

Five years later.

Sunlight streamed through the large windows of the Parisian apartment, casting a soft, golden glow on the cozy living room where Emelia sat opposite her two children. Kymora and Treyvon, both five years old, were the spitting image of each other with their matching strawberry blonde hair. But where Emelia's eyes were brown, theirs were hazel, a feature they'd inherited from the man who still haunted Emelia's past.

Today was a special day-the twins' fifth birthday. But instead of the typical presents and cake, the twins had decided to celebrate in their own unique way.

Treyvon, always the more vocal of the two, spoke up first. "Mommy, we decided that today, since it's our birthday, we're going to give a gift to our fans. We're going to sing and play the piano for them!"

Kymora, seated beside him, gave a small nod of agreement, her face calm and composed. "It's what they expect. Trey and I have practiced all week."

Emelia's heart swelled with pride as she looked at them. Despite their young age, her children were already beloved by millions across France and even beyond, thanks to their astonishing talents in music and the arts. She chuckled and gave a warm smile. "You two always think of others first, don't you? Go on then, let's give your fans a little show."

With their mother's blessing, the twins quickly set up their instruments for a live stream. Treyvon sat at the piano, his tiny fingers brushing the keys with ease, while Kymora stood beside him, her voice ready to harmonize.

The song they had chosen was a soulful ballad-a mix of classical notes and modern lyrics, expressing the innocence of childhood and the promise of the future. As Trey's hands moved across the keys, Kymora's soft but powerful voice began to fill the room:

"Every dawn, we chase the stars,

We dream of worlds, near and far,

With every step, we learn to see,

A brighter sky, for you and me..."

Their voices blended in perfect harmony, Trey's boyish charm adding depth to the melody while Kymora's steady, mature voice carried the emotion. Despite their age, they sang like seasoned performers, pouring their little hearts into every word.

As they performed, Emelia watched proudly from the side, a soft smile tugging at her lips. The live stream quickly exploded with comments from their ever-growing fanbase:

@SuperMomFan: "Those two are just the sweetest! Can I adopt them?"

@PianoKing123: "Trey's piano skills are better than mine, and I'm 35 years old. Someone sign this kid to a record deal!"

@KyoKitty: "Kymora is a star in the making! So poised, so talented. Why is she not smiling though?"

@TwinsAreLife: "Best birthday gift ever! These kids deserve the world! Who else is sending birthday gifts? I already dropped €500!"

As the comments flew in, Kymora and Trey's popularity seemed to reach new heights with every passing second. Fans from around the world showered the twins with gifts, money, and love. A small chime kept pinging in the corner of the screen, indicating large donations from their followers.

At the end of the performance, as Trey held the final note on the piano, the stream finally came to a close. Kymora and Trey immediately leaped off their chairs and ran to their mother, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Mom! Mom! How did we do?" Trey asked, practically bouncing on his feet.

Emelia chuckled, pulling them both into a warm embrace. "You were wonderful, both of you. The fans loved it."

She ruffled Kymora's hair affectionately. "Kymora, maybe you should smile a little more during your performances, sweetheart."

Kymora made a face and shook her head stubbornly. "Strangers don't deserve to see my smile, Mommy. They'll have to earn it."

Trey nodded in agreement, as if his sister's statement was a universal truth. "Yeah, what she said!"

Emelia laughed, shaking her head at their antics. "Alright, alright. But I'm telling you, Kymora, one of these days, your fans are going to start asking for that smile."

At that moment, Beatrix, the children's manager and Emelia's best friend, popped her head out from behind the doorway, her face feigning a dramatic pout. "Well, I'm the manager, and I didn't even get a 'well done' from the little stars. I worked so hard organizing everything!"

Kymora and Trey burst into giggles, and Trey, always the charming one, turned to her with a cheeky grin. "Aunt Beatrix, you're doing well. You can take the day off!"

Beatrix put a hand over her heart, pretending to be mortally wounded. "The day off? The day is already over, you little trickster! You can't trick me into thinking you're being nice!"

Everyone erupted into laughter as Beatrix's playful scolding filled the room. Even Kymora let out a small giggle at her brother's antics.

As the laughter subsided, Kymora's expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked down at her tablet. "Mom, there's something weird," she said, her little brows furrowing in concentration.

Emelia leaned in, curious. "What is it, sweetie?"

Kymora handed her the tablet. "There's this follower who's been sending us lots of gifts lately. But there's another one who's been competing with them... almost like they're in some kind of secret contest."

Emelia raised an eyebrow as she scrolled through the comments. Sure enough, two anonymous followers had been pouring money into the twins' streams. The names were hidden behind generic usernames, but something about their interactions made Emelia uneasy.

"That's odd," she murmured, brushing it off with a lighthearted chuckle. "Maybe they're just showing off."

Kymora nodded, though her expression remained skeptical. "Yeah, probably. I'm going to check the stock markets now."

Trey chimed in. "And I need to work on my Python compiler."

Emelia smiled as she watched her brilliant children go about their day, each one absorbed in their own little worlds. Beatrix, watching them leave, let out an exaggerated sigh and faked a tear. "You're so blessed, Emelia. Kymora is already a little business tycoon, and Trey is on his way to becoming a tech genius. I'm going to miss them when they're famous!"

The reminder of their impending move to South Carolina brought a shadow of concern to Emelia's face. She sighed, leaning back against the couch. "Yeah... I'll miss them too. But I don't have much of a choice. They landed that modeling deal, and it's too good to pass up."

Beatrix groaned dramatically. "Why did it have to be there, of all places? South Carolina? Your hometown? You know what that means, right?"

Emelia exhaled deeply, rubbing her temples. "I know... but it's just for the deal. Once the contract expires, we'll be back in France."

Beatrix's eyes widened. "You really think they're going to let you off the hook with a one-year contract? You're the mom of the next big thing! And don't forget, you've also got that offer to design a wedding gown for that fancy client in South Carolina."

Emelia chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "If you're so worried, you could always come with us."

Beatrix's face lit up in glee. "Really? You mean it?" She leaped forward and hugged Emelia, sending them both toppling onto the couch in a fit of laughter.

Just then, the door swung open, and Tyrone, Emelia's assistant, walked in holding two packets of papers. His grey eyes scanned the room, taking in the sight of Emelia and Beatrix tangled on the couch. He raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Still acting like kids, huh?"

Beatrix huffed, swatting him on the arm. "Tyrone, you're such a buzzkill!"

Tyrone rolled his eyes and handed the packets to Emelia. "Have you told the twins about the move yet?"

Emelia shook her head. "Not yet... but I will."

As she took the papers from Tyrone, her gaze lingered on the tablet for just a moment longer, her mind briefly returning to those two anonymous followers.