Chapter 6 Doing the right thing

In the Conference Room, Another Country

The air was unusually light in the high-ceilinged conference room, but despite the easy atmosphere, the tension beneath the surface was palpable. At the head of the table sat the bulky man, towering even while seated, his sharp, hazel eyes fixed on the staff member presenting at the front of the room. His jet-black hair, slicked back, accentuated his chiseled face, though what caught the most attention was his rare smile-a smile that sent shivers down the spines of every person in the room.

The female staff member giving the presentation tried her best to remain composed, but the subtle tremble in her fingers betrayed her nerves. She spoke about environmental sustainability, a pitch for how the new resort their company was building would incorporate nature-friendly practices-an attempt to calm the outrage of environmental activists. The subject matter wasn't what terrified her; it was the fact that this man, who was known for his stoic demeanor, was smiling. A smile from him could mean anything.

Her voice cracked slightly as she continued, "We believe that fostering natural growth and promoting eco-friendly tourism will not only preserve the environment but also... create a unique guest experience..."

The bulky man leaned back in his chair, still smiling, but his eyes had a faraway look. His thoughts weren't on the presentation or the resort's green initiative. No, his mind was elsewhere, on something-or rather, someone-that had lifted his spirits that day. He knew his family was returning soon. A family that, after five long years, would finally be together. The thought of seeing them again brought a rare sense of excitement, though outwardly he kept his calm.

He interrupted the woman's presentation with a single question, his deep voice cutting through the room. "And how do you plan to balance the influx of tourists with nature preservation?"

The room fell silent as the woman swallowed hard, her trembling becoming more noticeable. "W-We will limit the number of visitors each season and implement strict regulations for waste management and natural habitat conservation."

He nodded, his smile now gone, replaced by his usual stern expression. The staff member exhaled in relief as she realized she had passed the first of many tests. The rest of the room remained quiet, awaiting the next unpredictable move from their formidable boss.

Meanwhile, in France

Across the sea, in a different world altogether, Emelia stood on the balcony of her elegant French home, gazing out at the pool where her two children, Kymora and Treyvon, were splashing about. The warm glow of the setting sun cast long shadows over the water, their laughter echoing off the marble tiles. The sight filled Emelia with warmth, but beneath the surface, a sense of unease gripped her. It was a nagging feeling she couldn't shake off-a foreboding that lingered in the back of her mind.

She sighed deeply, her hand resting on the balcony railing. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Tyrone standing behind her until she felt the gentle pressure of his hand on her back. He was always there, steady, calm, and reassuring, much like he had been over the last five years.

"You alright?" he asked softly.

Emelia closed her eyes for a moment, then spoke. "I haven't looked for their father, you know? I've been so scared... that if I did, he'd come and take them away from me." Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the emotion she tried so hard to hide.

Tyrone reached out and wiped a stray tear from her cheek before it could fall. "Hey, don't think like that. You've raised these kids on your own. If you don't want him to take them, he won't. I'll make sure of that."

Emelia smiled weakly at his words, the familiar comfort in his voice bringing back memories of that night-the bulky man who had once reassured her in the same way. That reassurance had led to her beautiful children, but it had also opened a chapter of her life filled with unanswered questions. She cleared her throat, pushing the thoughts away, and called out to the twins.

"Kymora, Trey! Time to come in!"

The children, dripping wet and still giggling, climbed out of the pool, their small figures wrapped in grey and wine-colored towels that hung over their necks. As they approached, Emelia crouched to their level, brushing Kymora's damp hair away from her face.

Treyvon was the first to speak, his brown eyes sparkling with innocence. "Mommy, why do you look so sad? Is it because of us?"

Emelia's heart swelled at his concern. She shook her head, smiling as she placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "No, honey. I'm not sad. I was just... thinking."

Kymora, always more perceptive, narrowed her hazel eyes. "Is it about our father?"

Emelia paused, taking a deep breath. This was a conversation she had dreaded, but she knew it couldn't be avoided forever. "I wanted to ask... do you hate me for not telling you about him? About why he's not here?"

Trey, ever the understanding one, shook his head immediately. "You don't talk about him because you don't want to. And that's okay. I figured he didn't want to stay, so why would we need to know?"

Emelia blinked, her heart softening even more at her son's simple yet mature reasoning.

Kymora, on the other hand, snorted, crossing her arms over her small chest. "I'm not mad at you, Mom. But if I ever meet him, I'll make sure he eats sour food every day for a month for leaving me to take care of Trey on my own."

Emelia burst into laughter, her arms pulling them both into a warm hug. "Thank you for being my bundle of joy. Both of you."

They stayed like that for a moment, wrapped in each other's warmth, the love between them palpable. It was moments like this that reminded Emelia why she had fought so hard for her children-why she would continue to fight for them, no matter what.

As she released them from the embrace, she took a deep breath, preparing herself for the next topic. "Listen, there's something I need to tell you. In three days, we're going to my hometown in South Carolina."

The twins blinked up at her, curious but not alarmed. Trey tilted his head. "For how long?"

Emelia smiled. "Just for a little while. You two landed that big modelling deal, remember? But while we're there, I need you both to be careful. Avoid strangers as much as possible, okay?"

The twins exchanged glances and then, in unison, chorused, "Yes, Mommy."

Each gave her a goodnight kiss on the cheek before disappearing inside to their rooms. Emelia stood alone on the balcony for a few more moments, her eyes fixed on the night sky. The stars twinkled above, indifferent to her worries. She exhaled slowly, her mind heavy with thoughts of the past, the present, and the uncertain future. Was she being a good mother? Would going back to South Carolina reopen old wounds she had worked so hard to forget?

She whispered softly to herself, "I hope I'm doing the right thing."

As the cool evening breeze swept through, she wrapped her arms around herself, seeking comfort in the quietness of the night. She had made her decision, and soon enough, the past she'd been running from for five years would come face to face with the future she had built for her children.