Chapter 12: Taking the twins out

"But you already told me your name."

"That's a form of responsibility. What if you hurt yourself and want to sue me? You can come here again and look for me."

Trevor was taken aback. That answer was too mature for Mara.

‘That scatterbrained secretary Baliqis couldn't have raised such a clever kid. It must be just a coincidence they have the same last name.’

While Trevor was lost in thought, Mara nodded respectfully. "Now please excuse me, Sir. I have to find my brother. I’m afraid he’ll bump into someone else if he keeps looking for me.”

With sparkling eyes, Trevor watched Mara walk away. Her thick hair swayed beautifully with her steps. For the first time in history, Trevor Quin was interested in a child.

“Isn’t that little girl adorable?” Jeremy whispered, looking in the same direction. “She managed to captivate the coldest CEO in the city. Would you like to look for her mother, Sir? I think she’s a single mother. Mara didn’t mention her father at all.”

Hearing the joke, Trevor’s brows furrowed. Taking out his sunglasses from his pocket, he stood up.

“Are you insulting me? Even though her child is cute, she’s not on my level. See? She can only afford to give her child inexpensive clothes. The child’s grandmother still has to work. Their life must be difficult. Why would I marry such a woman when my fiancée is almost perfect?”

After putting on his glasses, Trevor straightened his suit. His schedule was tight. Mara shouldn’t have taken up five of Trevor Quin’s precious minutes.

“Now, any news from Ethan?” Trevor asked as he started walking.

“Yes, Sir. He invited you tonight to the Royal Garden Café.”

Trevor raised an eyebrow. The place was too quaint for him. The majority of visitors there were young families with their children.

“Isn’t there a better place?”

“That’s his family’s café, Sir. Another option is Ethan’s own bistro. Do you want to change it?”

Remembering the incident three years ago, Trevor shook his head. “No. Royal Garden Café, right? We’ll go there after finishing all the visits.”

***

The twins sat side by side on a train. Their matching hats made them look even more adorable. It was no surprise they attracted the attention of other passengers.

“Your grandchildren are very beautiful and handsome, Ma’am,” a woman sitting next to Helen praised.

The grandmother smiled. She was used to hearing those compliments.

Wherever Macey and Mara went, they never went unnoticed. Even though their appearance was simple, they always shone, especially if they took off their hats. People would not blink at their beauty.

Like their grandmother, Macey and Mara also considered the admiring looks around them to be normal. The twins weren’t bothered at all. They only needed to whisper so their chat did not become public knowledge.

“You’re not making up stories, are you?” Macey narrowed his eyes even though Mara couldn’t see it.

“I am not lying. The man really looked like a CEO. He was dressed stylishly and he was followed by several bodyguards! Whatever he said, they immediately obeyed.”

Macey pensively listened to his twin sister’s explanation. In his heart, he regretted not being able to witness the presence of that cool guy.

“Do you know his name? We can confirm whether he is the CEO or not on the library computer,” Macey whispered hopefully.

However, Mara shook her head innocently. “I didn’t have time to ask. I was too afraid he would hold me responsible.”

“Then, let’s just ask Grandma.”

Mara’s eyes suddenly widened. “No! This is our secret.”

“Why? Are you afraid of being punished for bumping into a visitor?”

Mara glanced at Helen. Her grandmother was busy chatting with other passengers. “The man has gray eyes, just like us. Maybe he’s our Dad.”

“Mara! We agreed not to discuss Dad. If Mom finds out, she will be sad,” Macey rebuked while shaking his sister’s hand.

Mara’s shoulders suddenly slumped. Her head bowed. She remembered very well the feeling when she was hugged by that strange man. It was so calm and warm even though it was filled with unfamiliarity. Surely, someone who abandoned his children wouldn’t be their father.

Every time Macey and Mara asked, their mom, Balqis, always said their father was in heaven. At first, the twins believed it. However, as time went by, they realized it was not true. Balqis never showed their father’s grave or his photo. Their father disappeared without a trace, so they believed Balqis didn’t have the heart to tell them the truth.

“Macey, Mara, we’re here. Come on!”

Mara flinched. Pulling her hat down her forehead, she glanced out the window. It wasn’t a stop near their house. “Where are we going, Grandma?”

Suddenly, Balqis appeared and waved. She was already wearing a bright red dress. A blue dress and a small black suit were hanging on her arm.

Knowing they were going to a party, Mara’s sadness immediately disappeared. After changing clothes in a public restroom and ensuring their grandmother got a taxi, the three of them went to the café of their dreams.

“Grandma must be sad. She was supposed to join in the party, but instead, she had a stomach ache,” Macey looked back.

“Don’t spoil the party, Macey. We can pack a menu for Grandma later,” Mara said before shaking the hand that was holding her tightly. “Is that true, Mommy?”

Smiling sweetly, Balqis nodded. “Yeah. We can order the most delicious menu for Grandma.”

“Okay! Then, let’s have fun!”

Macey let go of his mother’s hand and ran. Seeing her son’s reactions, she smiled.

When they arrived at the café, they were short of breath. They had to catch their breath first before entering the door painted like a gate to a fairy tale.

Seeing the interior, which resembled a palace, Mara couldn’t stop being amazed. Each large, towering glass window was decorated with red curtains. The gold carved pillars were no less amazing. What Mara liked most was the chandelier in the middle of the room. Its shape was like strands of sparkling rainwater reflecting light.

“Look at those candles, Mara!” Macey pointed towards the table they were going to sit at. “Isn’t it similar to the one in your favorite story?”

“Yeah! That’s Lumiere. Then Mommy is Belle and Macey is the Beast.” Mara covered her laughter with one hand.

“No way! You can’t equate me with the Beast. I’m too handsome.”

Mara folded her arms and shook her head firmly. “Look at your clothes, Macey! It’s blue, the same as the one the Beast wears.”

Macey looked at Balqis with an annoyed expression. “Mommy, why did you choose blue for me? Mara made fun of me.”

After lifting Macey into a chair, Balqis stroked his round cheek. “Why are you angry? Didn’t the Beast finally become a handsome and kind prince?”

Remembering the end of the story, the frown on Macey’s forehead disappeared. He felt proud of the suit he wore. “That’s true. I am a changed Beast, Mara. I am a brave prince.”

After taking care of her son, Balqis turned to face Mara. It turned out her little daughter was busy dealing with her hair. It got caught in her crown.

“Mommy, we have to fix my hair. Let’s go to the restroom,” Mara pleaded.

Mara had high standards for appearance. Balqis rushed to carry her.

“Macey, can you wait here? If the waiter comes to deliver food, greet him politely.”

“Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not going anywhere.” Macey folded his arms on the table. His tiny legs swayed to the rhythm of the music.

However, just a few seconds after Balqis disappeared from sight, a group of men in black suits entered the café. After they formed a line beside the red carpet, a man in a gray suit appeared. He stepped forward proudly while putting his sunglasses in his pocket.

Macey was amazed to see the charismatic man. His eyes sparkled, and his neck elongated. “Wow, he’s so cool! He’s more suited to being a Beast than me.”

Suddenly, Macey remembered Mara’s story about the CEO who visited the library earlier. Suspecting that it was the same man, he slumped down from the chair. Without thinking, he went to follow the man to the VVIP room.