Episode 8

"Good morning, my loves!" Arya says to her children as she enters their room.

She walks over to the window, pulls back the curtains, and opens the windows before arranging the clothes the children will wear. She bathes Mia first, then dresses her in a beautiful lilac-colored t-shirt and shorts combo, ties her long hair in a high ponytail, and slips on a pair of white sneakers. Arya takes Kai to the bathroom, gives him a bath, dresses him in dark green shorts and t-shirt set too, and puts on a pair of black sneakers. They head downstairs for breakfast and soon after set out to enjoy the beautiful Saturday morning.

"Hey mommy, where are we going today?" the little Mia asks excitedly.

"First, we're going to the museum, as Kai had requested, then we'll lunch at a restaurant that mommy really likes, and in the afternoon, the amusement park." She responds with a smile on her face.

"I want to go where the dinosaurs are, mom." Kai states seriously.

"My son, I think it wouldn't hurt you to smile now and then!" She says with a laugh.

"I don't like it." he says with a sullen expression.

They arrive at the museum and she parks near a park. As they enter, they first head for the dinosaurs, and finally, Kai smiles. They tour every section of the museum, and Mia is particularly enchanted by the Egyptian exhibit. They spend around two hours there before heading to the nearby park, where Arya sits in the shade of a tree while the kids play. She watches them and wonders what it would be like to have a complete family since her children often ask where their father is, and she tells them that he has gone to live in heaven with the angels, as she doesn’t have the courage to reveal the truth—that she doesn't know who he is, that she can’t remember his face. After a lot of play, they go for lunch. Her phone rings shortly after; it's Kilam's private number.

"Good afternoon! Mr. Pagano, how can I help you?" She asks without much enthusiasm for talking to him.

"Good afternoon! Haven’t I told you to call me Kilam?" He speaks in a calm tone.

"I prefer to maintain formality, Mr." She responds curtly and with a firm voice.

"Okay, I won't force you to do anything. I need the contract for the Seattle building, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Could you come here to help me look for it? I'm sure May moved it."

"It's on the shelf behind my desk, third shelf from the top, in a blood-red folder with a white label."

"Are you sure? May always keeps it in the file room." He questions her.

"I stored it myself; after all, all newly signed contracts are on that shelf to make them easy to find in case something comes up."

While talking on the phone with him, she attentively watches her children eating. Arya serves them juice and helps them clean up when some food drops on their clothes.

"Mommy, I want pistachio ice cream for dessert," Kai says as soon as he finishes his meal.

"I'm going to have strawberry," Mia says, her plate still full.

"You can order your ice cream, Kai, and Mia, you can have yours after you finish your meal, and your plate is still full," She laughs, forgetting about Kilam on the line.

"Sorry to interrupt your lunch with your family. I hope your husband won't be upset about it."

"Don't worry, you're not interrupting; I've finished eating, I just won’t be able to come over," She says exasperated.

"Good, I found the contract, and indeed the new way you’ve organized things will make it much easier," He says as he looks at the document in his hand.

"Have a good afternoon, Mr. Pagano," She says and hangs up without letting him respond.

After they finish, Arya takes them to the amusement park. Meanwhile, Kilam is at the office working when he is interrupted by Lisa, who enters his office without knocking.

"Hi, my love, I think you forgot about lunch with my family," She says angrily.

"I haven’t forgotten, I just had more important things to do," He replies without looking at her, staying focused on his papers.

"Kilam, have you ever realized I'm never your priority?" She yells, making him look at her.

"I am your fiancee."

"Not by my choice, you know I had no say in the matter," He retorts sharply and returns to his work.

"It seems like you never loved me, Kilam," Lisa says, her voice choked with tears.

Kilam stands and walks over to the crying woman in front of him, leading her to the couch. As she sits, he sits next to her, making her turn to face him.

"Lisa, I never led you on, I never loved you, but I don't hate you either," He says, trying to console her, yet his words are still harsh.

"We're engaged due to an arrangement between our families, and you know full well I never wanted this."

"Would it be too much to ask for you to at least try to love me once?" She pleads through her sobs.

"We are together, and that's enough; now let’s go, I'll drop you off at home."

"Kilam, I don't want to go to my house; I want to stay with you; I'll go home tomorrow," She says, drying her tears with a handkerchief he handed her.

"Okay, but no more of this drama; I don't want to discuss it with you anymore."

They leave the company and head towards Kilam's house. At a stoplight, Lisa gazes at the amusement park, now all lit up due to the hour, and sees Mia and Kai walking hand in hand.

"I wish our children would be twins; look how beautiful," She says, her gaze fixed on the children.

"That boy reminds me a lot of you; he seems serious, while the girl is very smiley," She comments with a smile.

For a few seconds, he looks at the children but then turns his attention back to the road ahead.

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