Chapter 20 Crossing Paths Again
The two discussed starting their own company and planning a transformation, as online channels have become increasingly competitive over the past few years. They agreed that establishing their own brand and taking a high-end designer approach was the way forward. Thus, they founded their current studio, SeCret. Rachel had been an executive assistant at a company where she met many wealthy bosses. She would help these bosses manage their female companions, who were often minor celebrities or socialites, gaining many valuable contacts. According to Rachel, that was the only benefit from her old job.
These connections greatly aided the early stages of their business, so SeCret primarily designed clothes for celebrities, socialites, and the wealthy elite. After more than two years of operations, the studio had gained some recognition. Part of the attraction was the designer's mystique. Nobody had seen them. On the other hand, Madison's designs genuinely suited each individual's temperament and highlighted their physical attributes.
At the latest film awards ceremony, Ophelia wore Madison's creation and won the Best Newcomer. She drew the focus of countless photographers and even overshadowed the winner of the Best Actress award. The brand of the dress Ophelia wore was researched by the public, and thus SeCret's reputation in the design world skyrocketed once more. Everyone grew more curious about the designer behind it all.
Madison wasn't trying to be mysterious to attract attention. She genuinely just wanted to protect the two children, to prevent Matthew from discovering their existence. Recently, Rachel had taken on a major job that required the designer to be present in person for discussions. Securing this contract could sustain their company for half a year, so although she hadn't planned on coming to Horizon City, she considered the increasing expenses for the two kids and her responsibility to the company. Reluctantly, she decided to come, hoping there wouldn't be any troubles so she could finish up quickly and return home.
*
"Mom, are you ready?" Hannah couldn't wait to go out to eat, as their Auntie Rachel promised to treat them to something delicious. Seeing her mom hadn't emerged from the room yet, Hannah ran in to hurry her along.
Madison snapped out of her thoughts. "All set, sweetheart. We can leave now." She picked up her daughter and headed out of the room where Rachel and Quentin were already waiting, fully prepared.
Considering Frostpine's preference for strong flavors, Rachel took the group to a famous Mexican restaurant. She let her three companions off at the entrance before finding a parking spot.
Madison entered the restaurant with Quentin and Hannah, and it was indeed bustling with customers. They managed to find a table for four after a brief search. The server handed them menus, and Madison ordered a few of the signature dishes, planning to wait for Rachel to add anything else she wanted. Parking spaces were scarce, and it took Rachel a while to find one.
"Madison, have you ordered?" Rachel asked as she arrived.
"Just a few dishes. Take a look if you want to add anything," Madison said, passing over the menu.
"This meal is on me," Rachel said, as she enthusiastically marked several more dishes on the menu, noting that there were many non-spicy options suitable for Quentin and Hannah. "You can tell it's a popular place by how full it is. We were lucky to find this spot. There are people still waiting to be seated."
Seeing Rachel still marking the menu, Madison suggested, "That should be enough. We don't want to waste food."
"Okay, let's go with this," Rachel agreed and summoned the server to take the order. Then, she realized she had forgotten to order drinks. "Can we please start with a pitcher of fresh orange juice?"
The two little ones happily dug into their meal, noisily munching and enthusiastically stuffing food into their mouths. The orange juice turned out to be a perfect relief for the spiciness.
After a satisfying meal, Hannah announced she wanted to play with the little cars at the nearby square, something that had caught her eye upon arrival. Madison stepped away to use the restroom, while Rachel was at the front with the two little ones, settling the bill.
"Pretty lady, are you eating here, too?"
Willow had picked up her parents and Matthew, initially planning to head straight to their family home, but considering the time, she decided to bring her family and Matthew to this restaurant known for its delightful taste from a previous visit with friends. They had arrived early and were seated in a private room inside. After eating, Matthew went to fetch the car, while her parents waited at the entrance for her to pay.
She didn't expect to run into the adorable kid from the airport again here. A strangely familiar feeling made Willow excited too, "Hello there, kiddo. What a coincidence. We met again."
When Rachel saw Hannah willingly greeting someone, she was surprised. This little treasure had already made acquaintances upon her arrival in Horizon City. The person Hannah approached seemed well-dressed and friendly, and Rachel didn't interrupt their conversation.
"Yeah, I came here to eat with my mom, auntie, and brother."
"I'm also here dining with my family," Willow said smilingly as she chatted with Hannah, glancing over at the little girl's brother and again feeling an intense sense of familiarity. It was as if she had seen him before. Seeing Rachel nearby, Willow guessed she must be the little girl's mother or auntie mentioned and took the initiative to greet her, "Hello, we met briefly at the airport restroom. It's such a small world to see you here too."
"Yes, what a coincidence," Rachel responded warmly to the greeting.
"What's your name, little one? I'd like to call on you to play sometime," Willow said, genuinely smitten by the little girl's delicate features.
"You can call me Hannah."
Honk!
Willow looked up to see Matthew's car parked outside. Her parents were already inside, just waiting for her. She quickly said her goodbyes, "I've got to go now, but let's make plans to meet up if you have time," she said, scribbling a series of digits on the receipt and handing her phone number to Hannah.
As Willow just stepped out toward the car, Madison came back from the restroom, "Let's go, sweetheart. We'll go to the little square for a ride in the little cars."
Hannah danced with glee, as children only need food and fun to be content. Quentin, though silent, also seemed very happy. After all, they were just kids. Every kid loved to play.
Frostpine was in the countryside, and they had never seen many of the novel toys. Rachel said she would make sure they thoroughly enjoyed this time. As for the little incident earlier, she thought it was just a chance encounter and not something to take seriously. It was certainly not serious enough to suggest Hannah should call someone to arrange a playdate, so she didn't mention it to Madison.
The four of them happily made their way to the car.
Inside the car, Willow began recounting what happened.
"Matthew, do you know? I saw that little girl from the airport again at the restaurant, and her brother too. It's such a coincidence! Mom, Dad, you have no idea. I've never seen such beautiful kids before. They must be twins. they look the same age." Willow was so excited that she was almost desperate for her family to see with their own eyes that she wasn't lying.
Seeing that Matthew wasn't responding, Willow turned to her parents and continued, "Every time I see her brother, I feel this strange sense of familiarity, as if I've met him before, but I just can't remember where..."
Unbeknownst to Matthew, their family of four had once again narrowly missed each other.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
