Chapter 4

• Liam felt a hand tug at his, prompting him to halt his footsteps and turn around.
• "Boss, the investor is here," Trey announced, motioning to the investor and his entourage, who were fast approaching.
• He turned his attention back to the lady and her child, but they were already near the exit of the airport. Liam drew a heavy sigh, shaking his head.
• "I must have lost my mind, for goodness sake, Chelsea is dead," he scolded himself before turning to go meet the investor.
• *****
• Kara's apartment was small and nestled in a mid-range corner of the city. The living room was cozy, furnished with a comfortable but well-worn sofa and a coffee table adorned with a vase of fresh flowers, with faded, floral-patterned curtains covering the windows.
• Kara, a nurse, was Chelsea's best friend, and they had met five years ago in Toronto. Through the help of Dr. Ramon, Chelsea was able to leave the country and settle in Toronto, Canada, with her baby. She was so grateful for the help and money he gave her to start all over.
• In Toronto, Chelsea met Kara, who was her neighbor. It was Kara who convinced her to take up a course in Business and Marketing. However, Kara left two years later to work in the US for a large hospital. Afterward, Chelsea got a job at a firm as a contract negotiator, but her life took a turn when she was transferred to the New York branch. She was terrified but determined to provide the best life for her son.
• Kara and Chelsea were sitting at the kitchen counter. The kitchen was small but functional, with white cabinets and a small dining table for four. A hint of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, and the window above the sink offered a glimpse of the neighboring buildings.
• "There's nothing to be worried about, Chels. I'm sure you'll never come across that bastard, Liam. New York is such a large city," Kara passed Chelsea a cup of hot coffee. "And besides, you're no longer Chelsea Knights but Scarlett Jensen; they'll not be able to trace you. Plus, everyone thinks Chelsea Knights is dead."
• Chelsea sighed, taking the cup from her. "I hope so because I don't like this one bit. I've never been able to forget all that Liam did to me, but I have no other choice. I want the best for my son, and I'll make sure of that. But what if he sees my Xolo?"
• "He won't, Chels, and relax. I'm sure he won't be able to tell he's his son. Does Xolo know what his father looks like?"
• "No, no, no," Chelsea took a sip from the coffee. "I made sure of that. I told him his father was in heaven."
• Xolo, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation from behind his room door, shook his head with a cocky smile. He was glad his room was close to the kitchen. His mother seemed to think he was oblivious and ignorant of everything going on around them, but he knew better.
• He knew his father was alive, he knew his father was Liam Knights, and he knew his father was the chairman of the Knights dynasty. He had investigated his father on the internet, the same father who had tried to murder his mother. If his mother didn't want revenge, then he would take matters into his own hands for her.
• He trailed away from his thoughts when he heard his mother mention school, as it concerned the first step in his plan. He quickly opened the door and went straight to the kitchen, beside his mom.
• Kara stood up from the chair. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry. You must be hungry."
• "I can make my meal, and my name is Xolo, not 'honey,' lady," he frowned, not liking the way Kara was treating him.
• "Xolo Jensen, don't talk to your aunt Kara like that; she was only being nice," Chelsea sighed.
• Her son didn't like strangers and people in general, talking to him like a child, and she wondered why because he was, in fact, a child. She also knew that Xolo didn't know Kara because he was still so little back then when they were neighbors in Canada.
• Kara was amused. "It's alright, Chels. I find him so cute." She adjusted her glasses slightly to get a clearer view. "Take a look at him right now. Oh my, your son is so handsome."
• Chelsea chuckled when she saw the snarl on Xolo's face. "I know, right."
• But at the back of her mind, she was worried because she knew how Xolo bore a striking resemblance to his father, from the sharp jawline, intense green eyes, brown hair, and red lips.
• "Mum, I think I figured out the school I want to attend now," he sat beside his mom, a huge grin dancing on his face. "I want to attend Glory Elementary School."
• She dropped the cup of coffee on the table. "Really," Chelsea smiled, ruffling his head. "Then it's settled."
• "Okay, wait a minute," Kara wrangled her hands dramatically in the air. "Isn't that school too expensive to afford?"
• Xolo sent her a hard glare, causing her to flinch. "Damn, this kid is scary," she thought.
• "It's alright, Kara. I can afford it. Everything I do, I do for my son. On Monday, I'll be starting work. I better go arrange our stuff."
• "I already arranged my room, Mom."
• "That's great. Thank you, baby."
• "Wow, you're so filial, Xolo. I'm so proud of the son you raised, Chels."
• "Thank you, Kara, and also thank you for letting us stay here."
• *****
• The taxi parked in front of the main entrance of Glory Elementary School. It was a bright and bustling morning, and Chelsea was dropping off her son for his first day of school here, before going to work as well. Xolo could feel the nervous energy in the air as he clutched his backpack tightly.
• As they reached in front of his classroom, Chelsea turned to Xolo, her gentle smile fading slightly as she spoke, "Now remember, Xolo, behave yourself and listen to your teacher; I've already spoken with her. It's important to make a good impression on your first day at a new school."
• Xolo's cheeks turned a deep shade of red as his mom affectionately brushed his hair behind his ears. He quickly swatted her hand away, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Mom, that's embarrassing. I'm not a baby!" he muttered, glancing around to see if any of his new classmates had witnessed the moment.
• Chelsea's eyes rolled amusedly; her son was just too mature for his age. "Alright, Xolo, time to go inside your new classroom."
• Unbeknownst to Chelsea, Xolo had a secret motive for wanting to attend Glory Elementary School. He had conducted some investigations and discovered that Kevin Knights, the son of his father, Liam Knights, went to this school and would be in the same class as him. And he had so much planned for his precious son, Kevin Knights.
• Just before Chelsea began to leave, Xolo handed her a small box of homemade cookies. "Here, I made these yesterday."
• "But I don't like or eat cookies, Xolo, and you know that," she said, surprised.
• Xolo smirked inwardly. "I know, Mom," he replied innocently, fluttering his thick and long eyelashes, "but these cookies aren't for me. They're for your new boss."
• Chelsea looked at him quizzically, her curiosity piqued. "My boss?"
• Xolo chuckled darkly in his mind, knowing the real purpose of the cookies. "Yes, Mom. I thought it would be a nice gesture to give them to your new boss."
• Impressed by her son's thoughtfulness, Chelsea smiled gratefully and accepted the box of cookies. "Thank you, baby."
• As she walked towards the school's entrance, Xolo watched her go, feeling a mix of emotions. He knew that this day would mark the beginning of his plan to exact his revenge on his so-called father. With a determined expression, he took a deep breath, ready to meet his new classmates.
• ***
• When Chelsea arrived at the building housing the New York branch of the Golden Arch firm, she was asked to wait for the boss to arrive. She felt nervous, despite her confidence in her job. This was her dream career, but having been a housewife, she hadn't been able to pursue her dreams then. Chelsea smoothed her hands across her pencil skirt and adjusted her suit jacket. She had felt confident in the red corporate suit and pencil skirt when she looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was neatly pulled up, revealing teardrop earrings.
• "Miss Jensen, our new chairman will be the one talking with you," the lady who had attended to her when she arrived directed her to another office, this time a luxurious and well-furnished one.
• "Wait here; he'll be here in a few minutes. He's inside the inner room."
• Chelsea nodded as the lady left. She quickly opened her bag and brought out a box of cookies, placing them on the table. Unbeknownst to Chelsea, there was another box of cookies already on the glass table.
• "Thank you so much, Mr. Knights, it was a pleasure," a voice was saying from inside the room.
• At the mention of that name, Chelsea's heart skipped a beat, fear gripping her entirely. "No, it couldn't be; maybe it's just a coincidence."
• What if it were her husband, the man who had tortured her, attempted to kill her, and tried to take away her baby?
• Unable to take it, she grabbed the other box of cookies instead of hers from the table and made to run, but just then, the door of the inner room opened, causing her to freeze in steps just in front of the door.
• "Miss Scarlett Jensen?"