“I think you two should talk,” Collin butted in when he noticed the awkwardness between the two. “I’ll take the kids home so take your time talking. It’s been a while since you have met each other so you have a lot of catching up to do.” Though she was unsure if that was the right thing to do at the moment, Via nodded her head. She followed Troye, who had already walked his way towards Collin’s office's balcony. “It’s been a long time, Vi.” Troye said again with a smile. “How have you been?” “I’m good.” Via felt awkward. It had been years since the last time she saw him, but the emotions she had before she left were still there. She felt apologetic, and her heart was filled with guilt toward him. The two of them started catching up as Collin instructed them. Troye asked questions about the US, how she adjusted, and how she searched for jobs. In return, Via tried to ask Troye questions about his work and how he remained in touch with Collin after what happened between them. Their c

Jessica and Via exchanged excited glances as they made their way to the conference room for their first meeting as part of the special project team. The anticipation was palpable, and they couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and excitement. This was a big step in their careers, and they were eager to prove themselves. As they entered the room, they saw the rest of the team already gathered: Larry, a seasoned project manager known for his strategic mind; Francis, a young and ambitious data analyst; and Carrie, a creative marketing expert with a flair for innovative campaigns. Raizen Nakamura stood at the head of the table, commanding attention. "Good morning, everyone," Raizen began, his voice calm and authoritative. "Congratulations on being selected for this special project team. I have high expectations, but I have no doubt that each of you will bring unique strengths to our initiatives." The team exchanged nods and smiles, the atmosphere already buzzing with a sense of camar

Via spent the next morning in a daze, her thoughts scattered between the upcoming day at work and the possibility of reuniting with her father. Collin's words from the previous night echoed in her mind. She was still unsure about bringing the children to meet their grandfather, but she couldn't shake the hope that things would turn out well. She arrived at the office earlier than usual, hoping to get a head start on the day's tasks. As she settled into her desk, she felt a mix of nerves and excitement. Today was the first official meeting of the special team, and she wanted to make a good impression. "Morning, Via." Jessica greeted her with a cheerful smile as she walked in. "Are you Ready for our big meeting?" "Morning, Jess. Yeah, I am," Via replied, managing a smile. "How about you?" "Definitely. I'm excited to see how we can all work together," Jessica said, setting her bag down. "Plus, it's a great opportunity to learn from Mr. Nakamura." The mention of Raizen brought back th

When Via arrived home, laughter and playful chatter greeted her before she stepped through the door. She smiled as she entered, feeling a rush of warmth at the sight that greeted her. Collin was on the floor playing with Jaydee and Kaydee in the living room. They were building a tower out of colorful blocks, their faces filled with joy and concentration. "Mommy's home!" Jaydee exclaimed, jumping up from the floor and hugging Via. "Hey, sweetheart," Via said, returning her son's embrace with a smile. "Did you have fun with Uncle Collin?" "Yeah! We built the tallest tower ever!" Jaydee exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "That's amazing, buddy," Via said, ruffling his hair affectionately. "And what about you, Kaydee? Did you have fun too?" Kaydee nodded enthusiastically, a grin lighting up his face. "Yeah, Mommy! We had so much fun!" Via's heart swelled with love as she watched her children interact with Collin. He had always been so good with them, and she couldn't hel

“Did you wait long?” Cassie asked when she saw Via waiting near the entrance of the subdivision. “No. I just arrived here, she replied as she entered her best friend’s car. As soon as she was settled, Cassie started maneuvering towards the main house. Silence reigned between the two and Cassie noticed her best friend's discomfort. Knowing Via's family history, she could tell how anxious her best friend was at that moment. “I’m not really sure if this is a good thing, but I want you to know that I’ll always take your side,” Cassie assured her as she squeezed her hand. “How were the kids?” Via asked, trying to divert the topic. Truth be told, she was not just anxious about meeting her dad again. She was more worried about the kids; they were much more vulnerable with rejection compared to her. “They were fine. Though they haven’t met Dad because Collin insisted that you needed to be there for him to meet them.” Via let out a sigh of relief. It was a good thing Collin was able to ha