Chapter 2

Sydney?

“Where's my daughter?”

A painful lump blocks the flow of oxygen to her lungs as Ellodie darts her eyes around the hall, searching for her daughter.

Her daughter was just here!

Ellodie was too engrossed in her conversation with the Secretary of E.S & Co. to realize her daughter had wandered off.

She shouldn't have brought her here. She shouldn't have.

Ellodie knows this is no time to blame herself. She needs to find her daughter. Sydney doesn't know anyone or anywhere around. They just got to Las Vegas two nights ago, and Ellodie has been so busy trying to fix things up for the launch of the partnership with E.S & Co.

This is the major reason why Ellodie came back to Las Vegas. In an attempt to meet up with the CEO, she decided to attend the company's third anniversary.

And now Sydney is nowhere to be found!

“Have you seen her?” Lea, the secretary she was speaking with before Sydney disappeared, asks Ellodie.

Ellodie shakes her head, trying to calm her nerves and not burst into tears. The fear is back. Ever since Sydney’s birth four years ago, she has always had this fear of losing her.

She has no idea what would happen if something bad happened to her daughter. She can't live without her sweet girl.

“Should we check the restroom? She mentioned something about using the restroom earlier, remember?” Lea reminds her.

That is true. But that was thirty minutes ago. She totally forgot about it.

Ellodie told her to stay calm so she could take her daughter herself as soon as she was done conversing with Lea. She never knew their conversation would take that long because Lea was an easy person to talk to and friendly too.

Ellodie hasn't made any friends in a long while. Perhaps, this is the reason why she sees a friend in Lea.

Quickly, she strides towards the direction leading to the restroom. The hall is already swarmed with guests from various countries. The CEO must be a wealthy man considering the rumors she has heard about him.

This is not the only company he has. In fact, E.S & Co is the fifth company in over five years.

They get to the restroom and Ellodie halts, turning back to see Lea right behind her. She’s scared of pulling the door open to see someone else in there, so she decides to knock.

Turning to face the door, Ellodie raises her trembling hand to knock slightly, shutting her eyes and wishing to hear her tiny sweet voice answering with a “Yes.”

Silence ensues.

Ellodie flickers her eyes open, her heart drumming hard as she knocks again, this time louder.

If Sydney isn't here, then she has no idea where else to find her daughter. Sydney doesn't know anywhere. Where could she have gone? Did something trick her out? Did she see anyone her age that she thought could be her friend.

Sydney is Ellodie’s total opposite. She doesn't make friends easily, but her daughter does. She's too quiet and reserved, but her daughter isn't. She doesn't smile without a reason, but her daughter does. She is not jovial, but her daughter is.

Everyone is Sydney's friend, including Lea, someone they just met thirty minutes ago.

“Oh, God!” Ellodie facepalms herself, her body trembling as she forces herself to step back. She knows Sydney isn't there.

“Calm down, let's split up. Go back to where we were standing before she disappeared while I go check outside, okay?” Lea's soothing voice does not reduce the sour feeling spreading in Ellodie’s stomach.

Ellodie feels like a bad mother who can't watch over her child. In just 48 hours of being in Las Vegas, her daughter has gone missing. What does that make her?

A bad mother!

Lea nudges Ellodie, bringing her back to reality. She is already thinking of the worst things that can happen to her dear child.

She can't lose Sydney. She went through a lot to have her. She can't lose her.

Like a madwoman, Ellodie races past Lea as though they are total strangers. She is not in her right senses until she sees her child.

Uncaring about the crowd, Ellodie races back into the hall, holding onto her long dinner gown so she won't trip. She glances around to see if she can catch sight of her amidst the crowd, but she is nowhere to be found.

Forcing the knot forming in her throat, she tries to calm down as she stops racing so as not to attract attention. With long strides, she walks back to the second section of the hall where Lea and she were standing with Sydney earlier on.

They were there because Lea wanted her to meet with her boss before their meeting tomorrow.

Ellodie wouldn't have come to the ceremony if she wasn't in charge of the decorations. She wanted it to be perfect, hence her presence.

Leaving it to her crew would have her going up and down with worry until they were back. She wanted to make a good first impression, so she decided to come.

Ellodie doesn't know how they got to know her, but they extended a hand of partnership which she took instantly. Partnership with companies like this is what she needs for the huge success of her new company in Paris.

She stops dead in her tracks when she catches sight of the familiar baby pink gown Sydney is wearing—she is talking and demonstrating with her hands at the same time.

In front of Sydney stands a man in an Armani black suit whose head is down, staring at her with a smile tugging at his face.

Relief washes through Ellodie. She facepalms herself, muttering appreciation to the Almighty for letting her see her daughter. Without wasting much time, she ambles towards them.

Sydney whirls around immediately and their eyes meet.

“Mommy!” Sydney screams, waving excitedly at Ellodie before pointing to her and turning to the man behind her.

Ellodie guesses her daughter must have told him about her. Mothers are known to always talk about how smart and beautiful their kids are as a show-off, but in her case, her child shows her off to the world.

When Ellodie looks up, she stops dead again. This time, dread stretches up her throat, her pulse spikes, and a sudden headache hits her forehead at the face before her.

Simon…

Her worst nightmare.

The main reason why she didn't consider the idea of opening a branch of her company here in Las Vegas for over four years. The same man she was hoping and wishing to never cross paths with ever again.

The anger from four years back hits her nerve endings, making her ball her hands into fists.

What the hell is he doing with her child?

His face is expressionless, but Ellodie wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't recognize her anymore.

Quickly, she steps forward, her gaze leaving him eventually. When she gets close to Sydney, she grabs her hand and walks past Simon without a word.

Just before she gets to the door, her head spinning with a lot of memories of their life together as a couple for five years, his voice stops her.

“E-Ellodie..?”

The same voice from four years ago. The same rich and authoritative effect. The same tone of arrogance and pride.

He hasn't changed a bit, but Ellodie knows she has. A lot has happened in just four years. A lot of things that changed her type of person and her mentality.

Simon is the only one who calls her Ellodie. In Paris, everyone knows her as Amanda. She doubts if Sydney even knows her real name is Ellodie.

Ellodie shuts her eyes, holds Sydney tighter, happy she isn't questioning her about her behavior. She continues to the door, and another voice stops her.

“Mrs. Tornes!”

Instantly, Ellodie knows it is Lea. The guilt stirs her insides. She was too mad to remember they were both in search of Sydney.

Ellodie turns around, plastering her signature smile on her face. “I'm sorry, Lea. I need to go. I'll call you later to continue our discussion.”

Lea is standing right beside Simon, and it tempts her to look over to him to see his expression. Before Ellodie can do anything, he exclaims loudly.

“What?!”

Ellodie shifts her gaze to him to see the shock written on his face as his mouth drops agape.

“She is... the CEO of Tornes Homes & Interiors?” He questions his secretary as if he doesn't want to believe it.

“Yes, sir. She's Amanda Tornes.”

Suddenly, Ellodie's annoyance dies a quick death as a smile spreads across her entire face in pride.