"Miss Sinclair, here is your room key. Breakfast will be served for free in the hotel after seven o’clock. Do you need anything else?"
The hotel receptionist handed a room card to the woman in front of her, unable to resist looking a few more times at this beautiful Oriental woman, marveling inwardly.
"No, thank you." The woman gave a gentle smile, took the room card, and turned to leave.
The receptionist’s gaze followed the woman’s graceful figure for a long while before pulling back, and she whispered in admiration to her colleague beside her, "Did you see that? Oh my God... she’s so beautiful! Even more beautiful than the models at Fashion Week!"
The colleague also remarked, almost wistfully, "Indeed, it’s the first time I’ve seen such a beautiful Oriental woman. If possible, I’d love to ask her out for coffee." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on novelFirｅ.net
"Don’t kid yourself, did you see the brand of clothes she was wearing? They’re all custom-made!"
"Is that so? I don’t know much about that..."
Overhearing the murmurs behind her, Evelyn Clayton’s expression remained unchanged as she walked straight to the elevators and swiped her card.
Once inside the elevator, Evelyn’s face finally showed signs of fatigue.
She had transferred several flights from Vesseria to get here; nearly all flights to Paris were canceled. Even so, the design exhibition was still on.
She had to admire the resilience of the French people.
While lost in thought, the elevator reached the top floor.
In the suite, Evelyn Clayton opened the curtains and looked out at the dawning sky.
It was now half past five in the morning in Paris; it should almost be noon back home.
Evelyn was eager to video call Pauline Warren but worried about disturbing them, so she decided to take out her computer and start reviewing design drafts in the suite’s study room.
After an hour, daylight was in full bloom, and Evelyn couldn’t wait any longer to dial Pauline Warren for a video call.
As soon as the video connected, the screen on the other side was still dark, but Pauline Warren’s anxious voice came through, "Oh, Evelyn, hold on a second. The network here isn’t very good..."
Evelyn patiently waited, smiling, "No rush, Mom, take your time."
As soon as she spoke, the screen over there brightened up.
Pauline Warren’s face appeared, tinged with laughter yet full of concern, constantly looking around Evelyn’s surroundings as if trying to peer through the tiny screen to see Evelyn’s environment.
Evelyn playfully moved a bit, allowing Pauline to get a better view of her surroundings through the camera.
"I’ve arrived at the hotel. Don’t worry; it’s not as chaotic here as the news suggests, and I’m on the Champs-Elysees, so it’s quite safe."
Pauline sighed, "That’s good to hear. It really scared me, with things being so chaotic over there, and you still had to go for the design exhibition, it really is..."
After a couple of complaints, Pauline laughed and said, "Last night, Sharon kept asking when you’d be back; she really misses you."
The smile in Evelyn’s eyes grew even more radiant, "Really?"
"Of course!" Pauline said, getting up and carrying the computer out of the room.
Evelyn patiently waited, and shortly after, she saw Pauline enter another room.
The room was dimly lit, but one could tell that its main color theme was pink, warm and cute, with a messy array of little girl’s toys scattered on the floor and sofa, colorful and dazzling.
Pauline carefully approached the bed, placing the computer on a table nearby, aiming the camera at the bed.
Upon seeing the little girl sprawled out in sleep, Evelyn’s eyes softened immediately.
Pauline leaned close to the little girl, calling out tenderly:
"Sharon, wake up, Mommy’s calling!"