Chapter 175
Ethan thed them out to eat, choosing a very spot in the city the westere too read or crossed
They can actually hear each other talk without theating over must er nolce. The warm smell of freshly cooked food fested through the areas they Stepped inside
this glanced around, feeling slightly overwhelmed. Everything was just so different here, the streets, the air, the people, the language if wasn’t a bad difference though. In fact, it felt oddly refreshing.
They sat at a small corner booth. Aiden immediately pressed his face to the window, pointing at the cars and the fall buildings outside like he had just landed on another planet. “Mama buildin so big, he whispered, eyes wide.
Mia smiled and rubbed his back gently. She was glad he was taking everything in with wonder and not fear. That meant a lot. “It’s different from Home huh
“Yeah.” Aiden said, his voice full of awe. “Can we climb up?”
Ethan chuckled from across the table. “You want to climb a skyscraper now, buddy?”
Aiden nodded, serious. “Yeah. Like Spider–Man.”
Mia and Ethan burst into laughter. It felt good to laugh. Really laugh.
“Come sit down baby”
The waitress came and took their orders, and after the food arrived, they ate in a comfortable silence.
Aiden munched on his fries while still sneaking looks outside. Ethan was focused on his burger, occasionally giving Mia a warm smile.
Mia ate slowly, her eyes drifting across the room.
When they finished eating, Ethan wiped his mouth and stood. “Alright. Time to take our little man to his new school.”
Aiden froze. He looked up at Mia, then at Ethan, suddenly very quiet.
“You okay, baby?” Mia asked, brushing her fingers through his curls
He nodded, chewing his lip.
The ride to the school was calm. Aiden sat in the backseat, his backpack on his lap even though he wasn’t starting yet. Mia could tell he was nervous. He kept fidgeting with the strap.
When they arrived, the school looked nice and neat, with large windows and a well–kept playground in front.
Children ran around, laughing, their backpacks bouncing behind them. It was a beautiful school. Clean. Bright. Safe.
Ethan parked and looked back at Aiden. “Ready, champ?”
Aiden didn’t answer. He climbed out slowly and stood close to Mia, slipping his small hand into hers. That made her heart ache. Her bold, talkative little boy was suddenly shy.
They walked into the building, the secretary welcoming them with a kind smile. Soon, they were ushered into the school director’s office. The woman was warm, gentle. She asked questions and listened carefully to Mia as she explained Aiden’s learning style, his little quirks, his strong suits. She seemed impressed.
His new teacher came in, and she was young, with soft eyes and a patient voice. She crouched to Aiden’s level and spoke to him kindly, showing him pictures of the classroom, letting him know what to expect.
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Chapter 175
But Aiden still clung to Mia’s side. He peeked into the classroom from behind her legs, not saying much. Just looking. Taking it all in.
Mia crouched beside him. “It’s okay to be nervous, baby. It’s new. But you’re going to do great.”
He looked up at her, then back at the room. Finally, he nodded.
After the tour and more paperwork, they stepped outside. They walked back to Ethan’s car, Aiden walking a little ahead.
Mia looked back at the school. She exhaled deeply. It was a good school. A really good one. One she could never have dreamed of affording on her own. She was grateful.
“Do you like your school, baby?” Mia asked as they drove off.
Aiden didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
Mia turned to look at him, catching his small smile as he stared out the window.
Ethan grinned as he turned a corner. “You ready for your interview tomorrow?”
Mia let out a chuckle, nervous and uncertain. She rubbed her palms on her jeans.
“I think so,” she said, eyes focused ahead but mind racing.
Alex was going through files after files in his office, his brows furrowed and his fingers lightly tapping against the desk.
The launch date for the new game was creeping closer, and yet nothing felt right. He had stayed up most of the night before, working with the team, trying to fine–tune the campaign strategy. But everything they came up with just seemed… off. Too bland. Too predictable. Not the punch he was looking
for.
He leaned back in his chair and let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing his temples. This wasn’t just any game. This was the one they’d poured their hearts into for nearly two years. And it deserved more than just a standard marketing approach.
A knock pulled him out of his thoughts.
He looked up.
“Mom,” Alex said as the door opened and his mother walked in with her usual confidence. She carried a stack of files, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor.
She didn’t say a word as she settled into the chair opposite him, placing the files on the desk between them.
Alex pushed aside his work, giving her his full attention.
“How are you?” she asked, her voice gentle but firm.
“Good,” he replied quickly, though it wasn’t entirely true. He was tired. Stressed. Frustrated. But good? Sure.
His mom pulled a few files from her bag and spread them across the table in front of him. “Take a look at these marketing strategies,” she said. “I’ve been going over them with the team. They’re solid, no doubt, but… I still feel something is missing.”
Alex leaned forward, curiosity piqued. He picked up the top file and began flipping through the pages. Charts, campaign outlines, mock–ups, feedback analysis. Everything looked polished. Professional. Exactly what a board would approve.
But he knew what she meant.
“This seems good,” he muttered, his eyes scanning each section. “But not enough. Not memorable. It won’t create the kind of impact we need.”
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Chapter 175
ལ་་་་ས
His mom hummed in agreement. She had that look on her face–the one she wore when her mind was already three steps ahead
“Felt the same way,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “That’s why I’ve made a few changes to tomorrow’s interview schedule. We’re testing something new. We need fresh minds, Alex. Real creativity. So tomorrow, each candidate will be given one task, come up with a marketing strategy for this game.
She gave a small smile.
“Whoever impresses us the most? Gets hired immediately.”
Alex raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“You’re serious?”
“Dead serious. We’ve done enough of the textbook nonsense. I want innovation. Something raw, real”
“Do what you have to do, Mom,” he said with a nod. He trusted her instincts more than anyone else’s.
She stood up and adjusted her blouse, gathering the remaining papers. As she turned to leave, she paused by the door and looked back.
“Eat your damn food,” she said, nodding toward the untouched plate on his desk.
Alex chuckled.
“You’re talking to your boss. I think you shou-”
“Shut up,” she said with a smirk and walked out of his office.
He shook his head, still smiling after she was gone.
He looked back at the files again. Maybe someone tomorrow would walk in with an idea that would shake the room. Someone bold. Someone different.
He just hoped whoever they were, they were ready.
For now, though, he picked up the fork and took a bite of the now slightly cold food.
Well, she was right. He needed to eat. He couldn’t think on an empty stomach.
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