Rejected: A love story-Chapter 153: Shocked

Two years and 6 months later.

The airport was busy and filled with the sound of rolling suitcases and announcements of departing flights. Viktoria bent slightly, adjusting the small jacket on the little boy standing beside her.

"Mama..." he mumbled softly, tugging at her coat.

"I’m here, sweetheart," she replied gently, bringing out their passport from her handbag.

The small boy looked up at Viktoria with his big blue eyes. His small fingers held Viktoria’s hand tightly as he leaned on her leg.

Motherhood had changed Viktoria completely. She had added a little weight, gained fuller cheeks and had full breasts but the gentleness in her eyes and her calm nature were still there.

Just then her phone rang in her hand, her lips curved in a smile immediately as she answered.

"Hello my love, have you boarded yet?" his deep voice came through.

"Not yet, we just got here, but we’ll make it in time don’t worry," she replied softly.

"And my little man?" he asked.

Viktoria crouched slightly and put the phone near the child.

"Say hi to Papa."

"Papa..." the boy said shyly, pressing closer to Viktoria’s leg.

Nikolai chuckled warmly. "Be good for Mama, alright?"

The child didn’t respond, just held Viktoria tighter, hiding his face slightly.

Viktoria smiled. "He misses you already," she said softly.

"I miss both of you," Nikolai replied smiling, even though she couldn’t see him.

She sighed quietly, as if tired already. "I wish you were here."

"I’ll join you once the acquisition is finalized. It won’t take long, I promise."

"We’ll be waiting," she said with a smile.

They stayed silent for a moment, neither wanting to hang up.

"I love you, Viktoria."

"I love you too, Nikolai." She said, then lowered the phone to the little boy. "Come on, Mateo, tell Papa you love him."

"I love you Papa." He said into the phone, his voice was barely audible.

Nikolai chuckled. "Love you too my boy."

Mateo hugged his mother’s leg hiding his face—Viktoria chuckled gently. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"Shy boy" she said.

"Alright, my love. I wouldn’t want you to miss the flight. Call ne when you land. Muah" he said blowing a kiss through the phone.

Viktoria frowned slightly, not wanting to hang up. "Oh, okay love you."

"Love you more, my love."

And with that she hung up the call, ...stuffing the phone back into her handbag with a small sigh. She looked down at Mateo, who was still clinging to her leg like a little koala. "Alright, my shy boy, it’s time to go."

People were rushing past them with their bags as flight departure was being announcements.

Viktoria adjusted the strap of her handbag on her shoulder, then reached for their suitcase with one hand while holding Mateo’s tiny hand with the other.

They joined the line for check-in, which was moving slowly. Mateo tugged on her hand, his curious blue eyes darting around at the commotion. When it was finally their turn, Viktoria stepped up to the counter.

"Passport and ticket, please," the attendant said. Viktoria brought out their documents out of her bag and handed them over with a polite nod. The attendant scanned everything, tagged her suitcase, and slid the boarding passes across the counter.

"Here you go, ma’am. Enjoy your flight," the woman said with a small smile.

"Thank you," Viktoria replied softly, taking the passes and tucking them into her bag. She guided Mateo to the conveyor belt, where the suitcase disappeared into the system. Mateo turned his neck to watch it go, his little face full of wonder.

Next came security, Viktoria pulled off her coat and placed it into a plastic tray, along with her handbag and Mateo’s tiny backpack. She crouched a little to help him take off his shoes, which he wasn’t too happy about. "It’s okay, baby, we’ll put them back on in a minute," she said, kissing his forehead.

They passed through the metal detector together, Mateo kept looking as if trying to process everything.

"Almost there, sweetheart," she said, taking his hand again and leading him toward the gate. Mateo covered his mouth as he yawned.

"Tired already?" She asked, then lifted him off the floor.

●●●●●●●●●

Next morning

Viktoria stepped into the grand office building, carrying her son on her side. The air inside was cool and inviting, she adjusted her blazer with her free hand, Mateo was holding his favourite teddy bear tightly, his head resting on her shoulder, he was still sleepy from last night.

The receptionist, a young woman with bangs wearing a navy-blue blazer, looked up from her desk. Viktoria smiled politely, but the woman’s expression froze before she could greet her. Her mouth opened slightly, and her eyes widened, as if she’d just seen a ghost.

"Good morning," Viktoria said. "My name is Viktoria Volkov and I’m here to see Mr. Keith. I have an appointment."

The receptionist blinked rapidly, her face suddenly pale. "Um... y-yes. Of course. One moment, please."

She fumbled with her computer, her fingers shaking as she typed. Viktoria frowned slightly, glancing down at Mateo, who was now fully awake and staring at the receptionist with his curious blue eyes.

"Everything alright?" Viktoria asked, because she wss getting a bit confused.

"Yes, ma’am. It’s just... nothing. You can take the executive elevator to the top floor," the receptionist stammered, pointing toward the shiny silver doors across the lobby.

Viktoria nodded, brushing off the strange interaction as she made her way to the elevator. She pressed the button and waited, shifting her gaze to keep Mateo comfortable.

The elevator doors opened and she stepped inside. As the doors slid shut, Viktoria caught a glimpse of the receptionist staring after her, her lips kimda parted in disbelief.

"What’s her deal?" She said to no one in particular.

When the doors finally opened, Viktoria stepped out into a spacious, modern office floor. She quickly went to a man in a dark blue suit because he looked like someone important.

Viktoria smiled and stepped forward, ready to introduce herself. But the man’s reaction made her stop in her tracks.

His face went pale as his eyes locked onto hers. His mouth opened slightly, as if to speak, but no words came out. He blinked rapidly, his gaze darting between Viktoria and her son, his expression frozen in shock.

"Good morning," Viktoria said, her voice uncertain now. "I’m Viktoria Volkov. I’m here to meet with Mr. Keith."