Two Times the Charm

Chapter 3

After dropping Alex off at the daycare, Clara hopped in a cab and headed straight to the Melendez skyscraper

After paying the taxi fare, she got out of the cab, looked up at the towering building and couldn’t help but feel a bit jittery-

She had to nail this job interview! Melendez Corporation was a big deal in the industry, and anyone associated with it was considered top–notch.

Taking a deep breath, Clara strutted into the building Before she could even reach the front desk, a man rushed out, muttering:

“Mr. Melendez’s kid is missing? Got it, I’ll round up a search party right away!”

Hearing this, Clara raised an eyebrow, a strange pang in her heart.

“Hello, who are you looking for?”

If it weren’t for the receptionist interrupting her thoughts, she would have just stood there dumbfounded.

“Hi, I’m here for an interview. For position of the General Manager’s Secretary” Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Alright, follow me!”

Clara followed the receptionist, stealing a glance at the direction the man had rushed off to

Clara aced the interview. Out of the ten candidates, she was the only one who made the cut.

After giving her a review, the manager nodded in approval, “You can start tomorrow, right?”

“Sure thing!”

“Great, wear a nice dress and drop off a document at the headquarters for me.” The manager grinned, “You’ll be representing our entire company at the headquarters on your first day. You’ll get to meet Melendez’s CEO, so make sure to make the most of this opportunity!”

Clara didn’t think twice, simply smiling in response, “Thank you for your acknowledgement, I’ll do my best.”

As soon as she exited the interview room, she was eager to share the good news. But when she took out her phone, she realized she had nobody to share it with. Her excitement vanished in an instant. Just as she was about to put her phone away, an incoming call from Alex’s teacher lit up the screen.

Clara’s first thought was that her son was in trouble again.

“Hello, this is Alex’s mom speaking.”

“Is this Alex’s parent? He snuck out of school!”

“He he what?”

“Yes. We noticed Alex was missing and checked the surveillance footage. He slipped out during lunch break!”

Clara couldn’t hear the rest of the teacher’s words. All she could think about was that Alex was missing. Her phone slipped from her hand and clattered onto the

ground

Suddenly, she remembered what her son had said that morning. The amusement park! Alex must have gone to the amusement park!

“Alex, mommy is so sorry… This is all my fault! Please, I hope nothing bad has happened to you!”

What was the point of living without her son?

Even though it was a weekday, the amusement park was packed with people.

This was a Melendez–funded amusement park, with top–ranked attractions from around the world..

Clara hailed a cab straight to the park. She jumped out in such a hurry she even forgot to pay the fare!

“Alex1 Alex!”

“Alex, where are you!”

She wished she had eight eyes as she scanned the park for a glimpse of her son.

Then, all of a sudden-

She spotted a familiar, skinny little figure making his way through the crowd!

Clara quickened her pace, rushing over to scoop him up. “Alex! Do you have any idea how scared mom was? I can’t live without you! I promise I’ll never leave you ever again!”

Mom?

Aiden froze, staring at the weeping stranger in front of him, who bore an uncanny resemblance to him….