CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Jaden wouldn't move away from the painting. He would stare at it in awe, and Lara felt the need to give him what he asked. He would always keep silent when he wanted something - even in front of that painting.

Even at five years old, he understood his mommy couldn't do everything. There were things she couldn't give them, and he had learnt how not to ask. Every time he did that, it broke Lara's heart.

Kids should have been a little spoiled, right? Yet her little boy wasn't. That part of him hadn't changed even when Nate had appeared. He would accept Nate's presents, but never ask for more.

«Mommy's boy likes this, right?» she said.

Jaden nodded, holding her hand and getting ready to leave. There were other paintings to check, right?

The woman named Mary said it was expensive, so he wouldn't ask it.

However, Lara had other plans.

«Do you think your dad will like it?» she asked.

Jaden shrugged. How could he know what Nate liked?

«I guess we can put it in your room if he doesn't,» Lara said while delivering a credit card. Sure, seventy thousand was a high price. However, it couldn't be more expensive than the diamonds Nate would buy without thinking twice.

Even art was a form of investment, so he wouldn't mind spending money on it. And he wouldn't be too mad if Lara's choice would turn into a loss.

«Is there something else you like?» she asked.

Jaden shook his head, but his eyes flew to another painting with the moon. He couldn't help it.

Lara chuckled, but she didn't want to buy two paintings of the same artist. She didn't know much about business in the real world, just on paper, but one rule was clear: diversify your investments.

«We'll take Pike's last painting,» she said. «And the scenery you have in the shop window. Can you deliver those this same evening?»

Mary Dixon nodded, happy almost like the little boy. She had sold not one but two paintings to Lara Clayton. Not to mention how she had heard a little about her story.

«Sure, why not!»

«Also, I would like to hear more about Pike. He's from Norwich, right?»

«No one knows, actually. Most of his paintings appear in Norwich or not far from here, so we assume he lives somewhere nearby. But there isn't any evidence. It's just a hunch. Also, he draws sceneries only.»

«I believe it's better like this. Every single one is breathtaking.» Read new adventures at empire

«I know, right? What's more surprising is how he could keep his charms untouched over the years. It's been about ten years since he started painting, and he would produce at least two pieces a month. That's so much, isn't it?»

«Sure,» Lara said, even though she had no clue how much time an artist would need for a painting.

«At first, someone said it could be actually more than one person. But the strokes are so consistent. It's clear that the same hand has done every single one.»

Lara threw a glance on Jaden and noticed his excitement. He was moving his weight from one foot to the other, his lips curled up in a smile and his eyes shining like stars. She remembered the reason why she couldn't act just like any normal mother and show him around without concerns.

She couldn't afford making him too happy too often or he could lose control over his ears and show everyone their deepest secret.

«I have to go,» she said, looking at the time on her phone. «I'll come here again, sometime. See you, Mary.»

«Okay. I'll be waiting, Lara,» replied the other. She was shining like a lamp. She had the privilege to call Woods's future wife by name.

Lara stepped out of the gallery and pushed the hat on Jaden's head. Just in time, because she saw his ears turn white and furry. She sighed, relieved she had made it. Nate could sense when something was going to happen and hide it in time.

With him, the cubs were a hundred per cent safe. With her, just ninety per cent, she realised.

She had to be more careful, at least until they grew up a little more.

«Mommy,» Jaden said, and she picked him up.

She puffed while doing so, realising her cubs were getting too heavy for her. Or she was getting too old to carry them around.

But it was a good thing. They had grown a couple of inches since meeting Nate, resembling the other pups a little more. They were still the smallest, but the difference wasn't as impacting as before.

«What is it, mommy's boy?» she inquired.

«I love you, mommy. Can we walk together more often?»

She pecked his cheek under the passers squeals and strolled towards the place where Nate had sent the car to fetch them.

«We can,» she said. «You're such a good boy. We can walk together as much as you want.»

«Dad said you will be busy.»

«Studying? Sure, but not as busy as to ignore my family.»

«I don't want you to be too tired.»

«I'll try not to be,» she chuckled.

«Dad said he will take care of us. You don't need to work too hard, mommy. Scarlet agrees with me.»

«Okay. If mommy's cubs say so, I have no choice.»

Jaden hugged her neck and leaned his head on her shoulder, calming down his excitement not to bother his mommy. He knew she didn't need to carry him, but he had no strength to say it out loud.

It was too comfortable, and something told him it wouldn't happen as often in the future.

He had been spoiled by his mommy during the last few days, so much that he felt guilty for it. However, being her little boy was so comfortable. He wouldn't want to grow up - just like Scarlet in the past - just to stay like that.

However, there were more good reasons to become an adult: he still needed to beat his father. And he couldn't marry Stella until he was tall enough.