“It’s okay,” I say.
The Asian women are already on their feet and rushing over. One of them puts a calming hand on the boy’s back, making a soothing sound. The other one approaches me, pulling a pack of antibacterial wipes from her huge black purse.
“I amsosorry,” she says. “I didn’t realize he was running.” She looks extremely concerned. “He was sitting quietly when we checked just a moment ago.”
Rapidly clicking footsteps approach from my left. I turn and see a slim Asian woman running toward us. Unlike the other two, she’s in an off-white wide-brimmed hat, purple asymmetrical dress and nude peep-toe stilettos. Her long auburn hair is unbound, and the diamonds on her ears and around her throat are large and of excellent quality—something Peery Diamonds might carry. The watch on her wrist is a limited edition from Sebastian Jewelry’s watch launch. She must’ve been on some sort of VIP list to be able to score one.
“Liam! What are you doing?” Her eyes scan me and the milkshake-soaked trays. Expertly manicured hands fly to her mouth. “Oh my God.”
The boy lifts his arms toward her. “Mommy,” he says, as more tears flow down his cheeks.
She crouches and picks him up. The boy instantly clutches her like a koala, rubbing his teary face all over her shoulder, but she doesn’t seem to care about the mess he’s making on a dress that cost well over four thousand dollars. My heart softens at the obvious love she has for the child. It’s the kind of interaction I longed for with my own mother—to know I came first.
She turns to the women and says something sharp in a language I don’t understand. They respond in the same tongue.
She turns to me. “I’m so sorry about all this. It’s my fault.”
“It’s nobody’s fault. Kids are kids,” I say with a smile.
“Yes, but regardless, it should not have happened. There’s a reason why I have his nanny with us.”
My eyes slide to the two women who are looking like they just got caught committing treason.
“Ms. Lim is the nanny. Ms. Kim is my assistant,” the boy’s mom explains, then turns her attention back to my dress. “I hope the milkshake comes out, but it’s so…chocolate.”
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”
She doesn’t seem to hear me as she makes a distressed sound in her throat. “It just looks awful. And yourshoes…”
“I have another pair. And this is just a dress.” I give them a small shrug and smile.
“Thanks for saying that, but we both know it’s not just a dress,” she says. “That’s a limited edition Avery Parker.”
I raise my eyebrows. She’s correct; I bought it from Avery Parker, a fairly new designer who’s made a huge splash in the last few years.
“There are only fifty in that collection, and they all sold out.”
“Okay, now I’m curious. How would you know that?”
“My mother financed Avery when she was new, and I have one of the dresses in my closet. I’ve been saving it for my anniversary.”
Avery Parker was backed by the Hae Min Group… “Are you Yuna Hae Winters?” I ask.
“Yes.” She arches an eyebrow. “My turn to ask: how did you know?”
“How could I not?” Anyone who researches the Hae Min Group can find out that it’s a multinational conglomerate controlled by the Hae family. The chairman has two children—Eugene and Yuna. Although the latter isn’t involved with running the business, the rumor is that if you want a favor from the Hae Min Group, the easiest route is through Yuna because she’s the baby of the family and they adore her. “We’re in the middle of negotiating a partnership with the Hae Min Group.”
Her eyes widen. “Really?”
“Yes! I’m Lucienne Peery. You can call me Lucie or Luce.” I extend my hand, while bracing myself for her reaction. People always regard me with cool judgment when they learn who I am, thanks to all the awful headlines out there. Whatever I do afterward doesn’t generally change their preconceived opinion of me.
Her smile grows wider, her eyes still warm. “Oh,that’swhy you look so familiar. I love your jewelry! So classy, with modern sensibility.” She shifts her boy and shakes hands. “But it isn’t always easy to find it. I was consulting with one of your designers because I need something custom-made for my husband. Our anniversary is coming up soon.”
Relief floods through me. “Then you’re in the right place. I’m sure our designers can do some amazing custom work for you.”
“They did! They showed me some preliminary sketches, and everything looks amazing. I’m so excited.” She glows beautifully. “The custom matching bracelets they did for me and my soul sister last year were absolutely wonderful, too.”
“Soul sister?”
