Elena was busy sketching when a small, suspicious head peeked through the office door.
"Elenaaaaaa!"
She jumped, nearly flinging her pencil at the wall.
"Alex?!" she whispered loudly, dashing to the door. "What are you doing here?! This is a company! You can't just—how did you even get in?!"
"I told the lady at the front desk I'm here to see my future mummy," he said proudly.
"Wha—future what?!"
Before she could panic further, Ethan appeared behind him, out of breath and slightly embarrassed. "He escaped my office while I was on a call," he muttered.
"I'm not escaping! I'm on a mission!" Alex said with his arms crossed. "Daddy is slow. If I don't hurry, someone else will take you, and then I'll be mummy-less forever!"
Elena blinked. "I… What?"
"Don't listen to him," Ethan sighed, picking up the boy. "I think he's been watching too many romantic dramas."
Alex pouted. "You told me I should pick someone smart and kind like mummy. I picked! Now you do the paperwork, Daddy!"
Elena covered her mouth to hide a laugh. "He's got… a very efficient mindset."
Ethan gave her an apologetic glance. "I swear this wasn't my plan."
Alex peeked out from Ethan's arms. "You look pretty today, Mummy Candidate."
Ethan groaned. "Stop giving people titles, Alex. This is not a reality show."
Later that evening, Ethan sat with Alex in the living room.
"You embarrassed me in front of a professional artist today," he said.
Alex just shrugged while eating a cookie. "You're lucky I didn't bring flowers."
Ethan stared at him. "What even are you?"
"A genius," Alex replied confidently. "Now, can you please marry her already?"
Ethan paused, a cookie halfway to his mouth.
"…We'll see."