CHAPTER 69: SYLVINCOLM BISTRO

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"Mom, you look tired... are you still exhausted from looking for a job?"

I looked down at Paris, surprised to see her right beside me without me even noticing. She was holding onto the strap of my bag with both hands, as if trying to keep me from leaving.

Beside her stood Egypt, her expression downcast as she clutched the balloon the "bear man" had given her earlier—its bright pink color looking oddly out of place against her somber mood.

We had just gotten home from their school, but my plan for the afternoon was to go out and find a new job as a waitress.

Ever since I resigned from my previous work, our only source of money for food had been my late-night part-time shifts at a bar—but it still wasn’t enough.

I needed to earn more, not just for the twins’ daily needs but also for their upcoming birthday. And beyond that, I had to save enough so we could eventually move away from this place.

I didn’t want the kids to run into Rome by accident, especially now that he knew where we lived. Our neighborhood felt too small. At any moment, he could appear in front of our house again, just like last time. I refused to let that happen.

"Mommy... can you just stay home and rest, please? You always look tired..." Paris pleaded softly, her grip on my bag tightening.

I placed my hand gently on her head and pressed a kiss into her hair.

"Do I really look that tired?" I asked with a smile, flexing my arm to show off my muscles to ease their worry.

"I’m not tired—maybe I just look a little worn out because I’m not wearing any makeup. Now that you’ve mentioned it, I guess I should put some on so I don’t look so exhausted."

I rummaged through my bag, pulling out a small compact and dusting powder onto my face. But when I caught my reflection in the mirror, I froze.

It had only been a day since Rome came to our home, yet I could already see the difference in my appearance. I looked... stressed.

My eye bags were darker, my lips had lost their color, and my skin seemed pale and dull. No wonder the kids were worried—my face said it all.

"Mommy... why not just ask Uncle Alpheus or Uncle Alfonso if they’re hiring a secretary?"

I turned my gaze to Egypt, who was looking up at me with her curious eyes.

"H-haha... sweetheart, Mommy isn’t really cut out for a secretarial position. I don’t have a diploma or any real experience in that field, so I can’t exactly ask them if they’re hiring one. Besides..." I tilted my head, giving her a teasing smile. "how did you even come up with the idea that I should be their secretary?"

I tried to keep my tone casual, but inside, I was already wincing at the thought. Even if Alfonso or Alpheus offered me the job, I wouldn’t accept it. I didn’t want them becoming any more involved in our lives than they already were.

Sure, I could probably manage basic secretarial tasks. I did go to college, even if I didn’t graduate, and I had some experience. But I’d never applied for such a position because I didn’t have a diploma to present—and more importantly, the twins needed me.

Besides that, there was always the risk of crossing paths with Rome if I tried working in a company.

Back then, I’d done everything in my power to avoid him... yet, thinking about it now, all my efforts had been in vain. No matter how far I tried to run, fate seemed determined to make us meet again.

Egypt’s lips formed a long pout.

"Because I thought that job would suit you. You know... your work as a waitress has always been tiring. That’s why I think it would be better if you were just in our school office instead—sitting there and doing paperwork."

I couldn’t help but smile as I reached out and cupped her cheek.

What on earth did I do in my past life to deserve these two adorable cuties as my daughters?

I was truly lucky to be their mom. Not only were they far more mature than most kids their age, but they were also understanding.

"Sweethearts, there’s no such thing as an easy job. You understand that Mommy has to work, right? Don’t worry, I’m not tired. I can still handle a lot, even if I have to work from morning until night."

Egypt’s pout only deepened at my answer.

Bzzz!

My phone buzzed, a notification popping up on the screen. I quickly picked it up, and a smile spread across my face.

It was an email—one I’d been hoping for since yesterday. The resto-bar I had sent my résumé to had replied, inviting me for an interview.

"Sweethearts," I called softly. "behave here for a while, okay? Mommy just has to attend a job interview. I already asked Tess to look after you, so be good to her, alright? Love you!"

I leaned down to kiss them both on the forehead.

"Okay, Mom. Take care!" they said in unison.

I stepped out of the house and immediately saw Tess with her daughter Jenna holding her hand.

"Tess, I’ll leave the kids to you. I have to go now—thank you."

She gave me a warm nod before I hurried away.

I quickly flagged down a taxi, but just as I was about to get in, I caught sight of an expensive-looking car in the distance, pulling away from our street.

A flicker of unease passed through me.

Strange...

Cars like that rarely came through our neighborhood. Still, I brushed the thought aside. Probably just someone passing by.

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Moments Later....

I found myself letting out slow, steady breaths as I waited for my turn at the interview.

My eyes wandered to the other applicants in the room—most of them dressed formally. Meanwhile, I was sitting there in a plain blouse and pants, feeling completely underdressed.

I hadn’t realized the place was a high-end resto-bar when I applied. Yesterday, I had just stumbled across their online job posting and sent in my résumé on a whim, thinking there was no harm in trying.

If I had known I’d be stepping into a place this upscale, I would’ve at least made the effort to dress more formally.

As I waited outside the office, my eyes wandered to the large sign above the reception desk.

Syvincolm Bistro.

What a strange name. It almost sounded like my own name mashed together.

Sylvia Lincolm... Syvincolm... Coincidence? Who could possibly own this place?

"Sylvia Lincolm, you may come in now."

I quickly stood up and followed the woman who had called my name.

Inside, she motioned for me to sit.

My palms were starting to feel damp, and my heartbeat quickened under her sharp gaze.

She looked like the type who could size up a person in seconds—and judging by the slight shake of her head, I had a feeling she’d already formed an opinion about me.

"So, your name is—"

Ringggg...

The shrill sound of the desk phone cut her off. She immediately picked it up.

"Yes, sir?" She froze for a moment, her eyes drifting to me. "Pardon? You mean... you want me to...?"

Her curious gaze lingered on me before she continued, "Okay, sir... yes, sir... I’ll accept her."

When she set the phone down, her expression had completely changed. The cool, appraising look from earlier was replaced with a polite smile.

"Alright, Miss... your name is Sylvia Lincolm, correct?"

I managed a small, nervous smile. "Yes, ma’am."

"Okay, Miss Lincolm—you’re hired. You can start as a waitress for this restaurant."

I blinked twice. "Pardon? I... I’m hired?"

Did I hear her right? I’d just been accepted—without even being interviewed?

"Yes. We reviewed the résumé you submitted, and we believe you’d be suited to work here. If you’re available, you can even start today. We also have a spare uniform you can change into."

That fast? Wait... is finding a job really this easy now?

I noticed a small smile tug at her lips. Maybe she could tell I was confused by how quickly they had accepted me.

"I see you might be a little surprised by how fast we hired you," she continued. "Honestly, even I am. Maybe... your surname has something to do with it..."

Her voice trailed off at the end, and I couldn’t catch what she said.

"Sorry?"

She chuckled lightly. "Haha, what I mean is, maybe our boss noticed something in your résumé that made him decide right away. Perhaps he assumes you’re very skilled at your work, so we’re expecting a lot from you. Anyway, if you’re no longer confused, you’re free to head out now."

She gave me a wide, polite smile.

I immediately stood, bowing slightly in thanks before stepping out of the office.

Finally—I have a job. If I had known there were restaurants willing to hire waitresses this easily, maybe I would have resigned from my old job and applied here a long time ago.

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Meanwhile...

"Sir, we’ve already accepted her.." the woman said over the phone.

"Good. Please treat her well."

"P-pardon, sir? You mean... Miss Sylvia Lincolm?"

"Yes. Treat her kindly and make sure she doesn’t have a hard time with her work."

"U-understood, sir. We’ll do that."

"Good."

The man ended the call, then a bitter smile curved his lips.

Finally... I’ve found you, Sylvia—after so many years.

But he didn’t have the courage to face her. Not yet.

For now, all he could do was ensure she was safe and well-treated, silently wishing he could find the strength to show himself to her again.