[Refresh and re-read previous chapter for the bonus words]

It had been minutes since Willow stood idle at the front and her audience were starting to get impatient. Dannah then stood on her feet and went to the backstage to ask Mr. Barb what's going on yet before she could do so, the laboratory's door flew open revealing Xhemin being escorted by the security guards. She glided confidently in the room as if she owned the place and proceeded to scan the room.

​​

"What is she doing here?" Don Samuelle stood in his feet mad, surprised to see the beautiful face of the woman who dared to buy them previously. His face grimaced and he looked at Darryl questioning Xhemin's presence. "President D what is the meaning of this?"

"Trespasser!" Some of Darryl's uncles shouted. They in a very important demo and Xhemin's presence in there was like allowing her to see everything they were doing that she can use on her advantage, "Drag that woman away!"

Seeing the new commotion that went on, Dannah immediately walked to where Xhemin was to confront her.

"Miss Leigh? What is the meaning of this?" She said, "This event is exclusive only to L Empire and I'm afraid you are not welcomed here,"

"I didn't come here to spy or make war Sam," Xhemin replied "I come here in good conscience,"

"What a surprise my beautiful wife," It was Darryl who welcomed her this time, "Being visited by you twice in a week is flattering but I'm afraid you've come on a wrong time,"

"As I said—"

"Darryl drag that woman away this instant!" Darryl's uncle Samson approached trying to convince him to shoo Xhemin away, "All of the elders are here, not to mention our partners, and she's ruining the whole thing,"

"And you!" Samson pointed at the head of the security team this time, "Are you out of your mind? You even escorted her here when you know how important this demo was! You are such an incompetent head, I shall fire you right away!"

"Enough uncle!" Darryl battled an eye with Samson. "No one if firing anyone and just go back to your seat please and let me handle this,"

With that, Darryl immediately grabbed Xhemin's shoulder and dragged her to the door immediately. He was very aware that she was not welcome there but he was curious as to what brought her there so he wanted her to speak. However of course, they need to talk somewhere away from everyone's scrutiny.

"Darryl wait!" Xhemin protested a bit, "Just let me see the botanist you hired and I shall go—"

"Mommy?" Willow little voice filled and silenced the whole room. Everyone froze upon hearing her call, especially when the girl was looking at Xhemin when she said it.

Even Darryl himself was thunder struck and he looked at girl immediately, trying to confirm whether it was in fact Xhemin she was calling mommy.

"Mommy," Willow called again, this time she was certain and just in split second, the girl ran toward Xhemin and hugged her in the waist. "Oh mommy you came!"

Darryl let go of Xhemin and unconsciously step back as he watched the whole scene with surprise and confusion.

Does Willow and Xhemin know each other?

Is Willow her daughter?

If Xhemin is indeed her mother then it made sense why she can grow strawberries at such a young age and why the girl was accompanied by a Richmond Ranch's farm boy.

Although Xhemin was kind of expecting it, seeing Willow right there gave her complicated emotions. She wanted to cry right then and gave her a tight hug yet she was aware that they were in their enemies premises and so she must find a way to protect the girl from everyone's reach.

"Is she…" Darryl almost couldn't open his mouth to ask a question same as everybody else in the room. They were all surprised and the level of unexpectedness of such a scene made everyone idle and confused. "Is she your daughter?"

Xhemin settled some lump in her throat. Her main concern of running immediately to L Empire was to make sure Willow was safe but she didn't know for sure how to explain to everyone what they witnessed without putting Willow in great danger. She thought immediately of a plan to escape such circumstance but Willow's presence right there, hugging her tightly on her waist made her too emotional to think of anything.

"She's Ziggy's daughter," That was the only thing that Xhemin managed to say but the look on Darryl's face give Xhemin an assumption that he was having serious suspicions.

"Miss Leigh?" Ang suddenly showed up from nowhere and just by looking at Xhemin's eyes, the latter knew they had to make up something to cover Willow's identity. In just an instant, Ang made a sudden twist, "Oh Miss Leigh, I'm glad you came, Willow was having tantrums and was waiting for you,"

Ang then turned to Darryl, "President D, this is Miss Leigh, CEO of LGC and Willow's godmother. They haven't seen each other for a while so I'm sorry if Willow was a bit emotional"

"Godmother," Darryl's tone was less trusting and he was ready to give few more questions yet Willow intervened.

"Yes she's my godmother," Willow looked at Darryl innocently, "I asked uncle Ang to invite her over because I want her to see how I do my demo. I hope it's okay President D,"

"Well…" Darryl didn't know what to say. He had seen the anxiousness in Xhemin's eyes and he knew something was going on yet Willow's words were very convincing so Darryl couldn't decide by then.

"Well you are allowed to invite anyone who like," Dannah stepped in to ease the rising tension. "Of course your mommy is welcome if that's what you want,"

"We are taking a risk by allowing her to stay," Samson protested.

"Uncle, the LGC do not have plans of competing against us with growing strawberries so her presence don't mean much of threat," Dannah expressed, "I'm sure President D agrees,"

***

There was silence for a moment as they all waited for Darryl's response while the latter was scrutinizing Xhemin's eyes, trying to uncover the secrets he sees in there.

"Very well, let everyone settles back to their seats" Darryl spoke after few good minutes. Then he extended a hand to Xhemin, "Shall we, milady"

Willow let go of Xhemin and encouraged her to take Darryl's hand. She didn't have any idea what's going on with the adults and to her, Darryl's actions was just an invitation from a gentleman to seat somewhere comfortable.

Reluctantly Xhemin accepted Darryl's hand and the latter then escorted her to a seat beside him while they watch Willow.

"Surely," Willow replied immediately, with a big smile this time.