Love in the Limelight (Astrid and Elio)

Without even the slightest hesitation, Astrid blurted out, "Absolutely."

Elio was speechless listening to this.

Roman, blatantly ignoring the darkening scowl on his dad's face, went on, "Since Mom loves Roman the most, does that mean after spending ten days alone with Elio, you owe Roman some just the-two-of-us time too?"

At this, Astrid began to sense that there might be trouble brewing. And in that very second, Roman hoisted the item he had been hiding behind his back over his head, "Look, Mom!"

It was the pitch document for the hit reality TV show "Beastmasters at Home!"

Astrid stiffened at the sight, "Roman, where did you get this?"

"But Mom, you just said you love Roman the most. You did a show with Elio, you can't say no to doing a show with Roman, right?" Roman's lip quivered, and he looked on the verge of tears, "Roman missed so much time with Mommy, and after we got to know each other, you were always working and hardly came home. I just want to be with Mommy all the time."

The sight tugged at Astrid's heartstrings, and she wrapped him up in a hug, "Don't cry, Roman. Mommy's not saying no, but Mommy's schedule is packed tight through the end of the year. There's no time for a reality TV show for me."

Roman persisted, "Just say if you want to do the show with Roman or not."

Astrid relented, "Yes, of course I want to. I want to be with Roman all the time too. No tears, okay?"

"That's all I needed to hear!" Roman's mood flipped instantly, his energy soaring.

He scampered into the study and came back moments later with a stack of papers, placing them before Astrid and handing her a pen with a thoughtful touch, "Mommy, here's the contract from the show's producers. The director has already signed and stamped everything that's needed from their side. You just need to sign your name."

"If you're not happy with the pay, they said it's negotiable, no problems at all."

"After you sign, your company needs to stamp it too before sending a copy back to the producers. Don't mix them up, okay? Sign here, quick, right here." Everyone was speechless. So Roman had everything prepared from the get-go?

The kid was pulling the old sympathy card on her! S~ᴇaʀᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Look at him now, beaming with triumph, his eyes squinted with joy!

Lucas Lampard burst out laughing, "Hahaha, holy smokes, Astar, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it? He's definitely your son!"

Astrid's mouth twitched as she took the pen and resigned herself to signing her name.

How could she say no when the little boy had been looking forward to it so much?

"Yay! Awesome!" Roman danced around the house clutching the contract, and Astrid, watching his little antics, slowly smiled.

At bedtime, Astrid read Roman a fairy tale.

But before the story was even finished, the little boy had already fallen asleep.

She took out her phone, opened WhatsApp, and messaged Healey, "Master, I need your help with something urgent."

It had been nearly a year since her last contact with Old Man Healey. He had said no contact, and they had truly kept it that way, but this time she really needed his help.

It was late, but with Healey overseas, it was daytime there.

After a while, Healey replied, "What's up? Dear Astrid, missing your master?"