Date The CEO.com

Chapter 280: Flash of Memories

Madame Isabelle closed her eyes. 

At that moment, she was transported back to 28 years ago. Her gray hair gleamed in dark blonde that reached her chin. She had pulled it at the roots and used hairspray to add volume. Then, she finished it with a big swoop at the tips. Her wardrobe consisted of a black elegance from the 60s.

"What's all this ruckus about?!" She yelled. Her heels clacked on the pavement as she marched over to the store next door. "For grown men, you're acting like immature children."

"Oh, stay out of this, Isabelle!" Taylor grumbled with a scratch of his balding head. "I'm in the middle of something here. Buy the produce tomorrow like everyone else. You can't always get special treatment."

"Is this how you should treat a good neighbor?" Madame Isabelle shot back. Her red lips curled into a smirk. "I have you know that I—"

A loud cry cut her off. She whirled in different directions, trying to detect its source. Her eyebrows scrunched together. "I-Is that a baby? Didn't you forbid babies in your store?"

"That's what I have been trying to tell him! I can't handle kids and I have a lot of stuff to do! I don't have time to handle his problem!" Taylor screamed in pure frustration. He was already behind schedule with this bothersome argument.

"I also have things to do, Taylor. Who knows how long he's been there?"

"Well, it's your truck. You take care of it!"

"I'm asking a favor, man! I can't just leave a baby in the police station!"

"There's a first time for everything!"josei

Madame Isabelle ignored the two men and sauntered over to the back of the truck. She couldn't believe her eyes. Lying in a box of tomatoes was a baby. It had to be less than a year old based on size. Eyes closed, the baby wailed as loud as he could. 

"Oh, you, poor dear…," she spoke softly, picking it up in her arms. "Did the childish men scare you? Don't be afraid. They're not as tough as they look."

"Hey! (Hey!)"

She glared at them through the corner of her eyes. "Are you even men when you can't do the right thing? Shame on you both. A baby is someone who can't look after themselves. You'd rather think about yourselves than those who are helpless."

Her attention shifted back to the baby. The scowl on her face disappeared immediately. A wide smile replaced it instead. "Let Auntie Isabelle look after you, huh? How's that sound? Now, now. There's no need to cry anymore, love."

The truck must have been stuffy and the baby needed some fresh air. She brushed her fingers over his face, pulling away the small hood of his clothes. Then, her hand froze. She sensed nothing but the burning skin underneath her fingertips.

"Taylor, get your car," Madame Isabelle commanded at once.

"You're on his side?! So much for all I did for you, huh—"

"Stop yapping and get your damn car!" She repeated. This time, she added a stern look in his direction. "The baby has a fever and we need to go to the hospital right away. If you don't want me taking your keys and driving it myself then, you better get your ass moving."

Taylor gulped. Anyone who grew up in this town knew she meant business when she started cussing. Each word symbolized her level of anger. He did not want to reach the next level. Otherwise, he might wake up with his car egged from every direction possible.

"Bill, get these inside while I go get the keys!" Taylor shouted over his shoulder, dashing for the door. He wasn't safe yet until he and Madame Isabelle were in the car. 

"But—"

"We're already taking the baby! It's the least you could do!"

Meanwhile, Madame Isabelle took out her handkerchief and dampened it under the garden spout. She squeezed all the extra water out before patting it on the baby's head. "It's alright, dear. You'll be fine. I got you. As soon as you get better, we'll look for your family, okay? They must miss you so much."

The drive to the hospital was a short one.

Madame Isabelle rushed into the emergency room and left Taylor in the car. A nurse came to her aid right away. She explained the situation quickly, handing over the baby. She stayed in the waiting area. It was so tiny. It couldn't have the strength yet to overcome a fever. Not to mention that it was in a foreign place. It must be so scared.

When the nurse came back, they told her that the baby would have to stay overnight since it was too young and really fragile. Her hands clenched together when she heard the news. It was just as she feared.

Despite their reassurance, Madame Isabelle couldn't sit still. They allowed her to see the baby before visiting hours ended. He slept soundly in his small bed. A little bit of relief washed over her once she spotted him. His peaceful expression convinced her enough.

For now.

Madame Isabelle ran to the nearest police station and reported about the missing baby. They couldn't get much information from her but promised to stop by Taylor's store and spread the word in their system. She opted to walk home, her mind wandering back to the baby.

She never imagined they could be that small and so light—like it could literally break in half with just one mistake. Her life had been dedicated to ballet for as long as she remembered. She had moved out of her home country and rarely visited. But there came a time when she hoped to be blessed with one. 

Alas, fate didn't grant it.

Maybe…

Madame Isabelle shook her head. The baby's parents must be frantic. It would be for the best if they were reunited. They needed each other. Besides, she didn't know the first thing about living with a baby. Her logic started and ended at 'when a baby cries, give it attention.' 

So when she could take the baby home, she may have gone overboard…

The spare room in the upper floor had been transformed into a baby room. It had a crib, bottles, bottle sterilizer, clothes, diapers, air purifier and whatever the sales person told her that was essential. The baby in her arms slept, not flinching nor crying when she laid him down.

She pulled up a stool and sat besides the crib. A small smile blossomed on her lips. "You have to be the cutest baby I've ever seen. Your mother must be beautiful. You'll be reunited with her soon enough."

Days passed and no updates came from the police station. Madame Isabelle began to worry. 

"Are you sure there's no one looking for him?" She demanded from the front desk.

The police officer put his pen down and rose to his feet. He slammed his hands on the table. "Ma'am, no one really thinks their baby was placed inside a delivery truck. The story eliminates most common cases of missing persons unless investigation says otherwise."

"But it has to be in one of the truck's stops before this town!"

"The system is the system. If a report comes in about a missing baby, protocol will lead the police to search up any possible leads in the system but there many cases like this. Besides, the baby you mentioned isn't the only one with black hair and blue eyes."

"But his blue eyes are different!" Madame Isabelle protested. "It's like they have this undertone or tint to them. It's not a true blue. It changes every time, depending on the light. Just like gemstones! That small piece of information can make a difference you know—"

"Ma'am, I suggest you leave the premises before I would have thrown out."

Horror flashed in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again. The police officer took that as his cue to sit back down. The discussion had ended. She went back to her studio with storm clouds above her head. 

"Isabelle! I told you I don't know how to take care of children! How could you leave me with him?" Taylor wailed as soon as she walked through the door. "Are you even listening to me?!"

Anything he said travelled from her ear and left the other way. None of them registered in her mind. She paused outside the room. Soft melodic laughter came from the other side. She slowly opened the door, thinking it might stop if she did it too fast.

The baby lied on the crib. His eyes stared up at the farm animals that floated above him. He giggled every now and then as they spun in a circle. A bit of drool trickled down the side of his mouth. He licked his lips like he noticed it too. 

Madame Isabelle took a few steps forward. From this angle, his eyes shined in another color yet again. They almost looked violet. She chuckled at the thought. It was ridiculous. She had never heard of such an eye color before.

"Seems like you'll stay here for a while, baby," she said, closing the gap between them. When she reached his side, he flickered his gaze at her and smiled. It sent a tingling sensation in her chest. "You really are precious. What should I call you?" 

The baby shifted his attention back to the animals. He attempted to lift his arms to grab them. Madame Isabelle laughed at his struggle. "You like animals, huh? Do you also want an ark full of them?"

He responded by kicking his legs.

"I should call you—" Madame Isabelle hesitated. To give a name meant attachment. 

She didn't have that privilege. 

Yet, the name lingered at the tip of her tongue.

The baby looked at her as if waiting for her to say it. The bright toothless smile on his face melted her worries. Maybe they would part someday. But… Why worry about that now? 

She picked him up until they were on the same eye level. "Hi, Noah."