Chapter 7 Trending Chaos & CEO Panic
Arielle had been walking through the private wing of the mall for almost two hours, and she was officially exhausted, exhilarated, and borderline paranoid.
Her arms were stacked with designer handbags, clothes, skincare kits she didn’t know existed, and yet… she felt alive. Every so often, she glanced at her sons—Darian, Rhett, Zayden, and Emrys—all subtly hovering around her without making her feel suffocated.
Premium chaos, premium chaos, premium chaos, she muttered under her breath.
Even with celebrity precautions—oversized sunglasses, scarves, low-profile streetwear, private entrances, and a small army of staff coordinating every move—her inner monologue was on fire.
Step lightly. Don’t attract attention. Pretend you’re casually choosing a $300 lipstick. But why is Emrys’s jawline literally blinding me through a scarf?!
Darian was silently strategic, scanning the mall for fans.
Rhett’s eyes flicked to every security camera like he could personally disarm it with his gaze.
Zayden stayed calm, phone in hand, eyes occasionally scanning social media for any possible sightings.
Emrys… well, Emrys looked like he was auditioning for a movie scene, casually gorgeous even under the ridiculous disguise.
Arielle’s bag got heavier. She let out a long, dramatic sigh.
“I think I need a personal forklift to carry this,” she muttered.
Rhett leaned closer. “I’ll carry the bags for you, Mom.”
He called me Mom… and he’s carrying bags?! Oh my God. I’m going to faint.
Arielle had to quickly duck behind a display of shoes. A few sharp-eyed mall-goers had noticed the group’s distinctive presence, whispering and subtly pointing.
Stay calm. Smile. Nod. Do not faint.
She twirled slightly in a dress she had picked up, just to “check the fit.” Emrys handed her a pair of matching heels, carefully placing them beside her.
Stop it! Stop giving me perfect combinations! I am not supposed to be enjoying this THIS much!
Then came the dangerous part—the fiancées. Two of them appeared almost simultaneously.
One: polite and respectful, carrying a gift bag, smiling warmly.
Perfect. I can handle this one.
The other: poisonous, calculating, every glance a tiny knife, clearly evaluating every interaction.
Oh no. Danger level: maximum.
Arielle’s internal monologue was on overdrive.
Do not faint. Smile politely. Buy skincare. Buy more skincare. DO NOT look at Zayden’s shoulder. Calm down. Calm down.
Two hours in, and Arielle’s shopping spree had become a full-blown covert operation. Her sons were subtly taking care of everything:
Darian silently nodding at choices, approving each bag she picked up.
Rhett lifting heavy items with ease, occasionally teasing her.
Zayden calculating every color match and price point like a fashion economist.
Emrys quietly arranging outfits in the fitting room, ensuring her look was flawless.
I am officially spoiled, Arielle thought.
And dangerously happy.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed. A notification from a trending news app.
“Breaking: Celebrity Mom Arielle Vale and her four sons spotted at LuxMall!”
Her stomach dropped. She froze.
Oh no. Oh no no no. They saw us. We’re trending. Fans are taking pictures. Social media is going to explode. This is bad. This is very bad.
Rhett, standing nearby, noticed her panic. “Mom?”
Fainting is not an option. Act casual.
“It’s… fine,” she muttered, trying to hide behind a scarf.
Zayden’s phone buzzed. He read the screen and frowned. “Fans are already posting videos. Some even got close shots.”
Great. Just great. Premium chaos officially upgraded.
Darian placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. We’ll move quickly. Private exit this way.”
Yes. Move. Move like a stealth ninja mom.
Emrys hummed softly, giving her a reassuring smile.
Arielle shuffled toward the elevator, clutching her designer bags like a shield.
This is fine. This is fine. Everything is fine. Totally normal shopping day for a celebrity mother of four perfect sons.
Miles away, Lucian Cross sat in his office, reviewing reports.
His phone buzzed.
His secretary appeared, tablet in hand.
“Sir… trending news,” she said carefully.
“Your wife, Arielle Cross, and four sons were spotted at LuxMall. Videos and photos are going viral.”
Lucian’s gaze narrowed.
He swiped through the images. Arielle, sunglasses on, scarf over her head, surrounded by her sons—hidden somewhat, but clearly publicly visible.
“Hmm.” He leaned back, expression tight.
“Are they… showing off? Trying to flaunt their lives? Or… is she trying to make me notice?”
His mind immediately jumped to worst-case scenarios:
She’s ignoring me.
She’s purposely making me jealous.
She’s flaunting her ‘new life’ without me.
“Keep monitoring every post,” he ordered.
“I want to know who’s filming, who’s commenting, and any fans tagging them.
I need… details. Now.”
His secretary nodded.
“Yes, sir. I’ll send hourly updates.
”
Lucian didn’t know that Arielle was just shopping, hiding, fangirling her sons, and completely innocent.
All he saw was a potential slight. His chest tightened slightly—not regret, not longing—but irritation.
That woman… always so infuriating.
He leaned back, folding his hands.
I don’t know what she’s doing… but I will find out.
Author’s Note ??
Hi loves! ??
Chapter 7 is full-blown celebrity chaos! Arielle + her sons navigating a public mall appearance while trying to stay low-profile, fans recognizing them, fiancée tension simmering, and Lucian discovering the news and starting to feel serious anger
? Engagement tips:
1?? Comment your favorite son in this chapter!
Darian, Rhett, Zayden, or Emrys?
2?? React with ?? if you want Arielle to get more mischievous in public while hiding.
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