"Sorry ... uhm, you misunderstood. Summer and I have nothing to do with each other. I found her somewhere. She was missing and didn't know her way home. She also didn't know her mother's name. Now, we are trying to find her mother. Do you know her name and address?" Nicolae asked.

"Oh ... sorry, I wrongly assumed." The waiter looked very embarrassed. "You both look so similar. I thought you were Summer's father just now. Wow ... this is very surprising. Uhm ... unfortunately, I don't know their address. Marielle just stopped by here once in a while. It's been almost a week since I saw her."

"Marielle? What's her full name? I can try to find out where she lives," Nicolae asked again, this time in an urgent tone.

"Ouch ... I'm sorry. I only know her first name. We only chatted a little bit when she came here for her coffee." The waiter looked very apologetic. "What if you give me your name and telephone number, when I meet Marielle, I will tell her. Have you contacted the police?"

"I did," said Nicolae. "But there has been no good news until now."

"Oh, alright. Wait a minute, I'll try to ask my other friends, who knows, maybe they have seen Marielle." The waiter then excused herself and went to the backroom. She came out 10 minutes later with their order waffle and orange juice and a cup of coffee. "My friend who came in for evening shift seems to have saved Marielle's friend's phone number. Her friend once ordered something from this cafe."

"What's the friend's telephone number? I want to call her..." Nicolae said. His face was filled with relief. He felt grateful that he came to Bercy Park for one last time. Apparently, they finally got lucky and found a clue

"Uhm ... I can't reach my friend. I tried to call him earlier. Sorry. I'll keep trying."

The glimmer of hope that had been in Nicolae's mind was again washed away by the dark clouds. They didn't have much time.

He did not want to sacrifice his time with Altair and Vega in Bordeaux to wait for uncertain news about some woman named Marielle. If he couldn't get any news until noon, he would be forced to take Summer with him to Bordeaux.

He ate his breakfast with difficulty. Too many thoughts were bothering him. Even Summer, who was usually cheerful, today looked?really sad. It was obvious that she missed her mother badly. She only took a bite of the waffle.

Until they finished eating, the other waiter was still unreachable. Nicolae finally gave up and decided to go home. Nicolae asked for his number so he could contact the guy himself. He also gave his personal phone number to their waiter so she could give it to Marielle if they managed to contact her.

The waiter saw them walking away with a sorry face. She studied the paper containing Nicolae's telephone number in her hand and tried to contact her friend one more time.

Nicolae was sitting in a taxi with Summer heading toward the Nobel Hotel when the waiter's phone call was suddenly picked up at the other end.

"Gosh... Daniel! Where have you been? I've been trying to contact you for an hour. What? Your cellphone was turned off? Jeez. Wait a minute. You still remember Marielle, who often came to our shop for waffles and coffee? That beautiful one? She brought her daughter with her once. A cute little girl. Summer. That's right ...

"Do you still have Marielle's phone number? Yes ... if I'm not mistaken, her name is Sanna Reinner ... Yes, as it turns out, Summer has been missing from home! Crazy! You know that there are a lot of bad people these days ... Yeah, you can imagine how panicked Marielle must be. Let's quickly contact Sanna and ask for Marielle's phone number ..."

Fifteen minutes later, Nicolae and Summer got out of the taxi and hurried to the elevator toward the penthouse.

"We must get ready, Summer. I will take you to Bordeaux. Have you ever been to Bordeaux?" Nicolae asked, pinching the child's tiny nose gently. "They have many beautiful vineyards and lavender fields. You will love them. There are many rabbits and squirrels there. You can have fun chasing them all you want."

Summer just nodded slowly. She was so sad that the talks about rabbits and squirrels could not even make her smile.

RING

RING

Nicolae was surprised to see an incoming phone call. He took out his cellphone and accepted the call. This might be a call from the waffle shop waiter. Hopefully, she brought good news this time.

"Hello ... good day, is this with Nic Medici?" There was a panicked woman's voice at the other end. Nicolae's ears immediately perked up when he heard her voice. The woman quickly continued. "I'm Summer's mother."

"Oh ... that's right, this is Nic Medici speaking. Are you Marielle?" Nicolae asked in a relieved tone. "Summer is here with me now."

He gave his phone to Summer to make sure the little girl knew her mother's voice.

"Oh ... Nikita Summer Sorin, are you alright, baby?"

"Mamaaaannn..." Tears immediately flowed down her cheeks when she recognized the anxious voice on the other end of the phone. "Mamaaan... I miss you."

Nicolae was stunned to see the sight. Summer really missed her mother.

Oh ... what a relief. Finally, they managed to find her.

DING

The elevator door opened. Nicolae immediately carried Summer to get into the penthouse faster.

"Where are you now? Please tell me... I'll be there soon," Marielle said in a relieved and worried voice at the same time. "I'll go now."

"Of course ... we can meet you at the Peac.o.c.k Restaurant at the Nobel Hotel. Please call when you arrive."

"Thank you."

After he hung up, Nicolae kissed Summer on the cheek and rubbed her head.

"Ah, your mother is coming soon. Don't cry. We will get ready to meet your mom, okay."