–Damon–
In just a few days, we managed to fix everything. The town is secure again. Jorge and Yolanda were left in the Nest. Commander White went off on a "vacation." Now, we’re slowly building another nest inside that mansion.
My underground storage—my favorite toys, aning guns and other valuables—has to be evacuated. Livana’s Rooks are already working on it. Since my wife is busy, I have to fill the empty pantry myself. I already had the list.
"Wow," Sky gaped, looking around. I had bodyguards tagging along. I needed to split everything for ho—just pantry supplies. The rest of the utilities had already been delivered, including the frozen goods. "Foodie!" he shouted, pointing everywhere.
Oh. I almost forgot. We don’t really do groceries. We do malling. I clapped in mock excitent while riding the cart.
"Are you hungry?" I asked. He giggled.
We started down the first aisles, tossing in everything my wife needed. He grew even more excited when we reached the biscuits and cupcakes section. He squird, drool gathering at the corner of his mouth. If Livana could see him, she wouldn’t stop laughing. Watching him like this was its own kind of joy.
I opened a pack of soft baby biscuits, wiped his hands with wet wipes, and he began eating—enthusiastically feeding himself. Then he fed one.
"Mommy! Why are they eating without paying? Are they shoplifters?" a little girl blurted out.
I turned toward them. The woman hushed her quickly and pulled her away.
That’s right. Mind your own business, little girl.
"Baddie," Sky mumbled, still chewing.
"Yes, baby. People should mind their own business," I murmured, adding more of the biscuits he clearly loved into the cart.
Once our cart was full, I headed to the counter. More carts followed. I glanced briefly at the girl who had comnted earlier. Then I took the black card from my wallet and placed it in my son’s hand.
The first thing he offered was the half-finished bag of biscuits. The cashier smiled and waved at him.
"Please hold it, adorable one. We need to scan everything first."
I lifted him into my arms and stepped aside, letting my n unload the carts. We walked to a nearby stall. I bought a bottle of water and twisted the cap. From my bag, I took his bottle, popped the straw, and handed it to him.
"That’s enough, buddy." I kissed the top of his head.
I watched as they processed everything. More carts arrived. The counters beca busy. I carried Sky from one register to another, letting him tap each cart that belonged to us. He clapped in delight.
The baggers worked quickly. My n monitored every box. I took Sky outside with one of the bodyguards. In the parking lot, the van was already waiting, half-filled. I climbed in and settled him into his car seat beside .
"Dada." He handed the empty biscuit packet.
"Wow," I murmured, folding it neatly before dropping it into the small trash bin. I wiped his face and hands, then gave him his bottle again. I popped the straw open.
He drank, then tapped his belly. "Ahh!"
I watched as the rest of the boxes were loaded into the pickup truck.
"Let’s go," I told the driver.
We headed straight for the mansion—the one I had carefully built and planned for the woman I love.
When we arrived, everything was unloaded near the kitchen. Half of it was for the pantry in the smaller house beside the mansion.
This place is ant to be a sanctuary.
And I will make sure it stays that way.
"My love, I’m here!" I called out. My voice echoed through the mansion, unanswered.
I set Sky down, and he imdiately darted off, little feet pattering across the marble.
"Wow! Wow!" He clapped, spinning in place.
I grinned and guided him toward the indoor garden. Behind the tall glass panels, he pressed his face close, eyes wide, breath fogging the surface.
"Pish!" he squealed.
I opened the door and carried him outside. Sunlight spilled over us. He squird in excitent, kicking his feet as if he could run straight into the sky. I watched him roam, touching leaves, marveling at shadows.
Then Livana entered the garden, draped in olive-green silk—a long dress flowing like water against her legs.
"Mama!" Sky cried, sprinting toward her and wrapping himself around her leg.
Damn it. She’s devastating.
Livana lifted him and covered his face with kisses. He burst into giggles, then began babbling about everything we did—where we went, what he saw, what he ate. I wondered if she understood any of it.
"Wow," she gasped theatrically. "That sounds like such an adventure. Now let’s change your clothes and diaper."
"Popo!" he announced proudly.
"Okay." Livana glanced at . I rolled my eyes.
"Dada, popo!" he repeated.
I sighed. "Go with your mom."
She laughed softly. "Okay, I’ve got him."
I headed to the kitchen while they disappeared upstairs. The boxes were already stacked neatly.
"I’ll arrange everything. Thank you," I told the staff. They nodded and left.
I began unboxing. To my surprise, I enjoyed it—the quiet order, the rhythm of placing things where they belonged. Now I understood why Jane loved this kind of work.
The canisters for pasta and grains were already washed, labeled, and prepared for dates and storage.
"I’ll do that!" Livana said as she returned, Sky trotting beside her, already rummaging through a box.
"Hey, I’m enjoying this," I protested.
"Whatever." She hugged from behind.
I turned and kissed her cheek, then her lips, then her temple. For a brief mont, the world narrowed to the scent of her hair and the warmth in my chest.
But a small laugh echoed nearby.
I pulled back, smiling to myself.
So desires can wait.
This—them—cannot.
–Alyssa–
He’s sleeping again in Philippine History.
The worst part? He chose to sit beside after bribing Gina with milk tea. He even brought one of my travel pillows—a blue Stitch one. He’s slumped over it like he owns the room, breathing slow and shaless, until—
"Mr. Lancaster!"
He doesn’t move.
So I pinch him.
He jolts upright, hair a ss, eyes half-lidded. "Yes?" he yawns.
"Tell , Mr. Lancaster. Which country invaded the Philippines ten hours after Pearl Harbor?"
"Japan." He answers casually, already sinking back down.
"And what is the oldest city in the Philippines?" Professor Valenzuela presses.
That’s not even in today’s lecture.
"Cebu City," he replies, voice lazy. "Co on, Prof. I already know today’s topic. Let my assistant write it down so she’ll get good grades."
He points at .
Then he fixes the pillow and shoves his face into it.
I kick him under the table, mortified.
"Alright," Professor Valenzuela sighs. "Moving on..."
I want to die.
After class, I pack my things and stand up, determined to leave him behind.
"Aly," Lore calls. "Don’t leave ."
He stands, slings his bag over his shoulder—still heavy, even though he never takes notes—and grabs the pillow.
"It’s break ti," Gina says, tagging along. "Where are we eating?"
"Leave that man behind—"
"Nooo," Lore whines, throwing an arm over my shoulder and another over Gina’s.
"Your arm is so damn heavy," Gina complains, shoving him.
When we step into the hallway, Lore kisses my temple—with his tongue.
I groan and shove him hard. "Ew! You’re disgusting!"
He just laughs. "Your face tastes bad."
"Ugh," Gina says, shaking her head. "Let’s go to that restaurant again. The one with the hot chef."
"No," I snapped. "I have to pass my project that I haven’t finished because of soone—" I glare at Lore. "—has been noisy instead of sleeping."
Gina gasps. "You guys are sleeping together?"
"Hell no!" I shout as we walk through the crowded corridor. "He’s in the other room and he keeps cursing in his sleep."
"Hey, I’m just releasing stress," he says, patting my head and ssing up my hair.
I swat his hand away.
After lunch, we split for class. By the ti Arts ends, Lore is already outside, my classmates hovering around him. He’s snobbish, barely acknowledging anyone.
"Aly!" he shouts the mont the professor leaves. "Hurry up!"
So impatient. I grab my things; he takes the heavy ones.
In the elevator, he presses Ground Floor.
"I told Gina we’ll eat there next week. Soone’s waiting for us."
I give him a bored look. "Who? Your mom?"
"No. Mom’s busy."
We headed to the café near the parking lot.
And there he is.
A noisy little boy with chocolate all over his cheeks, clutching a donut.
"Tata!" he screams from the inside of the cafe.
My brother barely looks up from his phone, just waves as the kid runs free.
"Sky!" I rush forward and squat just as he crashes into .
Every ounce of exhaustion disappears under his kisses.
I sit him down and wipe his face.
"You guys order," Damon says, holding out his card between two fingers.
Lore takes it with a grin.
"Hurry up. We’re on schedule," Damon adds coldly, still on a call.
I stand by the counter with Sky while Lore orders.
"Get —"
"You’re on a diet," I scold, but he orders everything I like anyway. He knows my drink down to the last syrup.
"Nomnom!" Sky presses his face to the glass.
He points at the blueberry cheesecake.
"We’ll take the whole one," Lore says.
The whole cake. Two thousand pesos.
Of course.
In the van, we eat while Damon stays on his phone and I take care of Sky.
But instead of heading ho, we drive sowhere... secluded. Exclusive. Unreal.
A long driveway. Iron gates. Then—
A mansion.
High ceilings. Crystal chandeliers.
And there she is.
My sister-in-law in silk white.
"Mama!" Sky shouts, grabbing the cake box from Lore. "Foodie!"
A two-year-old bringing dessert like an offering.
My heart lts.
God.
I think... I want babies too.
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