You?

That was how easily Aysel could get tired and sleep for long hours.

......…

"Mama, please! I don't want to go to school!" pleaded a young boy of around five years old, his wavy, short brown hair bouncing as he darted around the spacious sitting room. Seeking refuge, he scurried behind the grand golden dining chairs, attempting to evade his determined mother.

"Alexis, come back here! It's time for your bath, and you have exams today," called out a young woman with a similar shade of brown hair, neatly tied up in a bun. She wore a simple, flowing dress, but her face showed signs of exhaustion. She had been chasing after the mischievous little rascal for several minutes now, but he adamantly refused to comply, insisting that he didn't want to go to school.

"I don't want to! I hate my teacher! She always pulls my ear and calls me a naughty boy, even when I haven't done anything wrong!" he exclaimed in a frustrated, childlike tone, as he emerged from his hiding spot only to swiftly move to another, repeating the pattern.

"Did you just say you did nothing wrong? You're constantly pulling pranks on your teacher, which is why she resorts to pulling your ears as punishment! And honestly, I think it's a fitting consequence considering how stubborn you are, never listening to anyone, including me," his mother retorted with a mischievous smirk, seemingly unfazed by the idea of his ears being pulled. After all, she believed they were useless since he refused to use them.

"How can you say that, Mom? I always listen to you. I'm obedient to you alone," the boy argued, his pout deepening as he caught a glimpse of his mother stealthily closing in on him from the side.

As his mother reached out to grab him, he swiftly slipped away, darting into a new hiding spot. In her pursuit, she lost her balance and tumbled onto the hard, tiled marble floor, wincing in pain as she sprained her elbow.

"Ouch!" she cried out, struggling to rise from the floor, her elbow displaying a reddening bruise. Sniffing back tears, she glanced down at the consequence of her little devil's actions.

Upon hearing his mother's cry, he immediately sprinted towards her, his small steps quickened with concern.

"Mom!" he exclaimed, rushing to her side to offer his help.

Tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to spill over, and it pained the young boy's heart to see his beautiful mother on the verge of tears because of his stubbornness.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I caused this. Punish me, scold me, but please don't cry. I am truly sorry, and I promise to go to school today, just for your sake," he murmured, using the sleeve of his pajamas adorned with PJ Masks characters to gently wipe away his mother's tears.

"Then what about tomorrow? And the day after that? Will you continue to make me chase after you? Will you keep hurting me with your mischief?" she sobbed, her voice filled with anguish.

"No, Mama, I promise to do whatever you say, even if I don't like it. Please forgive me, Mom, and please don't cry," he pleaded, extending his short, chubby hand to draw his mother into a tender embrace.

A gentle smile graced her beautiful features as she prepared to sink into the loving embrace of her child. However, a distant voice kept repeating a name, interrupting the tender moment.

"Aysel! Mrs. Brown, wake up," the voice called out urgently.

"She's not responding," a husky voice reported, filled with concern.

"Then fetch some cold water and splash it on her ugly face!" a venomous, feminine voice suggested, brimming with malicious intent.

"Yes, madam," the husky voice responded dutifully.

And like there was peace and tranquility, the sleeping figure was about to return to the sweet dream she was having when suddenly the peaceful silence was shattered as something cold was poured all over the sleeping figure, causing her to jolt awake from her sweet dream.

"What the heck?" she cursed, disoriented and trying to make sense of what had just happened. Her entire body was drenched in icy water, causing her to shiver uncontrollably and her skin to break out in goosebumps. She rubbed her arms attempting to make herself warm.

Aysel's gaze blazed with anger as it landed on the bodyguard who had drenched her then darted to the figure standing before her.

The woman possessed a striking appearance with her long, flowing hair, as dark as ink, gracefully falling down her back. Her high cheekbones accentuated her natural beauty, and she wore no makeup, which only enhanced her ethereal charm.

Standing at 5'4 feet tall, she stood noticeably taller than Aysel. Her figure was well-defined, resembling an hourglass shape, with curves that were perfectly proportioned. She was dressed in a short, red nightwear that revealed her fair, porcelain skin.

Hickeys were visible all over her skin as she stood before Aysel, her gaze filled with animosity, she crossed her arms over her chest, accentuating her ample bosom.

"Scarlett?" Aysel whispered in disbelief, recognizing the figure before her.

" How did you get your filthy self into my house? Do you want here to stink exactly as you are?" Scarlett questioned, her tone dripping with animosity.

Aysel's eyes blazed with anger as she pointed an accusatory finger at Scarlett once she thought of what Scarlett did to her.

"Why did you instruct him to pour cold water all over me, Scarlett?" Aysel asked, her finger aimed at her.

Scarlett swiftly grabbed Aysel's finger, redirecting it away from her face, and issued a warning.

"Remove that filthy finger from my face now unless you don't need it and want it broken," she spoke with a menacing glare.

Aysel remained undeterred, determined to get answers.

"I asked a simple question, Scarlett. Why did you tell him to drench me with cold water? Have you lost your mind? Or do you need to visit the hospital for a brain check-up? I haven't done anything to offend you, Scarlett. Why would you resort to such actions?"

"Answer my question first, and then maybe I'll consider answering yours. What are you doing in my house?" Scarlett's voice dripped with disdain, her disdain for Aysel stemming from their college rivalry.

"I'm here to see Anthony. I have something important and urgent to discuss with him," Aysel replied, her arms folding beneath her noticeably smaller bosom, which paled in comparison to Scarlett's ample assets. Aysel avoided Scarlett's intense and furious gaze, her eyes darting away.

The bodyguard, who had been silently observing the interaction, struggled to suppress his laughter behind his stoic expression upon witnessing Aysel's gesture.

"Is she attempting to compare her subtle bosom to that of my sir's mistress?" the bodyguard pondered internally, finding it difficult to contain the laughter welling up within him.

"Hehe," he chuckled silently to himself.

"If that's what she's trying to do, then she's more like twenty-eight out of a hundred when compared to the generous bosom of this lady here. Hehe," he chuckled inwardly.

"Why do you want to see my fiancé?" Scarlett questioned, her anger and insecurity bubbling within her. She couldn't fathom why Aysel would have any reason to meet with her soon-to-be husband. Had they even crossed paths before? Scarlett was certain they hadn't, as she had always made it a point to prevent Anthony from dropping her off at college, despite his persistence at times.

"Because it's urgent..?," Aysel replied, raising her perfectly arched eyebrows, silently emphasizing the importance of her previous statement.

"Well, it seems he isn't home, so I suggest you leave and never return," Scarlett declared, gesturing towards the door, her face tight with a small smile.

Aysel, fully aware that Scarlett was lying to her face, snorted in disbelief. She sank back onto the cushion, allowing her aching back to relax against it. Ignoring the piercing gaze Scarlett sent her way, Aysel closed her eyes, attempting to return to the dream she had about the mischievous little devil.

A small smile curved up her lips as she reminisced about the sweet and affectionate child, before abruptly waking up to face the presence of Scarlett, whom she considered a witch.

"What are you waiting for? Do I have to get on my knees and beg before you do your duty?" Scarlett yelled at the bodyguard, who stood silently in the corner of the sitting room.

"Throw her out of this house and ensure the gate remains closed to her! Deliver this message to the security guard and everyone else. If I ever see this filth in my house again, I will ensure every one of you loses your job and starts cleaning the toilets!" Scarlett commanded, her voice filled with both anger and threats.

The bodyguard swiftly moved to carry out his madam's orders. However, as he approached the figure who lay peacefully and undisturbed, a cold, chilling tone echoed through the hall from the top of the grand staircase, causing him to freeze in his tracks.

"Who is responsible for all this chaos in my household?" The tone was as cold as ice, causing Aysel to snap her eyes open in alarm.

She recognized that tone all too well. It was the same tone that had filled her with fear in the past, the same tone that had left her with an unwanted pregnancy. How could she ever forget it?

With a sudden jolt, she sprang up from the cushion, her eyes meeting the man who stood at the pinnacle of the grand staircase, exuding an air of regality. He was draped in a black bathrobe, its color mirroring the darkness of his tousled hair that framed his face. The dampness in his hair hinted at a recent bath, accentuating his fresh appearance.

His captivating golden-brown eyes scanned the room below, and his brows furrowed as they landed on the petite figure standing in the center of his parlor.

"You?" he whispered in bewilderment, his voice tinged with surprise and confusion.