Chapter 21: The Big Mosquito

When Serenity opened her eyes again, the other side of the bed was cold.

She sat up instantly, clutching the blanket to her chest. Memories of last night crashed into her mind like a wave. The wall. The aggressive kiss. Her legs wrapped around his waist.

And the way he stopped.

She touched her lips. They felt swollen and tender.

"Oh god," she groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I almost slept with him. I have no self-control."

Just then, the bathroom door opened.

Jackson walked out.

He had just taken a shower. Water droplets were dripping from his dark hair onto his chest, sliding down his defined abs, and disappearing into the white towel wrapped loosely around his waist.

Steam billowed out behind him.

Serenity stared. It was rude to stare, but... he looked like a sculpture come to life.

"Like what you see?" Jackson smirked, catching her gaze.

He looked refreshed, but there were dark circles under his eyes. Clearly, he hadn't slept much.

"Why are you showering at 6 AM?" Serenity averted her eyes, blushing furiously.

"A cold shower," Jackson emphasized the word 'cold'. He walked over to the bed, leaning close to her face. "Because someone... left me burning all night without putting out the fire."

Serenity's face turned as red as a tomato. "You... you could have slept in the study!"

"I prefer suffering next to you than sleeping comfortably alone," Jackson ruffled her messy hair. "Get up. The kids are waiting for breakfast."

---

The Dining Room.

Mia and Alex were already eating their cereal. Alfred, the butler, was pouring milk.

"Good morning, Mommy! Good morning, Daddy!" Mia chirped happily.

Serenity walked in, trying to act normal. "Morning, my loves."

She sat down and picked up a piece of toast. But she felt three pairs of eyes staring at her.

Mia stopped chewing. She leaned forward, blinking her big curious eyes.

"Mommy? What happened to your mouth?"

Serenity froze. "What?"

"Your lips are so big! And red!" Mia pointed with her spoon. "Like a sausage!"

Alex, who was drinking juice, choked and started coughing loudly. He looked at Serenity, then at Jackson, with a look of realization way too mature for his age.

"I... uh..." Serenity stammered, covering her mouth. "I think... I ate something spicy yesterday."

"No," Jackson interjected calmly, buttering his bread. "It was a mosquito."

"A mosquito?" Mia’s eyes widened.

"Yes. A very big, hungry, bad mosquito," Jackson looked at Serenity with a wicked glint in his eyes. "It bit Mommy last night. Hard."

"Did it hurt?" Mia asked concernedly.

"A little," Jackson smirked. "But I think Mommy liked it."

Kick!

Serenity kicked Jackson's shin hard under the table.

"Ouch," Jackson flinched but kept smiling.

"We need bug spray!" Mia declared. "We must catch the mosquito!"

"Don't worry," Alex finally spoke up. He wiped his mouth, looking at Jackson with a cool, judging stare. "I think the mosquito learned his lesson. He looks like he didn't sleep well either."

Jackson raised an eyebrow at his son. "You know too much, kid."

Alex shrugged. "I just hope the mosquito controls himself next time. Mommy needs her sleep."

Serenity wanted to dig a hole and hide in it. Her five-year-old son was lecturing her ex-husband about abstinence. This family was weird.

"Alright, enough about bugs," Serenity stood up quickly. "We have a big day today. The studio is preparing for the manufacturing of the new line."

"I'll take you," Jackson stood up too.

"No," Serenity said firmly. "I can drive myself today. You have a board meeting, remember?"

"I can cancel it."

"No. Go make money, Jackson. You spent 50 million yesterday," Serenity rolled her eyes.

Jackson chuckled. He walked over, lifted her chin, and planted a quick kiss on her forehead in front of the kids.

"Fine. Work hard, Mrs. Sterling. If anyone gives you trouble..."

"I know, I know. Call my husband," Serenity mocked him playfully.

"Exactly."

As Serenity walked out to the car, she realized she was smiling. The awkwardness from last night had vanished, replaced by this strange, warm, bickering domestic life.

But she forgot one thing.

Peace never lasts long in New York.

While she was flirting with Jackson over breakfast, a scandal was brewing online. And this time, it wasn't a romance rumor.

It was a crime accusation.