Chapter 3

The following morning, at the break of dawn…

The first light of day seeped through the window and into the room. Lyla Lowe frowned a little before she opened her eyes.

When her consciousness came to and she realized there was a man sleeping next to her, she shot into a sitting position immediately.

She wanted to just slam her head into the wall!

‘GAH! Lyla Lowe! How could you do this?!’

Not wanting to waste a second more, she got up from the bed. She took her clothes and put them on in a haste. As soon as she was dressed, she took off towards the door and was about to leave when she stopped after a few steps.

She turned around to see the man sleeping on the bed. He was half naked. His skin, wheat-colored, was completely exposed to the air as he slept like a baby.

She was hesitating. Be it as if may, it was still her first time and she should, at the very least, have a look at him…

She took a few steps towards him as the thought played in her mind.

However, just when she took a few steps, the sound of a doorbell rang from outside.

She jumped in surprise and when she listened closely to the sound, she realized it came from the room next to hers.

Afraid the man might wake up, she left the room in huff like she was escaping…

…

Six years later, in Alpine City’s airport, Lyla Lowe returned home from overseas.

She wore a pair of white, ankle-length pants. The warm-yellow colored chiffon top was just long enough to cover her behind. Her hair, long and slightly curly, rested on her shoulders. When she walked, she became a sight to behold in the airport.

However, the two little kids behind her were the real eye-catchers.

“How beautiful! How cute little children!”

“Oh my! You’re right! They’re so cute!”

Many in the airport expressed their fondness out loud.

“Hansel, I’m tired…” cried Gretel, pretending to be in trouble as she pouted. The entire act was so cute that it could literally send one squirming.

Gretel turned to her and made an annoyed sigh.

“Fine, give it.”

“Yay! Thank you, Hansel!” cried Gretel as she happily handed over her own luggage to Hansel. Now that she could carry her Barbie doll with her hands, one need not guess to know that she was very happy. While that was happening, Hansel was dragging two luggages on his own.

Lyla, who was walking in the front, heard the commotion and turned around.

“Gretel! How could you mistreat your own big brother?”

“But I’m tired!” Gretel said, pouting her lips and quickly came towards Lyla to act cutely and sweetly.

She was Lyla’s own daughter, of course she would know what sort of trickey she would employ to get her way. Lyla shook her head and turned to Hansel.

“Hansel, come, let mummy carry it.”

“No need, mummy. Gretel’s luggage isn't that heavy!” said Hansel as he shook his head. His little cool face did not suit his age. Pulling two luggages was still tough for someone like him.

“Sigh…” Lyla sighed. Hansel was old enough to know better but the little sister, Gretel was just a source of headache.

That being said, she had both ways. Even though Gretel loved to be mollycoddled, she would still obediently listen to Hansel. With that thought in mind, Lyla relaxed a little.

“Come on then. The car is waiting for us outside!” said Lyla.

The two little kids followed their mother happily out of the airport.

The car drove all the way to a small residential area where they rented a place. After getting up stairs, Lyla Lowe took a good look at the surroundings. She then turned to the two little kids and asked, “How is it? What do you think of the surroundings?”

Gretel looked around and with a somewhat forced nod, she said, “It’s alright, I guess. Even though it’s not a mansion, or not a few hundred square feet, it’s still ok!”

Lyla could not say anything in return.

She completely ignored what her coquettish little girl said and turned to her son.

“Hansell, what do you think?”

Hansel nodded decisively and said, “It’s good. We should stay here first. We can always move in the future!”

Similarly, she could not say anything in return. She could not deny that the manner of which Hansel spoke in was a little arrogant.

“My sweet darlings, mummy will do her best! Mummy will make sure that the two of you will have a better life!” said Lyla.