In the Rolls Royce,

Anya opened her mobile as she instructed Alvin, "Let's go to Sweet Lemon Regency first."

Alvin denied, hitting the accelerator to speed up, "That's far from the airport and the center of the city. Only military school is closer where you don't get admission for this Little.. Chipmunk." He controlled himself from saying 'Brat' as his little enemy was behaving.

'Little Chipmunk.' Zane retorted immediately, "Chipmunk Monster, I am not little and chipmunk."

Anya: ".."

"Look at your and chipmunk's cheeks. You both look alike." Alvin argued back.

Zane touched his cheeks and oddly felt Alvin was right. So he grumbled to Anya, "Momma, he is bullying me for my chubby cheeks."

Alvin didn't give Anya a chance to say anything, "Who is a cry baby here?"

"I am my mommy's baby." Zane smugly stated and scoffed, "You are the cry baby."

Thus their banter continued.

Anya looked at Alvin and Zane alternatively until her neck was sore. Why was she feeling like those two weren't father and son but naughty brothers?

Her mature sensible baby had become a child and her grown-up boyfriend got another chance to be unreasonable and childish.

She had thought Alvin likes to talk with her but the man was arguing with a five-year-old without a hint of annoyance. Unfortunately, she couldn't bring herself to get angry but hear them and be entertained.

—–––––

About half an hour later, the car came to a halt in front of a magnificent villa with a well-maintained huge lawn.

Alvin unbuckled his seat belt, he was about to get off when he sensed Anya's eyes on him, without moving from her position. "What's wrong?" He asked, looking at her unreadable gaze.

Alvin didn't drive to any of the places she planned to check the villas, "Alvin Matthews, do you think I can afford a villa here?" Anya calmly asked.

Zane, who liked the view from the window, sat back without interjecting between the elders' talk. If they couldn't afford the villa, then there was no necessity to check it out.

Alvin restrained from saying 'I will get it for you.' Knowing how important it was for her to have her place, Alvin suggested differently, "Check it once. If you like it, I will lend some money to you."

p Anya shook her head, the cost will probably double or triple than her estimation and she still couldn't afford it.

The regency they were at wasn't new but very popular among celebrities and business families due to top-notch security in the area. She couldn't afford to pay the maintenance there, much less buy it.

Out of all the places, Alvin preferred this location due to maintenance and security. Looking at the reluctance of mother and son, he drove to another regency.

....

Zane's jaw dropped when he witnessed Anya turn around and hug the seat as soon as Alvin opened the door at her side.

Due to Little Bodyguard's eyes on them, Alvin could only tug Anya. "Little Donut.."

Anya cried out her misery. "Alvin, I am poor." But the man wasn't ready to listen to her and brought her to another splendid property.

'Poor!?' The car she was sitting in was worth more than the price of the villa. The house agent was dumbfounded before trying to convince her.

"Miss, why don't you check the villa once? We can negotiate the price with the owner." He did his job for his commission.

Anya pouted and turned her face to look at Alvin, "I won't hunt house with you." Anya wailed without tears leaving Alvin also speechless.

His mother never behaves like a little girl in front of others. Zane chuckled, finding his mother cute.

'Even my baby is laughing at me.' Anya sulked, causing Alvin to give in and get in the car to go to another regency.

.....

As soon as the car entered a private property that had a beautiful castle-like villa, Anya's lips gaped at the sight. Alvin halted the car hoping she would like the place.

However, Anya got out of the car and ran away leaving the duo speechless and another agent at the house was confused as hell.

Zane looked at Alvin and shook his head in resignation. He left the hope of finding a place with Alvin.

....

Alvin drove the car to Anya who got inside and threatened, "If you bring me to an extravagant place, I won't bring you to look for any place again." She humped, crossed her hands, and looked away from him.

Out of fifteen expensive listed properties, Alvin drove to the least expensive one.

He breathed in relief when Anya got out of the car and looked around. He signaled the agent to stay out and give them privacy.

Zane, who followed Anya, skipped in front of her, "Momma, may I look around?"

"Sure Baby." Anya gave the green signal. Zane ran inside, roughly looking around. He would stand here and there and look around.

Honestly, Anya liked the place. It was in modern contemporary style with abundant sunlight and wind. She liked the high ceiling with simplistic lightning. Due to the open kitchen, dining, and living hall, it looked very vast.

Her eyes brushed over the swimming pool which had two sections, one could be used for kids and another had good depth.

She leaned on the island kitchen counter without checking out the rooms or going upstairs. Alvin trapped her against the counter looking at her in deep thoughts. "Liked it?"

Anya mulled over her thoughts before responding, "Frankly yes, but this isn't suitable for a family of.. three." Then she recalled Angela, "Family of four."

She didn't mind an open dining hall but she wanted the kitchen closed or half-closed. There will be times she will wish to hide her mood and emotions from Zane after a day full of work. If they take this villa, Zane will just have to turn to see her.

Hearing 'family' from her by adding him, Alvin couldn't describe his feelings. Something warm was spreading in his body, like a feeling of home.

He lifted her out of blue and made her sit on the island counter.

Anya looked at her short skirt. Bored of the formal clothes, she had chosen a loose rustic orange knitted full sleeve sweater with a short floral skirt, paired with brown ankle-length shoes and a sling bag. She chewed her lips thinking if she should have chosen pants.

"Alvin.." She tried to move him and get off but he managed to stand between her legs wrapping his hands around her.

Giving up on her efforts to escape, Anya was confused about where to keep her hands. Her hands hesitantly moved and settled on his arms.

Alvin pretended to unseen her reactions. Unless she wasn't uncomfortable, he would let her sort out things on her own. "Why is it not suitable?"

Looking at their position, she got another reason to reject the villa. With this man around, they will need privacy from the kids.

Anya didn't mention her primary reason, "I don't want kids to witness what they shouldn't." She simply gave her reason.

Alvin lifted his brows in confusion before understanding. He peeked behind her and saw everything in the open from the front door of the villa to the kitchen. "How about adding a frost glass wall for the kitchen?"

Anya trailed a hum while thinking about his suggestion. "Hmm... Feasible." She nodded, "We will shortlist this villa then."

Now that he convinced his Little Donut for the villa, he tugged her closer, causing her arms to shift to his shoulder on their own and her legs almost wrapped around his waist.

"Alvin.." Anya looked at the stairs where Zane went and tried to push the man away.

"Little Donut.." His magnetic voice skipped a beat of her heart, taking her attention back to him, "What could kids witness in the kitchen that they shouldn't see?" He stood as if he didn't know what she meant.

Anya jutted her lips seeing him teasing her with a poker face. She wanted to create distance but his arms held her in place. Her body slowly relaxed to their closeness, "What do you think?" She asked back without losing to him.

His lips curled to an enticing smirk as slowly nodded, "I see... My Little Donut is wild in her imagination." He was amused at how she had to think through everything, every time in whatever she does.

Anya: ".."

She wasn't wild in her imagination. It was him who was running her thoughts wild. It was like he brought twenty-year-old Anya Owen back to life. The one who would happily daydream and have her imagination world.

"Are kids allowed to watch this?" His low hypnotic voice floated in the air.

Her eyes widened when he held the straps of her sling bag and tugged her to cover more space between them. Her breath stuck in her throat, and the butterflies in her stomach went into a frenzy when his warm breath tickled her lips.historical

Her mouth went dry when she realized she wasn't nervous like before, rather her heart was beating in anticipation and curiosity.

Curious if he would taste the same.

His deliberate, unhurried pace was making her thoughts go out of her control.

Her fingers clutched his jacket to stop him.. Probably stop herself and check at the stairs but all she could focus was on his cognac eyes that held her captive in his gaze. If a second they looked gentle, they turned to something she couldn't read.

Her eyes dropped when his lips tenderly yet unhurriedly sucked on her upper lip. Melting to his tenderness, her hands wrapped around his neck and her lips followed him.

"How dare you stop us?" Suddenly a sharp arrogant voice disrupted the sweet air in the kitchen.