As the door opened, a beautiful lady wearing a white floral dress came to greet us. At that moment, she looked like no less than an angel to me.

She pulled Ren in a hug, "How are you, sweetie? You seldomly come to visit us. Don't you miss your aunt?" she asked softly in her sweet voice.

"I...uh..." Ren seemed lost for words.

She shifted her attention to me,
"Hello there, dear." She smiled sweetly at me.

"You are not looking good. Did something happen?" she asked caressing my face, worry etching her beautiful face.

I can feel her motherly love. Her aura is warm and bright like the sun shining brightly on a cold winter day. I feel like sleeping and never waking up.

"Ash." I heard someone calling my name. I looked at her but she didn't say anything.

"Can I have something to eat?" I muttered.

I can't take it anymore.

My eyes are heavy and I am barely standing right now. I don't know how long I'll be able to hold myself.

I am such a moron. I ate only a sandwich for breakfast and I missed my lunch because of all that happened.

"Oh my goodness, that tells why you are looking so out of it."

"I am going to make something for you right away." She gave me an assuring smile.

"Thank you very much and pardon me for troubling you."

"No, no! You are not troubling me at all. I am more than happy to prepare food for you." She beamed at me.

"Come inside. I will be back in a while."

"Mom, you forget your son," Sam whined in a childish voice.

She giggled, "I'll attend to you in a while, sweetie." She turned at the corner, to the kitchen I guess.

"So you have arrived," a male's cold, hoarse and dominating voice came from above.

"Yes father," Samantha said from behind me and moved forward.

"Good work." He descended the stairs. He has a mark on his left eyebrow, a thick mustache with a perfectly trimmed brown beard covering his lower face. He pulled out a cigar from his coat's pocket and pressed it between his teeth.

"So you are that half-breed." He lighted his cigar and exhaled a big cloud of white smoke out.

"You are nothing special," he spoke up towering over me with the blink of an eye. His aura is icy cold, completely opposite from his wife. He took a circle around me, his eyes never leaving mine like a predator before pounding on his prey.

"I never said I am special." I shrugged. I heard Ren gasping beside me. He let out a throaty chuckle.

"Pardon me but can you please not smoke on my face." He chuckled and stepped away from me.

"Thank you." Ren stared at me like I am crazy or something and moved a little away from me.

I passed a hand through my hair and my eyes roamed around. I saw three red velvety big sofas placed at the center.

"Would you mind if I take a seat? I am tired of standing." I can't stand up any longer. I just want to lay down. I am out of battery. Only food can charge me.

"Sure. Why don't you all sit on the floor?" Ren gulped and they all bent down on their knees.

"Dad!" Sam and Samantha groaned.

Whoa, they all obeyed him. I shall sit too to accompany them.

I sat down, following their examples. My phone started jingling in my jeans pocket. I pulled it out but he snatched it from me.

It's Albert. If he will find out I haven't eaten which he will, after hearing my voice, he will scold me and I am not in the mood.

"Hola, Alberto." He answered the call.

Hola, huh! Got it.

The smell of food hit my nose and I unbuckled my legs to stand up.

"The food is here," Sam's mom gushed gleefully and I rushed towards her.

"Thank you so much. It looks delicious." She smiled, "Don't be shy! There's more. Eat to your heart's content."

"Hmm." Without wasting a second, I attacked the food.

"It's luscious."

"Glad to hear that." The maids came with more food. At that moment, I was only focusing on eating, not caring about what's happening in my surroundings.

"Nate, stop messing with the kids." She growled at him.

I then gazed at them to find them still sitting on the floor with their heads hanging low, a pained expression on their faces.

"Oops!" He sheepishly smiled at her.

"Mom, why do dad did this with us?" Samantha grumbled heading towards us. She glared at me and slumped on the sofa with her arms crossed.

"I want some too," Sam pouted.

"Aww! My baby. Here." He sat beside me and nibbled on the food.

"Come here, sweetie. Why are you standing there alone?" Ren wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead. Pushing his glasses up with his middle finger, he ambled towards us.

Oh boy, why I have to experience it again.

But Ash...it seems he wasn't much affected by it.

Nate let out a throaty laugh and reclined to the couch near me.

He put the cell phone on speaker and spare a glance at our side.

"Long time no talk, Matthew," he said in a teasing tone.

"You bugger. Give the bloody phone to my son." I glanced at Ash. He was calmly enjoying his pasta without any care in the world.

"It's not the way to talk to your old friend." He smirked smugly.

"I'm going to kill you, you prat," the man on the other side snarled but there was amusement in his voice.

"I am scared." Nate chuckled.

"How you came to know?"

"I have my sources."

'What's going on dude? I don't understand a thing!' Sam asserted surprised.

'Like I do!' I retorted rolling my eyes.

'Huh? Am I hearing it right?!' he said, amusement lacking his voice.

'Shut up, you airhead.'

'Aww. Are you mad?'

I balled my fists and glared at him, 'I'm gonna kick your sorry ass.' He laughed in my head and I nudged my elbow in his side.

'Ouch. Why did you do that?'

'You deserved it.' Arching my brow, I smirked at him in victory.

"Please ask him to give the phone to joven senõr." Another man pleaded from the other side.

"Okay. I won't tease you any longer, Alberto. Here." Nate passed me the cell and I handed it to Ash.

Ash was only able to say hello when he was showered with a lot of questions in Spanish, I guess.

"Calm down, Albert. I'm fine." He let out a deep sigh.

"I wasn't able to call you because I was busy with something." He glanced at me for a split second and I felt like it's because of me.

They talked a little and he hung up.

"You are staying at Emma's house."

"Yes."

"How long is it?" Angelica asked Nate with a distant look in her eyes.

"Seventeen years, I guess," he answered. We all are glancing from Nate to Angelica as they talked.

"Umm...someone cares to fill in because I'm going nuts!" Sam yelled standing up abruptly.

They both laughed like there's no tomorrow.

"Matthew and I are childhood friends. When I found out Ash is here, I didn't help myself so I brought him here."

"It's called kidnapping," Ash grumbled crossing his arms.

"We are sorry for that sweetie."

"Please don't apologize. I am delighted to meet you and I got the pleasure to taste the delicious food made from love by you."

"Thank you so much for the food." Ash smiled at her.

She smiled shyly, "Oh sweetie! It was my pleasure."

He is an enchanter though he doesn't use any spells. He knows the art of moving people from words and I mean it in a good way.

"I like cooking and as no one eats here except Sam. I don't cook often. I am glad you liked it. Whenever you wanna eat anything, just stop by and I'll be more than happy to make it for you."

"I will. Thank you."

"Would you mind if I take a look at the garden?"

"Only on one condition. You have to be my son-in-law." Nate blurted out of the blue. I peered at him stunned.

Really?!

"I'll pass."

"Quit messing Nate." She scolded Nate who only smiled in return.

Nah! He was just messing around.

"It's your home. You can do whatever you please. Sam and Sammy accompany Ren and Ash and show them around."

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How are you all?

Here's another chapter. Hope you like it. Please share your views in the comment section and don't forget to vote.

What do you think Nate was serious about making him his son-in-law or just messing?

Which character do you like so far?

Till next time :)

Stay safe, stay healthy!