Chapter 196 065
AMELIA almost burst out laughing at the boys’ reaction, but she quickly pressed her lips together, trying to cage it in. Her shoulders trembled slightly as she watched them stare at her like she had just announced the end of the world.
“Mommy, a trip?” Gaddiel shouted dramatically, both arms flung wide open as though he was presenting her to an invisible audience.
“A trip for what?” Gabriel joined, equally theatrical, mirroring his brother’s pose.
That did it.
Amelia burst into laughter, the sound rich and warm as it filled the dining room.
“You two aren’t serious,” she said between laughs, placing the serving spoon down for a moment to steady herself.
The twins exchanged confused glances and shrugged in perfect synchronization.
“What?” Gabriel protested.
“Yes, what is funny?” Gaddiel added, brows furrowed.
Still smiling, Amelia reached for the bowl of steamed vegetables and began scooping generous portions onto their plates.
“My loves,” she said gently, “it is just a trip. One week. And before you know it, I will be back home.”
She moved around the table as she spoke, adjusting Gabriel’s napkin properly over his lap and nudging Gaddiel’s plate closer to him.
“But mommy,” Gabriel asked, his voice softer now, “what are you going there to do? Is it work?”
Amelia walked to the sideboard and picked up the jug of fresh orange juice, pouring some into two small glasses carefully so it wouldn’t spill.
“Somewhat that, my love,” she replied smoothly. “Mommy is going to do a little work… and cool off too.”
She placed the glasses in front of them and reached for new set of cutlery, aligning the forks and knives neatly beside each plate.
“Cool off?” Gaddiel repeated suspiciously.
“Yes. Even superheroes need rest,” she teased lightly.
Gabriel seemed to consider that.
“So… we would be left in this big house all alone?”
His lower lip trembled slightly, and Gaddiel suddenly went quiet.
“Now I really, really miss Hazel,” Gaddiel said, his voice thickening as though tears were already forming.
Amelia’s smile softened immediately.
She crouched slightly so she could look at them at eye level.
“Don’t do that, my love,” she said gently, brushing Gaddiel’s cheek. “And nope, you won’t be left in this big house all alone.”
They both looked up instantly.
“You will be at your dad’s place for that week until I return. I have already called to inform him.”
The transformation was immediate.
At the mention of “dad,” both boys sprang up from their seats so abruptly that their chairs scraped loudly against the floor.
“Yuppie!” they screamed in unison, shooting their right fists into the air like victorious athletes.
Amelia blinked, then laughed again, shaking her head.
“You two nearly cried a second ago.”
They ignored that.
“We are going to dad’s!” Gabriel shouted.
“For one whole week!” Gaddiel added, already bouncing on the balls of his feet.
Amelia gently guided them back into their chairs.
“Sit down before you knock something over,” she warned, though amusement sparkled in her eyes.
She returned to her seat, watching them chatter excitedly about what games they would play, which movies they would watch, and how they would beat their father at video games.
“And Hazel?” Gaddiel suddenly asked, pausing mid-sentence.
Amelia reached for her own glass of water and took a calm sip before answering.
“She knows already. She will meet you guys there.”
“Yes!” Gaddiel shouted again, nearly spilling his juice.
Gabriel clapped his hands once.
“That means we will all be together!”
Amelia studied their faces carefully.
So much joy. So much innocence.
She had expected hesitation. Questions. Maybe even resistance.
Instead, they were thrilled.
She picked up the serving spoon once more and added a little more gravy to Gabriel’s plate since he kept staring at it longingly.
“Now eat before the food gets cold,” she instructed gently.
They obeyed immediately, digging in with enthusiasm.
Between bites, they continued talking about their upcoming week at their dad’s, arguing over who would get which side of the bed and whether they should pack their football or their comic books first.
Amelia quietly buttered a slice of bread for herself, listening.
“Mommy?” Gabriel said with his mouth half full.
She raised a brow.
“Don’t talk with food in your mouth.”
He swallowed quickly.
“Sorry. Will you call us every day?”
Her expression softened.
“Of course I will.”
“And video call?” Gaddiel added.
“Yes.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
That seemed to settle them.
They returned to their meal, occasionally bursting into giggles as they planned imaginary adventures for the coming week.
Amelia watched them in silence for a moment, a faint, unreadable look passing across her face before she masked it with another smile.
“Finish your vegetables,” she reminded.
They groaned dramatically but complied.
The dining table, once filled with shock and confusion, now hummed with excitement and clattering cutlery.
And Amelia sat there, composed and smiling, as her sons happily counted down the days to a week they believed would be nothing more than fun.
Adrian sat in his study, the soft glow of his desk lamp casting a warm pool of light over the mahogany surface. His laptop screen reflected faintly in his glasses as his fingers moved steadily across the keyboard. The room was quiet except for the low hum of the air conditioner and the occasional click of his mouse.
A firm knock came at the door.
He didn’t look up.
“Come on in, George. Door is open,” he said, eyes still fixed on the screen.
The door creaked open slowly.
George stepped in with quiet dignity. He was a man in his late fifties, tall and lean with a posture that spoke of discipline and years of service. His greying hair was neatly trimmed, his moustache carefully shaped. He wore his butler uniform immaculately, crisp white shirt, black waistcoat fitted perfectly to his frame, polished black trousers, and gloves tucked neatly into one pocket. Even his shoes gleamed under the light.
He walked with measured steps toward Adrian’s desk and stopped at a respectful distance.
“You sent for me, sir,” he said, bowing slightly, hands clasped politely in front of him.
That was when Adrian finally lifted his gaze from the laptop.
“Oh yes, George. I did.” He leaned back slightly in his chair. “Have you taken care of those shrubs I told you about?”
George nodded once.
“Yes, sir. I trimmed the uneven edges and replaced the dried mulch. I also watered them thoroughly.”
Adrian gave a satisfied nod.
“Good.”
He closed his laptop halfway but didn’t shut it completely.
“My kids would be coming over to stay for the whole of next week—”
George’s composed face instantly brightened. The transformation was unmistakable. His eyes lit up, and a wide, genuine smile spread across his face.
“Your kids?” he asked, excitement slipping through his professional tone.
Adrian chuckled softly.
“Yes, my kids. The twins and their elder sister. She would probably be around only for the weekend, but the twins would be going to school from here until their mother returns from her trip.”
“Oh, sir!” George clasped his hands lightly in delight. “I can’t wait to have them around for real this time. And I’m sure Wendy would be so elated to have playmates.”
Adrian nodded, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“I get it. So just get their rooms ready. Fresh linens, their favorite snacks stocked, and make sure the playroom is properly arranged.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And George…” Adrian leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as though sharing a confidential warning. “Work would be doubled, maybe even tripled. Those boys are a battalion of armies on their own.”
George laughed heartily, a deep warm sound that filled the study.
“I understand, sir. You have nothing to worry about. Absolutely nothing.”
Adrian smiled.
“That is what I like to hear.”
“I will personally supervise the preparation of their rooms. Should I bring out the board games and the small football nets for the garden?”
“Definitely,” Adrian replied. “And keep anything fragile out of reach.”
“Yes, sir.”
Adrian leaned back in his chair again, satisfaction evident on his face. For the first time that day, his expression softened completely.
“It’s been quiet around here,” he admitted.
George’s smile became gentler.
“Children bring life into a home, sir.”
Adrian gave a thoughtful nod.
“They do.”
There was a brief comfortable silence before Adrian gestured lightly.
“Good. That is all I had to say. You can return to work.”
George bowed slightly.
“Very well, sir.”
He turned toward the door but halted midway, as though remembering something important. He pivoted back.
“Sir, should I get you juice, a glass of wine, or a cup of coffee? You have been on that laptop since you returned from work.”
Adrian’s lips curved into a knowing smile.
“George,” he said lightly, “I can’t say no now. You will make sure I order something.”
George chuckled softly.
“I try my best, sir.”
Adrian pretended to ponder for a second.
“Alright. A glass of juice will do. Mango juice.”
“Okay, sir. Straight away.”
George gave one final respectful nod before exiting the room with the same quiet elegance he had entered with.
The door closed gently behind him.
Adrian leaned back fully now, staring at the ceiling for a brief moment. A faint smile lingered on his face at the thought of his children filling the house with noise again.
The once quiet mansion was about to become lively.
And once more, he was looking forward to the chaos.