Alistair didn't understand the situation and blindly took his teacher's hand, following her to the small playground outside. On the playground, a woman with a mask and hat was standing there, slender in figure. Although she covered herself tightly, Alistair still saw her distinctive golden hair at first glance and instantly becexcited.
"Mommy! Mommy finally cto see me!" he exclaimed.
The teacher next to him was confused. "Mommy? You're his mother not aunt?" Mavis crouched down to hug him and explained with a smile, "I'm his aunt. We look alike so he always callsmom by mistake." The teacher didn't say much about it since everyone in the school knew that Alistair was the beloved son of the Callahan family and he had lost his mother when he was young.
"You two can talk but don't take too long. Don't delay Alistair's rest time," said the teacher before leaving.
Mavis politely nodded her head and promised, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on time. No more than fifteen minutes." After everyone else left, Alistair asked curiously, "Are you really my aunt? Not my mommy?" Mavis took off her mask and put his little hand on her cheek with a bright smile. "What do you think?" Her face was very beautiful just like in their wedding photo.
Alistair confirmed it happily by shouting, "You're my mommy!" Mavis made a shushing gesture at him as she said softly, "For sreasons, | will tell you later when you grow up enough to understand them better; for now this is our secret between us only, okay? Can you keep this secret for me?" "Okay!" He obediently agreed but then whispered, "But what should | call you then?" "In front of others just callAuntie," Mavis replied while rubbing his head affectionately.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtHe didn't say anything more because calling Mavis Auntie instead of Mommy felt unfair to her as far as he concerned.
Sensing what he might be feeling upset about, Mavis leaned closer towards him, whispering gently into his ear, "It's only temporary; someday soon enough, you'll be able to shout 'mommy" loudly in front of anyone." And she would make sure that day csooner rather than later! "Okay." Alistair pouted slightly before calling out weakly, "Auntie~" "So sweet." Mavis melted from how adorable he looked. Reaching out for one of those golden locks which fascinated him earlier, he asked curiously, "Why is your hair color different from mine though?" "Maybe... someone's genes are too strong, and you look more like him." He shook his head. "Daddy said he was much smarter thanwhen he was a kid. I'm not smart enough." He didn't think he looked like his father.
Mavis chuckled at what she heard. "When | was your age, | was just a country girl from Teflayria and | couldn't even read. You probably got it fromin that aspect." She had learned a lot of knowledge from Anthony when he cto teach as a volunteer teacher.
When she was thinking back on the past, Mavis's expression dimmed and her face was covered by her black hat.
"Mommy, when will you cover next?" "If the situation allows it, I'll coften so you won't findannoying." Alistair hugged her neck with his small hands and affectionately pressed his cheek against hers.
Perhaps it was the natural telepathy between mother and son or perhaps it had been so many years since they last saw each other that Alistair really liked her and unconsciously wanted to get closer to her.
At the stime, Bryleigh walked sadly towards the kindergarten carrying cake and toys.
This tshe went hafter being scolded by her father for arguing with Alistair; such behavior was very foolish if she wanted to successfully marry into the Callahan family and solve the urgent problem of her family. She must pass this test with Alistair.
Even though she wasn't happy about it at all, Bryleigh carefully dressed up before coming here today.
As soon as she reached the door of the kindergarten, she saw Alistair chatting with a woman on the playground.
From where Bryleigh stood outside of their view range, the woman had turned away so Bryleigh couldn't see her face but could clearly feel how excited Alistair seemed.
Their relationship seemed quite good.
"Alistair, good afternoon! | cto see you," She stood outside of iron gate of kindergarten knocking on its door while wearing an amiable smile on her face.
Mavis abruptly stopped talking to Alistair about something else, because timer set in phone rang indicating fifteen minutes were up now.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"I'll be back again soon," Mavis coaxed warmly before leaving him behind reluctantly. "I'll bring gifts for you next time." A disappointed expression appeared on little boy's face as he let go off his mother's embrace unwillingly, only able watch helplessly as Mavis left.
Since Mavis needed leave now, she could only walk towards iron gate while keeping low profile. As result, she brushed past Bryleigh without being recognized even though latter already put mask onto herself.
Bryleigh beccurious about who this woman suddenly appeared beside Alistair was. While walking into school yard, she asked Alistair smilingly, "Who is that? Your fifth aunt?" Fifth aunt, also known as Melissa, had been wandering for over twenty years before the Callahan family finally recognized her. That was why Bryleigh had never met her before.
Alistair snorted arrogantly. "I'm not telling you about that! Bad woman! She's someone very dear to me, and you will never be my stepmother!" Just a few days ago they had an unpleasant argument, but Bryleigh acted as if nothing happened and approached him with a smile.
"Alistair, | was wrong the other day. | said sthings that were too harsh. Don't take it to heart though; deep down | really like you. Can we be friends?" "Who wants to be friends with you?" Alistair stepped back and held his nose in disgust at her perfume.
Bryleigh squatted down in front of him with a charming smile on her face and wasn't angry at all. "Look here now, I've apologized to you already! You're generous so don't hold grudges againstokay? Here's a small gift for you; it comes with treats for your little friends in the kindergarten." Alistair didn't buy into this attempt at reconciliation and took another step back from her while still holding his nose in disdain.
"The smell of your perfis so strong! It stinks! Stay away from me!" He grew angrier by the second. "You made her leave because of this! Get your stuff outta here!" He turned around and ran into the room without looking back at Bryleigh once more.
Underneath Bryleigh's delicate makeup, she struggled not to lose control of herself completely: how dare he insulted her limited edition French perfume? "What an uncivilized brat!" She muttered under breath through gritted teeth. "When | marry into the Callahan family one day, watch how I'll teach you manners." The next moment she saw the principal coming out, she quickly put on a smiley face again while handing over scake, "Hi! | cto see Alistair today bringing gifts for him and his little buddies here. Would you please help distribute them?" "Sure thing," the principal replied politely after exchanging pleasantries with Bryleigh who then left right away afterwards.
As soon as she walked away, two guards from the Callahan family returned. They both looked wary when they saw Bryleigh but she remained poised nonetheless. "Don't givethose suspicious looks. | am Anthony's friend or should say former lover. | won't hurt Alistair." After making such bold statements, Bryliegh got into her luxury car without any hesitation or fear. The two guards exchanged glances before reporting everything that just happened to Anthony just in case anything went wrong later on.