"Mama."

"Yes dear," Angelina turned her gaze to her daughter as she caressed her hair, braiding the tip.

"I have a question…" Arabella furrowed her brows in confusion, staring at Richard who was doting on his wife to Belle, who was holding the new baby.

"What is it dear?" Angelina asked, tickling her daughter as she giggled excitedly.

"Is Aunty Bell my aunt or my grandmother?" Arabella asked, looking from a shocked Bell to a dumbfounded Richard.

"Ara…," Angelina dragged softly, already rubbing her temples. should she praise her child for being a brilliant, witty kid or blame her sarcastic gene of hers?

"You always said I should ask you anything I don't understand that you'll explain to me," she pouted, staring at her with gleaming eyes. "Mama, you said best friends don't keep secrets from each other and you are my best friend." she grinned cheekily, using the best friend's card on Angelina while she sighed.

“Ara mii,” Angelina called softly, pecking her daughter's forehead adoringly, “Bell- is my best friend, you know?” Angelina asked slowly.

“Yes mama, I know.” Arabella nodded, “but she's married to my grandpa which makes her my step-grandma.” she stated, staring at her mom to refute it.

Angelina stared at her father, internally screaming to be safe. She didn't know what to say or how to explain this messed-up situation.

“My favorite granddaughter.” Richard inputted, saving Angelina, smiling lovely. Aramide stood from her mom's lap and was engulfed by Richard's big arms as he hoisted her up to his eyes level.

“My little Bell is your favorite aunty, your uncle’s stepsister, your mother’s best friend, and your grandfather’s wife…” he tickled her side playfully, “she might be your grandma or aunt, but the choice is yours."

Arabella giggled softly as Bell and Angelina laughed awkwardly, staring at each other while Arabella tried to get away from Richard's tickling.

“But she's too young to be a grandma, so she's my favorite aunty!” Arabella proclaimed in between her laughter, making Angelina's shoulder sag in relief.

"Whuaw!" The hearty cries of the newborn baby rang through the room as Bell jumped a little, her hands trembling before Richard smiled and took the baby from her.

Angelina watched her father peck his wife and carried the little bundle carefully as he cooed the baby gently, feeding him while singing a lullaby. She smiled happily, feeling a tear escape from her eye.

Her father deserved it.

Angelina chuckled while her daughter looked at her, tilting her head as she wiped the lone tear.

"Mama, what happened?"

"Nothing," she responded. "I'm just happy."

"Okay," Arabella said, going out of the room.

"Congratulations on the newborn Bell and thanks for giving me a younger brother at age twenty-nine." she joked, but the happiness and sincerity could be detected in her voice.

"Papa..," she dragged softly, running into her father's arms as she sniffed a little, "Congratulations, old man," she whispered, wiping her face.

"Denike…"

"I'm okay papa, they are happy tears!" she chuckled light.

***

Angelina wiped her hands with the towel before putting on her apron as she smiled at the new part-timer at the coffee machine. She walked over to him, putting her wavy hair in a ponytail before instructing the part-timer how to operate the coffee-making machine. Angelina explained slowly, showing him how designs were made and the type of sticker to use for customers.

After finishing her lesson, she went to the staff room and quickly shot her husband a message before going back to the kitchen to make some dessert and cookies.

Angelina took a break from being Nathaniel's secretary to help in her father's cafe, which was across from her husband’s company. Her father took paternity leave to devote his time and attention to his wife and newborn. And Angelina was thrilled to take care of his cafe before he came back.

The cafe was bustling with customers as the high school and college girls continued to ask for the owner, who was her father. Her father was a handsome man with promising features- a perfect dilf. Girls came to the coffee to sneakily take his photos and talk to him. The number of fangirls he had was shocking.

The girls left grumbling in dissatisfaction that their old man wasn't on the seat today also as Angelina smiled queasily for them to leave. Angelina waved at the girls and sighed before going to the cashier's seat, but was stopped on her way, making her lean on the table.

“Hectic day again?”

“Yeah,” she responded, slumping her shoulders tiredly, turning to the regular customer. The customer arrived at this time and ordered the same latte every single day while taking a seat beside the corner.

“Welcome,” she smiled at the man, going to the coffee machine. She didn't think the new part-timer could make this man order as she gestured to the new guy to watch how she makes the customer specialty.

After filling the cup, she handed it over to the customer. The man collected it while making their hands touch. Angelina quickly removed her hand; she was shocked.

“Sorry,” he whispered, taking a sip from the coffee. “I always like the coffee you make. It always tastes different and addicting." This was the first time the man was making a conversation with her and Angelina beamed at the compliment.

“Thank you,” she appreciated, smiling softly.

“I've been coming here for two weeks…” he trailed off, rubbing his hands together.

Yes, I know. Angelina responded internally that she had worked here two weeks ago.

“Sorry if I crossed the line about what I wanted to ask… are you dating anyone?” he rushed out.

Angelina's eyes widened in shock before she could respond. A possessive voice boomed out.

“She’s taken.” Nathanial enunciated in a hard voice, taking long strides toward his angel. How dare that little college guy ask his wife out! His wife! He felt his blood boil in anger, looking at the guy as he intentionally shouldered the guy, then went to his wife's side as he snaked his arm around her waist, showing his claim.

Angelina nudged his side to reduce his overflowing testosterone because the guy in front of them was already squirming under Nathaniel's glare. "Thank you, but you are already eight years late,” she grinned widely. “I'm a happily married wife and a lovely mother.” She stated softly.

“I'm sorry, ma'am,” the guy said hurriedly and ran out embarrassingly.

“Ooh..” Angelina wanted to stop him, but he had already gone out. She turned to her husband, pouting. “Was I too hard on that poor guy?” she asked.

“No, angel,” he muttered, smirking slyly.

“When did you arrive?”

“Now,”

“Hmm,” Angelina hummed in response, fixing his tie as she stood on her toes and pecked his jaw. She missed him even though they saw each other this morning.

And on the other side of the table, the part-timer felt a chill run through his body.

***

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