Chapter 151 - Holding The Reins

At Benton Villa,

A lean woman in her late forties was sitting on the couch. She looked frail and haggard. She stared at a man who was at the bar counter. He was chugging glass after glass. She could see him tremble occasionally.

She had received a message asking if her husband treated her son as his own. She hadn't doubted her husband until then.

Now that she was taking a good look at his actions, it was so easy to guess he was nervous and tense rather than forlorn for losing their son… No, it's her son.

"Sofia…" An older lady approached the woman named Sofia holding a tray of food, "Sofia, you haven't eaten anything for the whole day. You will fall ill. Eat at least a little." The old lady sat next to Sofia Benton.

Sofia looked at her mother-in-law. After receiving the message, she wasn't able to trust her husband's family anymore. She was even doubting her mother-in-law.

If Sofia remembers right, the old lady was against her marriage. The old lady didn't want her son to marry a lady who was a widow with a child. However, the old lady treated her and her first son like a family when Sofia gave birth to another child.

In that sense, her second husband also treated her first son like his own from the beginning. So she didn't know who to trust.

"I don't have an appetite, Mom." She turned down. She didn't have an appetite. It completely died down once the ghost named suspicion took over her.

The old lady sighed loudly. She took a spoonful of porridge and blew it gently, "You can't give up your life, Sofia. Just have a few spoons."

The heaviness of Sofia's heart felt tight. She was doubting them but the Benton family always looked after them well. She felt helpless and puzzled.

Looking at the old lady's anticipating gaze, Sofia didn't want to turn down the old lady who looked after her like a daughter for many years. She unwillingly took the spoon from her mother-in-law and ate so that the old lady could be worry-free.

Sofia managed to eat a few spoons and the old lady was happy with just that. Then the latter took the tray back and handed it to the maid. 

"Don't be awake for a long time, Sofia. Go to bed. Let's hope the cops could find the culprit and punish them severely." They could do nothing more than that. 

Sofia who heard the old lady saw her husband tighten his grip on the whisky rock glass. 

Was it her imagination? 

Why was her suspicion growing stronger and stronger?

Sofia turned to the lady when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She nodded, "Yes, Mom." She held the old lady's hand and patted her backhand, "Don't worry about us, Mom. Please take care of yourself until…" Sofia sighed. She wasn't even sure she would be able to collect herself if her son didn't return home.

The old lady patted her hand and went to her room which was on the same floor.

Sofia sat and watched her husband for a long time. Although her suspicions were growing, she was fond of her husband and lived with him for many years. Hence if her husband was innocent, she didn't want these suspicions to ruin their years of relationship. So she built the courage to speak with him instead of confronting him. 

"Mom…" The teenagers' voices echoed in the living hall. A nineteen-year-old boy went towards Sofia, while a young girl in her sixteen ran towards her.

Sofia had sent her younger two children to her parent's place as she wasn't in a state to take care of them.

The girl hugged Sofia, the downcast boy walked up to them. The villa which was echoing the banters, filled with smiles, hollering in laughter, was left with gloominess. 

The girl cried, "Mom, I want to stay with you." 

Sofia silenced her sniffle and gently rubbed her daughter's back. She knew she shouldn't sit and wait while looking at the door for her first son to come, but she didn't know what to do to find him.

The boy glanced at his drinking father and looked at his mother and sister. "Mom, did you get to know anything about bro?"

Sofia shook her head in response and heard her daughter cry harder. They knew the elder son of Sofia wasn't alive but they weren't ready to lose the silver line of hope.

The man from the bar counter hollered at his children, "That's enough. Stop troubling your mother. We will tell you if there is anything."

Sofia pursed her lips. She wasn't sure if it was concern towards her or he was getting nervous hearing about it.

Startled, the two teenagers became quiet and went upstairs.

After looking at her children, Sofia huddled on the couch. She knew the whole family would become a mess if her husband had any hand in the disappearance of her son.

What was she going to tell her children?

What should she tell the old lady?

She vigorously shook her head. She wanted to trust in her husband even when the suspicion was already rooted.

Thus, she went to bed with a jittery heart wishing for her son to return home safely.

—————

In the morning, at the beach mansion,

Alvin went downstairs stretching his body. There was no gym in the mansion as he never really stayed there. His body was aching to work out and lift some weights. 

After Little Donut came into his life, his complete routine had become nonexistent.

As soon as he stepped down the last stair, he saw Young Mommy and Little Brat, clink their milk glass and drink while glancing at each other.

Anya was in a tracksuit and running shoes. The gray jacket was unzipped giving sight of her black sports-top while the gray track pant was hugging her slinky waist. Half of her hair was tied up, the tips of her hair were wet. 

The sheer layer of sweat was glistening on her neck on her skin, loudly saying she went for a run and worked out without the need for a gym. 

As he went closer, his eyes abruptly caught a drop of precipitation rolling down her collarbone and… Alvin shifted his gaze up to stop enticing himself.

His eyes went on Little Brat who was standing on the dining chair, facing her. Zane was still in nightwear but a jacket was layered. From his irregular breathing, Alvin guessed his little enemy played with his Little Donut again.

Why does he wake up so soon?

Don't kids sleep till noon?

His eyes obviously noticed when Anya suddenly slowed her speed of drinking. Thus Zane finished drinking and bounced on the chair, "I am first, Momma."

Alvin: "…"

Anya took her last sip after Zane and sighed, faking sadness cutely. But she cheered up almost instantly, "My Baby is first. So what does my Baby wants as a reward?"

Alvin was intrigued by the Young Mommy and Little Brat's endearing actions.

Zane didn't even think before putting forward his wish, "Momma, I want to play on the beach today." He was doubtful his mommy might say no because of autumn coldness.

Anya chuckled. Rob already explained to her all the games, she gave permission for the ones, she felt safe for Zane. She hadn't told Zane yet, "My Baby's wish is granted." 

Zane cheered, "Yay…" He was ready to hug and kiss her but stopped himself when his hands were in the air. "Err… Momma, you need a bath."

Anya could only pout. When he was small, Anya wasn't carrying him or holding him after work out and explained to him sweat carries germs. Then, even if Anya wanted to hug him, Zane avoids her as if he has OCD. 

Zane, who was ready to jump off the chair, noticed Alvin and greeted him politely, "Good morning, Mr. Matthews."

Alvin looked at his little enemy. He wanted to ignore it or just nod as he does for others but Zane's simple gaze was pressing as if he had to respond. 

Anya knew what was going on in both of their minds. Zane waited for a response as he doesn't know some people ignore greetings. However, his simple anticipating gaze makes people yield to him.

Anya watched whether Zane could make his father yield. Then she heard Alvin's low, fruity voice with a hint of bafflement in his eyes, "Good morning." He doesn't even remember using those words.

Zane flashed a faint smile and jumped down the chair. He took the glass from his mother and ran inside the kitchen to keep them near the washing sink.

Alvin looked at Anya who was grinning ear to ear. He narrowed his eyes and scorned, "Did you drink something wrong?"

Anya tilted her head adorably without being affected by his words, "Good Morning Alvin." She sweetly wished him.

Alvin deadpanned knowing it was a tease and She quickly ran away to the stairs before giggling. If not her, Alvin yields for her son, his son.

Zane joined her quickly and went upstairs with her.

Alvin: "…"

He was happy to know she was able to get past the troubles and live happily with her son. At the same time, he couldn't help but be envious of the kiddo.

Anya made sure Zain had no trouble showering himself in the new bathroom. She was going to her room when she saw Alvin with a coffee cup.

She waited for him and asked seriously, "Do you have any work in the city?"

Alvin glanced at her as he lowered his pace. He responded with a question, "Why?"

Anya told her schedule for the day, "I will have to go back to the capital in the evening."

"What about the case?" He was expecting them to stay in the beach mansion for a few days without the scrutinizing eyes of Dennis on him.

Anya just briefed, "Harper's case won't be solved so soon. I have more important work to attend to." She halted in front of her room.

Alvin nodded in understanding as he walked away to his room, "Message me when you are done. I will pick you up on the way to the airport."

Anya hoped he had planned no work in the city and changed it because of her. She didn't wish to affect his work and be his burden, but he won't listen to her anyway.

Alvin who stepped inside his bedroom stepped back and squinted his eyes at her, for earning no response. He already made clear to her that he was going to take her wherever she has to go. 

If she was planning to flee by going back on her words, he wouldn't think twice before holding the reins tight. 

Anya smiled, recalling the gaze her son gave to Alvin. Both were the same but also contrasting. She responded like her son, "Thank you, Mr. Matthews." She accepted for him to pick her up. 

"I see… You are tired of living." He took a step and Anya ran inside the room and shut the door immediately.

"Goofball!" He exclaimed in a low voice while a smile was hanging on his lips.

Well, it vanished when he noticed Rob at the stairs.. It couldn't be any good news.