Yumi's POV.- “Don’t even think about it. Put that down- Now.” Henry glares threateningly at me and my hand quivers. He’s so scary. Solemnly looking into the big bowl of chocolate ice cream with a broken heart, I let the plastic spoon drop back in. I put on my puppy eyes, but he’s quick to dodge the shot and moves over the threshold. “Don’t let me catch you in this act again. I’ll be waiting outside”. Always so cold and stringent. I pout and depart from my precious bowl. I know why he’s being this way. Carrying our second baby, he’s being reminded of our first child we lost over a year ago. So he’s worn this sense of pensive responsibility over himself and is trying to protect me and prevent all odds. I can understand…I was equally hurt too. But…can’t you trust me, Henry? When I step out of the mansion, I’m met with the sight of my mate, exercising his alpha prowess, barking commands, and ordering reports. Henry…I suck in a slow breath, flattening a protective hand over my protr
Yumi's POV.- “Hardin! Get your brothers down for breakfast!” I yell from where I’m standing at the foot of the stairs. Hands akimbo while I wait to hear his response before returning to the kitchen. “Coming, mommy!” His response comes shortly after with the sound of a door slamming, and I shake my head as I turn around to return to my station where my 7-year-old daughters are. Marian and Marina are twins we adopted 5 years ago. We had rescued them from a fire that claimed the lives of their family and took them in since they knew no one and had no relatives. They’re human kids who attended my kindergarten and now, they’re my added joy. Both identical girls are adorned with reddish-brown curly long hair and sea-green eyes. Ever enthusiastic and inquisitive kids who love to help me out with every chore around the house. I smile and join them to set the long dining table just when the boys come running in. “Stop right there!” I halt the bustling little crowd with a hand out. Hardin
Yumi's POV.- He’s not so surprisingly, an oddly familiar face. I suppose it’s because I’ve seen a few old photos to recognize him right away. And also, I avert my gaze slowly to the passenger side of the car and smile widely at the exit of his female partner. My mate moves immediately, unable to mask the sheer surprise that explodes onto his face as he swiftly approaches them. “Bloody hell, Aniki...” He sighs in a smiling voice. “I know Henry said they were gonna delay a bit, but he never mentioned you were the ones coming with them.” The attractive man hardens his expression upon Henry’s statement as they now stand before each other. Will you look at the looks on their faces? A cold standoff, really? “Um, Yumi...shouldn’t you do something about this?” Eliza nudges me and I turn to look at her and find her pensive. I huff and return my gaze along my response, “I’m sure it’s nothing serious.” Yeah, ‘cause right now, both men break the false tension to embrace each other with lau
“That settles it,” I let out a sigh as I lean back against the backrest, stretching and flexing my arms before I rise from my seat. I wonder if Weslee must’ve woken by now.Searching around with my eyes briefly, I smile when they fall upon a heartwarming sight. They’ve fallen asleep again. Don’t think I’ll be able to stop by the grocery store. I step around my desk and walk towards the kids asleep on the couch, with temples pressed against each other and their school bags on their thighs. Bending forward a little, I tap their cheeks gently to rouse them up. “Heather, Zachery, wake up. It’s time to go home.” “I wasn’t able to finish my lunch at recess. Can I eat it on the way?” Heather chirps as I buckle her seatbelt before buckling that of her younger brother. “Okay, honey.” She beams at me as I ruffle her dark bangs and step back to shut the door so I can get in and drive over to her older brothers’ school. There’s no need to pick up Yohan since his grandma already did. I watch t
Yumi's POV. - I hurriedly pay the taxi driver as I step out of the car. The middle-aged man simply nods and I briskly walk away. Climbing onto the pavement, I adjust the chain strap of my leather bag and quick strides bring me to the entrance to a fast-food restaurant. I know Zana and Zainab must be here already. Letting out a calming breath, I push the glass doors open and the aroma of various sweet delicacies welcomes me so enticingly that it gets my stomach churning in delight. “And there she is!” “Truly took her time.” I smile foolishly, quickly joining the girls at a table by the semi-glass wall. I drop my bag onto the table and run a smoothing hand from my butt to mid-thighs to straighten my skirt before settling into the empty seat. “Hey guys,” I force a weak smile. The girls frown at me but Zainab quickly dismisses my lateness and jumps into talking. “Guess who bumped into someone today?” She wiggles her brows excitedly and Zana rolls her eyes. I look between the two a
Yumi's POV.- Eliza is brought leaning dependably against my shoulder and I put my arm around her waist to hold her close while also hanging hers around my shoulder. Her legs wobble into each other as we trudge carefully forward. I still feel the stranger making a path for us as he shields us from behind and suddenly feel like entering Eliza to hide from his blaring enticing aura. I shut my eyes, focusing solely on the drowsy girl I’m helping out. We step out of the loud music and clustered dancing bodies and I suck in a deep breath of fresh air. “Ah…at last. I came out alive,” I sigh in relief. “You…” I do recall there’s someone I need to thank and I turn to face him. Holy Moly! He’s so tall! My eyes widen even more when I see who it is. My mouth hangs open and my eyes go soccer ball size. It’s Henry Slater! I quickly dunk and sum up my disarrayed courage to face him again while fixing on a comeback smile. “Thanks for helping out”. His extraordinary eyes widen in shock but he s
Yumi's POV.- “…and uh, that’s what happened.” Avoiding their prying eyes, I hurriedly snatch a huge bite from my beef burger. They’re both not saying anything and I feel weird for spewing all I just did. I just told them the tale of meeting their favorite celebrity and they’ve just gone mute. I shift uncomfortably, finding the silence suffocating. “OMG! Girl!” They explode, startling me gravely. I almost get a heart attack and I frown at them, calming my frantic heartbeat with a palm over my chest. “What the heck is wrong with you two? You scared the shit out of me.” My voice simmers down to normal and they show me apologetic smiles. “I did say you might be mated to him,” Zainab drawls playfully. “Oh my, how did you evade his eyes? I’m so curious,” Zana leans over the table. “Uh…” When I do think about it, I actually don’t know. “…It just sort of happened. I found them to be the most attractive, fascinating, and astonishing orbs in the universe but, I didn’t feel that ‘Magnet
Yumi's POV.- Zana and Zainab look like they’re about to eat me alive with the aggravated looks on their faces. “Um…what is it?” I ask innocently and they explode. “What do you mean by what is it? Girl, you rejected him in public!!!” I shield my ears, wincing from the sound attack. “Hey! Cut it out. I’m right in front of you,” I groan with a frown. “So, why did you do that? People were watching,” Zainab rolls her eyes. “Why shouldn’t I? He knew that and still went ahead. I’m not the female population that worships his ego. I am me, Yumi,” I deadpan. “Ugh, it’s all over social media. You’re lucky no one could get a clear view of your face. The angle wasn’t a nice one. But from your shoulder, bag, and shoe, everyone could tell it’s a woman,” Zana goes on to say and I sigh. “It’s no big deal, and stop saying I’m his mate,” I pout with annoyance. It’s all I keep hearing these days and I don’t like it. “You just landed yourself in big trouble. You’ve wounded his Alpha pride and no o