As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting warm hues across the room, Alex, Maira, and Kira found themselves sprawled on the living room couch.
Their post-meeting buzz had settled into a serious strategy session for their impending clash with Ken.
But just as the chatter started to get tactical, the distant wail of a police siren shattered the concentration, freezing them in their tracks.
Maira exchanged an alarmed look with Kira, who frowned back, her brow furrowing. "What? " Kira whispered, her voice tense.
Alex's face contorted into a puzzled expression as he shook his head. "No way. Did they find out about Kyle? There should be no camera in residential areas."
Before they could unpack the odd timing of police involvement, a forceful knocking echoed through the room. Alex glanced at his two companions before pushing himself off the couch and padding over to the door.
Swinging it open, he was met with the stern face of a police officer, badge glinting in the dim light.
The officer's tablet held a picture of Kira, and his voice was firm but not unkind as he asked, "You know this person?" His eyes flicked between Alex and the image on the screen.
Alex's confusion was etched all over his face. "Yeah, she's... Kira. What's going on?"
The officer's gaze held a touch of sympathy as if he understood the confusion he was causing.
But before he could say more, a figure emerged from behind the officer, a figure that seemed to command attention and ooze confidence.
Michelle's voice was cool yet assertive as she interjected, "I'll handle this, officer." Her words were a subtle command, laced with authority.
Recognition flickered in the officer's eyes, and he nodded respectfully before quietly retreating, leaving Alex to gape at Michelle's unexpected appearance.
"Mam? What the hell are you doing here?" Alex blurted out, his surprise evident.
Michelle offered a slow, knowing smile as she looked Alex up and down, her gaze lingering just a moment longer than necessary. "I heard you could use a little... help."
Alex's eyes widened as he took in Michelle's attire—an outfit that seemed to defy both logic and gravity. The black leather pencil skirt clung to her every curve, and the red top left little to the imagination.
He struggled to find words as he invited her in, his mind racing to catch up with the situation. He repeated that she was his friend's mother in his mind but his eyes still roamed at her body. He was a man. What could he do?
Michelle's sultry laughter danced in the air as she crossed the threshold, her heels clicking lightly against the floor.
She turned her gaze toward Kira and Maira, her presence injecting an undeniable energy into the room. "I must say, Alex, your manners have always been... charming," she purred, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
Maira shot Kira a wide-eyed look, clearly as taken aback by Michelle's entrance as Alex was.
Kira just shook her head, a bemused grin forming. "Well, this evening just got a lot more interesting."