At the Mendes mansion
Alan walks into the living room with Nikki beside him, holding his hand.
Nikki takes a look around and her eyes light up. "Wow your house is so beautiful. I can't believe I'll be living in such a beautiful house".
Alan flicks her forehead, "Get rid of any idea of living here from your head".
"Alan you're a big bully!" She whined.
'It feels like I gained a bratty younger sister'.
"As much as I'd like to continue accompanying you, I have a very important appointment to get to".
"Then don't leave".
"Huh?"
She smiled, "Since you'd love to spend time with me then ditch your appointment".
'Did you lose your brain?' Reasoning and talking to her right now felt like he was talking and reasoning with a one year old.
"The guest room is the room with the black door. If you're hungry, there are snacks and food in the fridge. There's a theater room if you're bored. If you need anything just call me okay".
"Okay", she smiled as she brings out her phone.
"I'll get going now". He walked towards the entrance of the room but stops when he hears a melodious ringtone.
He reaches for his pocket and brings out his phone.
The ID showed 'Shortie'.
He turned back and saw Nikki smiling at him with her phone on her ear.
'Is she being serious right now?'
"Come on Alan pick up".
He exhales and decides to answer her call. "Hello".
"Alan, I need you so come back right now".
"I'll be back soon okay. I promise when I come back, I'm all yours okay".
She smiled, "Promise?"
"Promise".
"Okay don't stay out too long. I'll be waiting for you. Bye".
She hung up and ran up the stairs to the room.
"She's so going to hate herself once this is over", he smiled before walking out of the room.
At Sawyer Mansion
Amber walks towards Nikki's room and bumps into Rose.
Rose bowed her head, "I'm so sorry Lady Amber".
"It's okay Rose. I was at fault too. I wasn't looking and I almost hurt you. Are you okay?"
"This servant is okay my lady", Rose smiled.
"That's good to hear".
"My lady what brings you back so early?"
"I came to take care of Nikki. She wasn't feeling too well and left school early. Is she in her room?"
"Princess Nikki? Princess Nikki isn't back from school", Rose replied.
Amber's face turns perplexed, "Are you sure she's not home?"
"Princess Nikki hasn't returned home yet".
"Where did she go then? Gosh hope nothing bad happened to her".
"My lady I'll get the arcane to pick up her scent and find her", Rose suggested.
"Yes, Rose please do that. I'll go look for Alisson and ask her to help me out".
"I'll do as my lady wishes immediately". Rose bows respectfully before leaving.
"Nikki, where are you?" Amber mused before making her way to Nikki's room.
Later in the evening
At the Mendes Mansion
Nikki woke up and couldn't find Alan beside her. She was about to call him but she couldn't find her phone. She walks out of the room and heads downstairs.
Upon entering the living room, she heard the front door open. Thinking that was Alan, she decided to hide and surprise him.
Isabella who had just come back from work all tired and worn out didn't expect to be attacked immediately she entered the living room.
"Ahhhhh!!" Isabella screamed.
"Alan you're finally back", Nikki hugged Isabella as she smothered her with her hug.
"Let go you're suffocating me", Isabella tapped on Nikki's arms.
Nikki lets go of her and stared at her.
"Wait a minute you're not Alan. Oh my god, are you his mistress? Alan I can't believe you're cheating on me!"
Isabella bursts into laughter. This girl was really something. She called her, her son's mistress. In all her years this was the first time someone addressed her as her son's mistress.
"Little girl who are you?" Isabella asked.
"I'm Alan's girlfriend. Who are you?"
"My name is Isabella Mendes. I'm Alan's mom. It's nice to meet you", Isabella smiled.
"You're Alan's mom? My god you're so beautiful and young". Nikki bows her head, "Forgive me for my rudeness mother in law. My name is Nikki Sawyer".
"There's no need to....."
The next thing Nikki heard was a loud squeal coming from Isabella.
"Did you just say you're Alan's girlfriend?"
"Yes, mother in law".
"Oh my god", Isabella smothered Nikki with a hug. "My little boy finally brought a girl home. Wait are you pregnant already?" Isabella quickly scanned through Nikki's body to see if there were any pregnancy related changes.
"I'm not pregnant yet mother in law", Nikki smiled.
"Oh my god we have a lot to catch up on. You have to tell me how you got that cold-hearted egoist to fall in love with you". Isabella dragged Nikki to the couch as both of them settled on it, an excited Isabella awaiting to hear the love story between the two.
An hour later
The front door creaked open as Alan rushed into the house, heart racing from the frantic phone call.
"Mom?!" he shouted, anxiety lacing his voice.
He had gotten a call from the housekeeper that his mother was back home and she was chatting with a young girl. He immediately rushed back home as he didn't want his mother and Nikki to meet. That would be a disaster.
He hurried into the living room, and there she was—his mother, relaxed on the couch, flipping through channels with Nikki, nestled beside her, both munching on chips.
The room was a chaotic tableau of black strap heels strewn across the floor, a handbag perched haphazardly on the sofa, and a blue blazer sprawled out like a fallen flag on the coffee table. Alan's brows furrowed at the sight.
"Seriously, Mom?" he said, exasperated. He bent down to pick up the heels, then the handbag, tossing the blazer over his shoulder. "You just got back, and this is how you treat the living room?"
Isabella looked up, a playful smirk on her face. "Wow, someone's in a mood! You started scolding me the moment you walked in!"
Nikki chimed in, her laughter ringing through the room. "Right? Give her a break, Alan! It's just a little mess."
Alan gaped at her, caught off guard. "You're siding with her?"
'Don't tell me these two have become buddies already'.
"Someone has to keep you in check," Nikki teased, leaning back into the couch with a grin. "You know that strict side of you is kind of... attractive?"
Isabella laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah you do have a certain charm when you're in 'dad mode,' sweetheart."
Alan rubbed the space between his brows as he frowned at them. "Mom please get up and go take a shower. Nikki tidy this place before I get back. I'm going to make dinner. I want to see this room spotless and you not smelling and looking like work", he ordered before walking out of the room.
"Is he always like this?" Nikki asked.
Isabella sighed, "You have no idea. Anyways let's do what he said or he'll scold us to death later".
They rise to their feet as Isabella walks out of the room while Nikki picks the wrappers on the floor.
In the cozy kitchen, the rich aroma of sautéing vegetables filled the air as Alan focused intently on dinner.
Nikki and Isabella hid by the door watching him and giggling.
"You know I can see you two, right?" Alan said still focused on what he was doing.
Nikki and Isabella smile at each other and then walk into the kitchen.
Nikki walks towards him and clung to his waist, her head resting playfully against his back. "Wow, chef Alan, that looks incredible!" she exclaimed, watching him chop herbs with precision.
Alan smiled slightly at her compliment, but Isabella, standing nearby, smirked. "Just wait until he burns the garlic again," she teased, leaning against the counter with a knowing smile. "Remember last time? We could smell it for hours!"
"Mom, that was one time!" Alan protested, rolling his eyes as he stirred the sauce. He then puts on a smug smile, "And besides I don't recall you remembering that while you were licking your hands and exclaiming that was the best food you've eaten in years".
Nikki giggled, clearly enjoying the banter, and nudged him playfully.
"Honestly, I'm just here for the taste test," she added, looking up at him with sparkling eyes. "I trust you'll impress me, tonight".
Alan looked away trying to focus on the food. "Okay, okay, enough with the teasing," he said, trying to sound stern but failing to hide his amusement. "How about you both head to the living room? I'll bring the food out when it's ready."
Nikki grinned and leaned in closer, whispering, "But we're your biggest fans! How could we miss this?"
"Because I said so," he said with mock authority, gently nudging them both toward the door. "Go! I can't concentrate with you two here!"
With exaggerated sighs, they left the kitchen, Nikki throwing a cheeky wink over her shoulder. Once they were settled on the couch, Alan could hear their voices drifting from the living room.
"Do you think he'll really impress us this time?" Nikki asked, a teasing lilt in her tone.
"Oh, definitely! He's gotten better, but I think he likes it when we tease him," Isabella replied, giggling. "It makes him work harder."
Alan smiled to himself, shaking his head. He could hear them whispering about his childhood cooking disasters, laughing about how he once mixed up salt and sugar.
"Hey! I can hear you!" he called out, but the laughter only grew louder. Shaking his head with a smile, he returned to his cooking, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop this two from teasing him.