FIVE YEARS LATER:
In a grand villa adorned with elegant white and black stripes.
A five-year-old boy, Aiden, tosses and turns into his cozy bed, deliberately ignoring the cheerful voice of a woman calling him from the doorway.
"Got you!" May exclaims playfully, swooping in to pick him up despite his protest.
"Ummmmm," he groans, his mouth forming a reluctant pout as he tries to burrow deeper into his pillows.
"Aunty May, can I sleep for two more hours?" he pleads, his eyes still shut tight.
"Are you messing with me again, Aiden?" May asks, her tone teasing as she knows all too well about his mischievous streak.
"Perhaps," Aiden replies, cracking one eye open, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"You little rascal!" May says, her laughter bubbling as she starts to tickle him, her face buried in his soft stomach.
"Plea—please stop!" Aiden gasps, laughter erupting uncontrollably as he squirms in her grip.
"I'm sorry, okay!" he manages to say between giggles, desperate for a reprieve.
"Alright, apologies accepted," May replies, winking at him as she sets him down.
"Come on, it's time to get ready for school," she says, hoisting Aiden onto her hip, her heart swelling with affection as they head towards the bathroom,
May gently sets Aiden in the bathroom, closing the door with a playful smile.
"Make sure you scrub those little arms and legs well, Mister!" she says, her voice laced with sarcasm, fully aware that Aiden can manage a proper bath on his own.
"Now we're even, Aunty May," he calls out, the lightness in his tone revealing their playful back-and-forth.
Aiden's excitement buzzes in the air; today is the school sports competition, and he's the captain of one of the teams. When he finally emerges from the bathroom, a small towel draped around his waist, May can't help but chuckle.
The sight of him, with his tousled hair and bright eyes, reminds her of his older brother as a child—the man their mother often reminisces about, showing her cherished baby pictures that capture their shared features.
"Aunty May, are you coming today or not?" Aiden asks, his arms wrapping around her waist, his enthusiasm palpable.
"Definitely!" May replies, lifting him onto the counter to brush his teeth, her heart swelling with warmth.
"It's me, your mother, and guess who else?" she says, a mischievous smirk tugging at her lips.
Aiden's eyes widen slightly as he jerks the toothbrush into his mouth, the bristles making a faint scrubbing sound.
"Of course, who else? If it's not that man!" he exclaims, his brow furrowing in mock seriousness as he brushes, a grin breaking through despite his efforts to look stern.
"Come on, think of it this way," May says, gently lifting Aiden off the counter and setting him down.
She gives him a playful tickle under his arms, eliciting a squeal of laughter.
"Uhh!" Aiden groans, scrunching his nose in distaste.
The idea of being called his father's "beloved son" feels far from the truth, a sentiment that stings deeply.
"Don't be like that," May counters, her tone shifting to a light-hearted defense of his older brother. "He's just there to see you, and then he'll be out of your hair."
As she sets him down in his room, May adds, "He might seem distant, but he praises you behind your back."
Aiden opens his luxurious closet, the light illuminating rows of neatly ironed shirts and polished shoes. He pauses, surveying the carefully arranged garments, then turns to her, a smirk on his face.
"Too bad I don't care," he retorts, a cold edge in his voice as he closes the door with a firm click.
As he pulls on his school uniform, the thought of seeing his father at the competition sours his mood. Just need to avoid him, as usual, he thinks, pushing past the unsettling memories.
Suddenly, Aiden is struck by the warmth of May's daily routine—how she always cuddles him in his school uniform, a stark contrast to the distance he feels from his father.
"Hey! Aunty May!" he calls out, turning to find her playfully invading his personal space. He pushes her away, but she only giggles, refusing to budge.
"Don't compare me to him. I'm me!" he protests, frustration creeping into his voice. He yearns to carve out his own identity, to step out from the shadows of the man he resents.
"Come on," May says, halting her playful pursuit as she pauses at the doorframe of his room,
"I know, but you just act like me," May says with a teasing smile as they step into the bright living room, sunlight streaming through the large windows.
Aiden's eyes widen as he spots his grandmother, Latina, setting the breakfast table. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm toast fills the air, mingling with the soft clatter of plates.
"Granny!" Aiden exclaims, leaping down from May's side and rushing toward her.
Latina bends down, her face lighting up as she gathers him into a warm embrace. She plants a soft kiss on his cheek, the familiar scent of her floral perfume wrapping around him.
"Ready for school, I see!" she says, her voice filled with joy.
"Of course, Granny!" he replies, his enthusiasm matching hers. "And I'm also ready to crush that competition and bring home the prize!"
"That's the spirit, my Aid!" Latina beams, her eyes sparkling with pride as she uses the special nickname she's given him.
Aiden quickly devours his breakfast, the taste of buttery scrambled eggs and crispy beef bacon fueling his excitement. After finishing, he dashes toward the door, where his driver stands waiting by the sleek black car.
"See you guys soon!" Aiden calls out, waving energetically as he slides into the back seat. He glances back at May and Latina, both of whom are smiling and waving,
As the car glides through the grand gates of their mansion, Aiden's expression shifts, a cold smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
"Operation Avoid That Man today, fully activated," he thinks, determination setting in as he mentally prepares to evade his father during the competition.
He glances at his Apple Watch, where his escape plan is laid out in neat digital lines. A mischievous smile crosses his face, confidence brewing within him.