A soft, familiar warmth rubbed my cheeks, pulling me from the depths of sleep. My eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains. The first thing I saw was Ae-ri, her gentle hands resting on my face, her dark eyes filled with quiet concern.
She sat beside me in a chair, her posture relaxed yet watchful. She wore a deep blue one-piece, the fabric hugging her curves in a way that was both elegant and effortlessly seductive. A single knot at the front held the bust of her chest, enhancing her hot figure. The dress ended short, just past her stomach, leaving her smooth, bare thighs exposed. Her slightly tousled brown hair framed her face beautifully with her piercing black eyes making her even more gorgeous.
But beneath all that beauty, there was worry.
"You okay, Ezra?" she asked softly. "It felt like you were having a bad dream."
A faint heat crept to my cheeks as I quickly turned my face away, gently removing her hand. "I'm fine… Sorry to trouble you."
She scoffed, placing her hands on her hips. "Oh, come on, what's there to trouble me for? I'm your mom, after all."
The words rolled off her tongue with ease as she stood, stretching slightly.
"Now, get up and have breakfast," she added before turning away.
"Yes…" I murmured, watching her as she moved toward the kitchen. I pushed a hand through my hair, exhaling as I stared up at the ceiling. "That was a strange dream again…" I muttered under my breath.
Turning my head to the right, my gaze followed her. The hem of her dress swayed as she walked, her curves hugging the fabric perfectly. A soft hum left her lips as she disappeared into the kitchen, the melody light and soothing.
I swallowed hard, my face heating even more.
"I should get up," I told myself, shaking off the lingering thoughts as I forced myself out of bed.
---
*Shwaaa*
The sound of running water filled the bathroom as I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my teeth. The cool sensation of mint spread across my tongue, helping to clear my mind. I wore a simple black T-shirt and matching track pants, my usual choice for mornings.
After rinsing my mouth, I reached for the hem of my T-shirt, pulling it over my head in one smooth motion. My reflection stared back at me, revealing the result of years of dedication. My chiseled physique, lean yet strong, bore the evidence of my training—defined abs, broad shoulders, and a sharp jawline that gave me a slightly matured look.
The warm water cascaded over my skin as I stepped into the shower, washing away the last remnants of sleep.
Once finished, I returned to my room, slipping into a fresh black T-shirt, ready to start the day.
The soft hum of a melody filled the air, drifting from the kitchen where Aeri moved with ease. The scent of warm butter and eggs sizzled in the air, blending with the sweetness of something sugary. She was singing to herself, her voice light and soothing, as she worked.
I stepped out of my room, rubbing my damp hair with a towel, my gaze naturally drifting toward her. From behind, she looked relaxed, her dress swaying slightly with every movement. There was something peaceful about watching her like this, lost in her own little world.
Shaking off the thought, I made my way to the dining table and sat down.
"What are you making, M-Mom…" I asked hesitantly, the word feeling foreign and uncomfortable in my mouth. It was like swallowing shards of glass.
"Hmm?" Aeri turned to look at me, her expression warm. "I'm making pancakes and fried eggs."
A few minutes later, she brought the plates over, setting them in front of us with a satisfied look.
I poured water into two glasses, placing one in front of her. She clapped her hands together cheerfully.
"Time to dig in!" she said with an excited grin.
"You seem happier today," I commented, poking my fork into a pancake, watching the syrup soak into its fluffy surface.
"Yeah, I will be attending a wedding this weekend," she said, taking a sip of water.
I chewed slowly before speaking, already unamused. "Sara?"
"Oh? You remember her?" Aeri asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Who can forget that drunkard's face?" I muttered, stabbing my fork into the pancake again.
"Oi, that's rude, Ezra!" She pouted, crossing her arms in mock offense.
I didn't bother replying and instead took a sip of water.
Her expression softened slightly, her voice lowering. "She was asking me…"
I glanced at her. "What?"
"When will I be getting married…" Aeri trailed off, taking a small bite of her pancake, her tone unreadable.
The words struck something deep in my chest. A sharp, unwelcome sting.
*Thud.*
My hand slammed onto the table before I even realized what I was doing.
"Why does she care?" My voice came out harsher than intended, my jaw tightening. "Tell her to mind her own damn business."
Aeri blinked at me, startled. "Calm down, Ezra… Calm down…" She waved her hand in an attempt to ease the tension. "She just asked me randomly."
"No!" My breath felt heavy, the air thick with something I couldn't name. "We're fine as we are… There's no need for another man here."
Silence settled between us. My own words echoed in my mind, my pulse racing as the heat of my anger lingered longer than it should have.
Aeri studied me carefully, her face softening into something fragile.
"Yes… please… I will listen to you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "Eat now, okay?"
The concern in her eyes made my chest tighten.
I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair, forcing myself to calm down.
"Sigh…" I let out a deep breath and sat back down, pushing my emotions away as best as I could.
"I am sorry..." My voice was quiet, barely above a whisper, as I lowered my gaze and continued eating in silence.
Aeri remained still for a moment before offering a soft smile. "It's okay… I understand." Her tone was gentle, forgiving.
She took another bite of her pancake, but her movements seemed hesitant. A faint blush dusted her cheeks as she stole a glance in my direction. I didn't notice, too lost in my own thoughts, but she kept looking—her eyes tracing the line of my neck, her fingers tightening slightly around her fork.
She quickly grabbed her glass, drinking a sip of water as if to distract herself, but as she swallowed, she coughed slightly, flustered.
"You okay?" I asked, finally looking up.
"Yes, yes… I'm fine." She forced a small laugh before standing abruptly. "I'm done. I should clean the kitchen."
She turned away, walking toward the sink.
I lowered my head again, my bangs falling over my eyes. My chest felt unbearably tight, guilt twisting deep in my gut. But beyond that, something darker, something that had long passed the point of control, burned in me.
My heart pounded against my ribs, each beat louder than the last.
*I'm sorry… but even if it means death… I just can't control it.*
At the sink, Aeri placed her plate down and turned on the tap, the sound of running water filling the silence.
And then—
A sudden warmth came to her and her breath hitched as my arms wrapped around her from behind, engulfing her in my embrace. My hands rested against her stomach, larger than her body, holding her close.
Her body stiffened, her eyes widening in shock.
"A-Ah…" Aeri's voice barely escaped her lips.
I leaned in, my forehead resting gently against her shoulder. Her scent, a faint mix of vanilla and morning dew, filled my senses.
"Ezra...?" She asked.