“Hey, look over there… isn’t that him?”
“Yeah… maybe they’ve been spending time together.”
“They look just like a mother and son, don’t they?”
“What a lovely pair~ Look at them holding hands like they never want to be apart… Fu~Fu~”
People whispered among themselves, their voices tinged with curiosity and amusement as they observed the newly arrived mother-and-son pair strolling through the city.
Aether and Xara walked side by side, their hands locked together—though, in truth, it was Aether who had intertwined his fingers with Xara’s, firmly holding her as if making sure she wouldn’t slip away.
Xara’s cheeks flushed, but it wasn’t because of Aether’s audacity…. No, it was the piercing gazes of the people around them that made her feel embarrassed.
Their amused expressions, their knowing smiles—it was all too much.
“Why are you holding my hand like this?” Xara whispered sharply, her voice carrying a hint of frustration.
Aether grinned, feigning innocence. “What do you mean? This is exactly how a mother and son hold hands, isn’t it? I swear, it’s totally normal!” He nodded furiously, as if trying to convince her.
Xara’s lips twitched violently. Oh, how she wanted to yell at him right now. She had already given birth to two children—of course, she knew exactly what was happening here!
The way he was holding her… no son would ever hold his mother’s hand like this!!
Xara clenched her teeth, but she couldn’t just shove him away. If she did, people might start whispering even more, questioning if the so-called adoption was just a formality.
Aether, watching her struggle, smirked. He knew he was pushing her boundaries, testing how far she’d let him go. But in his mind, this approach felt just right.
Unable to endure the mounting embarrassment, Xara hastily signalled for a carriage. Without hesitation, they climbed in and left the territory. There were too many familiar eyes here, and Xara decided it was best to go somewhere people wouldn’t recognize them.
Soon, they arrived at a well-known clothing store, its luxurious signboard gleaming under the sun-less light.
“Go ahead, pick whatever you like,” Xara said, gesturing toward the rows of neatly arranged outfits.
Aether scanned the selection, his brows furrowing. “Hmm… are you really sure about that?” He glanced at the price tags, his lips pressing into a thin line. A single outfit here cost a fortune!
Xara’s lips twitched in irritation. “I’m not broke, you idiot!”
Despite her assurance, Aether wasn’t convinced. His eyes flickered toward her own attire—a simple, shabby black robe that looked far too worn for someone who claimed to have money.
Xara noticed his scrutinizing gaze and felt heat rush to her cheeks. Flustered, she barked, “Just get whatever you want!” before spinning around, pretending to browse the clothes.
Aether chuckled under his breath before casually picking an outfit. Without wasting a second, he disappeared into the dressing room.
Xara blinked in surprise. “That fast?” she muttered to herself. When she used to come here with her children, it was always an agonizingly long process.
Even Kai, her son, took at least ten minutes just to choose one outfit.
Knowing Aether was the complete opposite made her feel somewhat relieved.
‘Clothes are just meant to cover the body. Why waste time fussing over unnecessary designs and overpriced decorations? These shops are just robbing people blind by slapping on a few fancy details… only fools would fall for that!’
As she stood there, immersed in her thoughts, murmurs reached her ears.
“Oh my… he is so sexy!”
“Look at that body… damn!!”
Xara’s brow twitched in annoyance. The female staff members were practically drooling, their eyes filled with heart-shaped admiration. Turning toward the source of their infatuation, she saw—
Her expression froze in horror.
“Where is the rest of your clothes?!” she blurted out, her eyes widening.
Aether stood there with a calm, satisfied expression, wearing a see-through shirt that left little to the imagination. His shorts were so ridiculously short they barely reached his knees.
With a serene smile, Aether replied, “Well, I liked this. It feels… liberating.”
After all he just got freedom!
Xara immediately rejected it. “Nope! Absolutely not! That’s way too liberated!” She shook her head furiously, her glare shifting to the staff, who quickly flinched and averted their gazes.
Aether chuckled before grabbing another outfit, slipping into it effortlessly.
“Nope!” Xara denied it before he could even say a word.
He sighed and picked another one.
“Nope!”
Another one.
“Nope!!”
Another—
“NOP—Wait!” Xara suddenly paused, her eyes lighting up. “That one looks good!”
Aether stood in front of the mirror, dressed in a sleek black suit with a perfectly fitted black tie and matching black pants. The attire exuded elegance, making him look like a high-ranking noble.
Xara nodded in approval, her hands on her hips. “Now that’s how my son should look!”
Without hesitation, she turned to the staff. “I’ll take a dozen of these. Exactly the same.”
Aether’s brows furrowed. “Wait, you’re buying everything the same? Not even a different colour or design?”
Xara frowned, looking genuinely confused. “Why bother?”
Aether stared at her, momentarily speechless.
‘This woman…’ He muttered inwardly, caught off guard by how absurdly lazy she was when it came to shopping. Still, it was an interesting discovery.
‘Well, I suppose I’m learning a lot about her today,’ he mused as he absentmindedly flipped his hair, his gaze casually landing on one of the staff members.
It wasn’t intentional—he was simply glancing around—but his soft, unreadable gaze alone was enough to make the woman’s heart skip a beat.
Blushing, the staff member hesitated before stepping forward, her voice sultry and inviting. “H-Hello… are you free after this?” She smiled seductively, leaning in just a little.
Aether had a smug expression as he leaned slightly forward, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Free? Well… are you?” he asked.
The woman’s cheeks flushed a light shade of pink at his teasing tone. She twirled a strand of her hair around her finger, looking both flattered and a little flustered.
Meanwhile, Xara was busy counting the money to pay when she caught sight of the small flirtation happening in front of her. She paused, her fingers halting mid-motion as she discreetly observed. Her lips curled slightly in amusement. Everything was going according to plan.
But just as she was about to revel in her victory—
“Sorry, I have a date with my lover.”
Thud!
Xara’s hands froze. The money nearly slipped from her fingers as her entire body went rigid.
Her face paled.
The woman blinked in disbelief before giving Xara a once-over, her lips pursing in clear disappointment. “Your lover?” she repeated, her tone filled with scepticism. Then, without the slightest hesitation, she bluntly added, “She looks boring, doesn’t she?”
Aether let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. He didn’t seem offended. In fact, he looked amused, as if he found the woman’s words utterly ridiculous. His eyes, however, gleamed with something deeper—something unwavering.
With an easygoing yet firm tone, he replied, “She’s beautiful in many ways… as they say, don’t judge a book by its cover.” His voice carried a quiet pride.
His words weren’t just an offhand defence. There was warmth in them… Possession!!
His dark gaze lingered on Xara, slow and deliberate, as if seeing something no one else could. It made her feel strange!!
Xara quickly averted her eyes, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Her fingers trembled as she tried to hand over the money, her mind suddenly unable to focus on such a simple task.
“Tsk,” the staff woman scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. “She really does seem like a boring one… My gut tells me she’s boring on the inside too.”
A heavy silence fell.
Aether’s easygoing demeanour vanished.
His smile faded.
His expression darkened as an unsettling coldness settled in his gaze.
Now that… that was crossing the line.
His voice dropped to a low, almost emotionless tone, “Okay, Miss… I don’t fucking care what your gut says. But the next time you insult my lover…” He didn’t even bother finishing his sentence.
He simply stared at her.
Cold… Blank… Unreadable!!
A gaze that sent an unmistakable warning.
The woman visibly flinched.
She took a shaky step back as a sudden wave of unease washed over her. A shiver ran down her spine as if something deep inside her was screaming at her to stop before she made a grave mistake.
Ba-dump!
Xara’s heart skipped a beat.
She wasn’t sure why!
Maybe it was the way his expression turned so cold—like the very idea of someone belittling her was beyond his tolerance. Maybe it was the way his voice carried that quiet but undeniable threat. Or maybe… maybe it was the way he made it clear that no one, not even a stranger, had the right to demean her.
She felt something tighten in her chest, something she wasn’t prepared to confront.
She parted her lips, her voice shaking slightly. “Stop, A-Aeth—”
Ba-dump!
Her words caught in her throat when his sharp gaze shifted to her.
His eyes softened, but there was still fire behind them. A deep, unwavering possessiveness… that made her breath hitch.
His grip on her hand tightened just slightly, grounding her. His voice was low, intense, filled with something raw and unfiltered.
“I won’t let anyone question what you like. Whatever you wear, whatever you choose—that’s what makes you, you… I love you, not some fancy clothes.”
The weight of his words sank into her, making her entire body tremble.
There was a gentleness in his tone, but more than that—there was possessiveness.
Pure… Fierce… Undeniable!
Gulp!
Xara swallowed hard.
Her fingers curled against her palm as she tried to steady herself. But it wasn’t just her hands that trembled now—her entire body was reacting in a way she didn’t understand.
Those possessive eyes… They were dangerous.
They were making her feel things she wasn’t ready for.
‘I-I need to leave…’
Without a second thought, she turned abruptly, snatched a random piece of clothing from a nearby rack, and rushed into the dressing room as if her life depended on it.
“Wait…” Aether blinked, reaching out as if to stop her. But she was already gone, disappearing behind the wooden door.
He stood there, staring at the closed door in confusion.
Then, from the corner of his eye, he noticed something.
The staff woman.
Smirking.
No—winking.
It was then that realization hit him like a ton of bricks.
‘This was all planned?!’
His eyes twitched slightly.
‘Wow… these guys…’
Aether ran a hand through his hair, exhaling in frustration. He had been completely blindsided, they just made her buy!!
He had a lot to learn, that was for sure. But one thing was certain—he wasn’t going to let this slide.
He was going to get his revenge for this.
And so, he waited.
A second passed…
A minute…
Five minutes….
Ten minutes….
Fifteen…..
Half an hour!!
He crossed his arms, tapping his foot against the floor,
“Are you still there?”
“…”
“Come on, don’t—”
Thud!
The door suddenly swung open with force.
And then…
Aether’s breath hitched.
Because standing before him was Xara…
Bathed in the soft glow of the store’s lighting, yet she looked like she had stepped out of a dream.
The dress, sculpted by expert hands, wrapped around her hourglass figure like a second skin, tracing every dip and swell with a teasing touch. The fabric clung to her waist, emphasizing the way it narrowed before flaring out over the smooth, generous curves of her hips…. no one would believe she was the mother of two!!
Thin, delicate stripes ran vertically down the fabric, elongating her already breathtaking figure.
A daring slit traced up one of her long, smooth legs, revealing just enough to tease without giving everything away.
Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, strands lifting ever so slightly as if caught in an invisible breeze. Every movement she made, no matter how subtle, exuded grace—whether it was the way her fingers lightly brushed her neck or the way her posture carried quiet confidence despite the uncertainty in her eyes.
But it was her expression that truly stole his breath.
A mixture of hesitation and silent allure lingered in her gaze, her deep, dark eyes searching his for a reaction. A faint blush dusted her cheeks, not from embarrassment but from something far more intimate—an unspoken awareness of the way he was looking at her.
His gaze travelled lower, tracing the curves that the dress so delicately accentuated. The neckline dipped ever so slightly, offering a tantalizing view of her soft, full chest—the kind that could make a man forget how to breathe…. her skin glowing with a warmth that made her seem almost untouchable—like a vision crafted by the gods themselves.
She was mesmerizing.
Elegant, yet so temptingly sinful… Regal, yet unbearably seductive.
Slap!
Aether smacked himself across the face.
‘Damn it, man! You’ve seen beautiful women before! You’ve held them! Kissed them! Why the hell are you acting like some wide-eyed fool seeing curves for the first time?!’ He screamed at himself!
The slap echoed throughout the store… as if everyone snapped out of their daze!
Meanwhile, Xara too snapped turning her expression as indifferent as ever as she turned on her heels and walked toward the staff woman from earlier.
“Pack this too,” she instructed, her tone calm yet commanding. Then, without missing a beat, she added, “And for the record, I am not his lover…. You got that?”
The staff woman stiffened as she nodded her head like a woodpecker!
Aether, still rubbing his cheek, blinked in disbelief.
Xara turned, her movements effortlessly graceful. Her long black hair cascaded down her back in waves, catching the light with every step she took. As she walked away, her hips swayed with natural elegance—neither exaggerated nor forced, just the kind of movement that was simply ingrained in her very being. [Imgincmt]
It was infuriating how effortlessly alluring she was.
Aether exhaled sharply as he shook his head with an amused expression, ‘All this time, She hiding ‘that’ in that shabby clothes?’
Just as he was about to follow her, he noticed the staff woman still staring at him. Then, without hesitation, she winked.
Aether narrowed his eyes. “You…” His voice carried a warning as if he was about to give her a scolding.
But then, with an easy grin, he finished smoothly, “…are forgiven.”
He winked back at her giving her a thumbs up before turning and heading after Xara.