His Devious Rule

At Owen's house,

Alvin stood by the door, thinking Anya grew up in that house and lived there most of her life. Dennis had a car and a two-wheeler, old but appeared to be in a good condition.

Anya unlocked the door and pushed it open as she announced their arrival, "We are home."

Alvin heard chortles of three coming from inside as he stepped inside being tugged by Anya.

Anya placed a pair of home slippers in front of him as she changed into her plushie home slipper. He had lived in a small room but this changing slipper at the door was new to him.

"Welcome home." Catalina came out of the kitchen, wearing an apron.

Anya went inside leaving Alvin with Catalina. Alvin attempted to force a smile but failed. "Mrs. Owen." He greeted as he passed a basket of fruits to Catalina that Anya bought on the way. He wanted to buy something good, like a wristwatch, or bracelet but the little woman stopped him.

"Anya's father just bought fruits. Mr. Matthews, no need to be so formal."

Alvin squinted his eyes at Anya who narrowed her eyes back at him. Recalling her nagging, he tried to be polite and understandable, "I didn't bring much. Fruits are good for your health."

Catalina hid her grin as she took the bag accurately guessing Anya was behind the fruits and the words. "Come in. Let's have lunch. We are having a hotpot today." It was Zane's request due to the cold.

Crossing the small hallway, he entered the living room which had a simple interior with a couch. It connected to the open dining at his right. It was a minimalistic, small cozy house. Unlike his cold mansion, he could feel the warmth in the house.

He removed his overcoat and hung on the stand as he heard his Little Donut humming in satisfaction.

"The soup smells so delicious," Anya said, waving the hotpot soup vapors towards her.

Zane exited the kitchen with plates and bowls in his hands as he complained to his mother, "Momma, we are famished." They were waiting for the two.

"I am sorry, Baby." She apologized as she kissed his chubby cheeks.

Dennis carried a tray of meat out of the kitchen as he welcomed Alvin, "Mr. Matthews, welcome to our small abode." He flashed a smile before returning to the kitchen to get other dishes.

Anya pushed Alvin to the bathroom and stood by the door, "I have to go after you. Don't be late."

Alvin: "…"

He realized there is one common bathroom. If he ever shared a bathroom with someone, that's with Little Donut on the cruise. Another new experience.

Wiping his hand, he slid the door of the bathroom to step out when Anya appeared. Her eyes are bright with a hint of mischief in them.

"Alvin Matthews is so considerate." She was surprised he was curious, without a hint of hesitation or unwillingness.

"Are you all always like this?" Happy and cheerful just for lunch. He always saw moody and silent food time.

Anya shook her head, "They are happy seeing me and Zane." Then she tiptoed and whispered, "They are excited about your arrival." As she guessed, he wasn't able to believe that.

Pulling her inside, he went out, "Stop wasting time."

Anya: "…"

Unlike in the Oasis mansion, Alvin heard them talk, and responded to them when they asked something. They laughed, teased, and shared food, showing them what family lunch in small families looked like.

Then Anya showed them the picture of the villa she was buying. Dennis and Catalina were amazed, "Anya, if you need for expenses, let me know. I can also get a loan at a lower interest, and try to save as much as possible." Dennis advised.

Catalina loved the villa but, "Annie, is this big house required? Savings will come in handy. Or… You can invest and get returns. From next year, Zane's school expenses will also increase, you have quit the job, your job might not pay so well…" Catalina nagged his daughter due to her worry.

Alvin: "…"

He was sitting right there and they were worried about money. If not anything, he wasn't lacking money. Shouldn't they stop worrying about it? He could only sigh without interjecting.

After assuring and calming them, The trio took their leave.

Dennis and Catalina were going back inside when they heard children's chatter, "Zane… Sister Anya… Zane…"

"Grandma Catalina, I saw Sister Anya at the school with a handsome brother." The girl said excitedly. Hence everyone rushed to find them with their bags.

Catalina chuckled as she went to the gate, "Sister Anya and Handsome brother have left. Sister has brought chocolates for you to call. Go home, get fresh and come here."

The kids cheered as they ran towards their home. A nosy neighbor asked, "Lina, who was that man? Did Anya get a boyfriend?"

Dennis scurried away before he got irritated by their gossip. However, Catalina was patient as she spoke with the neighbor about the handsome rich boyfriend of Anya Owen.

Three hours later, at the airport of the capital,

Anya showed a picture to Alvin, "You have become the hot topic of all the aunties around the home." Dennis had sent her a picture of the living room filled with the ladies.

Alvin tugged her closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "Because your boyfriend is hot." He shrugged.

Anya chuckled as she pointed out, "Boyfriend!?" He always calls her wife and addresses himself as her husband.

He pinched her cheek as they followed Rob and Zane. They just exited the airport when Ean reached him in tension, "A headache."

Anya was moving away when Alvin held her hand glancing at Ean who was in an expensive Italian dinner suit. "There was a business deal discussion with the brand." He couldn't understand why Ean appeared there.

"I will explain to you." Ean said as he turned to Anya, "Fluf… Rob will take you and your son home. There is an emergency business deal for Alvin."

Anya nodded as she turned to Alvin who checked the time, "Don't wait for me. Have dinner." Anya obediently nodded and got in the car.

Ean rushed Alvin towards the limousine, "The deal was finalized but the Mr. LN said he will sign papers with you. He is flying off in the morning so this is the only chance."

Most of the time, the business companies cared about money so they signed papers without bothering about meeting or seeing the executive chief. But the founder requested Alvin's presence.

He expected Alvin to turn down or get angry but the man got in the car. 'My hard work didn't go in vain.' He patted his chest and went towards the venue.

—————

On the side, Anya and Zane went to the Oasis mansion where Janet Collins was waiting for them.

The housekeeper, Sophia, looked behind Anya before directing her to the living room, "Ms. Owen, Mr. Matthews's mother is waiting for you."

Anya was expecting to meet Janet and the Collins family but never thought she would be alone. She considered sending Zane to the room but took him inside.

Since Janet was allowed inside the mansion, then Alvin might like his mother so Anya didn't want to be rude.

"Baby…"

"I understand, Momma." Zane discerned that the woman inside the living hall was Alvin's mother, GG's daughter.

The duo entered the room and saw a woman in her mid-forties, looking too young to believe. She rather looked like Alvin's sister, than a mother.

Janet was wearing a bodycon sweater dress that hugged her graceful curves. The contour of her face was soft, like her gentle action of flipped pages of a magazine.

Despite waiting for hours, there was no frown on her face, but patience.

"Mrs. Wilson." Sophia interrupted when Janet didn't lift her head at their arrival.

Zane made a note of the name, just like Anya. "Mrs. Wilson, I am Anya Owen, Alvin's girlfriend." Anya introduced herself.

Janet looked at Anya for a few seconds. Though she hadn't heard much about Anya, she hadn't kept any expectations either.

At the first sight and her reserved introduction without fear or hesitation, earned a nod of her head. 'She is polite and careful.'

Then she looked at the little boy who was holding Anya's hand. When their eyes met, Zane greeted, "Hello, Mrs. Wilson. I am Zane Owen."

Sophia was aware Janet wasn't really fond of kids, even her own. So she asked, "Little Master, are you hungry? The kitchen has prepared some appetizers, would you like to try them?"

Zane shook his head, "Aunty Sophia, I will get fresh first." Then he glanced at Janet, who was sitting in a state, neither responding to him nor his mother. He found Alvin more likable than his mother.

Anya understood Sophia's intention. She kneeled next to her son, "Baby, get fresh. Then we will have dinner."

"Yes, Momma." He responded and went towards the stairs, ignoring Janet.

Anya went and sat in front of Janet as she voiced, "Alvin had some business to take care of. So he will be late home."

Janet watched the lady who confidently faced her. There was no fear of mother-in-law or arrogance of being Alvin's woman.

"My son never planned to settle in Narnia." Janet finally spoke.

To her eyes, Anya looked just ordinary in a loose sweater and jeans. She wasn't a breathtaking beauty or had the body that could make one envious.

She couldn't understand what was so special about the lady that made his son change so much. 'Her personality?'

'Alvin is settling in Narnia?' Anya didn't know that. She was prepared to see him going on business trips frequently.

He wasn't going to leave her side? That made her delighted without bothering about the intention behind Janet's words.

She calmly responded, "I guess, he got a reason to settle." She tried her best, not to smile like an idiot at the news.

Sophia smiled at the response. She was glad Alvin got a reason to settle at a place instead of running aimlessly from country to country in the name of work.

However, Janet received it as a taunt because her father often mocked her for ignoring her mother's duties.

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