"I'm definitely being cheated on."

I crossed my arms under my chest, eyeing my son and Aiden with suspicion. The latter shrugging innocently while Aaron copied my move, crossing his arms as well. I smiled in amusement.

"You're just bad, mom." Aaron said, his tone laced with disappointment, pertaining to the card game we're currently playing.

I feigned offense, gasping. "Excuse me?"

"Come on, tell her, Aide."

The taller woman shrugged her shoulders at me. "He's right."

"Really?" I eyed Aiden, giving her a look I knew she would understand.

Her brown eyes widened, chuckling awkwardly. "Huh, now I remember, I think I cheated at the first round. Definitely should've lost that one."

Aaron's jaw dropped in surprise, staring at my girlfriend in disbelief. "What? You're like a god in this game, what do you mean? Are you seriously scared of mom?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, bud. I cheated."

I covered my mouth with my hand to stop myself from laughing at Aaron's reaction. Aiden also grinning as she pretended, increasing my baby's annoyance.

"Unbelievable." My son groaned in defeat, squinting his eyes at me. "What did you do to her? She's acting like a complete simp."

My eyebrow raised in curiosity. "And what's a simp?"

"That," he pointed back to Aiden. "Is a simp."

"And where did you learn that word from?" I crossed my arms, still not getting what this 'simp' word means. He technically didn't explain it.

"My friend from school." Aaron answered.

We both looked up as Aiden cleared her throat, smiling awkwardly. "I think you got it wrong, bud. Simp means someone who would do basically anything for the person they like."

My eyes widened at the definition before I turned to look at my son. Does he know? Is this what Tristan meant when he said Aaron's too smart to not notice?

"Why? Do you not like my mom?"

"I.... O-Of course, I do. But a simp is like–how do I–" Aiden pursed her lips. "That word is correlated to romantic feelings, not just any like."

I could feel my heart beating rapidly and loudly against my chest as I anticipated for Aaron's reaction. Unconsciously holding my breath, I waited for what he's about to say at Aiden's explanation. Silently hoping he still doesn't know as I'm not yet ready to tell him about my relationship with the taller woman.

It would be too much for him. His dad and I just got divorced weeks ago and he just got introduced to Tristan's girlfriend. Entering my relationship in the picture so suddenly would shock him.

"Oh, is that so? I guess Jacob provided me the wrong definition." A breath of relief, that's how I felt as soon as I heard those words.

"Who's hungry?" I asked hurriedly, changing the topic. "I'm cooking anything you want."

Aaron perked up, raising his hand. "Me! Pasta, please."

"What about you, Darling?" I turned to Aiden. "What do you want to eat?"

"I'll eat whatever you'll cook, so anything."

"Alright. Mind helping me?" The taller girl shook her head and followed. "What should I make for your friend? He's still coming over for dinner, right?" I asked once we're out of earshot.

"He's not a picky eater so whatever you decide." My eyes lowered to her lips when the bottom one was pulled in between her teeth. "I'm kind of nervous."

I raised a brow in question, wrapping my arms around her neck. "Why are you nervous?"

Aide shrugged her shoulders, sighing when my fingers moved to lightly scratch her nape. "I don't know, I guess I just want you two to like each other, to get along."

"I'm sure we will, baby. Don't worry." I tiptoed up to reach her pinkish lips, planting a short and sweet kiss.

"I'm still worried." She whispered in a playful tone against my lips. "I think I need another kiss."

"That can be arranged."

"Talk about loaded, damn." Julius whistled as he scanned the place around. "She got to keep the place, huh?"

I nodded, not elaborating as it is not my business to talk about her divorce with Tristan. I basically forced Julius to shut the hell up when we arrived at the dining area where the mother and son are already waiting for us. Aaron only thinks I want them to meet my friend.

My brows raised in amusement as I witness my confident friend suddenly turn shy upon landing his eyes on my beautiful girlfriend. Unlike his usual behavior, Julius waved and muttered a polite 'hello' to both Amayah and Aaron. I almost snorted when the bitch blushed when he shook hands with the beauty.

"It's nice to formally meet you, Prof Peter–I mean, Hutton." My blue-eyed friend touched the back of his neck, embarrassed at his mistake. "Sorry. Still kinda getting used to it."

My beauty smiled genuinely. "Please, call me Amayah. I'm no longer your professor."

"Yes, Prof–ma'am–Amayah, yes, fuck. Sorry."

I laughed, not being able to stop it anymore, covering my mouth when I received a glare.

"Oh, don't mind me." I grinned, earning an amused smile from Amayah. "Sit down before you embarrass me further." I patted his back as we took our seats.

Although Julius was timid at first, it didn't take too long before he transformed back into his usual self of being annoying–I mean, funny. I couldn't help but feel happy as he interacted with the two important additions in my life, making them laugh and feel comfortable like how he did to me when we first met.

I feared that it would be awkward considering our circumstances, but knowing Julius, he can turn any situation into something fun. To my surprise, Amayah didn't mind his constant talking. I don't know if it's because he's interesting or if it's because he's telling stories about me. Embarrassing ones.

"Oh wow, now that I think about it, you were the one she was dreaming about!" My eyes widened at the mention of my apparent wet dream about Amayah.

"What dream?" The shorter woman asked, curious.

"The–"

"I suggest you refrain from saying anything, for your own good, friend." I whispered to Juls, tapping his thigh.

He cleared his throat, laughing awkwardly. "Aiden here dreamed of dating you, ha ha."

I smiled, satisfied with the change. I shrugged my shoulders as Amayah turned to glance at me with a look that says she doesn't believe Julius' answer, probably because of his sudden change in tone. And because I basically threatened him.

We then went back to a conversation that doesn't involve my dream. It took a few more minutes before we finished eating, Julius then bid his goodbye.

"This was nice, thank you for welcoming me, Amayah." My blue-eyed friend shook hands with her. "The food was delicious, by the way."

"Thank you. I hope we can see each other again sometime."

"Likewise."

Once we were left alone, I proceeded to helping Amayah clean up in the kitchen while Aaron entertained us with his stories. When the kid felt sleepy, the older woman excused herself to tuck him in, leaving me to finish up.

Yawning, I stretched out my arms and slumped down the couch as soon as I finished. I laid fully and briefly closed my eyes, feeling the tiredness consume my body. I wasn't entirely asleep so my eyes automatically opened when I heard footsteps coming from upstairs. I smiled when I caught dark brown eyes.

"Hi."

"Hi, baby." The beauty sat down on the floor beside my head. "Tired?"

I nodded. "A bit. Let me rest for a few then I'll go home."

Amayah bit her lip, fingers moving some of my hair away from my face. "Or you can just sleep in the guest room again."

"Will that be okay with you?" She nodded. "Okay, then I will."

"How was it, by the way? Meeting Julius?" I asked, closing my eyes in bliss when the beauty kept on running her hands through my hair.

"It was fun, I like him. I'm glad you have a friend like that."

I smiled. "Me too. I got lucky."

She hummed. "I think they did, because I know I did. I'm pretty lucky to have met you."

"I'm the lucky one." I opened my eyes, staring into dark brown ones. "You make me feel happy, Amayah."

My beauty smiled, placing a chaste kiss on my lips. "You make me happy, too."

I bit my lip, contemplating, before muttering the words I've been meaning to ask.

"Can I sleep with you?"

sleep-sleep

🙄