She's My Sleeping Pill

Before the year ends, Cayenne returned to City A with her family and friends. It was time for them to celebrate Christmas with their family members who stayed at home.

They arrived home in the afternoon of December 24. It was already snowing outside which greatly impacted the white Christmas she envisioned for this year.

When she opened the door to her home, she wasn't surprised to find so many people waiting for them; or rather, waiting for the triplets to come home.

"Wuwu!" Luiz pretended to cry as he took Jahzara from the nanny. "I miss you so much, my little angel," he said and lightly pinched her chin. "Oh, where's Zeki and Aziel?"

In response to her brother, Cayenne pointed her finger to the porch. Latticia was holding the smiling Zeki while Reuben was holding Aziel.

The triplets were born prematurely and when they got discharged from the hospital and came home, they thought that Zeki needed special attention.

He didn't make a fuss like his other siblings nor did he smile at them.

It turned out, he was looking for a favorite person, because the first time he saw Latticia was also the first time he showed his emotions.

He learned to smile when he felt happy and he would pout otherwise.

"Zeki really likes Latticia. He must have felt like having a grandmother with her around," Luiz commented without knowing how perfectly right he was with his statement.

"Let him be," Stefan answered with a faint smile. He wasn't envious of his son's preferential treatment. He was very happy for his mother, instead.

"You should go and rest. We'll take care of the children and everything that needs to be prepared," Cory said and pushed them to go upstairs. "We'll wake you up for Christmas Eve."

Cayenne whispered her gratitude and kissed the old lady before going up with her husband.

***

"It's Christmas and you want me to leave? Are you serious?!" Julia questioned hysterically while pacing back and forth. "Are you going to abandon me for money?"

Celestine looked at her daughter as if she was growing three horns on her head; so unfamiliar and evil.

She may not be a perfect mother or a perfect person, but even with her ambitious personality, and even after ruining many people's lives, she never thought of harming innocent children.

Julia was different. She would do whatever it takes to achieve her goals even if it means sarcrificing children.

"Lia, you know exactly why I want you to leave," Celestine stated calmly, hoping to resolve this matter with her daughter. "Stefan won't help you. He knows what you're doing."

"What are you talking about, mom?"

"Do I have to mention each of them?"

Julia was stunned for a moment before faint chuckles echoed in the room. "You're kidding me, right?" But Celestine looked so serious. Soon, her laughter faded into silence. "If he knew, he would've retaliated already. You know what kind of person he is. He won't tolerate anyone harming his wife."

"And that is exactly why I want you to leave. He is not taking action yet, probably because he is busy with his family and other stuff, but that doesn't mean you will be left unscathed."

Julia rolled her eyes, crossed her arms over her chest and sat across Celestine. "You are just being paranoid."

Celestine inhaled deeply and sighed. "Then, tell me why you did it? What is your reason this time?"

Julia snorted and refused to answer.

With how her mother reacted this time, she knew that she will no longer stand on her side.

"If you want me to leave, then fine. I'm leaving tomorrow. Forget that I exist, least, you'll get implicated."

"You know that's - "

"I don't want to hear anymore of your excuses. I'm leaving."

Watching her walk out of the door, Celestine felt a throbbing headache. [This must be my retribution.]

***

At 11:30 PM, Cayenne and Stefan woke up to join their family in celebrating Christmas Eve.

They were having a feast.

Some were singing, others were chatting; the rest were either eating or playing games.

It was indeed a merry Christmas.

"Where's uncle Stan?" Cayenne asked when she noticed that he hadn't seen him since they arrived this afternoon. "Is he and Jessie not celebrating Christmas with us?"

"They're celebrating Christmas with his in-laws. He will visit tomorrow instead," Jose answered with his eyes still on the poker cards. "Yen, do you know how to play this? Help me win this game."

"I'm sorry grandpa, I don't know how to play poker. Kyle knows. I'll have him play for you,"

"No, that's not allowed. We can't have helpers," Ferdinand said while taking a peek on Reuben's cards.

"Hey! You're cheating."

Cayenne could only shake her head in amusement while watching the old men play their games.

Then, she started looking around to see if there were other things that she needed to do or adjust.

Unfortunately, there was none.

"I'll go check the triplets," Stefan told her when he didn't see his children in the living room.

"If they're still asleep, just let them be. We'll have the nannies take turn in taking care of them."

"Gotcha."

Cayenne watched him leave then she started scanning her surrounding and she felt like she was in a dream.

It felt like yesterday, she was still working non-stop to support her family and now, she had become Stefan's wife - the man that many women had dreamed of marrying.

She could still clearly recall the night that he proposed to sleep with her. Then, her life was turned upside-down.

She lost her mother, but she found her father.

Then, she lost Stefan.

They broke up; or specifically, she broke up with him which he didn't agree.

They started over again, then she was kidnapped.

Life continued on and on, and now, she has triplets.

"Yen? Are you alright?"

Cayenne blinked several times when she noticed Sabrina's worried look and that was when she noticed the cold tears that fell on her face.

Instantly, everyone's attention was shifted to her.

"I...I'm fine," she said and wiped away her tears. "I'm just so thankful for all the things that I have now. Stefan must have been my lucky star."

"No. You are my lucky star," Stefan added as he walked toward her. "All the best things in my life happen because of you. I wouldn't be who I am now if not for your constant love and patience."

"Are we celebrating Valentine's Day?" Luiz questioned Dalia in passing while giving his sister and brother-in-law a side eye.

Dalia: 😑 "You must have mixed the date. It's Christmas now."

Kyle: "I'm seeing hearts and roses flying everywhere."

Hearing their teasing statements, Cayenne didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Her brothers really knew how to cheer her up.

Not long after, Erwin set-up the timer for the Christmas countdown and they all waited excitedly for the timer to hit zero.

"10"

"9"

"8"

"7"

"6"

"5"

"4"

"3"

"2"

"1"

"Merry Christmas Everyone!"

They all raised their glasses containing juice or wine, and made a toast to celebrate their Christmas.

Along with the clanking of their glasses, fireworks bloomed in the sky like flowers in spring.

It astounded many civilians who gazed upon the sky.

The majestic castle with amazing and colorful fireworks was like a scene from a fairytale movie.

It was the source of envy for many people.

Half an hour later, the fireworks display finally stopped and passersby continued with their life.

***

Mini Theater

"I'm glad that we're living in this apartment. It's not the most beautiful but we get to see the most beautiful view everyday," said the child who was standing next to his mother while holding on to the railing bars.

They occupied the fourth floor of the simplest and cheapest apartment building in City A. In the morning they get to see the sunrise from the window to their room. In the afternoon, they get to see the beautiful castle with the red-orange streaks of sunrays.

When evening came, the majestic castle lights up their garden and they could see its beauty despite the distance.

He liked it very much.

"One day, I will build my own castle and make you the Queen. Mama, you don't have to look for papa. I will study hard and work hard for you. So, don't be sad anymore."

The child's innocence brought warmth in his mother's heart and she could only lightly squeeze his little hand in agreement.

"Hn. One day, I will become a Queen and you will bring your princess home and we will live in your castle happily ever after."
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"Hn!"

The child nodded happily without knowing how his fate would unfold.