His Devious Rule

Anya quickly showered to go downstairs for food. She was making the bed when she heard soft knocks on the door before it pushed open. Her eyes shifted from fifth feet to three feet. A bright smile instantly graced her face. Stretching her arms, "My Baby…"

"Momma…" Zane grinned. He skipped to the bed and hugged her.

After cuddling and speaking of the day, Anya was beyond astonished. Her son didn't utter a word about what he was doing with Alvin after dinner.

If he didn't want to share with her, Anya respected his choice. Making him sit in front of her, Anya came to the very important topic she hadn't discussed with her son.

"Baby, we will have to change our home. Is it alright with you?" She always asked his opinion and let him know the reasons. So she did the same as she didn't feel the previous place was safe anymore.

Zane pursed his lips as he thought about it. He really liked their home. It wasn't rented so he couldn't understand why they needed to change. "Momma, why are we changing our home?"

Anya couldn't tell the truth. They weren't shifting but making a new home from scratch. "There is a problem in that place which can't be fixed."

What is the problem?

How was she going to tell everything in their home was ripped apart?

She had to quickly come up with a lie, "There was a water leak and everything in our home is damaged. It might happen again. So I thought it's better to go to a new home."

Zane tried to understand the situation. If there is a water leak, shouldn't they fix the problem?

Hearing everything damaged, Zane agreed without troubling her, "Alright Momma, we will look for a beautiful place." He said like an adult who will go in search of a new place to live in.

Anya smiled resignedly. They had changed rented houses frequently due to various reasons. So when they bought their first house, she had promised him that they wouldn't have to change anymore.

More than that promise, Anya gave importance to their secure living. She was glad Zane was always considerate.

She kissed his cheek, more taking a bite of his chubby cheek. "My Baby is the sweetest." Since Zane loved the water, this time she will add a swimming pool to the list of requirements while looking for a house, a small cozy villa. She didn't prefer an apartment.

Zane giggled at the tickling kiss of his mother and heard her whisper, "There will be a swimming pool for my Baby this time."

Zane's eyes shone brightly. Anya quickly added, "But my Baby has to be very careful. And no play in it all the time or without elders' watch."

Zane cheered loudly, "Momma, you are the best." He jumped into her arms and kissed her cheek. He was visibly excited with the news that he was eager for their own swimming pool. "Momma, will you teach me how to swim?"

"Of course, Sweetie." Anya approved instantly.  Unlike her who learned everything lately, she wanted to teach Zane as he loved learning new things.

After showering his love on his mother, Zane recalled that Anya didn't eat with them. He jumped off the bed, "Momma, I will bring your supper." He was about to run away, Anya scooped him into her arms.

"My Baby is so diligent." She went out of the bedroom and entered the next bedroom, "It's sleeping time for my Baby. Momma will take care of herself."

Putting him on the bed, she covered the comforter over him. Yawning, "Momma, will you sleep next to me?" Although he asked, it was his request as they hardly spent any time together.

Anya readily agreed, "Sure, Momma also needs her cuddle bug today. I will quickly eat something, and sleep."

A sweet smile appeared on his face. He was glad she wasn't going to work overnight. He held her face with his little palms and kissed her, "I love you, Momma." His voice softened due to drowsiness.

"I love you too, Honey." She waited by his bedside until he falls asleep like an obedient boy he was

Watching him sleeping peacefully, Anya had a blissful smile. She was glad that even when her psychological state was at its rock bottom, she was strong enough to ignore people's words and avoid such demoralized people.

Many people suggested to her that she should focus on herself and give up the responsibility of the baby. Her mother and father's relatives had tried to scare them as her and her baby's life would be ruined without 'a man' to support her. Some suggested aborting the baby during pregnancy so that she could get a boyfriend and marry.

Well, she was ready to give up on a man being in her life rather than her son, "My baby is my blessing." She kissed him again and went downstairs to grab something to eat.

The butler noticed Anya and quickly served her the freshly prepared supper. Then she went to her parents' room carrying important news for them.

Firstly she assured them that she was fine. Then she gave them a piece of good news, "Mom, Dad, you two can move back home."

Dennis and Catalina breathed a sigh of relief. They hadn't asked her so that they wouldn't put pressure on her. "That's good. What about you two?" Catalina asked if Anya and Zane would stay in the mansion.

She quickly explained her house condition and the irresponsible security at the Up-spring regency. "We will move out as soon as I find a suitable place and make all the arrangements."

Catalina and Dennis supported her and gave a helping hand, "Then we will stay till you settle down."

"I have some savings, Anya. Why don't you use it and choose a better and safe place?" Dennis started fiddling with his wallet.

Anya held his hands and assured her parents, "Dad, it's for your retirement life." They don't accept her money so they should have it for their expenses. "I am getting reimbursement and compensation. It will be more than enough."

Then she turned to Catalina, "Mom, I can manage everything. Don't worry about it.

Catalina complained, throwing her hands in the air, "That's the problem. You manage everything yourself so well that we feel like we aren't needed." They had only a daughter and they could do nothing for her.

Anya wasn't sure if it was humor or Catalina was displeased by it. She quickly snuggled to her mother, "Of course, I need you, Mom. Or else I will have nobody to pull my ear and scold me."

"You brat…" Catalina held her ear, "Am I not good enough for anything else?"

Thus the two bantered and Dennis eased up and laughed hearing Catalina chide Anya and the latter continue to poke fun and get scolded.

After a good laugh and humor, Anya exploded the bomb, "Mom, Dad, the mission I was working on is completed. There are small cases I have to complete in Coastal city."

Both skeptically looked at Anya hearing her deliberating.

"I have resigned."

Catalina was more shocked than Dennis. She needed time to fathom that Anya quit the job she loved.

Dennis had frowns on his face. If she had left the job of her will, he had no objections. If it was because of Catalina, then he was going to displease one of them.

"Isn't everything going smoothly? Why did you resign?" Dennis demanded a response.

Catalina held Anya's hands and apologized, "Annie, I was worried at so many sudden changes that I got angry that day. I am really sorry, dear, I should have watched my words. Could you take the resignation back?"

Anya patted Catalina's hand and flashed an assuring smile to her father. "After this mission, I do not feel like I could give my complete dedication to the job, Mom. I am kind of disappointed.

Yes, I do like the job but if I couldn't give my cent percent, it would be disrespectful." Anya assured Catalina that she wasn't the reason.

Catalina still felt bad. She helplessly looked at Dennis who flashed them an assuring smile. He was always calm-headed and supportive. "Alright, no need to rush to make another decision. Take a break, and settle in the new house. Then you can calmly think of what to do next." He patted his wife to relax her.

It was always Anya who had been a disappointed daughter, never the other way around. Her parents were together to support her in everything she does.

Anya curiously asked, "Should I do some small business like Mom?" Her mother has a small-scale business in knitting items.

Catalina held Anya's ear again, "Didn't you hear what your father said? Take a break. Don't rush things."

Anya chuckled, rattling her head, "Yes, Mom."

Dennis didn't comment. He was certain that Anya wouldn't just jump to different fields. With a son by her side, she would be more careful about her work that will support her and her son.

It was half-past eleven when Anya left her parents' room. She was going towards her room when she heard an argument between the two. At the far end, she saw Krystle and Linus going downstairs, arguing with each other. It wasn't a fight but bantering about a movie genre.

Anya could guess Krystle enjoyed Linus' company and Krystle was also heeding his moods. Anya was happy for her friend who found somebody on her wavelength, somebody who was tolerating her craziness.

She was about to enter Zane's room when she paused looking towards Alvin's bedroom. She wasn't sure how to react to the past she got to know and how to let him know she was finally taking a step forward to be in the relationship, her first relationship.

There was a strange kind of fear and also anticipation whenever she thought of being with Alvin. Holding the door handle of Zane's room, she suddenly craved a glimpse of Alvin. She went towards his room giving in to the temptation of taking a peek at him. Just a quick look.

Like a thief who was going to steal something precious, she tippy-toed to the door, making no noise whatsoever. Placing her palm on the door, holding her breath, she slowly gave a push to the door. The door wasn't locked and it made no sound. It smoothly opened.

When it opened enough for her to look inside, she tilted her head and saw the lights were still on in the bedroom. There was no one in the first half of the bedroom. She moved her head further to look towards the bed. Her curious gray eyes met with the eagle-like sharp eyes.

The thief was caught in action.