Breakfast

Serene lifted Ariel and placed her on the high chair before pushing it closer to the table.

"Serene," Kyle said, "Xià cì ràng tā zìjǐ pá."

Serene paused for a minute before she sat down, her head low at being admonished by Kyle. Though to say 'admonished' was a bit harsh for all Kyle did was simply to tell her to let Ariel climb up on the high chair herself next time, rather than being lifted on it.

The high chair was flexible and sturdy, whereby its height could be adjusted according to the growth of the toddler. There were two little 'steps' to allow Ariel to climb up the high chair, with the top step being a place she could rest her feet once she sat down.

"Tā bìxū xuéxí (She has to learn)," Kyle said, then looked up at the slightly nervous Serene.

She glanced up at him, biting her lower lip as Kyle continued in a firmer voice, "Nǐ tài chǒng'ài tāle. Bié ràng wǒ bùdé bù zàicì tíxǐng nǐ. (You are spoiling her too much. Don't make me have to remind you again)"

"Bàoqiàn," Serene apologized, "Bù huì zài fāshēngle (It won't happen again)"

Alex clenched his jaw at the smooth way his father was talking to Serene. It wasn't just the fact that he was talking smoothly, but also for the fact that the pronunciation was perfect.

If one was to close their eyes, they would be thinking that the two that were conversing were natives of Country C. Alex knew his own pronunciation was good but not to the extent of sounding like a native.

He found it irritating.

Sayuri reached over and took Kyle's chin in her hands, making him turn to look at her while also pulling him closer. A small smirk appeared on his face just before she kissed him, and he indulged her little act.

Well, it wasn't as if he didn't like it.

The kids were used to their parents' constant show of affection and ignored them. The maids that were serving them at the table also did not bat an eyelid. Ariel clapped her hands in joy when a bowl of freshly cut fruits was placed in front of her and she washed her hands at the finger bowl before carefully eating them.

After finally breaking the deep kiss, Sayuri wiped the corner of Kyle's lips and said, "You had something there."

Kyle's grin didn't fade as he said softly, "If that's so, why explore within so deeply?"

"Just wanted to taste what you were eating," Sayuri replied nonchalantly, giving Serene a brief glance before letting him go to resume eating her own bowl of oatmeal.

Kyle's hand quickly captured the back of her head and this time, he was the one that kissed her - though it was a short one.

Alex sighed audibly and shook his head.

They really should get male au pairs. But then again, there were not many capable ones either for some reason.

Serene wasn't bad, really but it could clearly be seen that she had a small crush on his father. It was getting to be rather stale, in his opinion, for all their au pairs seemed to fall into this trap.

Alex wasn't worried though.

If Serene was merely having a crush, it wasn't a problem - his mother would simply ignore it (close one eye, so to speak) but would always show her dominance whenever the other started to have too much infatuation in their eyes.

If it got to be serious, then his mother would get serious.

Like what happened to the previous au pair.

Alex really didn't understand why these women would even look at his father. Sure, he was kinda good looking but he was not that good-looking that they have to act like idiots.

"I'm done," Alex announced and then looked at his sister. He noted that she was almost done as well so he turned towards Rie.

Rie saw him looking at her so she grabbed one red dragonfruit cube and offered it to him, "Feed Brother Alex."

"It's okay, Rie," Alex said, looking at the small hand clutching the dragonfruit piece, staining her hand pink, "You can have it."

Ariel shook her head and looked at him seriously, "For Brother."

Alex sighed inwardly and reluctantly opened his mouth. With a big smile, Ariel carefully placed it into his open mouth.

Well, to her, it was being careful but she still stained the side of Alex's mouth as she practically shoved it in.

Alex gave a small smile, thanked her, and wiped his mouth.

Due to the juice of the dragon fruit however, it stained his lips pink so it made it look like he was wearing lipstick.

Not that he realised it while Rory didn't think it was a big deal.

After all, it wasn't like the stain would last the whole day.

Once Aurora was done, she also announced that she was done. Kyle and Sayuri got up as well while Ariel looked mournfully at her breakfast. Everyone had already finished breakfast but she still had some pieces left.

Serene patted Ariel's back and said, "Don't worry, Rie. I'm still here. Take your time eating."

Both Alex and Aurora kissed Ariel on the cheek and told her to be a good girl at home. Kyle also came over and Ariel spread her arms to him, wanting him to pick her up.

"No, Rie," Kyle said gently, lowering himself to be able to talk to her eye-to-eye, "You still need to finish your breakfast while I have to send your brother and sister to school."

Ariel pouted then sucked her thumb.

Kyle patiently took the thumb out, kissed it, and then kissed her nose, "Bye, Rie. I'll be back for dinner."

Ariel nodded and grabbed a dragon fruit piece to shove into Kyle's mouth. He smiled and took it, kissed her on the cheek, and left.

Serene couldn't help but watch him go, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

When she first got this position, she had no idea who 'Kyle Smith' was. Traveling around the world was her dream and being an au pair seemed to be the best way to do so. She could stay in one place for free, get paid to look after children, and immerse herself in the culture and life of the country.

Just being a tourist wasn't enough as that would only mean spending lots of money and only visiting places. She wanted to actually *live* in the country as that would make the whole experience more memorable.

The interview had been conducted by Sayuri, so she had got a total shock upon arriving and meeting Kyle.

Never before had she met such a handsome and perfect man.

At first, it had just been deep appreciation but as time went on, it became a crush.

Serene jerked a bit in surprise when she felt a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. Looking up, she saw Sayuri, looking at her with a smile.

"You can look, but you can't touch," Sayuri said, "If you do, I'll cut that hand off and feed it to the dogs."

Serene looked at her in shock, her mouth open in surprise.

Despite the fact that Sayuri's facial expression did not change and she kept that smile on her face, Serene had no doubt that Sayuri would do what she threatened. It wasn't a joke.

Serene gulped and said, "I won't, I won't. I - I - just.."

The smile didn't waver on Sayuri's face as she patted her again and said, "I know, I know. He's utterly delicious to look at so it's only natural that one can admire him. I'm not so petty as to gorge out your eyes for doing so."

Sayuri paused.

"Unless when I'm pregnant," she mused, "I tend to go overboard a bit because I'm rather possessive."

She gave a loud sigh and then ruffled Ariel's hair. She kissed the top of Ariel's head and praised her, "My, Rie. You're such a big girl now. You are eating well."

Ariel smiled widely, showing her pearly white teeth that were stained pink, "Thank you, Mommy."

"Since you're done, shall we go to the driveway and wave bye-bye?" Sayuri asked.

Ariel's eyes brightened up and she spread her hands out, "Yes! Yes, please!"

Sayuri laughed, "Wash your hands first."

Ariel did as she was told, playing her entire hands into the finger bowl (which was really big enough for her two hands and not just her fingers). She then dabbed them on the napkin beside her bowl.

Sayuri picked her up and she wrapped her hands around her mother's neck and said urgently, "Quick! Quick! Daddy's going!"

"Don't worry, Rie," Sayuri said as she walked to the doorway, "Daddy wouldn't leave until Mommy goes out."

Ariel nodded but her eyes were glued towards the doorway. She couldn't see her father and was rather anxious.

"Quick, quick Mommy!"

Sayuri sighed a bit. Both of her daughters were just so clingy with their father.