Mommy and the Daughter (1)

"Oh, little Art! Why did they summon you?"

Juliana squealed, clapping her hands like she'd just seen her favorite boy band walk into the room. Meanwhile, Nadia blushed so hard you'd think her face was trying to outdo a ripe tomato.

She darted her eyes away, pretending to be uninterested in the devilishly handsome step-brother who just strutted in like he owned the damn place.

"Ah, what can I say, Mommy?"

Artis said, his voice dripping with smugness as he flipped his hair like a shampoo commercial diva.

"They need me for everything. This time, it's some mythical artifact or some bullshit. Somewhere dangerous, somewhere dramatic. You know, the usual hero stuff."

He took a step forward, each stride oozing confidence, and both women froze like deer caught in the headlights of his swagger.