She missed him badly. She felt a butterfly in her belly when he said that he would stay for a week, but then she realized that even Sophia needed her for a week.
She pulled herself away to finally talk with him when Wylder heard the sound of the door getting unlocked. He had sensed that Tiara wasn’t alone, but he couldn’t figure out who the other person was until his eyes landed on her.
"Aunt Sofi," he smiled, looking at Sophia. He didn’t miss how she raised her eyebrow, watching them in that position. She tried to put 2x2 but didn’t reach the conclusion instantly. After all, friends too sometimes behave in that way. Wylder removed his hand from Tiara’s waist and walked towards her before hugging her and saying, "Happy Birthday in person, Aunt Sofi."
"Thank you, Wylder," Sophia replied, hugging him back. Wylder inhaled her scent so that he wouldn’t forget ever. The last time he saw her, he didn’t have Night with him, which is why he couldn’t recognize her scent when she was there.
"Wait! You remember her birthday?" Tiara asked in disbelief.
Wylder and Sophia broke the hug and looked at Tiara. Sophia was the one who responded to her question, "Yes! He wished me at 12 a.m. In fact, he never missed wishing me on my birthday or on my anniversary all these years."
Tiara glared at Wylder in an accusing way.
One, he wasn't in touch with her but with her mother. Hell, he never wished her birthday when he was away.
Second, he remembered her mother’s birthday but didn’t remind her.
"I didn’t know you were coming here. But I’m glad you’re here. I got a cake for your birthday." Wylder said, giving Sophia a side hug, giving her shoulder a light squeeze, and kissing her hair. "I missed you, Aunt."
Sophia wondered why Wylder was behaving like this until she saw Tiara glaring at him. "I missed you too, boy," Sophia said, slapping his cheek lightly. "When you were in touch with Tee, then why didn’t you visit us even after you returned?" She asked.
"That’s because I came to know how desperate you are for Colton’s marriage. I didn’t want to come anywhere near you, or you would have started looking for girls for me as well." Wylder joked about how Sophia threw a punch at his arm. "By the way, I hope you brought my favorite cake."
"Yup!! Carrot cake." Wylder winked at her, enjoying Tiara’s anger and jealousy. He wanted to laugh at her childish behavior because she was getting jealous of her own mother. He watched her arrange the fresh tulips in the vase and then grab her phone before leaving from there.
‘Hello, Dad!! By what time you will be here?’
‘Hey, Princess. In a couple of hours, probably. Why? Planning something for your mother?’
‘No. I have called you to warn you because a young and handsome man is here, flirting with Mom, and guess what? Mom is enjoying his company.'
'What?'
'Yes, Dad. I think your days are over now.' Wylder heard Tiara speaking in a low tone. He was amused by the way jealousy was dripping from her every word. It looked like his so-called best friend was planning to sign his death warrant for giving more attention to her mother instead of her.
*
"Ahh!!" Wylder whimpered when Sophia twisted his ear. He forgot to hear what Tiara talked about with Brandon next when his focus was diverted by Sophia.
"What was that?"
"Care to explain what is going on between you two?"
"Nothing, Aunt. Just a casual thing." Wylder spoke truthfully and saw how disappointed Sophia looked upon hearing that answer, but there was nothing that he could do about it. Sophia let her ear go and smiled weakly.
They were both adults and knew what they were doing.
"I’m so happy to meet you again. It's sad that Tee’s rude words pushed you away from us, but trust me, her intention behind them was to........
"I know my Ara, Aunt," Wylder spoke, cutting her in between. "If not as much as you know her, then around you for sure." He added.
"I doubt that I know everything about her now. But I’m glad she has you." Sophia said. They both grabbed a seat on the couch and talked about the things that happened in all these years while Tiara watched them once she was free from her call.
Tiara didn’t miss noticing that her mother looked happy after meeting with Wylder. She knew what she was going to give her on her birthday. She let them enjoy their time together and went into her room to grab the paints she needed for new paintings.
"You will fall in love with this painting with Mom." She thought with a smile.
*
#TBC
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Thank you for reading :)