Javier grinned, his cheeky expression returning in full force.
"You look pretty scary right now, Mother. If your daughters-in-law saw that face, who knows how they'd react~"
Fransesca puffed her cheek. Her dangerous aura vanished instantly, replaced by the flustered warmth of a woman who had just been teased. She stomped toward him and slapped his arm over and over, each hit quick and light, making him wince and dodge while still lying flat on the cushion.
"I'm not scary!"
She huffed and stood up, placing both hands on her hips. She pursed her lips, then lifted one hand and swept her golden-brown hair over her shoulder in a slow, graceful motion, the strands catching the sunlight like spun gold.
"I'm Honey Bun's beautiful mother~ Look at this skin~"
She caressed her own forearm, her fingers gliding along her smooth, flawless skin. Then she turned her face slightly to the side, tilting her chin, and let the afternoon light fall across her features.
