After the birthday celebration, Bella, Mia, and Navya rushed excitedly to her room, dragging Abby and Jake along.
Navya's eyes widened at the sight of the mountain of gifts.
"Wow, wow! So many gifts. Let's open them all!" she squealed.
Bella and Mia, still giddy teenagers, clapped their hands and jumped onto the pile like little kids. Abby and Jake, older and calmer, just stood back with amused smiles, watching the trio with indulgent eyes.
That night, the girls talked endlessly—laughing, opening presents, teasing each other—until sleep finally won. Bella, Navya, and Mia dozed off together, hugging each other like three pieces of one heart. Abby and Jake quietly slipped away to their rooms, knowing they had work the next day.
By 7 AM, the Harrison mansion stirred to life. Susan was already in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Richard walked with Abby and Jake towards Bella's room, curious to check on his princess.
The sight that greeted them melted their hearts.
There they were—the three girls—snuggled together without a single frown, sleeping peacefully as if the world outside didn't exist. Richard's eyes softened; he leaned down and kissed Bella's forehead. Abby, grinning, quickly clicked a picture while Jake stood at the foot of the bed with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Before anyone could stop him, Jake leapt onto the bed with a shout. Bella jolted awake, blinking in shock. The sudden movement made Navya jerk upright too, hair sticking out in all directions. But Mia—sleepyhead as always—remained curled up, completely unbothered.
Recovering from her shock, Bella pounced on Jake, raining tiny punches on his arm. "Jake! How dare you wake me like that!" Navya quickly joined her, and soon both sisters were beating him in mock anger.
Abby couldn't stop laughing. He pulled out his phone and began recording the chaos, while Richard stood by the door, chuckling and admiring their adorable Tom and Jerry bond.
Then Abby noticed Mia. Still sleeping. Still lost in her dreams.
With a soft smile, he walked over, crouched down, and gently placed his palm against her cheek. "Sleeping Beauty," he whispered, "time to wake up."
Mia stirred, scrunching her nose. She batted his hand away with a sleepy frown and buried her face back in the pillow. Abby laughed quietly, clicking another picture before trying again. After several playful attempts, she finally opened her eyes.
Her gaze met his—he was still leaning close, his warm palm on her cheek. Her eyes widened, and almost instantly, her face turned crimson. Abby straightened up with a teasing grin.
"Finally, Sleeping Beauty, you're awake."
Mia only blushed harder, looking away. Abby chuckled at her reaction before turning back to the others.
"Come on, princess," he told Bella, "and you too, Sleeping Beauty. Go freshen up—you've got school. And Navya—don't forget, today you have to fill out your form so you can finally join SPACE too."
Navya nodded eagerly. Bella squealed with excitement, throwing her arms around her. "Yay, yay, yaaay! You'll be with us! This is the best!" She grabbed Mia's hands, and the three girls started jumping and dancing around the room with messy hair and crazy steps.
Jake, still sitting on the floor after Bella's punches, burst out laughing at their madness. Abby joined in too, shaking his head at the hilarious sight.
Richard stood back, watching his children and their friends. His eyes shone with pride and love. Quietly, in his heart, he prayed: May they always stay this happy. May nothing ever steal their smile
The Whitmore mansion buzzed with the clinking of cutlery as everyone sat at the dining table, waiting for Julian.
Moments later, Julian came bounding down the staircase, practically bouncing with joy. His excitement filled the whole room.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, shaking his head in disbelief.
"What happened, Julian? Why are you jumping around like a monkey?"
Without answering, Julian darted forward and hugged Sebastian tightly, then wrapped his arms around Yonika and Alexander in quick succession. His grin was so wide it nearly split his face.
"Because I got admission in London! I'm leaving after two days!"
Sebastian's usually calm face lit up. He stood and hugged his younger brother firmly. "Congratulations, Julian."
Yonika's eyes shimmered with both pride and sadness as she hugged her son. Alexander clasped Julian's shoulder with quiet strength, his lips curving into a proud smile. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore congratulated him warmly, though their hearts already felt the ache of his absence.
But Julian was far too happy to notice. His thoughts were racing, and the first thing he wanted was to share the news with his favorite girls. He darted towards the door, calling out over his shoulder:
"I'll do my packing and shopping later! Right now, I'm going to Senorita's house to tell her and Mia! They'll go crazy when they hear this!"
Before anyone could stop him, Julian had already dashed out, skipping breakfast entirely.
Sebastian sighed, shaking his head at his brother's impulsiveness. His mind, however, drifted somewhere else.
Senorita…
That was the name he'd heard Julian and Mia use so many times. They always seemed to be with her, always talking about her. But who exactly was she?
His brows furrowed as another thought intruded. The girl from the corridor. The one who had scared him with that ridiculous "Baaom" sound. He could still see her wide, innocent eyes—the way her lashes curled like they were painted with stardust, the softness of her cheeks, the way she had trembled in his hold.
She was… beautiful.
Sebastian froze, almost scolding himself. No. What the hell are you thinking, Sebastian? She's just a kid. Shame on you. Get your head straight.
But despite the reprimand, a reluctant smile tugged at his lips. He couldn't stop the image of her eyes from replaying in his mind, nor the strange pull he had felt.
Across the table, Alexander cleared his throat deliberately. The sound snapped Sebastian out of his thoughts instantly.
Caught off guard, he glanced at his father, only to find Alexander giving him a sly, knowing smile—one eyebrow raised as if he could read his son's mind.
Sebastian's eyes widened in horror. He quickly looked away, shaking his head in denial, silently insisting he wasn't thinking that.
But Alexander only leaned back, sighing in mock disappointment, his expression almost teasing.
Sebastian couldn't help it—he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly
Yonika narrowed her eyes, her gaze flicking between her husband and her son.
"What are you two talking about with your eyes? Tell me as well."
Alexander let out a low laugh, while Sebastian leaned forward, kissed his mother on the cheek, and said with mock seriousness,
"Mom, Dad was just saying he wants to take you shopping."
The laughter instantly died from Alexander's face, replaced with sheer horror. Shopping was the one thing he loathed the most, while Yonika never seemed to tire of it.
Sebastian bit down on his lip, struggling to control his laughter as his father glared at him. Yonika, however, turned to Alexander with glowing eyes, her voice soft and full of love.
"Raj, I love you," she said, planting a kiss on his cheek.
To Sebastian's utter delight, the great Alexander Whitmore—always composed and regal—actually blushed.
That was enough to break Sebastian's control; he burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
Yonika clapped her hands together. "Stay right here. I'll be back in five minutes, then let's go shopping."
Alexander shot his son a look so sharp it could cut steel, but it only made Sebastian laugh harder.
True to her word, Yonika returned soon after, slipping her phone into her bag. "Let's go, Alexander," she said brightly.
Alexander made a face so miserable it was almost comical, dragging his feet as though heading to a battlefield instead of a shopping mall.
Sebastian, still chuckling, grabbed his bag and headed for Space, Yonika was distracted with a call, too preoccupied to notice his departure.