The garden was a battlefield of colors—red, yellow, blue, and green smeared across faces and clothes. Five young adults were shrieking with laughter, chasing one another with brushes and buckets as though they were children again. And the strangest part? The elders—Alexander, Yonika, Richard, and Susan—were watching with wide smiles, genuinely enjoying the chaos.
Sebastian Whitmore stood at the edge of the lawn, his tall frame stiff, his brows furrowed in confusion. His eyes swept across the madness, his voice low and sharp.
"What the hell is going on here… and who are they?"
He walked toward his parents. Yonika spotted him and immediately rushed forward, overwhelmed. "Sebastian!" She hugged him tightly, tears shining in her eyes. "My son…"
Sebastian softened, his arms wrapping around her with rare warmth. A smile tugged at his lips. "Mom…"
Alexander followed with a proud grin. "What a surprise! You didn't tell us you were coming."
"I wanted to give you both a surprise," Sebastian replied smoothly.
Richard and Susan joined, and Alexander introduced them warmly. "Sebastian, this is Richard Harrison—my dearest friend—and his wife, Susan."
Sebastian greeted them respectfully, even allowing Susan to hug him. A flicker of warmth brushed his chest at their kindness. But the shrieks of laughter still echoed, pulling his attention back to the paint-covered gang.
Richard chuckled. "Arya's missing from this madness, but look at them—they're still having so much fun."
Sebastian tilted his head. He couldn't recognize any of them—their faces were hidden beneath splashes of paint. His voice was flat but curious. "Dad… who are they?"
The elders exchanged looks, as if he had just spoken in another language.
Yonika smiled softly. "Sebastian, they're Amelia, Julian, Abby, Navya, and Bella."
Sebastian's eyes widened in disbelief. What?!He stared again, harder this time. Now that he knew their names, he could just barely recognize them beneath the layers of paint. But recognition didn't erase the shock. Julian, Amelia, Abby—the people he had only ever seen in serious, respectable roles—were here, unhinged, wild, unfiltered.
I don't know these versions of them, he thought. I've never seen them like this.
He had never seen this side of them.He couldn't process the sight. Julian—Dr. Julian Harrison, one of London's finest neurosurgeons—was rolling on the grass, streaks of yellow paint across his forehead. Abby, his age-mate and a CEO like him, was half-drenched, hooting like a teenager. Amelia, Navya, and Bella—all behaving like kids let loose on a playground.
For Sebastian, who had spent years in boardrooms, conference calls, and pristine luxury offices, this looked… bizarre. Adults in their twenties, successful, responsible, respectable in every sense—yet here they were, squealing, running, messy, and utterly free.
His chest tightened unexpectedly. Something uncomfortable pressed at the edges of his ribs. He didn't understand why. Maybe it was the stark contrast—their world of noise, laughter, and silliness colliding with his world of silence, discipline, and structure. Or maybe… maybe it was something deeper.
When was the last time I laughed like that? When was the last time I ruined my shirt, got dirty, forgot myself…?
The answer hit him hard. Never.
He had grown up too fast, carrying the weight of expectations, responsibilities, achievements. His life was polished marble floors, glass walls, straight lines. There was no room for paint fights or grass stains. And now, staring at them, he felt something strange. Not disgust. Not envy. But a hollow ache—like he had missed out on something vital.
Richard cupped his hands and called out. "Kids! Look who's here—come say hello to Sebastian!"
The gang froze, paint dripping from their hands, heads snapping toward the tall man in his spotless white shirt and polished shoes.
Amelia squealed first, bolting toward him. She flung her arms around him, pressing her paint-streaked face to his chest. Sebastian stiffened. His jaw clenched as he looked down at his ruined shirt. Damn it. He despised mess, and yet he couldn't bring himself to push her away. He hugged her back stiffly, though irritation flickered in his eyes. Bella, standing at a distance, noticed it instantly.
Julian and Abby rushed next, practically jumping on him.
"Seb!" Abby laughed, ruffling his hair like they were kids.
Sebastian glared. "What the hell, guys?" His tone was sharp, colder than he intended.
"Chill, Seb," Abby teased.
"Haha, bro! Finally you're here," Julian grinned. "Meet my Senorita!"
That word again. Sebastian's irritation deepened. Senorita. Whoever she was, he was already tired of hearing about her.
Bella and Navya stepped forward, but before introductions could happen, the gang erupted into their usual tug-of-war. Amelia pulled Bella close. "She's our Senorita!"
"Excuse me—she's my baby girl," Abby declared, pulling Bella into his arms.
Navya rolled her eyes. "Our baby girl, Abby." She joined the hug.
Bella gasped, laughing but breathless. "Guys—I can't breathe!"
Everyone laughed harder. Everyone except Sebastian.
Her voice—it hit him like a chord struck deep in his chest. He hadn't even seen her properly yet, but the sound of her laugh sent a strange shiver down his spine. His heartbeat stuttered. Why? He didn't know.
He stepped forward slowly, his eyes fixed on her. "So… today's your birthday. Happy birthday, Senorita—or Baby Doll. Though I don't know your real name."
Amelia grinned. "Her name's Bella Harrison."
Bella finally stepped forward, her paint-smeared hand extended. "Hello. I'm Bella Harrison. And thank you."
Sebastian looked down at her hand. He hesitated for a second, then shook it. His grip was steady, but his gaze lingered on her eyes. "Sebastian Whitmore. You're welcome."
Bella smiled politely, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Whitmore."
Abby, Julian, and Amelia froze in shock. Bella had never been formal with anyone. Not them, not strangers. And now she was being icy, detached, with Sebastian.
He noticed it too. A corner of his mouth twitched, but he said nothing.
Navya stepped up with her hand extended. "I'm Navya. Bella and Abby's cousin."
"Nice to meet you," Sebastian replied, shaking her hand.
Alexander clapped his hands. "Alright, kids. Enough. Go wash up and rest. The party's tonight."
"Yes, boss!" they chorused before sprinting off again, laughing.
Sebastian watched, silent, almost disbelieving. His world was skyscrapers, meetings, silence, and order. Their world was paint fights, loud laughter, and chaos. For the first time, he realized just how different those worlds were.
"Sebastian," his father said gently, "they become children when they're together. It's been two years since they last met. Nothing has changed."
Richard smiled. "Their bond is strong. Because of them, we've all become family."
Sebastian nodded faintly. But inside, his thoughts twisted. So this is what Abby and Julian keep coming back for. This laughter. This freedom. A world I've never had.
Yonika touched his arm. "Go rest, Sebastian. Tonight, we celebrate Bella's birthday. Be ready at seven."
He nodded, following them inside. But as he walked, his mind wasn't on the party. It was on the sound of Bella's laugh still ringing in his ears.
And for the first time in a very long time, Sebastian Whitmore wondered if he had missed out on living.