bChapter /bb261 /b

    Adam had hoped his parents would talk and perhaps even grow a bit closer, but to his disappointment, they ignored each bother /bband /bwent straight to sleep. Bored after watching cartoons for a while, Adam snuggled into Skr’s arms and fell asleep. When he woke up bagain/bb, /bhe found himself already nestled in Yosef’s arms.

    “Daddy,” Adam murmured sleepily as he rubbed his eyes. “Did you book the hotel?”

    “Yes, it’s booked,” Yosef replied.

    Adam looked at Skr, noticed she was fast asleep, then leaned closer and whispered, “What type of room did you book?”

    “Two king rooms,” replied Yosef.

    “Daddy, you’re so dumb,” Adamined.

    Caught off guard by Adam’sint, Yosef raised an eyebrow and asked, “What’s wrong now?”

    Adamined, “Seriously, Daddy? How can you be so clueless?”

    Yosef yfully tapped Adam’s chin and said, “Alright then, if not a king room, what should I have booked instead?”

    Adam took another look at Skr to confirm she was still asleep. Leaning closer, he whispered, “This is how it’s done.” With a sigh bof /bfrustration, Adam said, “Honestly, Daddy, I really can’t understand how you ever managed to make Mommy fall for you.”

    ‘Gosh, Mommy must have had such a hard time falling for someone as clueless as you, Daddy,’ Adam mused.

    Yosef yfully flicked Adam’s forehead and teased, “Do you think I’m that useless now?”

    Adam sulked and murmured, “Well, it is true.”

    Yosef chuckled and remarked, “Adults know better than to argue with clever little smart alecks.”

    “Come on, Daddy, you just got outsmarted by a kid!” Adam said firmly.

    Yosef yfully pinched Adam’s mouth and teased, “Alright, you caught me. That sharp tongue of yours never gives an inch–just like your

    mommy.”

    Skr woke up by their whispers. She then remarked, “Never give an inch? Mr. Campbell, you hit the nail on the head.”

    Yosef stumbled over his words, caught in the act. ‘Oh no… Did Mommy hear that?‘ Adam panicked inwardly.

    “Mommy, Daddy, and I have already booked the hotel,” Adam said.

    “Okay, as long as it’s booked,” Skr replied.

    ‘Phewb, /bit seems Mommy didn’t hear anything,’ Adam thought, finally releasing the breath he’d been holding.

    As soon as the ne touched downb, /bSkr took Adam and went directly bto /bthe hotelb. /bb“/bMa’amb, /bhere is your biroom /i/bkeyb,/bb” /bbsaid /bbthe /bbreceptionist /bbas /b

    bshe /bset bit /bon the counter.

    “Wait, that can’t be right… Skr murmured, flipping the card sleeve in her hands repeatedly bas /bbshe /bbtried /bbto /bbmake /bbsense /bbof /bbthe /bbsituation/bb. /bbWith /bba /bfrown of confusion, she thought, Wait, just one key? bDidn’t /bwe book btwo /bbrooms/bb?/b‘

    The breceptionist /bsaid, “bYes/bb, /bbthere’s /bbonly /bone room leftb.” /b

    b19:41 /bWedb, /bb6 Aug /b

    Skr felt bdoubtful /bband /bbfrowned/b, thinking, ‘How could a hotel of this size possibly have bonly /bone room left?

    b“/bbYou’re /bnot reserving a room for someone and just telling us that there are none avable, are you?” Skr asked.

    The receptionist promptly rejected the request, stating, “Absolutely not! It’s likely because a famous singer is performing in town right now. leading to nearly all bthe /bhotels being fully booked.”

    Skr pressed her lips together. “Are there any other good hotels you could rmend in the areab?/bb” /b

    “I apologize, ma’am, but everything nearby ispletely sold out,” said the receptionist.

    Adam stifled a yawn and said, “Mommy, I’m so sleepy…”

    With no rooms avable and Adam yawning sleepily, Skr had no choice but to ept the situation. She took the key card bfrom /bbthe /bbcounter /band managed a resigned, “Thank you.”

    After Skr left, Yosef gave his credit card to the receptionist and said, “Please take care of the bill for now. If we need to extend our stayb, /bI’ll handle itter.”

    “Thank you, sir,” the receptionist grinned from ear to ear. ‘That’s the biggest booking we’ve had all year!‘ she thought, her eyes wide with excitement. ‘He’s handsome, wealthy, and treats his wife like a queen–he’s theplete package!‘

    Skr rolled her suitcase into the elevator. Just as the doors were closing, Yosef slipped inside, cradling Adam in his arms. Skr stated firmly, “Tonight, you’re sleeping on the couch. Adam and I are taking the bed.” Even before nightfall, Skr was already nning bwhere /beveryone would sleep that evening.

    Yosef smirked. “Sure.” He figured that simply being in the same space was progress enough.

    bAD/b