CHAPTER 25: OUR KIDS

Sylvia’s POV

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"Huh? T-they’re not their f-father?" Amie asked in surprise, her brows furrowing in confusion. "I thought..."

"N-no! He’s not their father! Their father is already—"

"Then I’ll be leaving our kids in your care, Teacher," Alpheus suddenly cut in with a light chuckle. "Please look after them—they can be quite a handful sometimes."

I blinked, stunned.

Our kids?

What in the world is he saying? Is he seriously trying to tease me right now? In front of Amie, of all people?

"Oh, don’t worry!" Amie laughed. "Egypt may be a little ball of energy, but she’s always respectful to her elders."

Then she threw me a knowing glance, as if saying, Are you seriously still denying you’re together with this man?

I opened my mouth to correct her again, but before I could say anything, she smiled mischievously.

"Well, Ms. Sylvia and Mr...?" she trailed off, looking at Alpheus.

"It’s Alpheus, Teacher." he replied casually.

"Uh, Mr. Alpheus... I’d better head inside. Class is about to start. And don’t worry—I won’t spill your little secret." She gave me a wink before turning to walk into the classroom.

I could feel my cheeks heat up with embarrassment. Great. Just great.

Amie wasn’t just the twins’ sweet and patient teacher—she was practically family. Even before she started teaching, we’d known each other for years.

She’d been with me through some of the hardest times, and I trusted her more than most people. That’s why I asked her to be one of the twins’ godmothers.

However, Amie couldn’t afford to show favoritism toward the twins, no matter how close she was to them. She always kept things professional in the classroom, treating all her students fairly—that’s why she treats me differently when we’re at school.

But now? Now she was clearly enjoying this little misunderstanding far too much.

And Alpheus? He didn’t even seem the least bit bothered.

I shot Alpheus a glare for all the nonsense he blurted out earlier in front of Amie.

"W-what? H-haha... Why are you looking at me like that?" he said innocently, avoiding my gaze like he hadn’t done anything wrong.

"Why did you say something so ridiculous in front of Amie? She might actually believe you’re the twins’ father! She’s quick to believe things like that!" I said with a frown.

’Then it’s better that way’

"Huh? What was that?" I asked, not quite catching what he said. He just laughed when he saw me scowling at him.

"Haha, nothing... I said she’s cool." Alpheus said as we walked out of the school gate.

"Who?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at the sudden shift in topic.

"The twins’ teacher" he replied casually.

"Oh, Amie. Yeah... That’s just how she is," I said with a soft chuckle. "And by the way, she’s also their godmother."

"Really?" he said, clearly surprised.

"Yup. She’s super sweet and proper when she’s in the classroom, but when she’s outside of school? She turns into a completely different person—kind of crazy, honestly." I said, laughing at the thought of her off-duty personality.

"Haha, that explains a lot. No wonder she gave me that long, curious look before walking into class. She was probably trying to figure out if I really was the twins’ dad." Alpheus said with a grin.

I couldn’t help but laugh along with him. Knowing Amie, she was probably already counting down the hours until pickup time—just so she could corner me with a hundred questions. All in the name of friendly gossip, of course.

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Third Person POV

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Humm... Humm...

Alpheus couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he walked toward his office, humming to himself.

That was exactly the scene Alfonso saw as he approached the office building, still sluggish from a hangover after a night of drinking. He was planning to drop by Alpheus’ office to lay low for a while and avoid doing any real work that morning.

"Yow, bro! What’s up?" Alfonso greeted with a lazy grin. "You seem to be in a good mood today—and you’re late, too. What’s the occasion?"

"Haha, is it that obvious?" Alpheus replied with a chuckle.

"Yeah, totally," Alfonso said with a shrug. "Anyway, I’m not in the mood to work right now, so I’m gonna chill in your office for a bit."

"Does my office look like a break room to you? You guys keep turning it into your personal lounge whenever you don’t feel like working."

"Come on, man. You’re used to it by now, right?" Alfonso said shamelessly, already walking ahead and opening the door to Alpheus’ office. "I might be the first one today, but I know the others won’t be far behind, haha."

As the two of them stepped inside, they found Alpheus’ secretary already there, sorting through a stack of documents. She looked up the moment she saw them and quickly set the papers aside.

"Good morning, Sir Alpheus. And a pleasant day to you as well, Sir Alfonso."

Alpheus’ secretary, Gracia, greeted politely with a slight bow of her head.

"Morning.." Alpheus replied briefly, still humming under his breath.

"You’re even lovelier than the morning, Ms. Gracia." Alfonso said with a wide grin, flashing his usual flirtatious charm.

But Gracia didn’t even spare him a glance. Instead, she calmly returned to sorting the stack of documents she had been working on earlier.

"Haha, still as cold as ever, huh?" Alfonso teased. "I can’t help but think you’re starting to pick up your boss’s personality too."

Gracia continued ignoring him, and Alpheus chuckled at their usual banter.

"Leave her alone," Alpheus said with a smirk. "Don’t go ruining my good morning this early."

"Oh?" Alfonso perked up, eyes narrowing playfully. "You’re in a good mood? What’s new?"

"Secret." Alpheus replied with a sly grin.

Alfonso narrowed his eyes in suspicion but said nothing more. Still, the grin on his friend’s face had him itching to know the story behind it.

Meanwhile, Alpheus couldn’t help but think back to the adorable twins. They might look alike, but their personalities couldn’t be more different—and somehow, that thought alone made his morning feel even brighter.

"Hold up—there’s something different about that smile," Alfonso said with a mischievous grin. "Don’t tell me you scored last night, huh? Who’s the lucky girl? Come on, spill it! You’re absolutely glowing today. Hahaha!"

Alpheus shot him a sharp glare. No matter the situation, Alfonso always found a way to say something crass.

"Chill! Man, can’t you take a joke?" Alfonso quickly backpedaled, raising his hands in defense after seeing the deadly look Alpheus gave him.

A moment later, Alfonso’s earlier prediction came true. Without even knocking, the door swung open—and in walked Dave and Calyx, side by side.

"Yow! What’s up, man? I missed you guys so bad!" Calyx’s voice boomed through the office the moment he stepped inside.

Alpheus sighed, rubbing his temples as the headache of realization hit him.

Of course, he thought grimly. How could I forget? This always happens.

Every time they went out drinking and ended up completely wasted, the morning after would follow the same pattern—they’d all flock to his office like it was their personal crash pad, lounging around as if they owned the place.