She's My Sleeping Pill

Cayenne enjoyed every bit of her time whenever she visited the orphanages. This time, she brought out the triplets so they could have a change of scenery as well.

She knew that her children were smart and she wanted them, at the very young age, to know that their blessings should be shared.

The timid Zeki just looked around him, witnessing the joy on many children's faces when they received their early gift.

Jahzara on the other hand was not in the mood. She was crying in fear after seeing the "grim reaper" appear on stage.

Technically speaking, it wasn't Christmas yet but Cayenne was giving her early gift in the first week of November because her schedules were getting full and she may not have the time to visit the orphans.

So, in the end, she celebrated her birthday, halloween and christmas with the kids on the same day.

But this didn't mean she has nothing in store for them on Christmas Day. She also planned to give them a little bit of donation so they could celebrate Christmas on their own.

And since the celebration fell in November this year, there were kids and staff who chose to wear costumes.

And the one that stood out the most was the grim reaper who was busily scaring the kids.

Jahzara wailed.

"Alrighty. Don't be scared," Stefan whispered while holding his daughter in his arms - rubbing her back to calm her down only for his daughter to hug him even tighter. "I will fight the monster. Don't be scared. You go to your mom first. I will drive the monster away."

Cayenne took her daughter from her husband and watched him walk to the grim reaper.
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Stefan said something to the cosplayer and the latter nodded his head in agreement. He signaled his wife to let their daughter look at him and started with his act.

"Look at your Daddy. He is very strong," Cayenne whispered to her daughter whose eyes and nose were read from crying.

Stefan "punched" the monster. "Kicked him" and "knocked him" on the ground before the monster fled in fright.

In Jahzara's eyes, her father was the strongest man in the world. He even fought with the scary monster and drove it away.

In the years to come, with most of her early memories fading as she grew up, this scene would remain etched in Jahzara's mind. To her, nothing could beat her father.

But that's a story for later.

Jahzara finally stopped crying and she clapped her hands happily after Stefan succeeded in his quest. She instantly opened up her arms, waiting for her father to hold her.

"Clingy," Cayenne whispered as she gave her daughter a sounding smack on the cheeks before giving him back to Stefan.

As for Aziel, he had the most fun.

Kyle was holding him as they joined the other kids in their prepared games. His giggles could be heard from time to time as they ran around with the other children.

In fact, other family members wanted to take Zeki to play as well, but whenever they try to take him out of his stroller, he would loudly grunt and flail. Obviously, he didn't want to be taken out of his comfortable space.

So they gave up. In any case, he wasn't giving anyone a hard time.

"Thank you for always doing so much for the kids," said the orphanage director to Cayenne. "It warms my heart whenever I see their genuine smiles."

"This is nothing. I am merely returning the kindness that people showed me. This isn't just me giving things away. This is collected effort from so many people."

Hearing her response, the director smiled as she nodded her head.

If it was someone else, they would perfunctorily acknowledge her words, not really giving it much thought.

But Cayenne was different.

She didn't take credit for her actions alone. She always reminded herself that she wouldn't be able to do this without the people supporting her behind the scenes. She didn't forget to mention their effort as well.

***

It has been four days since Steve went missing.

The police forces were already notified and they had shared this information to other stations.

Since the missing victim was an internationally known actor, many people paid attention to his case and demanded the police to find him as soon as possible.

It was always expected to begin the search for clues from the victim's property but they police forces were unable to gather clues that would help them.

It turned out, Steve hadn't been to his home in Los Angeles.

The police decided to widen their search and include his recent work colleagues and staff, hoping that one of them knew something.

When the police was about to leave, Leve, Steve's younger brother followed them. He was gripping the hem of his shirt while looking back to the house, as if checking if someone was looking at them. He seemed wary.

"Do you need anything else?" asked the police officer when he noticed the boy's actions. "Don't worry, we'll find your brother."

"I know," Leve whispered and looked back again. "I... I have a property. My brother - "

"Leve!" His mother's loud voice startled and almost made him slip on the drive way. He was scared. "What are you doing there? Don't hinder the police officers from their work!"

"I was just thanking them," Leve responded with a faint smile.

"Don't thank them yet. They haven't found your brother," said the middle-aged woman who looked distraught and confused. She looked hesitant to say something but decided to stay silent anyway. "Get inside once you're done."

Leve nodded and shifted his attention to the police officer. He gave the man a firm handshake and whispered something that caused the latter to frown.

"Please help me look for my brother. I don't care if he has to quit as an actor. I just want him home."

The officer gave Leve a gentle pat on his shoulder and sighed. "We will do our best. Thank you for this."

While the world was busy looking for Steve, Athalie had finished her sketched of the Darian's property. She also told her parents that he needed to talk to Mhalik.

She knew that forming relationship with the Darian family was necessary for their stronghold, but she wanted to look for another way aside from her sacrificial marriage.

Unfortunately, her parents didn't agree to her request.

"I won't escape this time," Athalie stated and raised her hand to swear. "I just want to speak to him."

"No means no!" King George angrily yelled that he almost had a heart attack. "Stop being stubborn!"

Athalie didn't move. She still kneeled in front of her parents with her raised hand. "I swear to God, if I ever escape, I will be struck by lightning with my body and soul torn to pieces."

Everyone watched her in horror. It wasn't because they believed in this kind of swearing statement but because her words carried her honest resolve.

"Second brother can come along," Athalie added which made the second prince raised his eyebrow with a questioning gaze directed at her.

He had no idea what she was up to.

After a moment of silence, the King finally relented to Athalie's request, granted that the second prince would come along.

Athalie bowed her head in response, but a sinister smile had appeared on her lips, hidden from everyone's view.

No matter how weak a person is, when cornered he will fight back.

***

Stefan sat on his swivel chair. His grim expression scared his employees who came to give their report. It was their annual meeting before they make final adjustment to end the year.

"You may take your seat," Stefan said but his expression didn't change. "This year's profit has increased to 23%. Compared to last year's 18%, we've gained a lot this year. It is such a happy thing that is worth celebrating," he said and clapped his hands.

[You don't look happy at all.] Everyone thought while responding to him with a round of applause.

"We're looking forward to our bonuses, sir," said one of the employees which everyone echoed.

"Of course you should. You all did a great job this year. Let's keep it up," then Stefan turned to the marketing director. "I want you to check the strategies we used in the past three years and see which one gave us the most sales. I'll give you a week to do that."

"Yes, sir."

"I don't have anything else for now. Meeting adjourned," Stefan said and waved his hand to dismiss the employees.

As soon as they left, Tristan handed Stefan the laptop he was holding and pointed out to the red spots that he marked. "I'm waiting for your signal," said his handsome and loyal secretary.

"Not yet. She has not responded to me. If by tomorrow I still don't hear anything, you may proceed with the plan."

"Got it."

Stefan thought he had traced the source of his headache. The rumor online indeed involved Steve, but the story had a twist and that twist led him to a deeper conspiracy.

[Such a headache!] Stefan thought.

He could actually chose to just ignore it and wait for the truth to surface but since they tarnished Cayenne's name, it was only right for him to return the favor.

A tooth for a tooth.