She's My Sleeping Pill

"Hey! What's the update?!"

"Bring justice to Steve!"

"Arrest the criminals! Don't let money overpower the law!"

"Justice!"

"Justice!"

The L.A police officers didn't expect that people would start a rally for justice in front of the station. It only proved how known and well-loved the actor was.

And that meant, they couldn't just shrug this off like any other cases.

Millions of people are paying attention to the man's case.

Since they were living on the opposite side of the globe, it was already evening in A City and most people were having their dinner.

It wasn't any different at the Dumrique household.

Cayenne was reading the news online and she couldn't help but sigh when reporters mentioned her name along with Stefan - accusing them as culprits.

This case affected Stefan's business but not enough to topple over his empire.

Stefan naturally knew of the situation and had already instructed his lawyer to deal with the situation. They still refused to give their statement for now.

"I didn't expect that the rumor would come to this," Cayenne told Stefan before tossing her phone to the side and continued eating. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. Sooner or later, everyone will eventually know the truth."

"Aren't you pissed off?" Sabrina asked while taking out the dessert that she made before the couple came home. She may be the guest and there were helpers, but she didn't like to stay idle and she liked to show off her cooking and baking skills against the household chef.

"Of course, I am," Cayenne answered which didn't really show on her face. "I just don't entertain the idea anymore. Instead of wasting my time on these idiots, I'd rather do something productive. Besides, I've got a lot of pending projects that needs to be done before December."

"Speaking of, the two of you will collaborate on a live stream tomorrow, right?" Stefan questioned while feeding Zeki next to him.

The other two kids were already sleeping soundly in their room but Zeki had a late dinner since he just woke up from his nap when his parents came home.

"Actually, it's a cook off battle against Kyle and Luiz," Cayenne answered with a wide grin on her face. "If it's me alone, people will just watch to spout nonsense on my live. And since many of my viewers wanted to watch Luiz and Kyle, then, why not?"
Stay connected via m-v l|e'm,p| y- r

"Your wife really knows how to exploit her resources," Sabrina commented with faint laughter in her voice.

As per work schedule, Luiz posted on his social media account that he will be appearing on his sister's live stream the next day.

His fans immediately left their excited comments and how much they looked forward to watch him.

Kyle didn't neglect his assignment either. He posted about the cook off battle against his sister.

Many reacted with hearts and kisses on their posts, but an equal number of insults were hurled at them as well.

Then again, whose brothers were they?  Who raised them? In the end, they were strong like Cayenne and they ignored the bashing.

***

"Wow! My brothers look stunning!" Cayenne exclaimed when her brothers came out of their room in a chef uniform. "I'm bothered with my outfit now."

"Jeez! Stop with the compliment!" Luiz retorted with a bashful expression. He always felt shy when people compliment him right on his face, family members weren't even an exception. "My followers wanted to see me on a chef outfit. I'm just giving in to them."

"But why am I included?" Kyle expressed while looking at himself on the body length mirror. "I don't model for anyone but my girlfriend."

"Aish!" Luiz kicked his brother's leg in annoyance. "Show off."

Kath, who came to visit them and watch the cooking battle, blushed upon hearing her boyfriend's words. She knew that Kyle gave up the modeling opportunity for her, and she felt a little sad for him. However, he always assured her that he made the right decision for the security of their relationship.

Who wouldn't be touched when someon's willing to sacrifice a huge break for your happiness?

As the siblings continued to mess around, everyone just laughed at their banter while busying themselves with their tasks.

On the other hand, Stefan received a good news when he woke up. He leisurely went to the bathroom and took a shower, changed his clothes for work and went downstairs to find his wife.

"Good morning," he greeted his wife and got his morning kiss. "Where are the kids?"

"Playing with the dogs," Cayenne answered without looking at him.

They all watched him with a side eye and saw him took a deep breath before shrugging off his shoulders.

The clean freak was having a headache. "When was the last time that we scheduled the dogs for grooming?" Stefan finally asked.

"Yesterday."

"And the rabies shot?"

"Last month."

"O-okay." Stefan replied but still looked worried for his children. "I'll go and take a look at them."

As soon as he left, Cayenne laughed so hard. "Did you see his face? He's always like that whenever the kids play with the animals."

"But he seemed to be in a good mood. Otherwise, he would have asked the nannies to bring the kids inside and clean them," Kyle said.

"I think the investigation of Steve's case is almost over," Cayenne said in retort.

Apart from the rumor, she couldn't remember anything else that her husband had paid attention to.

And she was right.

***

Athalie and her brother arrived at the Darian's home. The head of the family, Augustine Darian, welcomed them happily to his home even though he knew what the siblings came for.

"Where's Mhalik?" Athalie asked immediately as they walked to the receiving area for the guests. All the while remembering the changes of the mansion.

If there's something that Athalie is most proud of, it was her photographic memory.

"Mhalik is rushing home when I told him that you are visiting," Augustine answered with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Nothing matters to him but his self interests. He could sacrifice his children's happiness to establish a firm foothold to rule the world.

"It's been a while that I've visited your home. It's more beautiful than the last time I've been here," Athalie said, trying her best to sound enthusiastic while looking around. "When did you have this large koi pond?"

"Oh, this? Mhalik had this built two years ago, saying that you would surely love this place."

Athalie's brother didn't say anything while listening to the conversation. He knew the truth and he also knew that the truth won't matter to his sister.

"Let's go over there. I'll give you a tour," Augustine offered.

[This is what I've been waiting for.] Athalie thought and gladly accepted the invitation.

Augustine was showing Athalie around when his daughter arrived. "Why are you home early?" Augustine questioned with obvious dislike on his face. "It's not time to leave the company yet."

"I heard that Princess Athalie is coming over with the second prince. I thought I should show up to pay respect as her future sister-in-law."

Augustine smirked. "In that case, I will leave the princess in your hand. I will have to personally instruct the servants of their tasks, lest you would make mistakes."

"I humbly accept the task father."

Seeing their interaction, Athalie didn't show any change in expression. She already knew that Cleo and Augustine didn't have a good relationship.

The moment that Augustine left, Cleo's humble expression changed. "He's not here."

"Ha?"

Both Athalie and the second prince looked confused.

"I know exactly what you two want. Your boyfriend is not here anymore," she said before leading them to walk away as if they were continuing their tour. "I took him out and sent him to the hospital. I'll give you the hospital address and the name of the attending doctor. He's my trusted subordinate."

"Wait!" Athalie held Cleo's hand but the latter signaled her to let go. "How did you know about all these?"

"Stop asking question. Just be grateful that I'm helping you. Pretend that we're touring the place."

"Then, what will happen to you if he finds out?" Athalie asked in worry. She didn't really know what kind of person Cleo is, and she didn't want to know either. However, she knee exactly what kind of person Mhalik was, and that was the reason why she was worried for the woman in front of her. "He will kill you," Athalie blurted out.

"He can't. I have - "

"Athalie! Love, did you finally miss me?"

All three people looked back and saw the smug expression of the man that they hated the most.

Athalie had a grim expression on her face but when her brother pinched her arm, she quickly wiped it off her face and changed to helplessness.

"I came to talk about the engagement. I have someone - "

"Oh c'mon. Didn't he leave you when you confessed to the world?"

Athalie clenched her fists while counting sheep in her mind to calm herself. She's already in his lair. Even if Cleo said that she's helping, there's no guarantee that Mhalik would let her go this time.

[I've done what Stefan Dumrique wanted. Whatever is the outcome after this, I'm not part of it. And that woman! How dare she implicate us in her scheme! I almost lost half of the things I worked so hard for! Damn her!]