* * *
Daniel, Laotian, and the kids all went all from the 18th floor to the 12th floor where the bar and one of the restaurants are and as soon as they stepped inside the massive hall, all eyes were immediately directed to them as always whenever they're in a public place. One more reason that the hotel guests couldn't remove their eyes on the couple was the kids who were with the couple. Aside from Mo Luangmin, no one knew who the two babies were. Of course, the public knew that Daniel Sullen Mo gave birth to twins more than three months ago but no one had seen the twins or proved that they actually exist. The only reason they believed such news was because Mo Laotian himself confirmed it but never revealed any pictures. It was just a simple statement that he was on leave for a month because his wife recently gave birth to twins and he cannot leave him alone during his recovery.
The twins' names, genders, and appearances were never mentioned; that was why it was still unknown. The Mo family kept it hidden so well that entertainment industries were giving a high price to whoever would be able to take the twins' photos as if they were royalty. It was the same case with Luangmin before but of course, Daniel and Laotian couldn't hide their children's identities forever if they wanted the kids to live normally without fearing whether their photos would be taken or not.
"Sirs, please this way to your table," One of the restaurant employees approached them before extending tending his hand to point at a location. They already knew that the family had been at the hotel since last night so they took precautions and prepared everything that might be necessary for the couple without being asked. Empire Hotel is a place that the couple frequented so the employees were no longer surprised, however, for guests, it'll take a lot of luck to be able to get a glimpse of the most envied couple in the country. Although their faces weren't well-known in the public since the publications are kept at bay, not one person old enough to read should not know their names.
"Thank you," Daniel chirped, smiling at the employee. He was still smiling, holding onto Luangmin's hand as they walked to their table until there was a sudden call from a mature and beautiful woman approaching them.
"Ah! Lao Lao! Oh my, is that really you!?" The woman said and excitedly looked in Laotian's direction. Daniel was watching the woman as his smiles quickly faded repeating the word "Lao Lao" in his head like a broken cassette tape. He didn't know what to feel as he continued to watch the woman walk towards them with a bright animated smile.
"Nicole..." Laotian voiced. It was the only thing he could utter at the moment, feeling the intense glare from his wife's direction. Suddenly, he felt pressured when clearly there was nothing he did wrong. Although it had been a long time, Nicole has been the only woman he has been sleeping with since he was in college. They weren't in a relationship but a lot of people believed they were and even believed they were going to end up together before suddenly she announced that she was going to marry someone from China and left.
That was 5 years before he met Daniel and this is the first time in a long time since then. More than 7 years had passed and he had no reason to feel guilty but seeing Nicole now made him feel like he was doing something indecent.
"Oh my God! I heard but I never thought you'd really settle down. Gosh, please introduce me to your wife," the woman—Nicole—chuckled before she glanced at Daniel with curious eyes. Her eyes sparkled with interest, seeing the red and purple mark on the Omega's neck which she never got from the Alpha before. Because of her stare, Daniel slightly hid against Laotian, not sure why the woman was looking at him so intently but he didn't like it one bit which he quickly conveyed by directing his stare at his husband.
In the end, Laotian sighed, sweating buckets. He didn't know why but Daniel's eyes were burning through his body. Although he liked it when his little wife was jealous, this case was different. The way Daniel was staring at him felt like he was doubting him.
'Why does this woman have to call me with that ridiculous nickname again!' Laotian thought, already feeling a headache creeping inside his head.
"Honey, this is Nicole... a friend from my college days. Nicole, this is my beloved wife, Daniel, and our children," Laotian introduced, and just from that, it felt like he spent 10 years of his life. He had nothing to hide but it felt like there was.
"Hi Daniel, wow... you're so gorgeous and so are your kids. I'm so jealous. Lao Lao swore he didn't plan to marry but here he is, if I knew I would have snatched him before you did, hehe," Nicole grabbed Daniel's hand and later joked as she laughed.
"Quit giving reasons for my wife to misunderstand, Nicole. Why are you here?? And can you please stop calling me with that ridiculous name again?" Laotian said in frustration. If he knew this was going to happen. He should have just told Daniel to eat in their room.
"Ahw, you're not fun as always, Lao Lao. Anyway, I'm here to celebrate my divorce, I'm staying here for the time being while the documents are being processed," Nicole replied, and instead of a depressed expression considering that she was talking about divorce, she was smiling as if her situation was a good thing. Meanwhile, continuing not to like the woman, Daniel faked a smile and grabbed his husband's arm slightly pulling the Alpha towards him.
"Honey, I'm hungry... Should we invite Ms. Nicole with us to our table?" Daniel suggested sweetly but for whatever reason, Laotian felt like his wife's words were the opposite of what he really wanted to happen, putting him in a sudden dilemma even though it was clear that there was no need for him to choose. Because of course, Laotian would always choose Daniel and no one else.
"I don't want to be rude because I honor our friendship but I'd like my wife to have a peaceful meal so I cannot invite you to our table," Laotian said with a serious expression, indicating that he had no room for the woman at their table. This wasn't just because this was what he felt like Daniel wanted him to say but also because he also didn't want to talk to the woman and cause a terrible misunderstanding. Furthermore, he already has three kids ruining his time with his wife, he wouldn't want someone to add up.
"H-Honey, what are you talking about? I'm fine!" Daniel insisted. However, couldn't hide the relief in his expression after hearing his husband's words. Nicole of course noticed but she only smiled pretending she didn't but that doesn't mean she would stop teasing.
"Oh no, it's fine Daniel. Anyway, you're as cold as ever, Lao Lao, but you're still as cute as before. Don't worry, I'm not planning anything on staying for too long, I also have some prior appointments to attend and I don't want your little wife becoming jealous of me. After all, it was all in the past... but it's really nice seeing you again after such a long time and of course your cute family. I truly never expected it…" Nicole said laughing at first before she winked at the Alpha and smiled at Daniel. Nicole is a dominant Female Alpha and her personality was quite strong but despite that, Laotian got along with her that was why the two of them lasted long. However, although he got along with the female Alpha, there are still things that Laotian didn't like about her and that was her tendency to tease people around her.
"Anyhow, I have to go now... Nice meeting you, Daniel. I'd like to stay and talk more but I'm sure we'll see each other again sometime… Ciao~" Nicole said before finally leaving the two alone waving her hand. Seeing the woman leave the vicinity, Daniel and Laotian, at last, decided to settle on their table. Laotian expected that was the last of him being under pressure but noticing that his wife wasn't talking at all, Laotian immediately got worried.
"Honey, are you mad?" Laotian's asked, reaching for his wife's hand. Thankfully, Daniel didn't avoid his hand but he still wasn't talking at all. And it's not like the Omega didn't hear what he said because he's clearly pretending not to by focusing his attention on their children.
"Are you jealous? Please don't. You know you're the only one I love. I never loved her and she was the same as me. She was just someone I got along with very well but we were over long before I met you. It has been years since I last saw her," Laotian suddenly started explaining gently, rubbing the top of his wife's hand. Fortunately, this time, Daniel finally decided to face him with a cold unimpressed expression before he pulled his hand away catching Laotian off guard. This was the second time his wife had treated him this way, the first time was more than 6 months ago when he revealed his other identity, and now this. He was not aware at all that this was the kind of person his wife would become if he was truly jealous.
'I better be careful from now on. That woman really did something uncalled for,'Laotian reminded himself, his Adam's apple moving up and down as he took a huge gulp.
"I'm not jealous at all, 'Lao Lao.' Why would I be? Hmm? 'Lao Lao'. You're mine now right, 'Lao Lao,'" Daniel replied with one eyebrow raised, emphasizing and repeating the woman's earlier call towards his husband.
Clearly, he could never let it go. He doesn't even have that kind of nickname with his husband and now some ex coming back was still calling him like that. How could he not be jealous at all?! That woman was part of Laotian's life for a long time—Since college days!—while he was just this someone who the Alpha just met one day and married because they're having a baby together. Although they love each other now so much. Daniel couldn't help becoming so jealous of the fun memories they could have had if they met way sooner and been together alone longer.
Meanwhile, Laotian hearing Daniel's reply, his mouth dropped open. He was flabbergasted and didn't know what to do. He wasn't even sure what to say at this point because, in the first place, he didn't do anything wrong. But alas, he needed to appease his wife before it got way out of hand.
"Honey, that nickname was something that woman started calling me on her own just to make fun of me. Yes, we've been together for a long time but there is no special meaning behind it and I never agreed to that name. Nicole is a woman filled with mischievous ideas and she probably thought it would be fun to tease me by calling me that ridiculous name. Please, don't be mad at me. You're the person I love the most in the world and you're the mother of my children. I would never ever exchange you with anyone in this world," Laotian conveyed softly, this time on one of his knees on the ground kneeling in front of his wife as he held his hand against his lips and cheeks. He didn't care if people were watching him, the most important thing to him at the moment was his wife, not his pride as an Alpha.
Thankfully, it seemed to have worked as Daniel began to soften his eyes and in panic pulled him up looking around in embarrassment. Of course, Laotian didn't budge at all and continued to kneel.
"L-Laotian… t-that is enough! Get up now, please~" Daniel said, desperately pulling his husband up. He's really upset but he didn't think Laotian would just suddenly kneel in front of him. It was so embarrassing that he's starting to become dizzy.
"I won't unless you forgive me," Laotian firmly said.
"I-I have nothing to forgive~ Please get up… you did nothing wrong~"
"Still, forgive me for making you feel so upset today," Laotian continued to insist, making Daniel even dizzier. He could no longer take it so in the end, he gave in chewing on his lower lip.
"F-Fine! I forgive you, j-just quickly get up now!" Daniel slightly yelled. Meanwhile, Laotian smiled, finally standing up to sit next to his wife but of course, not before kissing him so passionately despite his eldest son's complaint. He could hear the little child yelling not to kiss his mommy but Laotian could care less at this point. That almost opened a door that should not be opened… ever.
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To be Continued…
