"No need, A-Alpheus. It's really okay..." I said, avoiding his gaze out of embarrassment.
"My house is just a short walk from here, and even though our neighborhood looks like this, it's actually pretty safe. So there's no need for you to walk me all the way to my doorstep."
"No, I insist," he said firmly. "I've made it my responsibility to see you home safely—all the way to your door."
He was clearly determined, so I didn't argue any further. I simply turned and started walking, feeling a little awkward as I glanced over my shoulder to silently signal him to follow.
"Uhm... just a heads-up," I added hesitantly as we entered the narrow alleyways. "It's a bit messy around here, and the path has a lot of twists and turns… I hope you'll remember how to get back."
"Don't worry," he said with a light chuckle. "I'm not picky. And besides, I have a pretty good sense of direction."
With that, we continued walking quietly side by side. It didn't take long—just about three minutes—before we reached the front of my house. I slowed down and turned to him, letting him know that we'd arrived.
"We're here, Alpheus. Thank you so much for walking me home." I said politely, though there was a subtle hint that I didn't want him staying any longer than necessary.
"Yeah… nice house" he said, glancing around at my worn-down home. His voice was neutral, but I could tell he was trying not to sound judgmental.
"Anyway, I won't keep you any longer. It was nice meeting you today—and I'm glad I could make sure you got home safely."
He offered me a small smile before turning away and starting to walk back down the path.
Just before disappearing around the corner, he looked back and gave me a quick wave. I smiled and waved back, trying to keep it light and casual.
As soon as he was out of sight, I let out a long breath of relief.
Thank goodness the kids weren't home. They were staying at our neighbor's house—the one we'd passed a while ago.
I didn't even want to imagine what might've happened if he had seen them. The kids, who, at just one glance, made it painfully obvious who their father was—especially if you knew him.
But just as Alpheus was about to turn the final corner, a cheerful little voice rang out, loud and clear from the direction he was walking.
"Mommy!! I knew it was you coming!"
The small, excited voice pierced through the quiet evening—stopping both me and Alpheus in our tracks.
"Mommy! You're home early today!" came the excited voice of Egypt, her eyes lighting up as she ran toward me.
"Good thing I woke up right away—I didn't want to miss you coming home, hehe!" she added with a giggle, wrapping her tiny arms around my leg in a tight hug.
I swallowed hard, unable to meet the eyes of the man who had just walked me home. But I could feel Alpheus's gaze—confused and lingering—as if he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.
"Mommy, you're here" came another small voice—this time from Paris.
She paused right in front of Alpheus, meeting his eyes with a furrowed brow. Alpheus looked frozen in place.
Paris glanced at me, as if silently asking who he was, before finally walking over. She raised both her arms, wordlessly asking to be carried.
I gently picked Paris up, noticing how drowsy she still was—her little head resting against my shoulder almost immediately.
"Oh, Sylvia—you're back!" said our neighbor Tess as she stepped out of her house with a smile. "I was wondering who had arrived. The kids rushed out of my place the moment they heard something at your door—even though they were still rubbing sleep from their eyes."
"Thank you so much, Tess," I said gratefully, trying to steady my voice. "I didn't expect to come home this early, but something unexpected happened at the bar… Sorry for the trouble. I'll take care of them from here."
I adjusted Paris in my arms while gently patting Egypt's head—all the while painfully aware that Alpheus was still standing there… silent, watching.
"No! Of course not. Those two aren't a bother at all—they're both very well-behaved. And besides, they're my daughter's closest friends." Tess said warmly.
"Thank you again" I replied simply, offering a small smile.
Tess smiled back and was about to turn away when she finally noticed the man still standing not far from our front door—right across from her own house.
She glanced at me curiously, then back at Alpheus. I gave her a reassuring smile, silently letting her know that I knew him.
That seemed to be enough. She didn't pry further, just nodded in understanding before quietly retreating into her home.
"Uhm… Mommy, who is he?"
Egypt asked, her curiosity getting the better of her now that she'd noticed the man still standing quietly a few steps away, his confused gaze shifting between me and the kids.
I gently patted her head, trying to stay calm. "He's just someone kind who walked me home. But don't worry—he's leaving soon."
Even as I said it, I couldn't bring myself to meet Alpheus's eyes. I knew—without a doubt—what must be running through his mind right now. And I wasn't ready to face it.
"Then… if he's the one who brought you home, why didn't you invite him inside our house first?" Egypt asked innocently. "Isn't that what you're supposed to do when someone nice helps you? You let them come in and talk for a bit, right?"
Her question caught me completely off guard. I blinked, momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond to something so simple—yet so awkward—given the situation.
"Hehe… I'm really smart, right, Mommy?" Egypt added proudly with a giggle. "That's what our teacher told us at school—we should always make sure visitors don't feel uncomfortable!"
I felt my cheeks warm, a mix of embarrassment and helplessness washing over me. I couldn't help but silently wish Egypt wasn't this attentive in class—or at least not so eager to apply everything she learned, especially at a time like this.
"Haha… you're right, baby. My smart little girl, huh? H-haha..." I said with an awkward laugh, giving her chubby cheek a gentle but firm pinch.
She really had a knack for putting us in the most uncomfortable situations without even trying.
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Paris—still nestled in my arms—blinking drowsily. But instead of drifting back to sleep, she stared seriously at Alpheus.
"What's your name, mister?" she asked directly, her small voice clear and calm.
I saw Alpheus flinch slightly, clearly taken aback—especially when Paris met his eyes so intently, despite the sleepiness still clouding hers.