"I'm Alpheus Monteverde." he answered with a friendly smile.
But Paris just looked at him as if she were assessing his entire face, then shook her head slowly—almost like she was disappointed. She quickly looked away and turned to me instead.
"Mommy… I'm sleepy. Let's go inside now." she murmured before pressing her face into my chest.
I kissed her forehead gently and gave Alpheus a small nod—just enough to let him know we were heading in. I could tell he still had questions in his eyes, but I wasn't ready to face them yet.
Just as I was about to step inside, I forgot one important thing: I had a daughter named Egypt.
Before I could even take another step, Egypt tugged at the hem of my shirt, stopping me in my tracks.
"Mommy! You're being so rude to our guest!" she scolded with an exaggerated pout. "You're not even letting him come inside!"
She was clearly upset that I had ignored her earlier suggestion.
"But baby, it's already late," I said, trying to keep my voice calm. "Al-Alpheus probably needs to rest too."
I didn't dare meet his eyes—I could already feel his gaze on us. What I didn't realize was that he had stepped closer while we were talking.
"Ah, no—it's fine, actually," Alpheus cut in, trying to sound casual. "I'm kind of sleepy myself, and I need something to help me stay awake before I drive back. Uh… would it be alright if I asked for a cup of coffee?"
His voice was polite, almost too polite—like he knew he was pushing it. I slowly turned to face him, unable to stop the glare I shot his way.
He winced at my reaction, then shifted his gaze toward Egypt—his expression almost pleading now, as if silently asking her to help him out.
"You need coffee, Mr. Alpheus? Don't worry—I know how to make one! Come inside, I'll prepare a cup for you!" Egypt chirped enthusiastically from beside me.
Before I could even react, she was already tugging at Alpheus's arm, dragging him toward the house. I didn't even get the chance to stop her.
I sighed and lightly smacked my forehead in disbelief. Of course. Leave it to Egypt to ignore all social tension and treat a near-stranger like a long-time friend.
Paris, still cradled in my arms, looked up at me with a quiet, unreadable expression. I smiled down at her gently and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
When I finally stepped into the house, I saw Alpheus already seated on our modest little couch, his posture relaxed but his eyes slowly scanning the room, taking in every corner and detail of the space.
"Uhmm… nice house." he said awkwardly.
I narrowed my eyes at him in response, not bothering to hide the skepticism on my face. I knew our place wasn't anything special—not compared to whatever fancy, spotless home he probably came from. To me, it felt like he was just saying it to be polite.
Whatever lingering sense of respect or hesitation I'd felt toward him earlier was quickly fading. I could see it in the way he looked at me—that there were countless thoughts racing through his mind. And deep down, I knew that was probably the only reason he hadn't left yet.
"Just ask whatever it is you want to ask so you can leave already." I said flatly, without showing any emotion.
Alpheus blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"Uhm… wait. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he said, raising his hands slightly as if to calm the air. "It's just that… I was hoping for some kind of confirmation. But now, looking at them"—his eyes flicked to Egypt, who was busy preparing coffee, then to Paris, who had already slid down from my arms and was now quietly standing by my side—"I think I already know the answers, even without asking."
"Then you can go now." I replied coldly.
He let out a short, awkward chuckle. "You really don't pull any punches, huh?" he muttered, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
I shot him a sharp glare, but it only seemed to amuse him more. He was enjoying this—my irritation, my guardedness.
"Mommy! That's not very nice of you to our guest!"
Egypt's high-pitched voice cut in, her arms now firmly planted on her hips.
"He hasn't even tasted the coffee I made for him yet, and you're already kicking him out!"
Alpheus let out a soft laugh at her scolding.
Oh, this child of mine.
'You're in so much trouble once he leaves' I thought to myself, silently fuming at my daughter and her knack for meddling in things she still didn't understand.
"Mr. Alpheus, just ignore my mommy," Egypt said, hands on her hips. "If she doesn't want to accept you as our guest, then I will! You're my guest now!"
What the—
This child, seriously...
"Egypt! That's not how you talk to our guest!" I scolded, my tone firm as I tried to rein her in. But she stood her ground, still arguing.
"But Mommy, Mr. Alpheus didn't even say he wanted to leave yet! Why are you trying to kick him out?" she insisted.
"I'm only telling him to go because I know he still has things to do. Isn't that right, Alpheus?"
I turned to him, hoping for a little help with the situation—but he avoided my gaze entirely.
Oh, seriously?
"Ahm… cough The truth is, I was about to leave," he began, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "But it didn't feel right to say no to someone who kindly offered me a cup of coffee. Right, little Miss…?"
He glanced at Egypt as if waiting for her name.
Egypt's eyes immediately lit up in excitement, catching the hint.
"I'm Egypttttt! And I'm five years old! Hehe!" Egypt announced cheerfully, dragging out her name with exaggerated flair.
Alpheus blinked, visibly taken aback. He shut his eyes for a moment as if processing what he'd just heard.
I didn't miss the way his expression shifted—just a flicker of surprise at the name she gave him.
His gaze then moved slowly to Paris, who remained quietly by my side.
"And you are?" he asked gently, turning his attention to her.
Paris didn't answer.
She simply stared back at him, her expression unusually serious for someone her age. Her silence seemed to hang in the air, almost as if she was silently evaluating him.