Eventually, Cassidy and Adrian got to fetch Aira from her school and drove her back home.

On their way there, they noticed how ecstatic she looked from the backseat of the car. She was on her phone the whole time, texting and typing away. Giggles and laughter would bubble out of her at some points. The smile she was wearing had never dropped during the entire ride, either.

"You appear to be in a good mood today. Did something happen?

" Cassidy inquired with a smile, turning from the front seat to take a look at Aira.

"Oh, ummm… It's nothing, big sis.

"

"Who're you texting? A boyfriend?

"

When her cheeks burst into flames, Cassidy knew she hit bulls-eye without even intending to. She also doesn't have to ask Aira to know who this boyfriend is. Going by how Adrian simply smirks from the driver's seat, she supposes he knows too.

"I heard from Edward. You two are going to have a sleepover in their place tonight?

" he asked, wanting to confirm it nonetheless.

"Y-Y-Yeah, we are,

" she stammered out, still blushing fiercely.

"That sounds fun.

"

"It d-does. W-We promise not to sleep in too late.

"

"It's all good. I'm sure Damien will treat you right.

"

Aira fidgets on her seat bashfully. Cassidy can't help but want to tease her, then.

"Play it nice, you two~

"

"Big sis!

"

---

Aira went up to her bedroom to pack her things while Cassidy and Adrian waited for her in the living room.

She ran around the place, grabbing whatever she thought she might need. Her brain was a little scattered, so focused on a certain plan she had that she packed a lot of things she didn't need. She had her basic toiletries, a change of clothes for the next day, her hairbrush, phone charger, water bottle, a bag of cookies, a notebook and pencil, a perfume, two pairs of shoes, and a stuffed animal.

"There's no way I'll take all of these!

"

As she tried to squash the poor little bear into her bag, she realized that she indeed didn't need all of that. She then began to take out the notebook, pencil, perfume, second pair of shoes, and the water bottle. With that, she shoved her stuffed animal into her bag and zipped it up.

After hoisting it onto her shoulder, she glanced down at the pajamas lying on the floor.

"Maybe… I should…

" she wondered out loud, backtracking on her plans.

"Nope! This will work out!

"

Now that everything is settled, Aira goes ahead and makes her way out.

---

At sunset, Cassidy and Adrian had dropped Aira at the front gate of the Millicent's estate.

Before she was even halfway up the stairs, she heard a door being flung open. Damien came skirting out from behind it and raced to meet her where she was on the stairs. Cassidy and Adrian smiled to themselves as they looked on.

Unfazed by his excitement, Aira laughed while he greeted her with a bone-crushing embrace. When Damien pulled away, he started slipping the bag from her shoulder.

"Let me carry that for you.

"

"Oh, umm… Thanks.

"

She blushes at the fact that Cassidy and Adrian are watching with looks that say, 'Wow, he can be quite a puppy sometimes.' Nevertheless, she obliges and lets him carry her bag. He links arms with her for the remainder of their ascension at the stairs.

"So, I'm on a kind of strict protein-based diet right now - something about wanting to bulk me up. I hope you like meat and veggies with… absolutely no carbs,

" Damien whispered all of the sudden, giving Aira a look she only knew too well from whenever he was put on a new diet.

She winked at him, making a slight gesture to her bag to indicate that she had some sweet, sweet carbs hidden away in there. He grinned in delight, his eyes beaming.

As they continue to make their way up, Aira wonders briefly if she will ever get used to the expanse that is the Millicent's mansion. It must've gotten even bigger for Damien and the others when Adrian moved out with Cassidy.

Upon arriving at the dining room, one of the maids took her bag from Damien and left right after. Aira turned to look at him and was surprised to meet with his fond gaze – this will get a lot of getting used to.

"You okay?

" he asked as he pulled out a chair for her.

"Yeah, sorry! Just got a little… lost in my thoughts. That's all. Have the rules changed since the last time I was here?

" she replied, taking her seat beside him.

"No, not really. Father did mention specific… bedroom rules. But I don't think it applies to us?

"

"What kind of 'bedroom rules' are these, though?

"

"You know… The usual. Don't be naked with one another? Leave room for God? Don't boink your oinks?

"

She was glad that Cassidy and Adrian had already left to see Edward. Otherwise, she would not get to hear the end of it – those two were already holding back with their teasing earlier, though Cassidy still ended up going all the way moments before they finally arrived home.

"Word for word…

" Aira giggled, her brow subconsciously quirking up in amusement.

"Those are the rules?

"

"It's in the official mansion rules for guests, section 51J…

" Damien quipped as he acted like he was unrolling a scroll and clearing his throat.

"Thou shalt not boink oinks until there has been proper discussion of said act between all parties of the household as well as the Lord in one room. Finally, the oinks in question must be old enough to consent to boinking.'

"

She lost herself in a fit of giggles. Between the funny voice that he put on, the very idea of sitting in on this kind of talk, and the goofy smile he was giving her after rolling the invisible scroll back up, it was too much.

Damien joined in with her steadily growing laughter until they had to stop to gasp for air. Aira wiped a tear from her eye and looked up at him with a wide smile.

At that moment, he leaned closer to her and moved to push some strands of hair out of her face. She blushes at their closeness – at his touch that seems to be becoming more and more intrepid by day. Yet, he appears to be unaware of that. Like now, he just keeps on with this sweet, loving gesture of his until their faces are only a few inches away.

Then, the door of the dining room opened.