She's My Sleeping Pill

“Yes, sir.”

Stefan left at once to get the remaining gifts and brought them to the master’s bedroom. Cayenne wasn’t there but when he noticed that his laptop wasn’t on his bedside table, he wasn’t worried at all. She must be inside the study room to attend her class.

Grinning from ear to ear, he checked the gifts that he received last night for his birthday. So far, the gifts that he received which weren’t matching items were from Travis and his family, except from Jade. The couple gave him two tickets to Dubai which will be in mid-November for a one-week long vacation. Then, Riley and Shein decided to pay for their return tickets while Jackie, Brown, Valkyrie, and Hawk paid for the hotel where they would stay.

Since he received so much from the people who cared for him and Cayenne, he didn’t wonder why Savannah’s name wasn’t written on the gifts that came from the Madrid and Madrigal family.

Then, he found Jade’s gift. It was something she made herself using a 3D molder and it really surprised him how the little girl thought so much for him and Cayenne. She gave them phone straps with their birth year signs. Stefan was born in the year of the dragon and Cayenne was born in the year of the rooster. The animal signs were made of silver glitters mixed in a resin liquid and on the chain attached to it, there were silver letters C and S.

“Cayenne should have mine.” Stefan expressed and immediately used the phone accessory. Then he changed his mind because he was worried it might fall off accidentally so, he strapped it on the backpack that he usually used to put Cayenne’s things. “Perfect.”

One after another, whether it was big or small, Stefan unwrapped the gifts excitedly. When Cayenne checked him during her bathroom break, he wasn’t done with all of them yet. Not wanting to disturb his time, she returned to the study room to listen to

After more than an hour, Stefan finally pulled the huge box from Dr. Albert and his wife. He didn’t know what items they placed inside but he was looking forward to seeing them.

.....

There were 4×4 picture puzzles that can be displayed in their room or the living room, matching pillows with their wedding date embroidered on them, matching hoodies, wifey-hubby beanie hats, a custom song lyric blanket which has Cayenne’s vow on it since she sang during their surprise wedding, sexy truth or dare play sticks which he needed to check how he can play with his wife, photo coasters with his wedding vow printed on them as well and many more. He lost count of the things that he has been pulling out from the box and each of them warmed his heart so much.

He continued to check the items until he saw the matching bathrobes and his hands trembled while holding them. Like Jade, these bathrobes have embroidered birthyear of his and Cayenne’s. However, what surprised him was the way the dragon was embroidered.

His name was embroidered on the bathrobe and the dragon was placed right below it as if it was reaching for his name and at the end of his name, there was a small sunflower placed next to it.

He wanted to think it was just a coincidence but how was it possible that the embroidered pattern on his baby blanket was exactly the same as the bathrobe he was holding now? He would never mistake it for something else. It was really a perfect duplicate.

Stefan didn’t realize that he was shaking until he stood up from the bed. His knees were weak and he almost fell on the floor. He needed evidence. He needed to find it.

Running to the study room, he no longer cared if Cayenne was having a class or not, he just wanted to get back to his family villa as soon as he could.

“Love, I’m going to get something in the family villa. Just stay here and don’t go out by yourself. I’ll return home as soon as I could.”

Cayenne wanted to say something but right after kissing her forehead, Stefan was gone. She was even doubting if he really came to see her or if she was just dreaming it. At the same time, she could not forget that complicated expression on his face. It seemed like he wanted to say something but he didn’t know how to start.

“Ms. Ardolf, is there something bothering you?” Her professor asked when he noticed that she was staring into space. “Please let me know if you ever feel uncomfortable, I’ll excuse you as soon as possible.”

“No, prof. I’m good. Thank you for your kind consideration. I just remembered something.”

“Alright. Please focus on the class.”

Cayenne nodded her head and listened to the discussion once again. Since he said he was going to the family, he could just ask his father if something has happened. She has to wait for the next break, though.

On the other hand, Stefan didn’t bother to bring bodyguards with him. He sped up to the maximum speed allowed and arrived at the villa in no time. The butler was startled to see him there since it has been a long time since Stefan returned home. Nonetheless, he was happy that he has come to visit.

“I need the key to Alexander’s room,” Stefan said the moment he got close to the butler and he didn’t even bother to stop.

“Give me a moment, young master.” The butler hurried inside and looked for the key to Alexander’s room.

It has been ages since they opened this room and even when it was proven that Alexander wasn’t part of the Dumrique family, he strictly prohibited anyone from throwing anything in his room. Alexander was his brother no matter how he came to the world.

“Stefan, you’re home,” Ferdinand stated when he saw his grandson coming up to the second floor. “Where’s your wife?”

“Studying.”

“You should have told us that you’re coming over. I could have asked the cook to prepare something for you.”

“I’m not hungry.”

Ferdinand frown at this cold treatment coming from his grandson. He thought they have reconciled already but now that Cayenne wasn’t around, he seemed to still hate the Dumrique family.

Realizing that he might have been really cold to his grandfather, Stefan bowed his head and apologized. “Sorry, grandpa. I just needed to find something. I can’t be bothered with anything right now.”

“Is that so? Then, I’m leaving to give you space. You can find me in the living room if you need any help.”

Stefan nodded his head and as soon as the butler handed the key to Alexander’s room, he opened the door and saw how time stopped in this place. Although the place remained clean, his brother’s things remained on the spot where they should be. It was the same as how he last remembered it.

“You can leave me alone here,” Stefan said and the butler left at once. He sat on the bed and the creaking sound told him how old has it been. He remembered the times that he spent with Alexander in this room; secretly eating sweets when Clara forbade him to and the times when Alexander hid him to avoid getting whipped by his stepmother.

Alexander protected him all the time which was the reason why he couldn’t deny their brotherhood even when he was born from a horrible family, even when Clara caused Latticia to die, or so they thought.

Now, he needed to get something as proof, to show that he wasn’t just making things up and he’ll make sure that Dr. Albert will spill the truth. He even trusted the man again!

Stefan stood up and walked to Alexander’s closet. He slowly pulled the clothes from the top compartment until nothing remained. On the wooden division, he scratched the scotch tape which was so old it almost blended with the wood. On the thick wood, there was a thin compartment that could only fit one item and that was Stefan’s baby blanket. When he arrived at this house, he has this baby blanket and Magnus said it was made for him.

Clara didn’t like seeing anything related to Stefan’s mother so, she burned all his things and this blanket was supposed to go along with all his other belongings. How could an infant fight against an adult? He has no idea that it happened. However, Alexander took this from the heap of burning items. He couldn’t give it to Magnus because Clara will surely find it. He couldn’t return it to Stefan either because Clara often inspects Stefan’s belongings as if he was a thief in his own home. Thus, Alexander kept it away from his mother.

When Stefan found out what happened, he didn’t bother getting this item from his brother since he was a good keeper of important things. Clara would never doubt her son.

Who would have thought that this thing would come in handy after 29 years?