She's My Sleeping Pill

They changed the children’s clothes to match his and Cayenne’s, and without realizing it, he was already smiling while looking at the kids.

“You look lovely. Hmm...shall we ask Zaire to take photos of your little cupcakes? Nah, I don’t want others to see your faces.”

Listening to his words, Cayenne could only shake her head. Wasn’t he so against this idea earlier? She knew it! Stefan could be easily beaten by the result even if he didn’t like the thought of it.

“First, let’s take pictures of your whole family without the toga.”

“No.” Stefan interrupted which caught everyone off guard. “Uhh, can you take some shots with my wife and children first? I want them to have pictures together without me.”

“And the purpose is?”

Stefan can’t say he was going to blackmail his children with it, can he? Surely, his wife would freak out.

“I just want to.” He said which wasn’t very convincing at all.

.....

Seeing the hesitation and the way he looked at the children guiltily, she could already guess what was running inside his mind. In the end, she gave way. “Fine. Fine. Let’s do it according to your plan.”

The first set of photos has a garden theme but wasn’t really done in the garden. Although Stefan would bring the children outside at least four times a week to get some sunlight, today wasn’t the schedule for that. They could only do the photoshoot indoors and make use of props available inside.

The children were lying on the carpeted floor with a fake garden backdrop and Cayenne was looking after them with that loving gaze she always gave to Stefan before. Now, he has three rivals.

“Good. Just look at them like that.” Zaire said and started taking pictures. “Then, how about raising Ara in the air for a few seconds? I’ll take the pictures quick so it won’t be tiring.”

“O-okay.” Cayenne did but noticed that the two boys were looking at her. “How about my boys?”

“They’ll have separate photos with you as well.”

As if understanding his words, Aziel and Zeki didn’t make any noise. They were only staring at their mom and sister.

“Let’s have Zeki this time. Why don’t you cuddle him? Addie, can you help Miss Yen with the positioning of the child?”

“Sure.”

“Cree, can you help me move the light a little at the back.”

Zaire was like a director as well but his attitude wasn’t overbearing. He was well-mannered and knew how to ask for things politely.

Aziel came last and Cayenne was holding him in her arms while pretending to read a book.

The pictures came out nicely and Stefan was happy with all the results. He even told Zaire to send him a copy of everything without editing them.

They continued with the photo shoot and this time, Stefan was already joining them.

Every time they change the theme, Cayenne will have a different set of pictures with the kids before Stefan would join them. And the last was a family picture with Cayenne wearing her graduation toga. She also asked Zaire to take one with only her and Stefan. After all, it was all because of her husband’s efforts that she was able to graduate.

“It’s already 3:30 PM,” Luiz reminded them after checking the time. “Sis, you don’t have to change your clothes already, just go on with that.”

“I can’t do that.” Cayenne retorted and ran upstairs while holding Stefan’s hand. “Please look after the children for a moment,” she yelled without looking back.

“You don’t need to hurry. We will make it.” Stefan said not knowing what his wife was up to. He just followed her to the walk-in closet and that’s when he saw the dress she chose for her inner attire.

“It’s going to be a moment of me and you. A matching outfit would be great.”

“Not with the children, right? Just the two of us.”

“Hn.”

Stefan grinned and immediately changed his clothes. His children have no idea that their father was already treating them as his rivals.

The graduation ceremony was held at Grand Pierre Auditorium which was the biggest auditorium at Xena University since there were a lot of graduating students at this time. The seat for audience was also full because of the students’ friends and families who came to witness this joyful moment.

Although it was a moment that she would treasure for the rest of her life, Cayenne came with Luiz and the bodyguards only. At the entrance of the auditorium, she saw Kyle and Kath along with Jonas and Reuben. No one really asked why Stefan wasn’t around. With Stefan’s identity and the children fitting into the picture, there was no way he would put their lives in danger. At least, with a minimum number of people to protect, the bodyguards will be able to focus on their job.

“Sir Stefan, can we also watch the ceremony here?” Cree asked since Stefan was watching it live by paying someone to record the event.

“Hn. Go ahead. Just make sure you are done cleaning the area. Double-check your items and make sure that no little trinkets are left.”

“Yes, sir.”

Cayenne went inside the place and as soon as she stepped in, she stopped on her track and smiled awkwardly. Everyone was looking at her.

“Yen! Over here! Yen!” Faith was waving her hand at Cayenne while jumping up and down. With so many students taller than her, it wasn’t easy to spot her. Noah couldn’t take it anymore, he easily pulled his girlfriend up which caused their classmates to boo them. “Hmph! If you’re jealous, go and get yourself a man!”

Cayenne finally found them and she made her way to them. Her first impression of Noah might not be good and their first meeting wasn’t something she likes to remember either. However, this man turned out to be someone she could rely on in class and her work. In addition, Faith was very loyal to her and despite some misunderstanding, she didn’t judge Cayenne. She always asked Cayenne for the truth first. These two were the people she considered her new best friends.

“Congrats to us!” Noah said the moment she arrived at where they stood. “You really made it after all the things you went through.”

“Right! You were even kidnapped and got engaged to someone else!” Faith added and shivered at the memory that crossed her mind.

“Looking back, so many things happened in my life – both good and bad but I am thankful because you were always there for me.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

In life, people would come and go, and there are some people who will choose to be with you. First meetings could either be bad or good but what matters most are the memories and lessons you got from those people.