CHAPTER 4

Vanya's pov:

"You're supposed to use clarified butter for that recipe." I said, wiping the broth off my finger. "It gives it a more dignified taste."

"Yes ma'am. I'll get to it right away!" 

The kitchen was a flurry of activities. With a huge event coming up in a matter of days, all my chefs had hands on deck to ensure that everything went smoother than oil.

The aromas of food wafted in the air. I could feel the heat, and it was making me a bit sweaty. But work had to be done, and it was something I would endure. 

"Miss Jacob!" I heard a loud voice call my name. I turned to see a junior chef. "I made this for you!" He announced, holding a plate of cake in his hands. He stretched out to me.

I held back a smile. "Thank you, Mike." I said, taking it from him.

"You...you know my name?" 

"Yes. I know all my worker by their name." I took a bite of the cake. "It's moist, but it's lacking flavour. What was it supposed to be?"

"V-vanilla!"

"Well," I handed the plate back to him. "Perfect the recipe and we can add it to the upcoming menu."

"Really?! Thank you so much Miss Jacob!"

I smiled at him. "You're welcome." 

He nodded, a shy blush on his face. Then he turned and raced off, going back to his work with an eager look on his face. 

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I made my way out of the kitchen before I picked it up. "Father!" I said with a wide smile. I didn't even need to glance at the screen to know it was Marco.

"It's three thirty." He said. 

"Oh my Luna!" I cried out. Glancing at my watch, I felt guilt seeping inside me. "I'm so sorry father. I ..."

"I know how hectic it must be running a million dollar catering industry." Marco said with a sigh. "But remember you have kids to pick up from school."

I rushed out of the kitchen area to my office. "I'm so sorry. I'll go right now. Right away."

"Why don't you hire a sitter?" He asked,

"I want to raise my kids myself." I said with a sigh. "Father, we've talked about this a whole lot before."

"Yes. For four years now. And you've...."

"Sorry, can't hear you! Gotta go! Bye!" I hung up, exhaling heavily.

The kids are going to kill me!

****

"How many minutes is she late by?" Andrew said, folding his arms across his chest. He turned to his brother. "Hey! I asked you a question."

"Um! An hour!" Ryan replied, looking up from the book he was reading. "She's late by one hour!" 

"Fifteen minutes and forty-two seconds." Andrew seconded, his brown eyed narrowed at me. 

"Boys, we don't have to do this now," I said, trying to reason with them. 

"What makes you think, oh dear mother of mine," Andrew said, walking round me in circles. "That it is normal to keep us waiting for so long?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "We need to go, now."

"No!" He raised a hand. "Answer my inquiry first"

I deadpanned, but on the inside I was fighting a smile. "Are you serious?"

"Yes." He jutted his chin out. "One hundred billion percent."

"Oh my dear Andrew, I wish I could play with this game of yours" I said with a sigh, flipping my hair over to my shoulder. "But sadly, I do not have time to spare! Run for your life!"

He burst into high pitched giggles as I reached for him, grabbing him and throwing him over my shoulder. "Put me down mama!" He shrieked, his laugher high and sweet. "I must not be seen in such a humiliating way!"

I grabbed Ryan too, he whined as I threw him over my other shoulder. "Mom! You're interrupting the flow!" 

"Oh you nerd."  Andrew hissed, knocking the book out of Ryan's hand. 

I pulled them both down, holding each in my arm before they could start fighting. "Boys! That's enough!"

Andrew calmed down, his eyes staring into mine. "You're late again, mama."

"You said you wouldn't be." Ryan added. 

"I'm sorry, I lost track of time. Next time I'll have uncle Marco pick you up?"

"No!" They screamed at once. "He's mean!"

"What do you mean?" I asked, carrying them out of the classroom. "He's perfect, like a teddy bear."

"He's a real bear!" Andrew cried. "He doesn't let me play with him!"

"That's because you always play silly pranks." Ryan said.

"Oh do shut up." Andrew said. Soon they started bickering.

Honestly, no one prepared me for the amount of fights I'd have to separate having twin boys. They fought each other at every chance and yet would make up in a flash.

"That's enough now." I said. We got outside the school and I put them down. "Let's go home. We'll have butter chicken for dinner."

"Yay!" Andrew cheered.

"I want ice cream." Ryan said.

"Ice cream isn't food."

"I didn't ask you."

They're twins, but so different. They are two split images of each other, having the same dark hair and soulful brown eyes, both are incredibly smart kids but that was where their similarities ended. Andrew was loud and an authoritarian, sometimes I sear he's a grandpa in a four year old's body. At such a young age he shows capabilities of an alpha. While Ryan is quieter and prefers to read and draw rather than talk to anyone. 

They have been the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm so grateful that I have them, even though they fight all the time and cause me headaches.

They're my boys. 

"Let's get going now." I called out, unlocking the car. "We'll settle this at home!"

"Yes mama!" They said in unison.

Everything was worth it in the end. All the odd jobs I had to do before I was able to build my own company. It was all worth it. 

To see the smiles on their faces. To be called 'mama'. I can't ask for anything more.

But…….