Natalie breath rattled in her chest.
"What mistake have I done?" She whispered under her breath while hiding under her bedroom window. If she hadn't ducked fast enough, he might have seen her staring. Her heart pounded so hard she feared he might hear it.
Across the short distance, inside the mansion opposite, someone stirred.
He scratched his eyes as if confused, then peered through his window. He saw her—someone had been watching him. His brow furrowed, but he dismissed it and walked into his bathroom.
Natalie wiped sweat from her forehead. She bumped her head on the corner of the window frame as she jumped up and frantically looked out again—he was gone. Thank God! she thought. *Great, Natalie … now you're a secret detective.*
She hesitated, torn between reporting what she'd seen or pretending nothing had happened. Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door downstairs.
POV: Jared Tan
"She's doing it again," I muttered, pulling back the curtain.
Zayden didn't even need to ask what I meant. He walked up beside me and looked through the window. There was Mum glowing, and walking across the driveway… with her trademark glass tray of cut fruit.
"She's going to welcome the new tenants, isn't she?" he said with a resigned sigh.
"She owns the place," I said flatly. "She could have called the agent or sent a housekeeper."
Zayden chuckled. "But then it wouldn't be her."
Out there, our mother marched across the pristine path connecting the villas, her robe flowing like some fashion-week queen. The staff bowed as she passed, though she didn't even blink. Nothing could stop her when she was on her 'hospitality mission.'
We both watched as she rang the bell.
POV: Madam Tan
I rang the doorbell once.
The door cracked open. A cautious eye peeked out.
"Hello, dear!" I said brightly, holding out the tray. "I'm mrs Tan. You must be the lovely family who moved in yesterday."
The beauty behind the door blinked. "Oh—uh, yes. Natalie . I'm Natalie ."
"Beautiful name! And this—" I raised the tray slightly, "is mango, starfruit, and chilled melon. A small welcome gift."
"You didn't have to—"
"Oh, I did. This is my home. You're now living in one of my homes, and I like to know everyone who's part of my estate. It's not just business, Natalie . It's pride."
She smiled, slowly stepping out in full view.
Her eyes flicked to my slippers.
"Oh, don't mind these," I said with a laugh. "My boys call them my 'power shoes.'"
POV: Zayden Tan
"She's giving the fruit speech, isn't she?"
Jared didn't answer. He was too focused, watching like it was some high-society reality show.
"I bet you five hundred she brings them over for dinner," I added.
He shook his head. "She'll probably adopt them first."
POV: Natalie
I held the tray with both hands, unsure what to do with my face. Smile? Nod? Faint?
Mrs. Tan was effortlessly elegant, her words crisp and warm, like she'd stepped out of a high-end drama but knew all the best memes too. It was disarming.
"Would you like to come in?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
She smiled, gently shaking her head. "Not today, sweetheart. I imagine you and your mum are still settling in."
She paused, her gaze softening as she tilted her head.
"But I would love to properly welcome you both. Tomorrow evening, I'm hosting a small dinner at my home. Nothing formal—just family, good food, and a chance to get to know one another."
Her tone was kind, almost musical.
"You and your mother are warmly invited."
I blinked. "That's… very kind of you. I'll tell her. Thank you."
"Of course, dear." She reached out and gave my hand a light pat. "We're neighbors now."
And just like that, she turned with regal ease, the tray now in my hands, her slippers tapping gently as she walked back across the path—her robe fluttering behind her like it was made of silk and magic
🍀🍀🍀🍀Later that evening🌿🌿🌿🌿
POV: Madam Tan
That evening, the soft glow of amber lights warmed the grand dining hall. I sat at the head of the long table, nursing a glass of ginger tea as my boys entered—Zayden in his usual hoodie and joggers, Jared already half-dressed for the next day's war room.
"Omma," Zayden said, stretching as he sank into the chair beside me, "Dinner smells like home. Did you bribe the chef?"
I smiled. "Something like that."
Jared didn't sit. He walked to the bar cart, poured himself a glass of sparkling water, and turned slowly.
"What's the occasion?" he asked. "There's always an occasion when you're unusually chipper."
I placed my tea cup down gently and folded my hands.
"I invited the new neighbors over for dinner tomorrow."
Zayden raised a brow. "The girl and her mum?"
I nodded. "Natalie and her mother. Lovely people."
Jared frowned. "You invited them here? Without discussing it first?"
I met his eyes calmly. "It's dinner, Jared. Not a merger."
"You don't even know them," he said tightly.
"I know enough. And I trust my instincts." I stood, smoothing down the front of my blouse. "They're new here. It's good manners to welcome people properly."
Zayden chuckled. "Bet she's pretty."
"She is," I said with a proud smile. "A beautiful girl. Graceful, polite. The kind of beauty that doesn't scream—it simply exists."
Zayden leaned back, amused. "You've already picked your favorite, huh?"
Jared exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This isn't necessary."
"It is to me," I replied, walking toward them. "And they will come. You two will be here. And we'll all have a lovely evening."
She turned toward the hallway, but paused before leaving.
"I expect you both to wear something decent. No tracksuits, Zayden. And Jared—try not to interrogate our guests."
Zayden grinned. Jared stared, silent.
And me? I smiled all the way down the hall.