His Devious Rule

Sitting at the table, the three started breakfast in complete silence until Zane asked, "Momma, my milk is cold."

Anya nodded as she stood up, "Complete your breakfast, I will warm it up for you." She went to the kitchen.

Zane flashed a sweet smile to Anya and looked at Alvin. After a long and careful observation, Zane concluded that Alvin doesn't like broccoli, just like him.

Alvin sensed Zane's gaze. He felt something fishy with his act as soon as Anya left the dining hall. Anyway, he focused on his breakfast.

Zane placed the spoon on his plate and spoke earnestly, "Mr. Matthews, Little Linus asked me to help you. Don't worry, I will tell you how to make my Mommy happy." His smile reached his eyes making him look like a cute kid.

Alvin: "…"

Didn't his Little Enemy reject him indirectly by saying he doesn't want a Daddy? Why will he help him? Importantly, when did he ask for any help?

Zane stood up on the chair and continued, "My mommy says broccoli is very good for health. She always rewards me when I complete broccoli. Wait, I will show you."

He said everything in a breath. Then he picked up his plate and pushed all the broccoli to Alvin's plate in one swift swipe.

Before Alvin could react, Zane jumped off his chair with his empty plate in hand and ran towards the kitchen. "Mommy, Mommy…"

Alvin: "…"

Anya came out of the kitchen hearing Zane. The little man excitedly showed his plate to Anya with a big grin, "Momma, I completed all the broccoli. Look."

Alvin: "…"

He looked at his plate full of broccoli and looked at his Little Enemy and Little Donut.

Anya was surprised her son obediently ate broccoli this time. She kneeled on the floor and kissed her son, "I should reward my baby."

Alvin: "…"

'Goofball, your son is fooling you.' He thought.

Zane innocently smiled, shaking his head, "I am happy  that Momma is teaching me skating today." He pretended like he ate broccoli in the delight of skating.

Alvin would have believed Zane was a sweet child if he wasn't lying so smoothly. And which kid let go of the reward?

Anya chuckled, finding her son more and more lovable. She was standing up when Zane tugged her hand, "Momma, Mr. Matthews isn't eating broccoli. Look." He pointed towards Alvin.

Alvin: "…"

Giving no chance for Alvin to speak, Zane quickly continued his words, "I told Mr. Matthews that it's very healthy and we should eat it. But he…" He looked back at Anya and requested, "He didn't listen to me. Could you please do something, Momma?"

Alvin was bewildered. He didn't mind eating a piece or two of broccoli. His brows knitted and felt his stomach lurch looking at his plate. He turned to Zane who flashed him a provoking smile.

'Little Brat…'

Anya stood in front of Alvin and gently knocked on his head, "You are grown up. You should be the one to teach kids." There was amusement in her tone.

Alvin cut her off in bafflement, "Little Donut, that brat is lying to you."

'Brat!?' Zane went to the table watching Alvin. He didn't expect the big man to shamelessly complain to his mother.

When Anya turned to Zane, the little man turned well disciplined. He helplessly held the dining table edge with his fingers and looked at Alvin with a troubled face, "Mr. Matthews, I didn't make it up. My momma REALLY told me that broccoli is good for health."

Alvin was flabbergasted at the smooth acting and manipulation of his enemy. His Little enemy was shrewd. He couldn't believe he was being framed by a five-year-old.

Anya rubbed Zane's head and looked at Alvin, "Alvin, why are you being a kid? Complete your breakfast."

Alvin: "…"

He wasn't going to eat all those broccoli. He looked at Zane who stuck his tongue out before innocently speaking, "Mr. Matthews, we shouldn't waste food." He lifted his head, tugging Anya's top, "Isn't it, Momma?"

Anya turned to her son. 'Why is My baby so focused on Alvin today?' Alvin and Zane were alike. Zane always ignored what doesn't concern him.  Her son speaks a lot with her but others. Suddenly he seemed to talk more than required.

Her eyes brushed on the bowls and her brows twitched. The broccoli bowl looked just the same when she served herself at last.

'Heh!!' Her son was getting too good at his mischief but he had forgotten who his mother was.

Anya carried Zane into her arms, "Yes, my baby is absolutely right." She kissed him and turned to Alvin, "Alvin, you should learn from my baby." She snapped at Alvin.

Zane sneakily smiled having no idea he was already caught.

Alvin mocked her, "Goofball." And glared at the little man for putting her against him.

Making Zane sit on the dining table, she instructed Alvin, "Alvin, don't waste food."

"That's gross." He had a distasteful gaze on his plate.

The most obedient kid advised, "Mr. Matthews, you shouldn't say that to the food we eat."

"You-"

Anya cut off Alvin by picking broccoli from his plate with a fork, "Baby, could you please help me teach Mr. Matthews?" She was unnecessarily too sweet, "Open your mouth, Sweetie."

Alvin crossed his arms and snickered at the little brat who was caught by his smart Little Donut.

Zane: "…"

The little man swallowed hard looking at the broccoli. He also wanted to say that broccoli tastes gross but made a pleading face to Anya, "Momma, I am full." He rubbed his little belly.

Anya smiled gently without giving into his act, "I am taking my baby out to play. He needs more energy." She coaxed like the sweetest mother.

Zane saw Alvin's arrogant smirk. He reluctantly opened his mouth and chewed.  'Why did my plan backfire?'

"You Little Bra-t…."

Anya shoved the next piece of broccoli to Alvin's mouth and pretended to be livid, "Look at you all grown up, I still have to feed you."

Father and son grimaced at the taste but ate under her eyes without daring to spit it out. She continued to feed them until it was complete.

Anya went to the kitchen, smiling to herself. She couldn't take one of their sides. Zane was a kid, if she scolds him, he will think she has changed and liked Alvin more. Alvin was no better than a child, she didn't want any misunderstanding to sprout between them. So she didn't mind indulging them a little.

In the dining hall, Zane drank milk quickly to soothe his taste buds while Alvin hurriedly sipped his coffee without noticing Zane hated broccoli too.

Alvin glared at his little enemy who was scowling at him. He understood his little enemy was going to trouble him at every chance. He should tame the little brat sooner.

But how? He never interacted with the kids.

"Mr. Matthews complains to my Mommy like a cry baby." Zane thought Alvin would be cold and endure the veggies silently. He grimaced thinking he had to eat broccoli.

'Cry-Baby!?' Alvin jerked up jarring the chair on the floor. Startled. Zane involuntarily thought Alvin would hit him. Jumping off the table he ran towards the living hall.

"If you hit me, I will tell my Mommy." Zane threatened loudly.

Now, who is a cry baby?

Alvin didn't think of hitting Zane even once. He went behind Zane who was quick in his footsteps. He was caught up to Zane's little legs in the passageway.

"Ahh…" Zane screamed when Alvin lifted him off the floor.

Alvin grabbed Zane's ankles and held him upside down. "You Little Brat, do you think you can scare me away?" He could put his life in danger for his Little Donut, how could Little Brat's petty games make him demotivated?

Looking at the world upside down, Zane screamed, flapping his hands in the air, "Mommy… Mommy…"

"Will you do it again?" Alvin tried to make a deal with the brat.

Zane was planning to trouble Alvin every day. So why will he agree? "Chipmunk Monster, put me down." He demanded without a bit of fear.

'Chipmunk Monster!?'

Anya ran over, "Alvin… Baby just ate now."  She was afraid Zane might throw up.

Alvin settled Zane into Anya's arms and watched the little man's fierce gaze while panting for a breath. "Chipmunk Monster, I will hold you upside down when I grow up." He swore.

'Chipmunk Monster!?'

Anya almost burst into a peal of laughter hearing the new nickname for Alvin but controlled herself. Making Zane stand, she gently rubbed Zane's back to soothe him if he was nauseous. She wasn't sure if she should let them banter and get along or interject and discipline them.

She chose the former choice. She didn't want Zane to behave reservedly with Alvin as it will create more distance between them. The more casual Zane behaves with Alvin, he will slowly open up and get along with Alvin sooner.

Alvin was confused about how he got that name. Does he have cheek pouches? Or did he eat like a chipmunk?

Anyway, he didn't back down and scoffed, "Little Monster, I will wait for that day.

Anya: "…"

She could only hope Alvin won't have a childish father image in Zane.

"I won't make you wait longer," Zane said with determination looking at Alvin's height. Then he looked at his mother who didn't seem to be angry. He was glad, he ran back to the dining hall to collect his skaters.

Anya stood up and looked at Alvin who hid his confusion. Going closer, she disclosed the secret behind the nickname. "Alvin, have you watched the Alvin and Chipmunks animated movie?"

'Alvin and Chipmunks?'

Alvin was bewildered, "Chipmunk's name is Alvin!!?" Now it made sense.

Anya giggled, nodding her head, "Yes, Chipmunk." She teased.

Anyway, Alvin smugly deduced without any displeasure towards the nickname, "Alvin is a main lead of the movie."

Anya was kind of happy that Alvin wasn't displeased and Zane didn't seem to be angry either. Anyway, she exclaimed, seeing him proud, "Narcissist."

Alvin was about to tease her, both heard footsteps and Anya looked towards the main door. Her lively expression morphed to stoic.