Rosaline was seething with anger, tears streaming down her face as she pointed at the âlittle mustacheâ in the bed sheets and her lips trembling.
âAbel, I never would have thought that you would have this kind of preference. What kind of woman canât you find? Do you have to like a man?â
âEvelyn told me, and I couldnât believe it until I saw it with my own eyes! Abel, youâve really hurt your mother!â
âWhat did you say, Mom?â Abelâs eyebrows furrowed.
âI said what?â Rosaline pointed at Emmeline. âWho is this mustached man? You donât like him, yet youâre cuddling with him and sleeping together?â
Abel turned his head to look at Emmeline, who had just been awakened and was looking confused.
Her little face was buried in the sheets, revealing only a pair of fluttering peach blossom eyes, making her look like a cute little child.
âMom, youâve got it all wrong,â Abel said. âEmmett is just a kid, I treat him like a little brother. Itâs not what you think.â
âYou expect me to believe that?â Rosaline snapped. âIâve never seen a man sleep with a little brother for a whole night! What else did you two do? It wasnât something shameful, was it?â
âWhat are you saying, Mom?â Abel furrowed his brow. âItâs not what youâre thinking. I was just really tired and fell asleep like that.â
âYouâre telling me you didnât do anything serious?â Rosaline still seemed unconvinced.
When she had walked in, she saw her son holding Emmett with such tenderness and care, as if he was cradling a beautiful woman.
âEnough already,â Abel said, growing impatient. âI told you, nothing happened.â
He did have a strange fondness for Emmett, but that didnât mean he was gay.
Emmeline wasnât sure if Abel had done anything to her last night. She lifted a hand and gingerly touched her little beard and eyebrows.
Thank goodness, everything was still intact.
But Abelâs handsome face had turned blue.
Emmeline knew he couldnât explain it anymore.
His mother thought he was gay.
But she couldnât explain it to him, or else it would be busted.
âWho is this kid?â Rosaline asked angrily. âWhose child is he? Iâll find his parents and tell them their child is misbehaving at such a young age!â
âAuntie!â Emmeline jumped off the bed. âYouâve got it all wrong. Mr. Ryker is not that kind of person, and neither am I. We just happened to fall asleep together, see, weâre still fully clothed!â
âYou want to take your clothes off?â Rosaline accused. âYou little scoundrel, youâre full of dirty thoughts!â
Rosalineâs voice was sharp and commanding, âWho are your parents? Tell me now, Iâm going to find them and give them a piece of my mind for not raising you right!â
Emmeline shrank back, intimidated by the fierce look on Rosalineâs face.
âMom,â Abel held Emmeline close, âEmmett is just a kid, donât scare her like that!â
âAnd youâre defending her!â Rosaline fumed, âYou even bullied Ms. Evelyn because of this little troublemaker?â
âI didnât!â Abel knew it was pointless to argue with his mother.
âYouâre still denying it,â Rosaline scowled, âWho poured dirty water all over Evelyn last night?â
âIt was all a misunderstanding!â Abel said, âJust drop it, Mom.â
âAbel,â Rosaline said sorrowfully, âitâs not that your mother is nagging, itâs because Iâm really worried about you!â
âIt doesnât matter if Emmeline is gone, you still have Evelyn, right? Look at how great Evelyn is, gentle, virtuous, obedient, and kind. Why do you have to fall in love with a man? Our family doesnât have that kind of tradition!â
âI told you, I didnât!â
âDo you admit that you donât like this stinky kid?â Rosaline pointed at âEmmettâ.
Abel glanced at âEmmettâ in his arms and himself felt a little puzzled.
He didnât admit that he didnât like âEmmettâ.
He not only liked her but also liked her very much.
Abelâs strange feelings made him feel uneasy.
He suddenly wondered if he was really going to turn gay.
Just then, Rosaline spotted Luca at the door.
She rushed to Luca and angrily said, âLuca, you also have a responsibility for Mr. Abelâs behavior!â
Luca was taken aback and quickly avoided her, âMadame Ryker, you really misunderstood. Mr. Abel and Emmett really have nothing going on.â
âNothing going on?â Rosaline pointed at the big bed, âNothing going on with two grown men sleeping together?â
Sleeping together?