But I knew better.
Beneath this calm surface, currents of tension swirled.
Mother was trying to hide it, but I could still sense her aversion toward Kevin.
When she handed him the apple, a flicker of disgust flashed in her eyes.
When she invited him to sit, her voice was gentle, yet carried an unmistakable distance.
Everything she did was calculated to preserve surface-level peace, to avoid family conflict.
Kevin, however, seemed completely unaware of her true feelings.
He basked in what he perceived as warm hospitality.
He chewed his apple, chatted with Ze, and wore a contented smile, as if he truly belonged.
I watched him, smirking inwardly.
Did he really think this act would earn our acceptance?
How naive.
I would never accept him.
Never.
His lecherous gaze made me sick.
His fake smile made me want to vomit.
I silently walked to the sofa, picked up the remote, and turned on the TV.
A mindless variety show played on screen, but I pretended to be engrossed, using it as a weapon to express my disdain.
I deliberately cranked up the volume, trying to drown out their conversation.
It was my silent protest.
Mother glanced at me, her eyes tinged with helplessness.
But she said nothing, only sighed softly.
She knew there was little she could do when it came to matters outside of academics.
Since childhood, I had always been stubborn once I made up my mind, nothing could change it.
The living room returned to a fragile calm.
But the air still carried an unspoken tension.
I could feel it Kevin kept stealing glances at Mother, his eyes brimming with hunger and greed.
Mother, in turn, avoided his gaze, offering only polite, minimal responses when necessary.
After dinner, Father quickly cleared the dishes and stood up.
“I’ll head to the study to handle some work.
Victoria, you show Kevin around the house.” Mother rose and turned to the still-awkward Kevin with a warm smile.
“Kevin, let Auntie show you around.
Get familiar with the place.” Her tone was kind, the voice of a caring elder.
I remained on the sofa, pretending to watch TV.
But from the corner of my eye, I watched them closely.
As Mother stood, her black dress swayed gently with the motion, outlining the elegant curves of her body.
The waistline, slightly cinched, accentuated her slender waist.
Her full breasts pushed against the fabric, creating a tempting silhouette.
But what held my attention most was her long, shapely legs.
Today, she wore black stockings so thin they seemed like gossamer, hugging her toned legs with a delicate sheen under the light.
They looked like a second skin, smooth and alluring, enhancing the natural length and grace of her limbs.
As she walked, the stockings tightened slightly around her calves, tracing the soft, supple lines of her flesh, leading down to her black high heels.
Those heels strappy, elegant, with a stiletto at least seven or eight centimeters high arched her feet beautifully, elongating her legs and lifting her posture.
Each step produced a crisp, rhythmic click‑click on the floor, like a steady drumbeat echoing in my ears and in Kevin’s chest.
I saw Kevin’s eyes glued to Mother’s legs, tracking her every movement.
His gaze was raw with desire, as if he were staring at a priceless treasure.
He tried to hide it, but his slightly parted lips and quickened breath betrayed him.
Mother either didn’t notice or chose not to.
She carried herself with natural grace, as if used to such attention.
She stepped elegantly to Kevin’s side and gestured for him to follow.
Kevin snapped out of his trance, quickly rising and hurrying after her.
He trailed behind her, his eyes never leaving her body.
The living room decor clearly didn’t interest him.
His attention was fixed on Mother especially her stocking-clad legs and the way her shapely backside swayed with each step.
His eyes followed her gestures, but they always drifted back to her.
He was mesmerized by her elegance, her sensuality, unable to focus on anything else.
Next, Mother led him into the kitchen, explaining the appliances and utensils in detail.
She opened the fridge, proudly displaying the array of fresh ingredients inside.
Kevin nodded mechanically, his eyes still locked on her.
When she bent down to grab a drink, the lace dress stretched tightly over her round, firm buttocks, outlining a seductive curve.
He swallowed hard, his throat bobbing.
He could even catch the faint scent of her perfume mingled with the clean fragrance of her body wash, sending a jolt through his senses.
Then, Mother led Kevin upstairs.
She pointed to a door at the end of the hallway.
“That’s your uncle’s study.
He doesn’t like to be disturbed when he’s working.” Her tone carried a subtle warning and a quiet defense of her husband.
Kevin nodded quickly, his eyes following Mother as she climbed the stairs in her heels.
The stockings hugged her thighs, the soft flesh subtly contracting with each step sensual, hypnotic.
The heels tapped against the wooden steps, a rhythmic, seductive melody.
Mother continued introducing the rooms ours, Ze’s, and the guest room.
At each stop, she explained the purpose and layout with patient warmth.
Finally, she stopped in front of the master bedroom.
She turned to Kevin, a faint smile on her lips, but her eyes firm.
“This is your uncle’s and Auntie’s room.
We won’t go in.” Kevin nodded, but a flicker of disappointment flashed in his eyes.
He clearly wanted to see inside, imagining what went on behind those closed doors.
“Well, that’s all,” Mother said.
“It’s getting late.
You should rest.
The guest room is ready, right next to your cousin’s.” With that, she turned to head downstairs.
Kevin followed, his eyes still glued to her back.
He watched her descend the stairs in her heels, her stocking‑clad legs glowing under the light.
He could almost picture the smooth, silky skin beneath the nylon, the delicate red‑painted toes curled inside those elegant shoes.
Back in the living room, Mother turned to me.
“Rui, you should go to bed too.
You have tutoring tomorrow.” I nodded, faked a yawn, and stood up to head to my room.
But I knew Kevin’s eyes never left my mother.
Not until she disappeared into her bedroom and closed the door behind her.