Taming A Billionaire

The third point of view:

Pedro couldn't recognize his home anymore; it was flooded with people. Although his mother's business associates came to visit the newly born child of the newly wedded couple, sixty percent of the guests were from Emerald's side. It was almost as if their home wasn't theirs anymore. 

Although Emerald claimed he warned his men to behave, it was nearly impossible. His gang members were rowdy and he imagined his younger brother growing up to be as rugged as them. 

"He is ugly," Isabella said, staring at the baby's slightly wrinkly appearance. Even God in heaven knew she looked nothing like this when she was a baby.

All of them were here and by all of them, he meant the whole gang. Isabella, Anabelle, Julie, Allen, Ailee, and Neon. 

"Isabella, don't say that," Anabelle chided her, hitting her at the back of the head. And turned to swoon at the baby sleeping tightly in his cradle. 

Isabella glared at her and as usual defended herself, "What's wrong with what I said? Take a look at him," She pointed at the child and everyone waited for her to begin her irrefutable argument. 

"Look at that big head," she spoke and showed evidence, "No neck, short legs, and big distended torso. And don't even talk about the swollen eyes," 

"Chill, Isabella, mom said he would look better with days," Pedro answered. 

"Exactly," Anabelle supported her, "Isabella just has a bad eye for beauty," she smiled and leaned closer to feel him - the baby's skin was so soft. She envied him. 

Isabella gave up, there was no convincing them. Thankfully, she wouldn't be having children so she wouldn't have to deal with all this drama. 

"Anabelle, don't touch -" Pedro was still saying when Anabelle touched him and the child woke up, fussing.

"Him," He finished the rest of his statement with a sigh. Wonderful, it had been a hassle putting him to sleep, and now, it was all for nothing.

Thanks to their numerous visitors, Emerald had a lot of guests to entertain while his mother had to sleep - his father's orders. Although he hadn't been there when it happened but the others said the delivery had drained Cecil, now she has to recuperate.

The only time Cecil was to be disturbed was when his baby brother needed to be fed, other than that, the baby was left to all of them to take care of. Once again, Emerald's rule.

"Don't worry," Anabelle said, carefully tucking the baby in her arms, "I can take care of him,"

"And I'm sure you woke him on purpose," Isabella sneered, seeing through her not-so-hidden plan.

Anabelle only grinned sheepishly at her.

"Have your parents decided on a name?" Julie asked.

Naming the child had been a bit problematic since everyone came up with one. As his legal grandfather, Sakuzi demanded the child bear his surname and so it was decided. 

"Dash Sakuzi," Pedro stated. 

"Dash?!" Everyone was stunned. Cecil and Emerald do have poor taste in naming, everyone couldn't have agreed more. 

"To run quickly - because he couldn't wait for mom to get to the hospital," Pedro laughed, "Emerald says it's the perfect name for an energetic and strong young boy he would grow up to be," 

Although the name worked more as a nickname, after the explanation, they nodded their head in acceptance. But then, Isabella was never the type to give up that easily. 

"He might as well have named him the Flash," she stated. 

Julie stifled a laugh. 

Pedro shook his head, his girlfriend had a dry sense of humor. 

Meanwhile, while the others conversed, Anabelle and the kids sat at the corner swooning over Dash. 

"He's so cute, isn't he?" Anabelle's eyes were full of admiration as she stared down at the child.

"Yes," Ailee nodded and just like Anabelle, she was taken with the child. Neon was as well. Allen was the only one who pretended not to be interested only for curiosity to get the best of him.

"Does he see?" he asked no one in particular, noticing the way Dash squinted eyes as if the bright sunlight was his enemy - just like a vampire. 

As usual, Anabelle choose to explain, "No, babies have been in a world of darkness in the womb for so long that they have to adjust to the sunlight of our world with time,"

"So, he can't see me?"

"Eh?" Anabelle scratched the back of her head, she wasn't that sure of that one.

Isabella, who kept her ears open on both sides, snorted, "Babies this age can focus on shapes that are close by, but see distant objects as blurry because they are nearsighted. As he grows, his eyesight improves. By the end of three months, he would be able to follow a moving object, be more interested in shapes and patterns, and can spot familiar faces, even at a distance. Human faces would be one of his favorite things to look at, especially his own or a parent's face or sibling..." Isabella trailed off when she realized she said more than enough. 

Everyone was stunned, how does she know so much about kids and yet, claim not to like them. Perhaps, because she knows too much, it's annoying?

"Don't say a word!" Isabella warned them immediately, having sensed their intention.

Not a word was spoken as she wanted, but their eyes spoke volume. 

The kid went back to admiring the child that has ensnared them with his cuteness 

"Gosh, look at his mouth. No teeth!" 

"Look at the way he flutters his eyelids!" 

"I think he just smiled at me!" 

"He just cooed!" 

"He's so adorable!" 

"I want a baby too!" 

Those words rang out across the room as the baby bewitched them with his charm. 

"Pedro!" Ailee called all of a sudden 

"Yes?!" 

"Can I betrothed Dash before anyone lays a claim to him first?" 

"Huh?" The boy was stunned. His brother was barely three days old and they were already talking about betrothment. 

Neon and Allen glared at the baby instantly, what is this talk of betrothment. He was barely three days old and was already trying to take away their sister from them? They can't let that happen! 

Pedro laughed nervously, "Sorry, Ailee, but you're just a kid and you know nothing about betrothment," He treated her like one as well. 

But Ailee frowned at him, "I'll be eight next month," 

"All the better, you're too old for Dash," Allen said harshly. 

Pedro breathed in relief. 

"Silly," Ailee scowled at him, "I'm not talking about me, but my future sisters - the one mommy is going to give us," 

They almost facepalmed, the girl was betrothing their unborn sibling. Who does that? She wasn't even sure Reina would birth a female child. A single-sex triplet was rare but not impossible. 

"It would be perfect," Ailee went on, "Pedro marries Isabella…" 

Isabella went red in the face, what the hell has this girl been learning lately. She never taught her this. 

"Julie marries Anabelle…" 

Anabelle didn't hide her blush, she relished it, already envisioning a future between her and Julie. Isabella wished she could throw up. 

"My future sister Dash -" 

"Then you?" Allen interrupted her, "You then? Who would you marry?" 

Ailee grinned and Neon's heart doubled, anticipating an answer. 

"Someone better you," Was all Ailee said yet didn't notice the way Neon's expression faltered. 

He was not better than Allen, the boy moaned inside of his heart. However, a flame ignited suddenly, he could be better if he worked hard. Neon stared at Ailee, he liked her and wouldn't mind marrying her when they grew up. For her, he would work hard to become smart, handsome, and strong. He would be better than Allen so he can be her betrothed, he decided in his heart. 

Allen huffed, as expected girls would be girls. He hasn't thought about his future at all nor did he care about getting married in later years, all he wanted was fun and his family by his side. 

"So what do you say?" Ailee was still adamant about the engagement. 

Pedro didn't know what to say, he was between the devil and the blue sea. What was he going to do? Ailee was really adamant when she wanted something. He was still thinking of an escape route when fate (aka the author) gave him one. 

"What's that foul smell?" Isabella's nose wrinkled in distaste. 

Julie sniffed, "I smell that too," 

And slowly, the unpleasant smell permeated the room. Everyone covered their nose except Anabelle who announced joyfully, 

"I think Dash just pooped. Isn't it amazing?" 

Isabella was the first to rush to the door, leaving successfully. Her cousin was nuts, what's amazing about poop? 

Julie wanted to leave as well but he had to show support. Hopefully, no one would ask him to do the diapers - that would be his breaking point. 

Allen, Ailee, and Neon took a step back, for a baby this small, his poop does smell greatly. 

Pedro gulped, and for the first time, turned pleading eyes on Annabelle, "Please tell me you can do the diapers," 

________

Hi guys, just a little announcement since some of you tend to skip over the note ? while immersed in reading in a hurry to get to the next page.. But then, this is the end of this arc and by tomorrow, we're moving into a new and the final arc. Yay! The book would surely end this year - - - see rest of the note at author's thought (so it doesn't add coins) ?