It All Started With an Affair

A week after the engagement party, Bianca shuffled into the kitchen wearing a loose hoodie and a pair of comfortable pajama pants. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and her eyes were still half-closed from sleep. Barefoot, she padded toward the counter, ready to kickstart the day.

"I need some coffee, STAT," she mumbled, opening the pantry to grab her favorite mug. "Then I'll make eggs and a tower of waffles. Mason and Jason's favorite."

The sound of approaching footsteps made her look up. Ken entered the kitchen in a sharp navy suit, complete with a crisp white shirt and a tie that screamed he had somewhere important to be. He gave her his usual crooked smile, his presence filling the room with an easy confidence.

"Morning, Bianca," he greeted, heading straight for the coffee pot. "Something steamy to start your day?"

Bianca chuckled, rubbing her eyes. "You read my mind."

Ken poured a cup of coffee, adding just the right amount of cream and sugar before handing it to her.

"There you go," he said, his tone teasing. "Perfectly brewed, just for you."

"Thanks." She took a sip and sighed in satisfaction.

"So, you and the kids are hitting Funland this afternoon?"

"All the rides and games we can handle," she replied with a grin. "Sure you can't come?"

"Tempting," he started, but stopped as the elevator dinged.

The doors slid open, revealing Imelda, looking far too chipper for this early in the morning. She was dressed in a figure-hugging red dress and towering heels, her hair styled in flawless waves. A designer bag dangled from her arm, and she carried a paper bag in the other.

"Darling!" Imelda sang out as she strode into the kitchen.

Before Ken could react, she threw her arms around him. "Oh, Imelda, what are you—" Ken stumbled, clearly caught off guard.

"Saying good morning to my boo-bear, duh!" she said, planting a dramatic kiss on his cheek.

Ken gently pried her off, taking a step back. "We have company," he reminded her, nodding toward Bianca.

"It's just Bianca," Imelda said dismissively, rolling her eyes.

Bianca frowned and placed her coffee cup down. "Yeah...I've lost my appetite anyway," she muttered, turning toward the door.

Ken stepped in quickly. "Bianca, you don't have to leave. This is your home too. Imelda needs to remember that." His tone was firm, his eyes narrowing at his fiancée.

Imelda waved him off. "Whatever. I'm here to see Bianca anyway." She spun on her heel, facing Bianca with a tight smile. "Grab me a cup of coffee, and let's chat."

"Imelda," Ken interrupted, his voice sharper now. "We talked about this. It's not appropriate to ask Bianca to fetch you things."

Imelda sighed dramatically but moved to pour her own coffee. Meanwhile, the twins came bounding into the room, their hair wild and their matching pajamas slightly rumpled.

"Morning!" Jason yawned, rubbing his eyes.

"Ooooh, waffles!" Mason cheered as he spotted Bianca near the oven.

"Thought you boys could use a treat," Bianca said with a smile, turning back to her cooking. She plated a golden waffle and started to set it down in front of Mason, but Imelda swooped in and snatched it away.

"Hey!" Bianca exclaimed, startled.

"Imelda, was that really necessary?" Ken asked, his tone growing irritated.

"This kind of unhealthy eating is exactly what I wanted to talk about," Imelda declared, ignoring the growing tension.

"But waffles…" Jason pouted.

"Don't worry Mason," Imelda chirped, pulling items from her paper bag. "I brought fresh spinach and mushrooms for an egg-white omelet. Much better for growing boys."

Mason looked horrified. "But we wanted waffles!"

"And I'm Jason," Jason corrected when Imelda called him by the wrong name.

"That's what I said," she replied with a sugary smile.

Then, without missing a beat, Imelda dumped the plate of waffles into the trash.

"Nooo!" Mason wailed.

"Imelda!" Bianca snapped, stepping forward. "That's perfectly good food!"

"We can afford it," Imelda said dismissively.

"That's not the point," Bianca retorted, her voice rising. "It's wasteful, not to mention rude."

"Ken, back me up here," Imelda said, folding her arms.

Ken rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "While I don't agree with her methods...maybe Imelda has a point. We should try to eat healthier as a family."

"Not you too!" Jason gasped, looking betrayed.

Bianca frowned at Ken. "Seriously? I know she's your fiance but are you really putting up with this?"

Ken sighed deeply. "Look, I just want to keep the peace. But, Imelda, you do owe Bianca an apology."

Imelda's face tightened, but she turned to Bianca. "...Sorry."

Bianca didn't bother hiding her skepticism as she grabbed the spinach and mushrooms, silently chopping them for the omelets.

"Can we still get cotton candy at Funland this afternoon, Dad?" Jason asked hopefully.

"Funland? That germ-ridden death trap? Absolutely not," Imelda interjected. "Boys your age should be learning, not wasting time at amusement parks. A museum would be much better."

"But Dad promised!" Mason protested, his voice breaking.

Bianca glanced at Ken, who looked completely cornered.

"Boys," he began hesitantly, "Imelda is part of this family now. We have to respect her input. Besides, museums can be fun too, right? Remember when Bianca took you to the planetarium?"

"That was different," Jason mumbled.

"Yeah," Mason added. "No one promised Funland first."

Bianca bit her tongue, her frustration simmering.

"Bianca, make sure you strain the spinach before you add it to the eggs," Imelda directed.

"Yes, Imelda," Bianca muttered, her grip tightening on the knife.

---

After breakfast, Ken and Imelda left for work, leaving Bianca alone with the boys.

"Dad's always less fun around Aunt Imelda," Jason said, flopping onto the couch.

"Yeah, he promised we could go to Funland," Mason added, kicking at the carpet.

Bianca sat down between them. "Your dad's trying to make everyone happy, even though it's hard when someone's being…a little extra demanding."

"We should've outvoted her," Jason suggested.

Bianca chuckled. "Fair point. But being engaged puts her in a different position. You'll get it when you're older."

"Then I'm never getting older!" Mason declared.

Bianca grinned. "Smart move."

Jason perked up. "Hey, if we all agree it's not fair, why don't we just go anyway?"

"Yeah!" Mason chimed in. "Dad didn't say we couldn't go. He just said we had to respect Imelda. We can do that…

Bianca looked between the two boys, their faces lighting up with hope and mischief. They wore the kind of expressions that could melt even the coldest hearts.

"If we go, you two have to promise me something," Bianca said, crossing her arms but letting a grin slip through.

"Anything!" Mason declared, his eyes sparkling.

"First, no tattling to Imelda," she started.

"Obviously," Jason said, rolling his eyes like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"And second," Bianca continued, leaning closer, "you have to behave like absolute angels the entire time. No whining, and definitely no fighting."

"We swear!" Mason said, raising a hand like he was taking a solemn oath.

Jason mirrored his brother's enthusiasm. "Cross our hearts."

Bianca tapped her chin, pretending to consider. "Well, when you put it like that... what the heck. Let's go to Funland!"

"Yessss!" Mason pumped a fist in the air, practically bouncing off the couch.

Jason jumped up, running toward the stairs. "I'm gonna change! Let's get there before the lines start!"

"Don't forget sunscreen!" Bianca called after him, laughing at their excitement.