Bonus Chapter: Part 1

Another day was set to start in the city of New York. As the sun began to soar towards the peachy skies surrounded by candy-like cotton clouds, gradually turning the cold and crisp dawn into a prickly sunny morning. The birds performed the dawn chorus ritual, singing chirps in the early morning to announce their respective territories. Others flocked their wings and went along singing, finding a potential mate while parking on sturdy branches. The wind blew against the evergreen trees, pushing dead leaves to depart from the branches and swing down slowly until they arrived at the ground.

However, rather than reach the ground as it was expected to be, a minibus suddenly drove its way through the undisturbed road, causing another gust of wind that made the leaves be driven away and perform another waltz in the air.

"Good morning to our enthusiastic parents and babies! We are back at The Dadlicity, episode 31st! We are here to meet a family that is known for... ugh! I suck at reading when in a car!" actress and television host Janine Gonzaga asked. She used to be a small-time actress who had minimal roles in primetime shows and films. However, her extraordinary makeup skills and funny skits that led to relentless content posting on Youtube made her viral and known to the point that one could hear or read her name on a daily basis, giving her the most awaited debut to stardom that she had always been dreaming of.

"You're supposed to do the narrating tomorrow, so you have more time to practice," said Haroun, the director and show's producer, while wiping the pearls of sweat persistently forming on his forehead and rubbing tired eyes that had large bags underneath. The man was sleepless the entire week coordinating with the scriptwriters on what they should input on this episode's screenplay while recording his first indie movie that was close to its release, in which he had invested countless dollars in.

Today was a special day for the crew. Their television show The Dadlicity, a reality-based television show that features famous notables turned fathers bonding an entire day with their children, would be featuring one of America's leading businessmen. Hades de Vries. The show featured countless actors and stars along with their children, but a tycoon? This was their first time, and they would hate to spoil it. Especially since Mr. de Vries was one of the company's major shareholders, displeasing him would mean displeasing their boss.

"Why are you here, anyway?" he then popped a question. The host wasn't really necessary to be part of the recording with the crew since they were only designated in the studio to watch the entire episode and pull out comments, jokes, and compliments.

"I wanted to see Mr. de Vries in person!" the excited actress immediately retorted, crossing her arms and looking up as her eyes began to sparkle dreamily. "I heard that he's such a catch in person."

"You're speaking about the man as if he isn't married."

"Doesn't matter. It's just a small crush anyway," the actress immediately put up her defense. "And divorce is legal in this state anyway," she added, her voice fizzling in a sunken fantasy.

The tired director could only sigh and roll his eyes at her, praying to the odds that her annoying antics would disappear. The woman was a good actress and entertainer. However, she had this unlikely antic of being annoying with everything she did. May it be her side comments, her sudden attitude changes, the way she would change her tone, and the likes just to get all the attention on her. "Dream on, Janine. Dream on."

"I heard that Mr. de Vries is very doting to his wife. Is that true?" a voice behind them asked. It was Padgett, an assistant scriptwriter who just got into the management a year ago. It was rumored that she had connections with one of the most prominent screenwriters in the industry. It was a wonder to the crew why she chose to be part of them when she could have gone with her aunt and assisted with a big film if the rumor was true.

"That's what I heard," it was one of the scriptwriters, Camilla, who answered her question. "They say he's crazy about her, as crazy as their story before they got married." Before she became a scriptwriter, she was once an entertainment journalist. Almost a decade ago, the couple's so-called "love story" was a controversy in the showbusiness. It started with a scandal, but unlike any scandal, it didn't have a bitter end.

"I saw her pictures on the internet once. Chick's fine as hell. No wonder man's a crazy doting husband," the camera operator, Jamaal, stated.

"Oh, I think I was in high school at the time of their controversy. How crazy was it?" the newbie now became more inquisitive with the sudden disclosure of events.

"I think we've arrived." The team's driver suddenly announced before pressing on the brake to bring the car to a halt.

"What do you mean 'I think'? It's almost 6! We need to capture a shot of Mr. de Vries being asleep!" Haroun, who sat restlessly on the furthest seat, stood and made his way to the front to ascertain the driver. However, seeing the view outside the windshield made him change his mind.

Right before them was an enormous gate attached to marbled pillars, fully embraced by a bunch of green vines. It seemed to look like a classic Greco-Roman entrance built in a modern setting. Behind the thick and lustrous gates of steel was a stash of pure greenery, but despite the thick greenness, Haroun could catch a glimpse of infrastructure on its farthest side. Just as the sun continued to rise to the peak, its rays extended and flashed against the gates, giving a finishing act of exposing it entirely like a spotlight highlighting its glossy beauty.

"Are you sure this is the place?" the stunned director proceeded to ask. The place looked like an entrance to heaven rather than a millionaire's gates!

"It's what Maps told me, and this is already the end of Fresh Oaks. There is nothing else left after this," the driver stated in his defense, shrugging his shoulders.

"Right," Haroun mumbled under his breath as he rubbed his cold hands, subconsciously convincing himself that he wasn't nervous but excited. "I'm heading out and use the doorbell," he said before stepping out of the car.

As soon as the ray of fresh sunlight hit his eyes, he squinted them as they stung, and his body felt stiff. He felt like a vampire committing suicide by bathing in the sunlight. He made a slight stretch and did a little exercise to improve his circulation after sitting in the car for hours, to which the crew members who were witnessing him thought that their director was probably nuts for a reason.

"What are you waiting for? Ring the bell!" Jamaal shouted from the car.

Now getting annoyed, he shouted back, "Yeah, yeah. On it!" before taking one last stretch and walking towards the pillar to press on the familiar-looking doorbell. He stiffened the moment he pushed the small button. 'Is this thing that one doorbell made from jewels?!' he thought. No wonder it looked familiar! He read a magazine about a doorbell encrusted out of sapphires, gold, and diamonds that only a few had, with its picture featured. He didn't expect to see one in real life!

"Good day, this is the de Vries estate. How may we help you, especially in this lovely early morning?" a gentleman's voice suddenly came out of nowhere that grabbed Haroun away from staring mindlessly at the priced doorbell.

"Hello! We are the crew from Helios Media. I'm Al Haroun Sangcopan, the director of The Dadlicity. We're here to shoot our 31st episode featuring Mr. Hades De Vries," he explained awkwardly, and silence followed. The poor man was now drenched in sweat, the morning was cold, but his hands were colder. Silence followed after his introduction, making the situation more awkward than how it previously was. "I am assuming we are at the correct residence...? Is... my anticipation correct?" Another moment of silence, lasting for seconds, minutes.

"Gah!" he gasped, and his heart jumped off his chest when the gates suddenly opened like it was pushed open by a strong force, and a queue of maids suddenly came into his sight!

"Good morning, director Sangcopan. I apologize for the late response. Your crew had come earlier than expected." A man suddenly came into sight, walking towards them in an astonishing and graceful manner, looking dashing in a neat tuxedo. He seemed pretty old, probably in his 60s with his grey hair and wrinkled face, yet his physique was ripped and healthy like a gym rat. He looked healthier than anyone else in the area.

The sweaty director remained standing awkwardly on his spot, clutching his chest in sudden surprise. "Please to meet you, director," the elderly offered his glove-covered hand for a handshake.

"L...likewise," was what a dumbfounded Haroun could only state.

"Very well." The elderly butler then said, raising an arm to guide them inside the villa. "I suppose the rest of you may leave the vehicle. The master has been waiting for you. Please follow me," he said. The fazed crew was quite hesitant to step in such glamorous gates and marvel at the heavenly-like area kept behind it.

Nevertheless, being the crew leader and the show's head producer, Haroun held his head high and followed behind the butler. The rest of the crew left the van, even the driver, who was quite hesitant to leave the car by the gate when a valet suddenly came and offered to park it.

"Oh, wait. Did you mention that Mr. de Vries has been waiting for us? Does this he's already awake?" Haroun asked when he recalled what Richard had mentioned earlier. He subconsciously bit his fingers nails, hoping that he heard the olden butler wrong or the first scenario he desired for this episode be blown away!

"Why yes. The master has been preparing for this since last week. He is excited to share how much he cherishes his son on national television."

The director subconsciously cried. He was expecting to shoot Mr. de Vries asleep! He was dead serious about reaching that kind of perfection. A video of a well-known business owner all unkempt and snoring would boost their ratings! It would be marked history! It would be all over tabloids, articles, and newspapers! It would have been sensational!

"Hey, start recording! Start recording this!" he turned his head to look at Jamaal, who already had his camera on his shoulder, and one of their interns holding up the microphone. He internally prayed that what he heard was wrong, and Hades de Vries was still asleep.

"Already at it, boss." Jamaal threw a thumbs up at him, which was much to the frantic director's delight. He was always thankful for having the guy in his crew and thought of raising his pay for being an initiative guy.

"May I ask, sir. What kind of person is Mr. de Vries?" he walked a few steps faster to get closer to Richard's broad back. The man was tall, had long, slick legs, and his strides were two steps away from his, so Haroun had to walk faster than his usual pace.

"Hm, how do I say this...." Richard hummed, rubbing his chin with his gloved index finger like he was thinking. "He's a gentleman who hated surprises."

The now terrified director bit his lower lip, beginning to sweat when he heard those words. No, he didn't hear the butler wrong about Hades being awake. Mr. de Vries was awake. Wide awake. It was a good thing after all that Mr. de Vries was already awake before they came. He sighed in relief, though slightly disappointed since he couldn't get the perfect shot he wanted. But if he did, it'd cost his entire production and crew.

They continued to walk in the lush, green garden, which seemed to take forever. It may have been tedious, but everyone part the crew wasn't bored in marveling at the breathtaking grove. There weren't only flowers and bushes but also trees, two garden houses engulfed by vines, a plant nursery, a mini bog garden, and an indoor greenhouse! There was even a landscaped pond with a small bridge built over it with a brood of a mother duck and her ducklings swimming! It was like a forest of its own!

Though they couldn't help but wonder how large the parcel of land Mr. de Vries had possessed was already taking them 20 minutes to walk, and they hadn't arrived at the mansion yet!

"We're close to arriving, everyone. Are we still all right?" Richard turned to check on them. He was surprised to see the state of the crew, but he suppressed himself from showing it. The sun still wasn't at its peak for the morning, but the staff was already full of sweat. It was as if they had basked in its rays for an entire afternoon.

"Are we there yet?" Camilla asked. Her face and neck were drenched in sweat. Good thing she had her waterproof makeup prepared, and it wouldn't easily wear off with little saturation unless her face was rubbed with a strong makeup remover. But the backpack strapped behind her was slightly saturated with her sweat.

"Isn't walking in a large garden like this taking forever?" a panting asked Janine. The woman was relentless whenever she reached her limit of exhaustion. "Shouldn't it be considered to let a car or the van transport the guests to the estate?"

"Oh, Mrs. de Vries liked having the guests enjoying the views of nature in plight reflection and harmony with the Earth, so she ordered that the vehicles should be placed in a location away from the garden," the elderly man said, looking around the garden with contentment before nodding at her. "However, not to fret. We shall take your suggestion and relay it to Miss Allison for consideration."

The entire team immediately dreaded the moment they heard his reply. That terrifying man, Hades de Vries, was deeply infatuated with his wife and could turn the world around if she asked him to. The suggestion might upset her, and only God knew what would happen to their production.

"N-No! You don't have to take it seriously!" Janine, panicking and afraid of the consequences, immediately ate what she had said earlier. She internally chided herself for her previous actions and reflected on watching for everything she'd say. Actions could have terrifying consequences.

"That's right. That's right. We loved looking at the garden! It was an honor to take a walk in this wonderful place!" said another crew member, raising his hands to motion no.

"Yes, they're right. Please pay no heed to the suggestion," said Haroun, secretly glaring at the actress who looked away from him, now sweating more than how she used to.

Richard silently looked at them for a moment before nodding again. "Very well," he said and turned on his heels. "But, I shall still relay this to the Mistress since she always asked if the guests had suggestions, and this was the first time we had feedback. Right this way, please." He added, then proceeded to walk forward.

The individuals part of the crew glared at Janine, who had nothing else to do but to shrink behind them and lament for her soaring career that would seem to meet its end and burial not sooner from now.

It didn't take them long enough to finally reach the mansion. It was an area with walls painted in white, worldly wood, and sturdy stones. They had open rectangular spaces that seemed to be a door to the other rooms in the area, except for the wall in front of them, a glass window showing off a large pool. In the center lay a large grand piano and the walls, and there were staircases entailed from north to south and east to west, leading up to the second floor. That was not all. The room was also decorated with expensive furniture and houseplants. There was even a wall of an indoor waterfall with shelves where bonsai trees on pots rested. It was the definition of pure luxury.

"This way, please," the elder butler said, leading them forward. They then went a few left and right turns.

At a small distance, everyone saw that they were being led to a lounge. It looked marvelous with its eye-catching crystal chandelier hanging adjacent to four coffee tables placed together to make it into one large table surrounded by Nordic-designed sofas and the soft cushions resting on them. There was another glass wall that showed the view of the garden they had passed by earlier, the wall adjacent to it had a wide flat-screen television attached to it. In contrast, the other walls made of wood and concrete painted in ethereal white had bookshelves, furniture, and paintings.

"Please make yourselves comfortable," said Richard, and they all settled themselves in place.

"Prepare for the setup," Haroun said, and several crew members pulled out the equipment. He thought that the area with the indoor waterfall had a good ambiance as a backdrop. He now thought that it was fortunate Janine came with them so she could perform her lines there instead. What was left was to ask to kiss Mr. de Vries' ass and ask for his permission.

"I shall call for the Master at once," the refined, aged servant said and was about to turn on his heels, but a soft, gentle voice suddenly called for him.

"Richard?"

Out of nowhere, a woman suddenly emerged. She was breathtakingly beautiful with her fiery red locks reaching her shoulders, softly arched eyebrows, and large, almond-shaped eyes holding her outstanding green eyes. She looked sharp with her strong blushing cheekbones, upturned nose, thin rosy lips, and short chin. She looked like a fierce goddess.

She was only in her turquoise fitted shirt that complemented her creamy white skin and embraced her slim, curvaceous body paired with high-waisted boot-cut slacks and fuzzy white slippers. She was only wearing simple clothes, but she looked stunning with how she brought herself into the room as she walked sophisticatedly towards Richard.

"Richard, I was looking for you. Did you know where I put the... oh my," she paused from talking when she realized there was a bunch of people in the lounge. "Who are these people?"

"Who are these people?" the goddess-like woman asked, her eyes carefully scrutinizing every person in the room who felt the hairs on their body stand in apprehension. The way she held her gaze made them feel intimidated for some reason.

"They are our guests who will be filming the Master and Young Master, Mistress," Richard immediately answered, turning his body to face the woman and bowing slightly. They immediately knew that she was someone important.

"Oh, I see." She nodded a few times before turning to him with a small smile on her face, her cheeks slightly tinging a hint of scarlet. "And geez, I told you to cut that out when we're or with the servants. It feels edgy being called with that title. We're not living in the Middle Ages or Renaissance."

"Yes, Miss Allison. My deepest apologies," the old butler bowed once again, expressing his apologies. He remained in that pose for a few moments before finally standing straight and introducing her to the confused crew members. "This is Mrs. Allison Taylor-de Vries. Master Hades' lifelong partner and wife,"

Everyone was in awe as soon as they knew who she was. It was her, Allison Taylor-de Vries. The fashion icon and designer who flipped the face of the fashion industry. She was also one of the progenitors of producing clothes with sizes for different body types and advocated for models whose bodies didn't adhere to the fashion industry's style. She made her debut as a designer after working under variously known designers and sketched dresses for several known people from all walks of life. It was also said that she was a skilled patterner who interned in Fad, one of the most well-known clothing brands.

While everyone was awestruck at the sight of the fashion world's giants, it was not comparable to how Janine felt. It was an honor for an actress herself to come in face-to-face with a fashion icon like Allison. The woman designed and personally sewed clothes for a handful of celebrities who have reached the highest peak of fame and participated countless times in the Paris Fashion Week. As a small-time actress who was still far from the unambiguous definition of fame, meeting Allison was the same as punching the moon!

"You don't have to say it like that, Richard," the woman of the estate said and patted the old butler's shoulder, her cheeks getting redder than earlier. It was apparent that she was flustered with the introduction. She then faced them. "Like he said, I am Allison Taylor-de Vries, Hades' wife. It's a pleasure to see you all here," she spoke with such eloquence that the words she said seemed to have manifested in cursive writing and passed through their ears magnificently.

"Good morning, Ma'am. We're the production crew from Helios Media," Haroun immediately took his cue to introduce himself and offer his hand. He was always the first to answer, being the team's leader. But despite being attentive, he was mesmerized by the redhead's enchanting beauty that he almost forgot to present himself. Good thing he was feverishly on his feet today.

Behind them, Jamaal raised his camera a bit higher on his shoulder and zoomed it a bit on the woman's face. He was relieved that he didn't turn the camera off for some rest.

"Helios Media... oh! I remember. Are you the production crew for Dadlicity? The show that's gonna make an episode with my husband?" she asked. Her gaze was now full of sparkling joy and anticipation, and her voice gentle like a piece of silky fabric running across one's skin. She took his hand, and the frantic director almost melted on his spot. Her hand was as soft as a marshmallow, though a few areas in her fingers had calluses. It was probably because of her career. He heard that there were times she personally sewed and embroidered designs for some dresses she designed, especially if it was for her muses.

"That is correct, Ma'am." He nodded in response. "I'm the director, Al Haroun Arafat. This is my crew."

"Hello, ma'am!" they all greeted her, perspiring again. But this time, it was because they felt pressure in her presence. No wonder Hades de Vries was crazy over her. She possessed an unearthly beauty, like the Helen of Troy!

"I suppose that everyone is having a good time?" she asked them, and Haroun was about to answer her, but a bark suddenly echoed in the room.

"Woof!" a dog came out of the blue, running towards Allison. With its tail wagging furiously and tongue hanging out of its muzzle, the canine creature looked at the woman with glee.

"Wow, and this is?" Haroun asked when the dog noticed their presence and went towards him, smelling him all over.

"This is Jojo. He's been my pup since I got into college," she answered as Jojo went to the other crew members and smelled them painstakingly. He was getting to know them one by one with the scents they possessed.

Some were terrified and froze in their spots, others calmly remained on their spot and let him do his job, knowing what he was doing, and a few tried to get friendly with him by offering a hand that Jojo could smell on. As soon as he smelled all of the guests, he trotted back to Allison, who kneeled, and ruffled his thick fur, scratching him below his stomach. The crowd's heart softened when the furry creature howled in delight and began thumping his foot on the carpeted floor at a rabbit's pace.

"You guys can relax now and rest. You got this boy's approval," she said, and they all relaxed.

"Okay, team. Let's get moving with the preparations," Haroun said, and they all continued to what was meant to be done. He then looked over at Jojo, who was staring with its tongue out and tail wagging more powerfully than earlier. "Thanks, man," he said and came over to scratch Jojo's stomach, to which the canine wholeheartedly welcomed.

The crew watched him in horror. It was their first time seeing their director acting gentle and sweet, and to an animal of all creatures! The boogeyman, the tyrant, the absolute abomination, was petting a dog! It was like a piece of history!

As the director enjoyed his time petting Jojo, the team began to recall past experiences when they saw him acting soft on animals. Camille remembered him tending an injured raccoon that was frequently scavenging on the trash. Good thing the mammalian was docile and didn't bite him, but the bad thing was that she didn't record it on camera! It would have been a sight to brag. One of the runners, Celine, once saw him feeding and getting friendly with a street cat and didn't believe it, thinking she was just high on stimulants. While the boom operator, Michael, mused conversation with the man during one sleepless night about horses being such majestic creatures and how much he wanted to ride one but dismissed it and concluded he was just dreaming whenever he thought of it.

However, seeing the sight before them, both Celine and Michael made a new conclusion. What they saw and heard was true! The boogeyman was fond of animals!

Meanwhile, Jamaal and his assistant camera operators recorded the entire scene, making sure that everything, as in everything, was burned on film. It was a sight to see that only happened once in a blue moon, so they must make a memory out of it.

"My husband will come in a while. Our son suddenly cried, so he went to our baby's room to tend him," Allison said, breaking Haroun away from peachy fluffy haven and for the other visitors to hurriedly turn away and do their work. They had their fill, and they were satiated. If they indulged in more of it since it might cost them their last and final paycheck.

"Tea or coffee, anyone? You all came so early in the morning, after all." Richard suddenly spoke, now pushing a food service trolley with a few teacups and mugs, a ceramic teapot, and a glass coffee carafe. The senior was too swift, and they hadn't noticed that he went away, yet he managed to push the trolley so effortlessly with unsaid grace.

A maid came out behind him, pushing another trolley that was filled with plates with heaps of pancakes and bottles of different sauces. The shelf below held a tray of beignets. "Speaking of, have you all had your breakfast? We have pancakes over here," he added.

Everyone drooled at the sight of what was offered before them. The food and beverages looked delightful for the stomach! Celine celebrated for the first time in forever since she won't be asked to fetch three shots of espresso for an entire day. Being the one to run the various odd and tiring errands just for experience and exposure. It was the same as being a personal assistant but for multiple people, and with no to little pay! She silently thanked Richard for being the dutiful butler he was.

"Also, Miss Allison," Richard said, came over to Allison and whispered something to her. The woman's face changed a few times slightly before nodding.

"You're the actress Janine Gonzaga, right?" she asked, looking at Janine, who stood frozen on her spot. The actress pointed at herself. "I'll take your suggestion into consideration. Thank you," Allison proceeded to say with a smile.

Immediately, the actress saw her hard work and aspirations burning down to ashes. The crew only internally lamented her soon-to-be-failing career. It might be her last hosting for today...

"Love?" a man's velvety voice suddenly echoed around the lounge. It was a voice of a lower octave sounding gentle and charming, like how an old man would softly speak or call for his most beloved.

From one of the open entrances, a man came out. He had a figure of about six feet and a jacked body that most Hollywood actors had. Having a mop of hair as dark as midnight styled by being slicked back, he appeared clean and gave the impression that he was an individual who frequently participated in business meetings or formal events. The corporate impression was backed up by his clean-shaven face, yet his facial features appeared strong as if he was asserting his dominance with just his looks. He had a hard yet wonderfully sculpted nose and thin lips that suited his strong Eurocentric features. But what appeared the most striking about him was his pair of grey eyes that shone brightly against the sunlight but appeared like a whirl of a storm.

He strode on the wooden floors exquisitely with his long legs while carrying a mini version of himself who was sucking on a pacifier. The young boy in his arms seemed to be about 3 years old and bore an innocent face. The possibility of him becoming a devilishly handsome man in the future was unfathomable. He would surely be the latest face of fashion magazines and a fine catch for modeling agencies!

"Why Mr. de Vries!" jumped on his spot, and hurriedly trudged towards the man while offering his hand. "Director Al Haroun Arafat. It's a pleasure that you've accepted our invitation to the show, sir," he introduced himself, a wide smile etched on his face, stretching his cheeks. It wasn't his first time seeing the important people in the entertainment industry, but for some reason, something was inside his chest hammering that he should make himself pleasing to Hades.

"Hades de Vries. The pleasure is mine as well." The Dutch-American businessman took his sweaty, burly extension and they shook hands. "I apologize for not welcoming you folks at the entrance, my son here, Friso, was crying for me, you see. I hope Richard here, has given you a warm welcome in my presence," he said with an amicable smile.

"No problem, Mr. de Vries! He has taken care well of us." The frantic director could feel his hand sweating bullets as their hands shook a few more times. Internally, he thought he would never wash his hands in his entire life. Oh come on, this was the man who was always in the headlines of newspapers and tabloids and had been on the front covers of Timer and The List, the most famous business magazines.

"Dada, who are they?" the young boy with the pacifier suddenly butted in the conversation, looking at Haroun with his wide set of curious stormy eyes that he inherited from his father. He had these red, puffy cheeks and a cute face that made everyone who looked at him melt at the sight of his adorability.

"They're dad's friends. They will be playing with us today," his father said, looking at his son with a soft gaze. See, even his cuteness could make a strong man like Hades de Vries soften!

"Wow," the child expressed his amusement. "Hello, dada's friends!" he raised his small, chubby arm and waved at them.

The head scriptwriter in the crew, Zhen, dropped the folder that contained the script, one of Jamaal's assistants almost let go of the camera she was setting up, and a grip who was eating in the dining room next to the lounge, dropped the pancake that they were supposed to eat while everyone else stood frozen in their spots. Silence invaded the wonderfully furnished room, a leaf leaped and spun in the wind like how a tumbleweed would in a deserted setting in a Wild West movie as the breeze went through the open window, causing a small whistling sound.

The adorable young master and heir of the de Vries household just greeted them! What would be a proper reply? Should they even reply? They should! It would be rude if they wouldn't! But how should they reply?!

Every person part of the crew bumbled and brainstormed on their form of response to the baby but they couldn't and ended up having decision fatigue, rendering the reply to be delayed by more than a minute.

"Hello to you too..." Camilla trailed off a greeting. She didn't know how to address him so she had to leave it at that. She babysat children when she was in high school, and knowing that kids of his age would be upset if ignored, she chose a simple greeting. Immediately, everyone took their cue, replying to his cheerful greeting as well.

Their response lit the joyful heart of the young man. "Hihi, hiii..." he greeted them again and waved again, this time, with two of his hands and the same gesture of salutation was repeated. "What are we doing, Dada?" he then turned to his father.

Hades stared at his son for a moment before leaning close and rubbing their noses. "That's a secret for now," he then faced Haroun and his crew, "Please make yourselves comfortable while we get our son ready. He just woke up, you see."

"Yes, yes. It's all right, sir! We're in the middle of setting up anyway," Haroun replied and looked for Richard to ask for some pancakes and was taken to the dining room. The other crew members finished what they were setting up first before following with Jamaal leaving the camera on to have it prepped for later.

Hades, on the other hand, turned on his heels and walked toward his goddess-like wife. "Good morning again, love," he said and gave her a gentle smooch on the lips.

"Good morning to you too again, handsome," Allison replied and began rubbing his clothed chest with one hand while the other rubbed on his arm. It wasn't done in a sensual way, but in a comforting manner as if she was soothing him. "Let me have him so you can have a clear orientation with the director."

"No, you worked hard last night. I saw you were still awake at 3 AM, don't forget to get some sleep, okay? Also, it's our episode today so the little man needs to know what he needs to do," he said and kissed her forehead.

"Don't be hard-headed, Hades."

"I'm not. I'm trying to be a good and diligent husband."

"Oh, you!"

"Mama and papa are flirting!" Friso suddenly butted in their conversation, his eyes shining in excitement.

"No, we're not!" they both looked at him and said simultaneously. Realizing what they both had done, they laughed.

Hearing the loving family's conversation from the nearby dining room through the thick, wooden walls, the staff, who were busy eating breakfast, couldn't help but be flustered. It was like hearing a romance story on the radio!

They hadn't expected that monster-like man and the terror of the board of directors was acting gentle and soft like a marshmallow. A week before the scheduled shooting of the episode, they were heavily oriented by the director and the CEO's assistant himself about how not to anger the Hades de Vries in any possible and accidental way with detailed points and illustrations. With that, they were sure that he was an absolute tyrant and that at one wrong breath, they will be handed their last paycheck.

Seeing how meticulous the company was with handling the terrifying man, some thought he was a man who could summon lightning and make the world bow down to his feet while others thought he was the typical self-entitled, overbearing man who got the lucky streak of being born with a golden spoon in his mouth and was abusing it. Hearing him being like this melted their terrifying impression on him. What a paradox!

While eating her pancake glazed with blueberries and butter, Misha, Janine's manager, nudged her actress jokingly. "Now you think you have a chance?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows. The latter knew she was referring to the careless words she said while they were on their way.

"Guess not," the actress answered while glumly munching on her pancakes. She was lamenting about her career, it hadn't started yet but it was already falling apart! No matter her label was a soaring actress with a promising career, she was still an inexperienced talent who had yet to be exposed to the larger portion of the entertainment industry. She hadn't learned the ways of the approach of the public's media giants and the likes, and she just made a rash comment about a fashion powerhouse owner's way of entertaining her visitors. Her career was now considered ruined!

Not to mention her husband! News articles, pop magazines, and tabloids always emphasized how Hades de Vries was very much in love with his wife. She once heard a rumor that the moment Allison gave birth to their son, Hades went to get a vasectomy right after so she wouldn't get pregnant and enter the throes of pregnancy and childbirth again. She found it romantic, but at the same time ridiculous since, for her, a man couldn't have their vas deferens cut off for such reason. Of all the men she had around her entire life, most of them were misogynistic pro-life dicks who always took pride in their XS to average-sized penises, and refused the option of vasectomy since they thought that the woman should be the one to adjust by taking pills. One of them was the man she hated in her entire life the most: her father.

The deranged, ambitious yet jobless man wanted to have a soccer team. He had her mother pregnant a few times and give birth to her 7 younger siblings until the latter got full of it and had her tubes tied, much to his disdain and led to their divorce and ultimately to his untimely demise by catching a fatal STD.

As the fourth child, she witnessed her older siblings struggle between school and their personal lives as they babysit her and their younger siblings because their mother was too busy with the household chores while carrying another sibling in her womb. For Janine, it was the right call for her mother to have a hysterectomy performed on her since giving birth to a handful of children from year to year while catering to a cantankerous husband and taking care of their waning household was withering her life away.

Before focusing on her passion as a creative performer, she had a number of boyfriends who were assholes and focused mostly on their own pleasure rather than both of theirs by refusing to perform oral sex on her but making her give them a head most of the time during intercourse. The pregnancy scares never failed to be absent and they'd tell her to abort it, even giving her money to do it. But she'd see them retweeting on Twitter about not killing a clump of cells unless it was produced thru rape or incest, which she found hilarious.

While Janine was busy reflecting on Hades' undying devotion to his wife and contrasting him to the men in her life, Haroun and Zhen were busy arguing about a few revisions in the episode. At the same time, Camilla listened to them from behind, scribbling on important things mentioned in their discussion.

"We must ensure that there is nothing but pure authenticity that no viewer could ever comment that it's scripted. So we need to make good shots, scenes, and lines that'd lead Mr. de Vries to make ad-libs... or something like that," Haroun carefully told the nodding Zhen, who was busy typing a few revisions on his laptop while looking at the printed hardcopy of the episode's script. It seemed that a few questions for Hades were changed as well.

"With that, I think we should revise this part right here? This seems too cringe-y to be real," the painstaking director said, pointing at the part that articulated about the featured father and son walking on the beach and watching the sunset simmered with cringe lines.

As an INTP-T, based on the analysis of the online quiz he took, Haroun was always serious with his work, craved for constant improvement, and tended to achieve perfection. His passion for making his work "perfect" based on his daunting tastes, was the reason why despite the budget cuts, the show was still able to receive a generous amount of views and got to continue streaming to this day.

"Oh, you're right... should we do it like this?" Zhen trailed off and began typing the idea set in his mind on his laptop. The burning spirit of ingenuity was embracing him, and it enflamed brighter as his fingers typed fastidiously on his laptop's keyboard.

"Good!" Haroun clapped his hands in approval. "Now..." he trailed off and began flipping pages on the hardcopy when the now passionate scriptwriter spoke again.

"Should we add Mrs. de Vries in several scenes too?" they had prepared several scenes with Allison involved but they kept it limited to at least 2 to 3 since Haroun was adamant about focusing the emphasis on the father and son relationship.

"It's already good as it is though?"

"But I think it's better to add Mrs. de Vries! It'd be good to show the audience Mr. de Vries' affection for his wife!"

"Dude, have you ever read our show's name? The Dadlicity, not The Famlicity. It's supposed to be about the dad and his son!" Haroun immediately retorted. "Also, the tabloids and issues already have that covered, there's no need to do that anymore."

"I thought we're looking for some authenticity, man?" Zhen raised his brows, suppressing the urge to raise his voice.

"We are."

"That's right. Which is WHY we need to add Mrs. de Vries! We should show how Mr. de Vries is as a family man," he then argued.

Behind them, Camilla only sighed while the other crew members just relished their state-of-the-art five-star-hotel-produced-like breakfast. It was a normal scene for them to see these two argue, and they understood it was a battle of the two's creative wits. They'd only argue for a bit then meet a common ground and make up in the end anyway.

"The scenes with Mrs. de Vries are already good," the director responded before flipping the pages and showing a scene in the script which entailed Hades' father and the legacy left by him. "Also, we need to delete this part."

"What? No, that one's important! It should be on record so people will know how Mr. de Vries grew up to be the man and father he currently is!" now the scriptwriter was unyielding in defending his creative nuances, standing up on his spot, and flailing his arms.

"Sure, and that'll make Mr. de Vries appear like a wuss! The guy's a well-known business strongman!" the prissy director now crossed his arms.

"Yeah right, and you're talking about emphasizing authenticity when people are supposed to be wusses!" the writer took off his eyeglasses and massaged his forehead, sighing to express his frustration. "We need to capture the audience's sentiment and show that he isn't just a businessman who is eating the business industries with cold tyranny and sparking genius, we need to show that he's human too!"

It was a battle between two creatives who wanted to show the masses their visualization of what kind of man and father Hades was. They glared at each other and an electrical spark imbued between their exchange of heated gazes. While everyone else just stared at the with a deadpan expression on their faces. Yep, it was a perfectly normal daily scene. There was nothing out of the ordinary happening.

"That sounds interesting," a voice said and both the director and scriptwriter vaulted on their spots when a voice suddenly barged into the conversation. They hastily both turned their heads, coming in close face-to-face with none other than Hades de Vries himself, again.

"Sir!" they both exclaimed in surprise, their hearts made a somersault inside their chest down to their stomach and back to their chest again. It was said that he hated surprises, but did it seem he liked surprising others?!

"We were just discussing a few revisions on the script," Haroun blurted out of shock.

"Indulge me," the said strongman stated with an ambiguous expression on his face. The two creatives gulped, thinking of ways to treading their idea to him. They couldn't tell if he was angry or not since it seemed he had heard bits of their conversation.

"You see, sir. We would like to capture something..." the frantic director, who was close to fainting, trailed off and they started to discuss how the scenes should flow for the entire episode. He didn't forget to mention the revisions he and Zhen wanted to make after getting a gist of the de Vries' life as a family.

"I'd prefer it if my wife is present in a few more scenes..." Hades trailed off when he learned about their argument about making scenes with Allison. Upon hearing of this, Zhen smirked at Haroun's way, thinking that he had the win. "But she told me last night that she wanted to see the episode with only Friso and me. Let's respect her wishes," he continued, and Haroun's unanimous win was announced.

They proceeded to discuss other necessary revisions with a few polishes. Since hearing that Hades hated being surprised and Friso just woke up, they decided to pull up the first scene as the child pretending to wake up and have him do his daily rituals before proceeding down for breakfast. "Now this actually sounds good!" Zhen declared when they finalized that the new script was good and asked Camilla to rush to the lounge where the portable printer was set up. The assistant scriptwriter obediently did so.

"Also, when we first arrived at the entrance of the mansion, we saw an indoor waterfall. Is it okay if we shoot the confessional segment there?" Haroun couldn't pass the opportunity of asking the question. The sophistication of its aquaponic design that made the water flow elegantly along the colorful bonsai trees was a perfect background for such a special episode! He would even pay if he had to!

"By all means, for sure," Hades approved, and he couldn't feel any happier.

"The new script's printed," Camilla suddenly came behind him, making him jolt on his spot. He thought it would take her a while to print all the needed copies. "Should we start shooting with the new script?" the young woman asked and handed him and the businessman the script copies.

"We need to shoot the first scene with my son waking up, right?" Hades asked.

"That's right, sir," they answered simultaneously, almost like how a line of soldiers would concurrently answer their superior.

"Good thing my son here just woke up, and I'm currently having my morning coffee," he paused for a moment, "So I presume that would capture the authenticity you're looking for?"

"What's going on?" Allison suddenly came into the picture, she walked over to the men hunching on one area of the dining room while carrying her son who was yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"Oh, Mrs. de Vries! You see..." it was Haroun who took the initiative to explain everything to her.

"Oh, I see..." the dutiful wife said, nodding as she understood the gist of the shoot should go. "Everybody's finished their breakfast, right?" she asked and looked around the dining room, everyone had finished eating. The energy wasted after a long trip to the shooting location was now regained, they were ready to work more than ever. "Then let's head to his bedroom," she then declared and began leading them to Friso's room.

The crew wasted no time and fastidiously ran behind her with the needed paraphernalia. Jamaal and his assistants grabbed their cameras over their shoulders, the grips, gaffers, and best boys got the needed equipment, and the interns grabbed the other necessary items such as the clappers, stingers, and the likes while Misha ate a few more pancakes before following the rest behind.

"Mama, what are we doing?" Friso wondrously asked his mother when he noticed that they were on their way to his room. Being the bright child he was, he knew that there was something special happening today considering that his dada brought lots of friends, and he actively wanted to take part in it.

His father was always a busy man. No matter how much time Hades spared just to play with him, the young child constantly craved his father's affection to the point that he'd get jealous over the man's job for being too attentive to it. The same went for his mother but on a lower level since she always brought him with her to work. They even got to play random games on a workday, some of which helped his mother make great progress in her work and thank him with countless praises.

His head would raise high whenever he saw the clothes he made with his mother featured on the catwalk and on television. He'd brag to Richard, pointing at it and saying: "I made that, grandad Richie! I made that dress!" and again, he would be showered with a rain of praise.

"We're playing pretend today, baby," his adoring, fondly mother answered as she pinched his cheek softly.

"Oh!" he gasped, obviously excited since there was a new game for him to play. He had been growing sick of his toys lately and wanted to play something physical. Not to mention that Hades had been pretty busy lately and hadn't given his son the usual attention the latter needed. "How do we do that?" he then asked, putting a hand on his lips.

"It goes like this..." she started and began whispering to him what he should do.

"Let's get this started, team," Haroun said as the spirit of leadership embossed within his veins as soon as they arrived at the young boy's bedroom.

"Yes, sir!" a few members of the crew said as they began setting up.

He glanced at the scene's star behind him and treaded towards them. "' Sup, champ! What's your name?" he greeted enthusiastically as he trod over to them, trying to establish camaraderie between them. He had a handful of experience dealing with kids since most of the movies and series he dealt with had child actors. He knew how to make them laugh and how to make them cry, with the latter always leaving him guilty.

"Friso," the young boy answered innocently.

"All right, Friso. Nice to meet 'ya. Gimme a high five..." he raised his hand for a high five, and the kid clasped his hand with the former. "A high low..." Haroun shifted his hand to a lower position and countered in the same manner. "Wow you're pretty good at this man!" he studied and religiously reviewed Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial development whenever he had to work with child actors. Children at Friso's age should be at the fourth stage and were easily pleased with compliments, encouragement, and attention from adults.

"Okay, champ. You heard mommy tell you that we're playing today right?" he asked and was answered with a faint nod. "This is how we play today's game..." he started, beginning to explain further what was on the script, incorporating every detail with words understandable for a child's simple mind.

"Are you ready to play?" he asked as soon as he was done explaining.

"Yes." Friso nodded, and his mother set him down. He hastily ran to the bed, laying down on it and pulling the neatly prepared star-designed comforter over his head.

"Are we ready?" he turned to his team and saw that they were all systems go as well.

Lights! Camera! Action!

-

Hello! 

This is the first part of Love's Deception's Bonus Chapter, featuring a now-married Allison and Hades, and their son, Friso (from Bubble Gum Kisses). Advanced chapters of the bonus can be found on AnyStories, Libri, GoodNovel, OWO Novel, and Insnovel starting with Bonus Chapter: Part 7. 

So that's just about it for Love's Deception! You can also see a bit more about Allison and Hades in their son's (Friso) story: Bubble Gum Kisses

"What the fuck do you want, Friso?" I asked, saying each word slowly.

"My condition is very easy to comply, love," he told me, his pair of steel grey eyes boring to mine as if saying I already know what he wanted, though I obviously do not.

"What?" I asked. It didn't take him a while to answer my question.

"Come back to me." _

A month after her father's untimely death, Vanessa Cole's mother decided to move back to their old suburban home which they left three years prior due to their father's job that requires them to move to various places. With the despair of going back to her bittersweet past, Vanessa couldn't help but comply to her mother's wishes who was hoping for a fresh restart for her sake and her little brother's, but how can she have a new beginning if her ex-boyfriend, Friso Drew de Vries, wants to drag her back when they used to be?

Hook or by crook, Friso gets always what he wants, and he wants her._"My addiction to you is beyond comparison," - Friso Drew de Vries

Art by: Shaun Pao

To keep up with my work, future works, and endless frustrations, you can find me on my social media accounts: