Tyrone''s face flushed a deep shade of red: "Mom, what are you even talking about? When have I ever


    been yed?" Clearing his throat, Tyrone continued, "Mom, why are you asking all these questions?


    First, tell me, how did you get here?"


    Serena quickly interjected, "Ty, I came with Mrs. York for a vacation. The tour guide suggested we stay


    at this hotel, iming that it had better amodations. But honestly, this ce is not great." Tyrone


    nced at Serena, feeling too annoyed to engage with her.


    He told Mrs. York, "Mom, just do whatever you need to do. I''ve got to head out for a bit. Please, no


    meddling."


    As Tyrone reached to pull Mrs. York''s arm and shut the door, Mrs. York grimaced, "Son, isn''t that a bit


    embarrassing that you get kicked out all the time? You might not care, but it''s mortifying for me."


    Tyrone''s face turned even redder. What could be more humiliating than his own mother witnessing him


    being booted out of bed by a woman? He was well aware of his disheveled appearance - unwashed


    face. ubed hair, still in yesterday''s clothes - without needing a mirror.


    Frustrated, Tyrone eximed, "Mom."


    Suddenly, the door swung open: "What''s with all the noise outside? Go get the medicine already."


    Wrapped in a sheet, with hair tousled and shoulders exposed, Quintessa stood there, her neck marked


    with bite marks from Tyrone the night before, looking irritable from being woken up.


    Everyone froze, and upon seeing Mrs. York, Quintessa did too.


    After a moment, she managed, "Mrs. York, you?"


    Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    Stunned, Tyrone quickly stepped in front of Quintessa, trying to usher her back inside, "Who told you to


    come out? Get back in, now."


    Mrs. York immediately said, "Quintessa, dear, I''vee all this way. Won''t you invite me in?"


    Still dazed, Quintessa reflexively responded, "Oh, sure,e in then."


    Tyrone grabbed Mrs. York''s hand, stopping her from entering, "What are you doing, Mom? Don''t make


    a scene. Quintessa, just go back to sleep, and I''ll be back soon." Then, turning menacingly towards


    Serena, he snapped, "And you, what are you staring at?"


    Serena shrank back, hiding behind Wilma.


    Mrs. York pouted, "Why are you yelling? Do you want everyone to know you got kicked out without any


    thanks?" Tyrone''s face crumbled, "Mom."


    Mrs. York insisted, "Then let me in."


    "No way."


    Taking advantage of Mrs. York''s momentary distraction, Tyrone quickly pulled her aside and mmed


    the door shut. Inside, Quintessa paused, then, clutching the sheet, she returned to bed, thinking, Screw


    this, I need sleep.


    Tyrone finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Mom, go find your room. I''ve got things to do."


    With that, he turned to leave, only to hear


    back, sure enough, there was Mrs. York, tapping on the door. S


    Yg behind him. Be


    SW


    Tyrone gritted his teeth, pulling Mrs. York away, "Mom, what are you trying to do?"


    Mrs. York looked innocent, "Just trying to have a word with the little siren who took advantage of my


    son."


    Tyrone gritted his teeth, "It wasn''t like that, okay?"


    He sometimes wondered if she was really his mother. With so many people around watching, why did


    she insist on putting him in such awkward situations? Why couldn''t they just get along peacefully?


    Mrs. York nced at the door, "But it''s a fact that you got kicked out, isn''t it? You just got booted out of


    bed, didn''t you?"