The Mistress Who Ran Away With The Twins-Chapter 181: A Ghost in Disguise

Sunday arrived quietly, the kind of morning that passed almost unnoticed, and here I was, standing a few steps away from the entrance, arms loosely folded, watching the three children.

They hadn’t stopped moving since they walked in—eyes darting, heads tilting, feet shuffling in endless curiosity.

I smiled before I could stop myself.

They looked adorable. Out of place. Like kittens dropped into a jewelry store.

"Okay," I said lightly, clapping my hands once. "Quick tour. Then you behave while I work. Paris, look after your siblings, okay?"

The triplets nodded eagerly, their faces lighting up. I led them forward, pointing out details as we walked.

Paris asked questions nonstop, Egypt chimed in occasionally with comments, and Cairo absorbed everything quietly, like a tiny, serious scholar meticulously observing everything.

"Mom," Paris said suddenly, stopping short. "Is this really yours? Your... for real ours?"

"Yes.." I smiled at her, watching as her gaze roamed across the restaurant in wide-eyed amazement.

Egypt narrowed her eyes. "Wow... so it’s yours... legally?"

I laughed softly. "Pfft—what do you mean legally? Of course, this is legally ours now."

"Like... your name is on the papers?" Paris pressed.

"Yes.." I confirmed.

"So," Egypt said slowly, looking around, "if I sit on that chair, no one can stop me?"

"No one can stop you."

"And if I order yummy food, I don’t have to pay?"

I chuckled at that before pretending to ponder the question. "Well... I’ll think about it first."

Paris smiled gently and clasped her hands together. "Okay... then can we play around here?"

"Well, you can tour around, but don’t be naughty. We have customers, and some don’t like noise. For now, you should behave, look around, and smile at our customers. Can you do that?"

"Okay, Mom!" the three chorused in perfect unison.

Cairo sniffed the air delicately. "It smells... fancy here."

"Like butter.." Egypt added.

"And money.." Paris contributed with a cheeky grin.

I groaned softly. "Please don’t say that out loud here."

I called over one of the staff members. "Okay, kids, this is Haide. She’ll watch over you. You can ask her questions or food if you get hungry, okay?"

"Yes, Mom!" they shouted eagerly.

By the time I handed them over to Haide with firm instructions not to climb on anything or interrogate the guests—my phone was already vibrating with work messages. I squeezed each of their shoulders affectionately before heading toward my office, glancing back once more.

They were laughing now. Egypt was dramatically explaining something with wild hand gestures to Haide, while Paris argued with her, and Cairo just nodded along seriously.

Cute, I thought, unaware of the small storm about to enter the restaurant.

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The front doors opened again not long after.

Rome stepped inside.

He was covered head to toe—dark jacket, cap pulled low, mask snug against his face, sunglasses hiding his eyes. Only his lips were visible. He’d dressed like someone determined not to be seen.

But he froze the moment he saw the triplets.

Three small figures stood near the center of the restaurant.

His breath caught.

Paris noticed him first. She squinted openly, but almost immediately, the triplets remembered their mom’s instructions to greet arriving customers. In unison, they bowed politely.

"Welcome to Sylcincolm Restaurant. I hope you dine well!" Egypt led the chant, her voice confident and lively.

Rome gave a small, brief smile and moved almost furtively into the restaurant while glancing around cautiously, as if afraid someone might notice him.

"That man looks... suspicious..." Paris whispered to her siblings, but Rome’s ears still caught the words. He stiffened slightly.

Egypt leaned closer to her. "Yeah... why is he wearing so many clothes?"

"Maybe he’s cold?" Cairo said thoughtfully.

"Or maybe he’s sick?" Paris whispered incredulously.

Rome forced himself to appear casual, pretending to study a menu board near the counter, fully aware of three pairs of eyes burning into his back.

"I don’t know... but don’t you think he looks familiar?" Cairo murmured.

Rome’s fingers curled slightly under the table.

Paris snapped her fingers. "Wait. WAIT. I think I know him now."

Egypt jumped. "Who?"

"Our ghost neighbor!" Paris whispered excitedly. "You know—the one living in the ghost house!"

Rome nearly swallowed his tongue. Ghost? Are they talking about me?

Egypt’s eyes widened. "The quiet one?"

"Yes!" Paris said, nodding furiously.

"Ah... the one who always wears black." Egypt added.

"And never talks.." Paris continued.

"And always watches us.." Cairo finished.

Rome closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, letting their tiny voices reach him. They huddled together, whispering fiercely among themselves.

"He has the same aura... he’s a bit scary, but I heard from Mom that he’s the one who always gives us breakfast." Paris whispered.

"You mean the yummy breakfast?" Egypt added, eyes wide.

"He’s mysterious, but kind... if he’s the one always giving us breakfast." Cairo said.

Rome pretended not to hear, his heart quietly tightening.

He chose a table and sat. The server immediately approached him politely.

"I’d like the deluxe pancake, and all kinds of your desserts," he said calmly. "With all available toppings."

The server blinked. "All of them?"

"Yes."

From behind a chair, Paris gasped. "Did he say he’s ordering pancakes? Wow... he’s rich."

Egypt swallowed. "I want dessert too... do you think Mom will let us?"

Cairo’s stomach betrayed him with a loud growl.

The plate arrived, stacked high—pancakes drowning beneath fruit, syrup, chocolate, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. The kids stared as if the tower might explode.

Rome slid the plate slightly forward and looked at the triplets. "You may join me.." he said evenly.

They froze. "Is he talking to us? Did he hear us?"

Paris whispered, "Maybe... but don’t go to him. What if it’s a trick?"

Egypt whispered back, "If it is, it’s a tempting trick."

Cairo frowned. "Mom said not to take food from strangers."

Rome nodded. "Wise advice."

He nudged the plate closer. "Then sit. Eat. I’ll be the stranger."

Paris tilted her head shyly. "That’s impolite, Mister... we’re not really hungry."

"But I’m hungry!" Egypt said immediately.

They debated for exactly three seconds. Then, slowly, they sat.

Up close, the man was tall, quiet, still. Paris and Egypt watched his lips as if they might reveal secrets.

"So," Egypt asked, leaning forward, "are you rich?"

Rome paused. "Uhm... y-yes?"

Egypt leaned closer. "Be honest with us, Mister... since you’re in disguise. Do you own five countries and hide so no one can recognize you?"

Rome scratched his head. "No... I’m not that rich. I don’t own countries... I’m just a little sick, so I’m being careful not to trouble people."

"Then why are you eating sweets? I heard from Mom that sick people shouldn’t eat sweet food." Egypt pointed at the pancakes.

Rome glanced at the plate. "Because I like it... and I like sharing with you."

Paris nodded. Then the triplets exchanged glances, then hesitated before inching closer. Egypt sat beside him first, eyes never leaving the food, while Cairo quietly took a plate for himself. Paris hesitated at first, eyeing her siblings, then slowly followed.

Cairo poked a strawberry with his fork. "Are you... our ghost neighbor?"

Rome lifted a brow beneath his cap. "Am I?"

"Yes!" Paris said confidently. "You’re the same height, and I’ve seen that outfit before, so we’re sure."

"And you’re as mysterious and quiet as him.." Egypt added.

Rome hummed softly. "I suppose."

Cairo brightened. "But now... you’re not that scary anymore."

"You think so?"

"Yes."

Paris squinted. "Do ghosts eat pancakes?"

"W-what?" Rome said quietly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

That seemed to satisfy them.

"What are you waiting for? You can eat all of them."

Rome picked up a fork and carefully fed a bite to Egypt. Egypt froze at first, surprised, but then accepted it. Cairo did the same quietly, offering blueberries to Rome that he didn’t like himself.

Paris lectured Cairo gently about proper pancake etiquette and the order of chocolate syrup.

Rome watched them as if afraid they might vanish if he blinked. The simple, innocent joy in their small gestures and clumsy excitement made him feel lighter, even though he had hidden under that mask.

They were messy, energetic, small, funny... like little hamsters. Adorable little hamsters.

"You’re messy..." Paris said suddenly.

"Am I?" he asked softly.

"And tall."

"Yeah?"

"And weird."

"Huh?" Egypt jabbed a fork at him. "Are you lonely?"

Rome didn’t answer immediately. He was startled... yes, he wanted to say he was lonely, so lonely that he only allowed himself to look at them from a distance. Afraid that if he turned away, they—and Sylvia might disappear again.

"Sometimes..." he finally said.

The triplets nodded among themselves as if they understand him before they finished eating.

Paris leaned back, satisfied. Egypt wiped her mouth dramatically. Cairo stacked the plates neatly.

"Thank you, Mister Ghost.." Paris said politely.

"Mr. Ghost? What are you calling me Mr. Ghost?" Rome repeated softly, amused.

"Well, it’s because you’re like a ghost who rarely comes out during daylight, and when you do, you’re all covered up like you’re afraid of the sun like a vampire." Egypt explained, shrugging.

"But why not a vampire?"

"Well vampires don’t eat pancakes."

"H-haha," Rome said quietly, scratching the back of his head. "Then I guess you’re welcome."

"Uhm, Mr. Ghost... why did you decide to live in our neighborhood when you’re this rich? Are you hiding from someone?" Egypt asked boldly.

Rome nearly choked on his words. "N-no... I just like a change of environment. Living in that neighborhood isn’t bad. I guess?"

"So... will you eat here again?"

Rome hesitated. "If I’m allowed."

"Why are you asking whether you’re allowed or not? Of course you’re allowed!" Egypt said, grinning.

Just then, Haide appeared, concern flickering briefly across her face before relief replaced it.

"There you are kids, but what are you doing with our customer?" she asked gently, her gaze flickering hesistantly toward Rome. "Your mother’s looking for you."

Paris said proudly, "Haide! We made a friend!"

Haide smiled politely at Rome, a little shy. "Uhm... yes, I can see that. Thank you for taking care of them for the meantime."

"It’s okay... I also enjoyed talking to them." Rome replied softly.

Haide nodded once. Then the children walked away, glancing back repeatedly.

"Thank you, Mr. Ghost! Please come back!" they called.

Rome just stayed seated long after they left, quietly wrecked, smiling faintly beneath the mask.